Eli is Four Months Old

Our little peanut is four months old now! I have to say that this month is when I noticed more changes with him in such a short amount of time. He would go to bed and the next morning I would say, "You look different." I try to take as many pictures, give as many hugs, and listen to him as often as I can to relish this sweet boy at this age.

I had to take home an extra kid one day leaving Sherry's and got this adorable picture of Eli and Marley bundled up and ready to go.

Every day I am reminded of just how much he is like his father.

Just hanging out with Doris

My favorite picture of this month

He's all decked out in his British gear. Our friends, the Eglingtons, got him the "iPoo'd" onesie, Chris' sister, Kate, got him the British flag socks with his name on them, and I got the Union Jack leggings from babyleggings.com

He's getting good at just sitting in the Bumbo

He has this contagious smile that you cannot help but smile back. I love how his whole face beams with excitement and joy.

My mom took him for his four month check up because Chris and I couldn't get off work. She said he did as well as he could with the shots. The doctor said he looks healthy and is now 13 1/2 lbs and 24 1/4 inches. He's still a little guy, but is really starting to chunk up.

I thank God for every day spent with my sweet baby boy.

Forty Days and Forty Nights

As Lent approaches I start to hear the song we sang just about every year at school Masses during Lent: "Forty days and forty nights/You were fasting in the wild..."

I have been contemplating on Lent and what it means for me this year. Even though the message is the same every year, the opportunity to grow deeper into Christ's love differs with where we are on our spiritual journeys.

As a new mom, I have added a new layer to my perspective on my spiritual journey and how to convey that to my child. Yes, he is only four months old, but I feel now, more than ever, is the time to start faith-filled traditions with him.

Here are five actions that I am committing myself to during this Lenten season:

1. Pray the Rosary on my way to work

I did this one last year and kept it going even after Lent. I stopped doing it when I went on maternity leave and switched cars when I went back to work. I kept forgetting too lazy to get the CD out of the other car. I really missed it because it gave me sense of calmness before the crazy day started. It reassured me that no matter how bad the day got my Mother Mary was praying for me. 

2. Go to Stations of the Cross

This one is one of my favorite things to do during Lent. And not in a morbid way, but in that I can relive the 14 stations with Christ that lead up to our waiting for the third day when our King comes back. It's setting aside our lives and taking a walk with Jesus on his road to redeem us that makes me realize how I can never thank Him enough.

3. Put the phone down when nursing

I have this habit of automatically grabbing my phone before picking up Eli to nurse him. It's not a terrible habit, but I started to realize that I was missing out on this bonding moment with Eli because I was being consumed by my phone. My goal is to use this time to bond with Eli and also as prayer time. I think those quiet minutes will be good to listen to God and enjoy my time with my son.

4. Pray before meals

I planned on doing this one last year, but did not succeed. I am going to seriously commit to this one and try something new to remind myself. I'm going to wear a bracelet that will hopefully remind me to pray. I do not usually wear jewelry, so I think this will catch my eye as a constant reminder to pray.

5. Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation

 I'm going to confess that it has been since the last Lenten season that I have been to confession. I'm not proud of it and now feel the urge to go and be released from my sins. I am committed to finding the time for Jesus.

I do not post my Lenten commitments as a way to boast, but to show that I am a sinner who is committed to following Christ.

If you want to see what I chose to do last year, you can find it here

(Most of my commitments carried over from last year either because I didn't stick to them or I wanted to do them again.)

Sts. Cyril and Methodius Celebration

A few years ago, our parish priest began celebrating the feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodius the weekend of February 14. Sts. Cyril and Methodius are credited with bringing the Catholic faith to the Slavic countries. Being that our parish was founded by Slavic immigrants, we honor the feast for an entire week. We begin with a week long novena asking the saints to pray for us and end with a Mass and processional to a local hall for lunch and polka music. 

I didn't take any pictures in church, but got a few at the hall.

All of the babies hanging out on the play mat

Sweet Casen in his costume (kroj)

I got a picture with Eli wearing a vest that my grandmother made for my family when we were babies.

Banners of all of the different organizations in our parish

Miss Mac wanted to take a picture with Eli, but he wasn't so sure

And a pic of Eli with Chris

We had a great time celebrating with Mass, lunch, and polka dancing. I look forward to this celebration every year and getting our children involved in our heritage and faith.

Valentine's Day 2014

This was Eli's first Valentine's Day and I wanted to make it special. I bought him this cute onesie with a truck toting a heart from Zulily. It fit him perfectly and he was ready to go to Aunt Sherry's for his first valentine exchange.

I contemplated on getting the onesie monogrammed with his name on it. But, I want our future babies to have a chance at wearing this cute shirt, too.

Playing peekaboo with me before leaving the house for the day

We got creative for Eli's valentines and dipped his feet in red paint to create a "v". Chris completed the artwork by adding the "l, o, and e". I also had some magnets made on Shutterfly to add to his presents for our families.

Brianna sent me this picture of Marley and Eli at my Aunt Sherry's. I love that it looks like they are holding hands. It makes my heart melt.

We kept our Valentine's Day low key with a meal at home and a quiet evening. It was so nice to sit back and enjoy the night with my two loves.

Eli is three months old

Eli is three months old!

This little guy finds a way to charm us more and more every day. My heart continues to grow as I see him smile, chuckle, and learn new things...like his hands.

I did his photo shoot for 3 month pictures and his personality came out.

He loves to smile really big so his eyes squint, like his mother. And I just love the open mouth grin and throw back head look.

 This is where it really hit me that my little boy is drastically changing. His little belly is getting bigger and his arms and legs are plumping up.

He loves bath time. He sits back in his tub and looks so relaxed with a smile on his face.

I LOVE this picture! The looks on their faces as they look at each other melts my heart. I cherish moments like this.

Remember this outfit?? This was his coming home onesie. It was huge on him leaving the hospital and now it's a little snug.

We tried oatmeal for the first time last week. He gobbled it up. It did upset his tummy so I have taken him off of it until he's a bit older.

He's a growing boy!

We were lying in bed on a late morning and Eli kept sticking his tongue out.

We got out to the park a few weeks ago and I got a selfie with my little guy. (Notice the tongue out, again.)

Eli loves to snuggle with us.

 He is a very happy guy. He will be crying and then will stop to smile and then go back to crying.

He loves when the dogs come up to him and lick his face.

I love everything about Eli. 

I hope he knows that. 

Sylvester Christmas 2013

Well Christmas was almost a month ago and I am just getting around to this post. Whoops!

I look forward to Sylvester Christmas every year. It's so much fun seeing everyone and talking nonstop!

We have a theme for food so we don't eat the same thing every year. This year was chicken. We had teriyaki chicken, chicken pastas, Stove Top chicken, chicken chile soup, and so much more. We always make more than enough, but throughout the event we all go back and eat what's left. 

It was my Aunt Sherry's year to host and she had games for the kids and adults. Each age group got to guess how much was in each jar.

A few years ago, Aunt Sherry started a box for us to bring canned food in for a local pantry. We each brought a few non-perishables to be taken to the pantry.

We also had plenty of spirits to keep the night going.

Everyone was dressed up and all smiles for the occasion.

Eli was excited for Sylvester Christmas, too!

Aunt Joan had the youngest grandchildren lead the Advent wreath ceremony.

And the babies went in the playpen while we played Murder, our favorite card game, to end the night. I think we could play this every weekend. Everyone who played brought a $5 scratch off for buy in. I don't think anyone won with the scratch offs, but nonetheless we enjoyed our time together.

This year my mom is hosting Sylvester Christmas. Can't wait to hear about the ideas she has for this year!!

Christmas Time Is Here

We had a joyous Christmas as a new family. It was busy, but Eli was a trooper and kept going. We had Zmolik Christmas on the 20th, Sylvester Christmas on the 22nd, and the rest of the festivities on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

For Zmolik Christmas I tried two new recipes. For an appetizer I went to the Pioneer Woman for Tortellini Skewers. They were a little expensive for appetizers, but very easy and delicious. You can find the recipe here. I made a dessert called Chocolate Snowballs. These were also rather easy. The hardest part was forming the dough around the Hershey kiss. They were sinfully good and you can find the recipe here.

I realize now that this says desserts when there is also an appetizer on this. Forgive me!

I have a separate post for Sylvester Christmas. On Christmas Eve we went it my Grandma Mikula's for lunch. She made barbecue, strudel, and cheese rolls. We brought the sides and more desserts. We caught up with my dad's side and looked at old photo albums. The babies had fun playing with my aunts and uncles. 

In the evening we went to my mom's for dinner and to exchange gifts with my immediate family. We managed to get a great picture of all of the babies and will be adding one more by next year as my SIL is due in July. My mom made pork loin that was so tasty. As usual, we had too much food and ate until we were past full. By this point, we were exhausted from a long day, but had to recharge for Midnight Mass. 

We got to church around 11 for caroling and to get a pew with enough room for my whole family (9 adults and 4 children). Mass was beautiful and it felt so special having my whole family together. We took pictures after Mass and it was going on 2am(Don't mind our tired looks).

     My sis, BIL, and Marley

                                     

My SIL, brother, Joshua, and Emily  

My mom and dad

And the whole family...with Joshua to the side.lol 

It was so nice to go to Mass as a family and celebrate the birth of our Lord. We thank God for our blessings of being together.

Eli is Two Months Old

Our little peanut is already two months old. I here myself saying that for every month :(

Here are some pictures of him around his two month milestone.

I love his big grin and squinty eyes

Eli's mini photo shoot

I still think he's tiny, but when compared to his one month picture I can see a big difference.

At his two month appointment, he got his shots and was a trooper. He only cried for a few seconds while I sat in the chair with tears streaming down my face. Chris was a great daddy and held him so calmly.

At his check-up he was 9 lbs. 10 oz. and 23 inches long. He has gained three pounds and 2 1/2 inches since birth. He is in the 50th percentile for everything and even went up 1/2 a percentile for weight. Our doctor says he is healthy and to keep up the good work. He goes back at the beginning of March for his 4 month check-up with more shots :( 

Christmas Card 2013

 Here is our Christmas card for this year.

The back of the card had this family picture

Click here for last year's card.

 

We hope that everyone enjoys this Christmas season and rejoices that our Savior is born.

Christmas Crafts

 For Eli's first Christmas I wanted to make sure that we made the most of it. I found a few Christmas crafts on Pinterest and took it from there.

Bri came over with Marley and we did hand and foot molds in salt dough to make as ornaments.

 

His little hands and feet are so small. 

We added a finish to seal them so they could be sent overseas for Christmas gifts.

 I also saw this cute way of keeping Eli's hospital cap and bracelet. This took a matter of a few minutes and then to hang on the tree. This is a much better way of keeping his cap and bracelet than sitting in a box. 

 

 Just a few of the memories we're making for Eli's first Christmas...