The Bonds Family: November 2011

Oh no! Elijah is growing up too fast! He's already moved out of the newborn diapers and his newborn clothes. We didn't even get to wear all of his cute clothes or use his tiny diapers! Guess we will be donating some things!

As I sit here typing this entry, it's very hard to believe I'm a mommy. I've had almost no sleep for over 4 weeks and I'm still alive! Who would have thought that this girl, the one that must get 8 hours of sleep, can still manage to raise a healthy baby boy with no sleep!

Did I mention healthy? Yes, Elijah Tate is very healthy. In fact, at his 1 month check-up which was about 5 days before his one month birthday, he weighed 10 lbs and 3 oz. Dr. Tatum, his pediatrician, asked me how often he was eating. When I told her every hour and a half, she asked me how I was making it. I just told her the truth, I'm making it.....

He was also almost 22 inches long! He's a growing boy. He was in the 70th percentile for both weight and length. You'll be glad to know that his head is a completely average size....50th percentile.

This little man never ceases to amaze us. He make the silliest faces when he's asleep and boy, does he have some gas! We just can't help but laugh. He doesn't think it's funny, because those cries he makes are very piercing!

Just last week, he started smiling at me and copying a few of the faces I'd make at him. But, he has to be in a really great mood for that to happen.

He absolutely loves to snuggle. We (or really just me) are so torn between letting him snuggle with us during naps or putting him in his bassinet or crib. If daddy is around, he gets to snuggle on his chest. That appears to be Elijah's most favorite place to nap. If it's just me around, I tend to put him in his bed or boppy so I can get things done.

We did have a few other major milestones this past week. Elijah traveled a whole 3 hours to Huntingdon, TN to visit Nana and Papa's house. We stayed for 4 days and he had so much fun. Of course, he did get spoiled by a few people ( ok, well everyone spoiled him). He got to meet his great grandmothers, Uncle Travis, Suzanne and her mother. Oh, boy, he loved the attention. Our labradoodle, Molly, just really can't handle the lack of attention on her. Thank goodness Papa knows how to deal with dogs. He's like the dog whisperer! And, thank goodness for Nana and Papa! They took little Eli in the early mornings and at night so I could get some sleep!

I'm also glad to say we made it 3 whole hours to Tennessee without any major meltdown from Eli, Molly or Mommy! I did pull over 3 times just to check to make sure he was still alive since he was so quiet. I changed his diaper in the front seat during one of those stops. He didn't even wake-up! Coming back was almost as perfect but around the state line he was ready to be home. I finally pulled over to change and feed him. All was perfect after that.

I'm happy to report that last night Elijah went 3 solid hours in between feedings and soothed himself to sleep in his bassinet after each feeding! Major success for all of us!

We also introduced the bottle to him this week (to allow me to get a solid 3-4 hours of sleep). The first nite was a bit discouraging. But, the second nite was a total success!

Mommyhood is fabulous. Yes, I am tired and a little (or a lot) grumpy at the end of the day. But, it is worth all of the pains just being able to hold Elijah Tate. He has been the most unexpected blessing of my entire life! And, I'm sure that God would not have blessed us with him if He didn't think we were prepared!