1st 4th & Adventures

Happy 4th of July !!!

First Trip to the ZOO.

First Trip to the ZOO.

First Trip to the ZOO.

First Trip to the ZOO with the girls.

Eli-
You saw Lions, Tigers and Bears. Most of all you hung out with us girls. It was such a beautiful day we left smelling all so good. This deffinatly is not our last trip this year.

Eli 2 Months

Here you are 2 Months Old!!

Eli-
I keep hearing from other moms the first few months are a blur. Well, coffee was my best friend, sleep is just something that I have to get used not having, and every 2.5 hours give or take you have to poo and your eating 4oz or more! We have so many changes going on in our life not to mention.... I can not believe how big you are getting. It is incredible how much you have changed. You are cooing now, wiggling all over and that toung of yours if you could just figure it out.

I feel like you have been here with me forever it just amazes me. Your smiles just met my hears and your eyes are so piercing, it is impossible to describe how much love I have for one little one.

I love our mornings together, its the best part of my day. We take our time and cuddle. You are always up with a smile and a giggle... Im just waiting for you to figure out that laugh!!!

Month Highlights:
You interacting so much more with everyone smiling and trying to talk all the time.
We have to buy more toys for you because you constantly want to change up what you are doing.
I think next month you would be sitting up, you never want to be laying down.
Grandpa calls you bobble head because it it constantly moving all around observing everything around you.

Happy First Day of Summer

Mom got to sit outside in the sun for the first time this year, even if it was for an hour. 

And this is how we get work done.  You never want to be put down <3 always close to mom.

Enjoying Grand Haven Beach. Our first time at the beach together!! 

Skittles always looking out for his little bro. 

Every year summer always seems to fly by. We are now able to get into a routine where we can enjoy the summer days and it is only halfway through.
The day that I walked out of the hospital with you 5.5.2014 it has been so beautiful out!

First "Real" Smile at 6 Weeks

This was my first from you. Your smile. You have smiled before, but in your sleep or after you had a full bottle, which I adore. It was as if I just saw you win the Olympics. You did it!!  I love it, it is so pure and joyful.  I mean just look at that smirk!!! I can't get enough.

Elis 1st Video Debut- Full Belly

This is my milk face.

More of my milk face.

I am so entertained by all of your expressions "the many faces of Eli". Your milk face, milk drunk, milk coma how ever you want to call it I can't get enough. Until a few weeks ago I though you would always have this frowny face. I swear you are working every muscle in your face to work up some of those grins.

Eli: 1 Month Old

Grandma got you your outfit at the hospital. We are going to see how much you grow each month.

I Love to sleep.

I Love to take walks with Mom.

Sometimes I Love to do tummy time but most of the time I end up checking myself out in the mirror.

You can always catch me making funny faces.

Mom said I am a pro at being a cuddle bug.

Thats right I am a heart breaker, just check out these guns.

I am Loving bath time.

We have lots of play time and at the end we are all tuckered out, even Skittles.

Eli-
They say it goes by so fast. I feel like every second I lay here with you watching you grow into your own, everyone else is passing us by. I live in the moment with you and it all passes us by. You have taught me to be patient and to live every moment every day.

Month Highlights:
Sleeping, Pooping, and keeping mom up all through the nights.
You are still eating every 2.5 hours and throughout the night.

Eli William Bowling's First Weeks

Our way out of the NICU, your first car ride.

This is proof you were tiny at one point.

Tummy time, it was not your favorite.

The shoes did fit, if you were wondering ;).

Moms DIY Shirt. 

First Bath, he is already a stud!

My Cuddle Bug, the moment where I feel so content.

My Little Babe.

That sums it up... just add poo to that.

My first few weeks were a little hectic. You think you got it all prepared, everything is clean, nursery set, laundry done, diapers stacked, meals set.... Below are a few lessons I had to learn that I want to pass on to other moms.

•  Get sleep before you go in to delivery if you can, because it is true you will no longer have the option to nap whenever. 
• Don't wash all of your babies clothes. Eli didn't fit into most of his newborn clothes and I washed everything. 
• Allow people to help or ask for help! I did everything myself. The very next day after being home I was in the emergency here for more. 
• Start off with a routine feeding, changing etc. Babies love to have a pattern, the thrive on it and it will save you time in the end to rest. After every feeding I changed him, it takes a lot of energy to eat so make sure you change him after he is full. He will also be more relaxed. 
• Cut out all of the "small stuff". I found out the hard way. I was pumping, breastfeeding, bottle feeding and at the end I had to start all over again leaving me with no sleep here is more of what I went through. 
• Buy loads of bottles if you are using them. We only had a few I did a lot of washing and having to sanitize, sterilize, and merging milk, time is so valuable and it goes by so fast. Now I just wash them at the end of the day or as needed. "Cut the small stuff", it adds up!
• Know there are resources out there to help. A nurse was able to come over and assist me with anything I needed, support groups, lactationist, etc. 
• This is time for you and your baby! If things don't get done around the house etc. its not going any where!! Don't be a super mom!

There was a lot of pressures on building a routine, breastfeeding, staying awake, having everyone sanitize and everything else unexpected it was overwhelming. I found that if its not fitting into you bonding with baby get rid of it. Mothers instinct is nothing you can teach!!!!

Eli- you on the other hand were wonderful. From the first day in the NECU you were so calm, they told us just wait, well I'm still waiting... I knew from the beginning you were like mom, laid back and peaceful.
With those long nights, tears & no sleep I just have to gaze down at you and I feel so content and at peace.

This is just my personal experience up until now. I looked forward to reading on other mom advice. I hope this helps with other mom-to-be.