Ellie And Santa - Version 1.0

Ok, to be honest, I kinda wanted Ellie to be crying and squirming to escape in her picture with Santa. But, it turned out to be a really cute picture. Merry Christmas!

Ellie's Mad Standing Skills

Check out Ellie's mad standing skills....even when she can't see.

CrossFit Babies

Back in September, I got certified as a CrossFit trainer and have recently started training some at CrossFit Garage. Sabina and Ellie come with me as well. Now, there is CrossFit for adults, CrossFit for kids, and now I think Ellie is ready to start CrossFit for babies. She seems to have mastered the rings already.

A Christmas Story retold...

All I gotta say is that it was really cold outside...

I really don't think she could put her arms down.
When we went outside, I then put two blankets on her. First time mom right here...

Feel free to stare...

She gets cuter by the second.

Trimming The Tree

Ellie loves lights so we wanted to turn them on as soon as they were on the tree. Plus, the whole having a tree in the house thing was new for her as well.

What Could Be Cheaper Than Walmart?

Well, Home Depot. This amazing tree was $24 at Home Depot! All three of us went to pick out the Griswold...I mean Mazac family Christmas tree. I still can't believe that it was only $24.

Christmas Service At Buckhead Church

Ellie was a little bit more into the Christmas spirit with her outfit for church than Sabina and I were. Maybe she wanted to dress up because she turned 10 months old today.

Unfortunate Incident

A camera was setup to capture Ellie in her natural habitat. Unfortunately, she spotted the camera and eventually came over and took out the videographer.

Disclosure: No actual humans, animals, equipment, or space creatures were harmed filming this video.

A Pick Or A Scratch?

What do you think? Is it a pick or a scratch?



Sorry Ellie. I promise that I will remove it when you get older.

Something Different

Ok, how about some different pictures that don't necessarily have a smile in them?

Ellie's Second Musical Instrument

Oh yeah, that's right, she's already moving on to learning another musical instrument.

This is the special director's cut version of the video. It includes a bonus feature of special commentary from Ellie on how she prepared and trained for the role.

This Isn't Fair

I know, it's not fair to post something that is this stinkin' cute! Sorry.

Ellie's First Pull Up

Ellie's getting stronger! This is her first pull up. It won't be long before she's starting on CrossFit workouts.

Photo Montage 11-13-08

This is just a collection of some recent photos, enjoy!

Little Bo Peep?

"You better not put this on the blog!"

Oui, oui or wee wee?

'Sup?

Yes mommy and daddy, of course I will obey!

Awe!

Ellie's Indian War Chant

Steve's Job Transition, God Style

I couldn't help but include this picture of Ellie. This is the outfit she wore to Watermarke Church on Sunday. The staff put together a reception for me and Sabina between the services since it was my last day (click here for some history on my transition) and invited the whole church. There were two of the largest cakes I'd ever seen. One of them said, "Don't let the door hit you in the ..". Just kidding. The staff also gave me a very cool desk clock with an engraving that said "With Appreciation Watermarke Church".

Then God showed up in my job transition in a big way. He took a Lead Pastor transition process at Watermarke Church that went 3 months longer than planned and a North Point Ministries hiring process which normally takes a year and a half (just kidding) and brought them together within one day. Literally, Sunday was my last day on staff at Watermarke, and I received a job offer from Buckhead Church Monday evening! Wow!

The position I'll be in is the building engineer for Buckhead Church. Essentially, I'll be responsible for the IT network, phone system, security system, HVAC, electrical, and mechanical systems in the building. They are all computerized so my IT background was what they were looking for in this role. I start on the 23rd!

Saweet! Thank you God for providing!

Ok, Crawling For Real

This totally counts!

Ellie - FSU vs. GT

Ok, clearly this is before Ellie found out the final score. Once I told her that FSU lost, she ran into her room, slammed the door, and cried for 2 hours straight. Poor thing.

Pre-game

Ellie was pretty excited about the FSU/Georgia Tech game this past weekend. Here she is getting ready for the game.

Musical Talent?

Ellie started playing her first musical instrument. What talent!



Okay, for those of you thinking "that doorstop looks sharp, should she be playing with that?" NO, she should not! But being a first-time mom, my first thought was, "oh, how cute! She's having so much fun!" Then I thought, "Oh no, the little white cap came off - that looks like a choking hazard!" So I took it away. Then I thought, "Hmm, the end of the coil looks sharp, maybe she shouldn't be playing with that... probably why there was a cover on it..." Then I thought, "Okay, I guess I should take her away from the doorstop. But wait, I first have to get a video of it because she looks so cute."

Ellie's First Crawl!

We think this was far enough to count. Our friends Ken and Cheryl were visiting from Denver and Ken was actually the one to catch it on video. Nice job Ken!

After Every Bite?

Ok, does Ellie really make yummy noises after every bite no matter what the food. Well, watch this video with banana.

Haven't Decided Who To Vote For?

We asked Ellie to comment on the upcoming election and share her views on each of the candidates:

Ellie Meets Oatmeal

Ellie loves to make yum sounds after each bite and then chase it with her thumb.

Ellie's First Time Eating "Solids"

This was the first time Ellie tried "solid" food. It was brown rice that we pureed. Watch closely to see if you can tell if she liked it or not.

Video Fix

Here's Eliana waking up from a nap in her new world without a swaddle or pacifier. Ah, freedom....

And The Spelling Is.....

Ellie

Thanks so much for all of you who piped in with a comment.

This is a picture of Ellie loving to be outside on the nature trail. She loves looking at the trees and always has a story to tell while we're out there.

Lizzard Tongue

This is a crazy cute video that Sabina shot with her phone. What's with the tongue?!?!?!? Oh, and check out the bald spot on the back of her head. That's where we shaved her head for the gang she joined. Just kidding, a lot of time lying on her back makes it hard for hair to grow there. I'm sure she'll love it when we share this video at her wedding rehearsal dinner. :-)

Enjoy.

Rollover - Video

Yes, we could have easily staged the rollover sequence of pictures in the earlier post. So, here's video of her rolling over. No strings, lasers, or magnetic fields were used to accomplish the rollover. Also, no animals were harmed in the filming of this video.

My Favorite Tool

No, it's not a hammer or a chainsaw as fun as those are to use. The last couple of months I've been using reQall and it is soooo cool!

Basically, I just press and hold the number 9 on my cell phone (that's where I have reQall set as speed-dial) and I speak any new task, appointment or note into the phone. Moments later I receive an email with that message in text form and the audio recording attached. If it's a new appointment, I'm configured to receive a text message 30 minutes before the appointment as a reminder.

Now I don't need to worry about having my calendar or a pen and paper nearby. All I need is my phone to record a new task, appointment or note. reQall rocks, you should try it!

http://www.reqall.com/

Eli, Elli or Ellie?

Ok, Sabina and I were talking about changing the spelling of Eliana's nickname to Elli or Ellie instead of Eli. This is mainly because Eli is most commonly pronounced ee-lie as in Eli Manning.

So, whaddya think? Should we change it to Elli or Ellie? Please post comments to help us out.

Here's what Eliana looks like, to help you out. (Just an excuse to put yet another picture of Eliana on our blog) This was in her blowing bubbles phase.

Spinal Health

Eli got a scan to check her spine. The machine Angel is operating shoots two needles into the spine. Just kidding. It's just two little wheels on either side of the spine that she rolls up Eli's back to check the muscular tension and see where it's not balanced on both sides.

Then, Dr. Eric made a couple of very gentle adjustments to get her spine back inline. Eli did so well. Of course, after having a blowout in the car on the way there and getting poop on her hands, anything had to be better.

The Brofa

Left to right - Brock, Josh, Steve, Brad

During our small group on Tuesday night, the guys took over the sofa. Brad promptly renamed the sofa - the Brofa. Nice. (Sabina wanted me to clarify b/c she didn't get it at first - brothers on the sofa=Brofa)

Our small group is a group of six married couples from church (two were not there that night) who meet weekly to hang out, study the Bible together, pray, play Wii, eat corned beef hash, plan garage sales, share crazy stories, eat Oreos, watch Dave Ramsey, and challenge and encourage each other.

Our group has been together since August 2007 and will meet until the end of May 2009. After that, we'll join another small group. This is now our second married small group (we'd been in singles small groups before we were married). It's been great to have other couples to share life with as we go through job changes, new children, personal struggles, and big decisions. The best part is seeing how God shows up in all of those situations.

Rollover - The Sequence

Yep, Eli now can rollover from her front to back pretty much whenever she wants.

Sad But True

Ok, so I messed my back up a little over a month ago. It started getting better so I did a little too much and messed it up again.

Anyway, during the whole recovery time I was working from home as much as possible so I could rest, stretch, ice, and heat it.

Here's one of my creative work positions that allowed me to get some things done while resting my back.

New Pajamas!

Here are the new PJs that Tita bought Eli. They are all one piece in the back, but have a slit in the front so you can put them on. The front flap hangs over the pants to make it look like her shirt is untucked. Eli looked like such a grown up with her "adult" pajamas that had no buttons or zippers, so I just had to put on the matching hat that came with the outfit. The hat took her down a notch and made her look like a baby again, so I felt better. She's growing up so fast!
Check out how cute she is. We couldn't pick just one picture, so here are a bunch for those picture lovers out there. :-) ~ Sabina :-)

Swaddle Transition

This picture was taken one morning during the time when we phased Eli out of the swaddle and the pacifier. That's right, she now sleeps without a swaddle and without a pacifier! She truly is amazing!

This night she had slept in the swaddle but with her arms out and free. Overnight she managed to wiggle her legs completely out of the swaddle. And, in the picture it looks like it caused her feet to fall off (don't worry, they're still attached).

Waumba Land

This was Eli's very first time in Waumba Land which is the environment for birth - 4yrs at Watermarke Church.

She stayed for both services because she liked it so much. Well, really, it was because Sabina was serving in UpStreet leading her small group of 2nd graders at the first service and then both of us went to "big church" together during the second service.

4th Of July

For the Fourth Of July we went to visit the 'Rents in North Carolina. Kevin and Jackie, my brother and his wife, were there also. Kevin's birthday is July 4th so it was a party weekend.

We played frisbee golf, went flying in a Cessna 172rg with dad, had filet mignons on the grill, homemade carrot cake, and almost burned down the neighborhood. Seriously, the very first firework (sounds weird in the singular) that was lit left a little burning ash that landed in the top of a pine tree. We thought it would go out, but instead it began to catch the tree on fire. Fortunately, with lightning quick assembly of two hoses, Dad was all over it and saved the entire Hickory metropolitan area from certain disaster. Whew!

The four of us drove up to the mountains during the weekend, so the first picture is me and Sabina on top of Grandfather Mountain.

The second picture is the birthday boy holding Eli in her Fourth Of July outfit (that Tita bought her) while she was singing the Star Spangled Banner.

Progress

These two pads are the same size so look at the difference in Eli's length in the two photos.

5 days (2/26/08)

















4 months (6/21/08)

Leyendo

Over at Tita's (Sabina's mom) house, there are some children's books in Spanish. Sabina and I both spent some time with Eli reading (leyendo) some Spanish to her.

She really seemed to enjoy the books so we've been reading to her more.

1st Father's Day

Grandpa, Grandma, and Daisy came to town for Father's Day. This was the first time Daisy and Eli met.

Eli got her first surfboard....um...for Father's Day.

This is what I got for Father's Day. It doesn't fit and it's not really my color, but I guess it's the thought that counts. It says "Daddy's girl." I got some other stuff too - just not one to boast about my new iPhone. Just kidding. I didn't get an iPhone, but Sabina did make me that amazing egg sandwich for breakfast!

Ah, the best Father's Day present ever.