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.

Ok, Not So Much

The first night without the swaddle and pacifier went pretty well. The next two nights got progressively worse. Since we had some events and a roadtrip coming up (and didn't want anyone else to suffer while she cried), we decided to enter Eli into the bonus round with the swaddle and pacifier - Time Extended! Plus, she's not really to the point where she can soothe herself with her hand yet, although she's very close. She gets her hand in her mouth, but hasn't straightened her thumb just yet.

We're going to try again after July 4th weekend.

The Time Has Come Grasshopper

Eli finally destroyed the Miracle Blanket so it was time to start transitioning her out of it. Last night we swaddled her in it but left her arms out. That's right, she was free to do whatever she wanted with her arms all night!

Well, she cried for about 30 minutes and then slept all night. She's amazing!

I Know You're Wondering

I'm sure you stay up late at night wondering what Eliana's favorite toy is. Well, wonder no more.

It is this amazing ball that Uncle Kevin and Aunt Jackie gave her. She can easily grab it with either hand and try oh so hard to put it in her mouth.

One Dessert For Each Year

Sabina and I slipped away for an overnight trip at The Gaslight Inn to celebrate our third wedding anniversary. The Ivy Cottage was awesome and that's the chair we sat in to watch our wedding video and reminisce (I know, you're starting to tear up).

It was our first overnight trip since Eliana was born. But, we didn't have to worry because Tita (Sabina's mom) took care of Eli the whole time. Tita even sent us photos and sound recordings of Eli to our phone so we wouldn't miss her too much.

We went to Murphy's for dinner and had the Bonzo (3-layer cake - brownie, cheesecake, chocolate mousse) for dessert. We intentionally did not finish dinner because we were planning on having three desserts (the Bonzo at Murphie's, gelato at Paulo's, and ice cream at Ben and Jerry's).

When we got over to Paulo's for the gelato, we found out that they only take cash. Doh! Didn't have any on us. So, we made our way to Ben and Jerry's and finished the night with two desserts.

But, when we set a goal, we're persistent to achieve it. So, the next day we went to Figo Pasta for lunch and then walked next door to Paulo's (this time with cash in hand) for some gelato.

There ya go, one dessert for each year of marriage. Saweet!

1 Scale And 2 Needles

The last visit to the doctor involved a weight update. For those of you playing along at home, Eli is now 10 pounds 7 ounces (15 weeks at the time).

After that she got one shot in each leg as she continued her immunizations. She was not a fan of those two needles, but she did pretty well after a few minutes of crying and settled down in mom's arms.

ESP Anyone?

Post a comment as to what you think Eli's thinking in this picture.

(She told me afterward, so I'll let you know if you guess correctly.)

Looking Forward

Eli's not allowed to face forward in the car seat yet, but she is in the Baby Bjorn. This is her first ride out in front.

Cachetitos

In Spanish, cheeks are cachetes. But, when they are so adorable that you can't even stand to not kiss them, they're called cachetitos.

Mom can't even resist the lure of the cachetitos.