Four months old

My oh my, time does fly by!  I looked at the date on my last post and was dumbfounded at how long it has been since my last post.  It doesn't feel like it's been over a month, but that's because life has just gotten so crazy!  Life has changed drastically in the past four weeks!  Time for another "power post" where I try to cover the happenings of the entire past month in just one blog!

I have been back at work for over a month, and I must say, it's very hard!  Not only is it tough to be away from Eli for so long, but it's also very challenging to juggle the work-packed life of an English teacher with the hectic life of a first-time mommy.  Gone are the days when I used to be a "workaholic" spending countless hours after school working on "extra stuff" and correcting papers.  When that bell rings at the end of the school day, I am skeedaddling outta there and on my way home to be with Eli.  I still haven't seemed to find a balance between getting my correcting done on time and being home with Eli, but I'll just have to hammer that out more next school year when Eli isn't quite as needy.  Right now, I'm just trying to get through the end of this school year and onto my summer where I'll be at home full time with my little man again.  I can't seem to think of anything else!

At four months, Eli is going through a lot of changes himself.  He has rolled over twice now (but can't seem to muster the strength to do it on a regular basis).  He is smiling all the time and loves to "coo."  Jason once asked what "cooing" was, and I told him he would know it when he heard it...only a little while later he knew what I meant!  Some of Eli's favorites right now are standing up and down and up and down on my lap, being worn in my Ergo baby carrier, chewing on my fingers, sucking on my chin (weird, I know), watching TV (much to my dismay) and laying on his back on the floor.  He'll lay there for 30 minutes and smile his gummy grin, giggle, coo, and drool.  He's teething right now, which is causing him (and us) much discomfort.   It's tough knowing my baby is hurting and there's nothing I can do about it.  We'll have to endure the crying and sleepless nights together... I have a feeling this will last quite a while as no teeth have popped through his gums yet.  In the end, it will all be worth it.  I'm sure he's got a bright toothy grin brewing!

How else has life changed, you might ask?  Well, another great change has been our new "family" life at home.  My sister-in-law, Jenny, graciously offered to be our nanny while I am back at work these two months.  Jason and I were having a difficult time finding childcare for Eli for just 2 short months until I am out of school for the summer, and Jenn stepped in and saved the day.  She and my niece and nephew, Elsie (5) and Eddie (17 months) are living with us 5 days a week and watching Eli while Jason and I are at work.  I am in awe at how she is able to keep her head on straight!  She does with 3 kids what I was challenged to do with just Eli when I was home for 12 weeks!  I think she's really Superwoman in disguise!  Eli just loves Jenn and is having fun playing with his two favorite cousins as well.  Elsie helps burp Eli and plays with him during his floor time.  Eddie likes to give hugs and kisses and calls Eli "baby."  Every time I look at Eddie, I think to myself "that's what Eli will be like in only a year!"  Kids change and grow so fast at this age!

So, while we appreciate Jenn's help SOOOO MUCH, I have to say that life at home for us has changed drastically.  Just four short months ago, Jason and I were a family of two and were free to come and go as we pleased, watch what we wanted on TV, eat dinner on the fly, come home from work and take a nap on the couch, etc.  Now, coming home to my lovely sister-in-law, 3 children, and two dogs, we're getting a taste of how crazy life will be with a bigger family!  It's definitely not about "us" anymore.

Sometimes it makes me a little sad, and I find myself missing my "old" carefee life where I could just focus on my wants and needs.  That's when I hear Eli giggle, gurgle and smile and I look into his big blue eyes and realize how wonderful this change in my life is.  Usually, I actually enjoy it not being all about "me" anymore.  Now, it's all about what's best for him!  Isn't it funny the changes that parenthood brings about in us?

These are some shots from my first Mother's Day.  We spent time at my brother and sister-in-law's place for brunch with the family.  Eli is getting SOOOO big!

My mom (Nana) with all of her grandkids on Mother's Day.