Maternity Photos

Well, Eli beat me to the punch.  I haven't even looked at our maternity photos until recently.  I am so glad we did these, because this ended up being my last pregnant photos that I have.  I wish I did one more at 36 weeks ... oh well.  I believe these were taken around the 32/33 week mark - definitely before my birthday.  Anyways, these are some of my favorite. Thanks to Katherine O'Brien Photography for more great memories.  She was our photographer for our wedding.  We are so happy we have a life/family photographer for other memories to come.

Mimi is Back!!!

Well, what can I say ... AGAIN, my mom is AMAZING!! Even though I was in the hospital (again) we didn't let that stop us from having fun.  Derek and I are getting our routine down a little more so there was more time to hang out.  Love you Mom!!

 Our first shopping trip with Eli.  Eli's future wife will be so happy that we have taught him about Kendra Scott at such a young age :)

 Tummy time with Mimi!

 I love his facial expressions here.  He was working so hard and did a great job with his first legit tummy time!

Eli's Entourage

We have had so much support the past few weeks, and we are so lucky to have such wonderful family and friends.  Everybody has gone above and beyond anything we could ever imagine.Thank you for all of the cards, meals, and gifts.  Eli is one lucky boy! 
*Side note - I forgot to get pictures with Liz/Tim Heyl and Kristen/Ryan Floyd from our Missional Community group - You have to come back and visit again!! Also, thank you to Cara/Colton DeLatin for our Central Market groceries/meals.  Colton is Derek's Childhood best friend that lives in Houston.  Eli cannot wait to meet you!!

  Aunt Ali and Uncle Eric were already on their way down for a planned trip to Fredericksburg.  Perfect timing!! Love that they were able to hang out when he was born and when we were discharged.  Plus a huge thanks to my sister for being my first lactation nurse - ha! ( I think she found her new calling).

 Aunt Ali capturing the going home moments.

 

 

 Uncle Kyloo was able to come down and introduce TMNT to Eli!  The stuffed "Leonardo"(or whoever orange is) was Eli's Christmas gift from Kyle.  Let's just say Kyle is excited to have another boy in the family :)

My Aunt Melinda and Cousin Julia drove in from Houston for a surprise visit.  I was not expecting this at all - so much fun!

 Aunt Leah - Derek's sister - drove in from Dallas.  I think Eli looks pretty content in her arms :)

 Vicki!!!!!!!!!

Katherine & Griffin Watkins - Missional Community group

 Casey!!!

Jenni & Brian Halamuda!!

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho It's Back to the ER We Go ....

Yes, its true ... unfortunately I had to go back to the hospital twice this week, this time for blood clots in my right leg. I went to the ER on Sunday and then was admitted back into the labor and delivery section on Monday to stay over night and monitor the clot because it grew in 24 hours and I was already on blood thinners.  I believe this was a domino effect of everything that my body has gone through the past two weeks.  The spinal leakage from the epidural led to the blood patches, which led to immobility, therefore clots, and on top of that you are more prone to get blood clots after giving birth because of all of the hormones running through your body - who would have thought?!?!  The ongoing joke is that in my past 30 years I have never been to the hospital in my life for anything - now this marks 5 times in the past 3 weeks.  The closest thing I have had to surgery or stiches is wisdom teeth.  Other than that, I only go to the doctor for my semi-annual sinus infection - so 5 hospital admissions is comical for anyone, especially me!

On Tuesday morning we met with the doctors and Hematologist. I feel that we are working with the best team in Austin and we have a great plan. I can already tell a difference in the redness, tension, and swelling in my calf.  I have to give myself 2 shots of blood thinners a day in my stomach and we are starting with appointments once a week with the Hematologist to monitor the size and movement (if any) of the clot. Only time will tell, but I have vowed that I am NOT going back to the hospital - this is it!!

Thank you to everybody for all of your prayers and sweet messages. We truly appreciate everything, and we are so lucky to have such a great support system.  We love yall!!

Trying to make light of the situation.  This beautiful evening consisted of a midnight stroll through the hospital bed from the ER to Labor and Delivery.  We got lost a few times, but hey, I enjoyed every bit of being rolled around by James our ER nurse at the time :).  Once again, to quote my sister - "It takes a Village!"

Mr. Mom

I also have to give a shout out to Derek.  He really stepped up and learned fast with the help of mom.  Derek has been in charge of diaper duty, swaddling, changing clothes, brining Eli to me to nurse, and getting me all of the random things that I need when I am laying down.  It is so cute to watch him work now and feel more comfortable with everything. 
In addition, I was going through my life spiral (where I keep notes, to do lists, etc.) and found his letter that he wrote to Eli.  I love reading Derek's perspective of the evening, and the exactness of the timing.  So sweet and so amazing.  He is such a great Dad and his love for Eli is so amazing.  I love you babe!!

Dear Elijah,

Your mother gave birth to you this morning at exactly 8:21am on Friday, May 30th.  Today has been the single most incredible experience of my entire life, and I can't wait to start our journey together.
Your mom started having contractions yesterday at around 7pm and I was at church with our group.  She called me around 7:30pm and asked me to come home ASAP so I raced home, and started timing her contractions and 7:55pm. We talked to the doctor at 11:18pm, and agreed it was time to go to the hospital.  We arrived at exactly midnight and met Mimi and Pa here. We stayed up all night and finally got some rest at around 5:30am to about 7am. The doctor came in around 7:30am to prepare the room and you were born at 8:21am!  Watching your birth is the most wonderful thing I've ever seen and I cried with your mom as the doctor handed you to us - You are so perfect! I'm so glad we have the same color hair and our chins look alike.

You are such a special blessing to us and I pray that you cherish the Lord all your life and put Him before anything and anyone. Loving God more than yourself is the single most important thing in life.

I've just been thinking all day about all the cool stuff we'll get to do .  In 2 weeks we'll get to watch the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and cheer on Team USA in the first Round!  I can't wait to teach you to ride a bike, run, and play soccer, and other things you're interested in.  Hopefully you'll like tacos as much as I do and we can share endless conversations over a fresh bowl of queso!!

I promise to love you with all my heart and soul everyday of your life, and can't wait to get to know you.

I love you!
- Dad

 Derek taking control with our first pediatrician appointment. Carried diaper bag and Eli!

 It is so cute when Eli reaches up and grabs Derek's beard.  I don't think Derek can ever shave again - how would Eli ever recognize him?!?

Sweet Nap time.  I love watching these two bond.  Makes my heart melt.

Mimi's are Amazing!!

Words cannot express how much I am so grateful for my mom.  She is absolutely amazing, and I could not have survived this week without her.  Mom and Charles arrived at the hospital the same time we did and did not miss a moment.  In addition, since Eli arrived a little early than usual, she made sure the house was ready and clean, washed Eli's clothes, and just made sure everything was perfect -- and that was in between being at the hospital with me. 

 

In addition, I did not have the easiest recovery after labor and delivery.  They had trouble giving me my epidural - they tried 4 times - and as a result I had spinal leakage and spinal headaches.  This pain was WAY worse than any contraction. I could not hold Eli unless I was flat on my back, I was in so much pain walking 10 steps, and could not stand up straight at all.  There was so much pressure in my head and at the base of my neck, and it felt like my head weighed 500lbs.  The pain was unbearable; however, I felt worse that I could not even hold my child - that was the hardest thing for me. 

The only cure for spinal headaches is a blood patch.  This is where they take your own blood and put it back in your back where you had the epidural.  The blood acts as a cushion/membrane around your spine to stop any leakage.  From what I understand only a small percentage actually gets these headaches and needs a blood patch.  I guess I am that small percentage, because I had to go back to the hospital after getting released for a SECOND blood patch - which is unheard of.  So I had a total of at least 6 epidural needles in my back.  Needless to say, I am still very sore and my back is still in pain from all of the needles, but it is better than the alternative.

I say all of this to say, that Derek and I would not know what we would have done if Mom was not here.  She helped Derek do everything - basically putting him through a baby boot camp.  How to change a diaper, clothes, baths, just teaching us every basic baby thing you can think of.  I was completely immobile so Mom and Derek had to do EVERYTHING but nurse.  And even then, they had to bring Eli to me and help position my body.

I am forever grateful for you Mom!!!  I can't wait for you to come back so we can hang out with Eli and not do as much baby and house work.  Thank you so much Mom - you are absolutely amazing.  We love you sooooo much!! I already miss - come back soon!!

This was during my second blood patch.  I had to lay flat on my back in the hospital for 2 hours before going home after the blood patch was administered.  This made nursing VERY interesting.  Basically we had to lay Eli straight across me - which he absolutely loved!  This picture just makes me laugh every time.  Once again could not do this without my team!

 Teaching us how to give a bath.  She is such a natural :)

 Eli's first bath at home.

Mom stayed a few days longer than expected; however, it was such a hard day when she left.  I had to keep busy so I wouldn't start hysterically crying.  She gave me this wonderful little calendar of "firsts" for Eli.  I love things like this, so I started putting everything together.  This will be such a great memory when Eli is older.  There are some things that just cannot be replaced electronically.  Thanks mom - Love you!!

 

MEET ELIJAH MICHAEL DAVIS!!

Elijah Michael arrived on his own Friday, May 30th at 8:21am.  Even though he was a little early, he is perfectly healthy and wonderful.  He passed all of his newborn tests with flying colors.  37 weeks is term, and he was born at 36 weeks and 4 days - so really just 3 days early.  I think he wanted to start our own May birthday traditions and wanted his own special day.  The original due date was the week of my sisters, Hudson's and Ryder's birthday - I don't blame you buddy!! :)
This week has been absolutely amazing, Derek and I are so in love.  As a parent, I now understand the need to capture every moment on film.  It has already been one week, and I feel like everything has flown by.  Here is a compilation of pictures and stats for the past week.  We are so incredibly lucky to have this sweet baby boy with us!!  I am so happy he wanted to meet us early.  I cannot imagine life without him! We love you Eli!!

1) Born Friday May 30th, 8:21am - 5lbs 14oz, 18.5"
2) Left the hospital weighing 5lbs 8oz.  We are already back to this weight, and should be back to birth weight by next week.
3) Feeding like a champ - on a 2 hr schedule during the day, 3 hr at night
4) Loves it when you sing to him during diaper changings and feedings.  He gets so alert!  I am currently brushing up on my vacation bible school and nursery rhyme songs :)
5) Derek is all about Diaper time and burping - such a great dad!
6) Started tummy time and baby exercises on our chest - 2-3x per day
7) Has already found his little fingers
8) Starting to smile
9) Even though he is not a preemie, he only fits in preemie clothes right now.  All newborn onesies completely swallow him.  And let me tell you, there is not a good selection of preemie clothes out there.  I just bought plain white onesies and will decorate/change it up with iron on decals!  Hopefully he will start wearing all of his cute Newborn onesies soon.

Just Born!!

 

 Our First Family Picture

 Elijah had to go to the nursery for 30 min, Derek was able to accompany.  Otherwise he stayed in our room with us.

Father-Son skin to skin bonding time - so sweet!

What else do you do when everybody is sleeping in the middle of the night - another hospital selfie!!

 Mimi and Pa are amazing.  They arrived at the hospital just a few minutes after us - talk about timing.  Mom's just have a way of knowing, and we are forever grateful. I definitely needed her with me all the way!

 On my whiteboard in my room, there were bullets listed out by the nurses to go through every time they came to check on me.  One of items was "Pain Control".  Not sure what it was, sleep deprivation, pain meds, just having a baby .. However, every time I read this, it always came out as "PA - in Control".  I would always think, why yes - Pa is in control ... ha!

 Eli's first coming home outfit.  This was the smallest onesie that we had at the house.  Thank you Hudson for sharing your clothes!

 

 

Do you remember the last scene from "Knocked Up" when they are driving home from the hospital going 20mph on the freeway?  That was totally Derek.  It was too funny, but I didn't care.  We had precious cargo with us.

 An example of a newborn onesie an how it just swallows Eli completely.  We will have to wait a few more weeks :)

These are my favorite pictures so far.  I cannot get enough of my sweet little boy!