And So It Begins...

The sibling teasing and loving harrassment begins! No, the yellow rectangles are not part of Eli's outfit...those are sticky tabs from his big sister! She loves to stick them everywhere and got a big kick out of sticking them all over Eli while we were sunning him! She'd stick one on and just giggle and giggle! It was very cute!

Mommy, he likes the stickers!
Eli is a little bit yellow so we've been sunning him every day. Today, Trinity had to be right beside him and sun herself also! She's really starting to come around to liking him! She likes to hold him now and give him kisses. When Grandma asked is she could keep Eli with her, Trinity told her no. I've been praying about her adjusting to him and so far she's doing really well! Praise God!

The Kiddos!

Trinity has started liking shoes. If anyone leaves theirs lying around, they'll find them on her feet! Here she found her Daddy's shoes and shuffled around in them!

Just a close-up of Eli. He's 4 days old here and already looks more filled out than when he was born. It's simply amazing how fast they change!

Finally Grandma!

Grandma finally got to hold Eli! She hadn't been feeling well...she was thrilled to finally feel good so she could snuggle up with Eli...and of course Trinity wanted in on the snuggles, too!

A Few Thoughts...

Eli came much faster than we were expecting on Wed. morning! We arrived at the hospital around 12:45am and 2 hours later we were holding him! We had prepared for an all night labor and delivery...I have already thanked the Lord that He kept it short for us! Aaron was absolutely wonderful throughout- when I was sure I couldn't push anymore he was right beside me holding my hand with a huge smile on his face encouraging me and telling me how good I was doing. He was so excited to hold his little boy!
While I was pregnant I would look at Trinity and wonder how in the world I would love another child as much as I love her...moms had told me that your heart just opens up, but for me it was hard to understand or fathom until Eli actually arrived and we were holding him. I look at both of them and my heart just about bursts! God has blessed us with these 2 beautiful miracles- both of whom we love more than we ever knew possible! I've come to understand what those moms had been saying...you don't love your other child (or children) any less when a new one comes, your heart just grows and fills up with more love! God loves all of His children the same- imagine how huge His heart is and full of love!
We are extremely blessed with all of the well wishes from our family and friends! We've had so many phone calls and texts of 'congrats'; both sides of our families have been so supportive- calling to see how I am, reminding me to get some rest, offering to help in any way they can, stopping by to visit and share their love, and just being simply amazing!
Our community has been terrific also...word spread quickly about Eli's birth and everyone has just been excited and happy for us! We love living in a small town!
Thank You, Lord, for the countless ways you bless our lives...our community, our friends, and especially our family!

Me & My Big Sister

Trinity loves her pacifier...and at times, she loves Eli's pacifier. Here is one of her sharing moments...Eli was fussing so she took his pacifier (which she considered her own and wouldn't let go of if asked) and put it in the crib beside him. So far, she's doing great with Eli. She likes to help change his diaper- gets a new one out and the wipes and medicine for his circumcision. If he starts fussing or crying, she usually runs over to see why. This evening she gave him a kiss of her own accord. She hasn't been interested in holding him much...she gets too involved in other things. Plus, we've had lots of company, so she's had lots of playmates since we've been home!

This is one of Trinity's favorite spots right now...it's a rocking chair that sits in Eli's room and faces his crib. One of her favorite things to do...
...is rock and watch Eli sleep! She will also be playing and remember he's in his crib and she'll run in and check on him. She'll come find me and tell me if he's still 'nite-nite' or 'wake'.

Our Sweet Little Boy

Two close-ups of Elijah Ray. He is such a good baby...3 days in! He usually only fusses when he's hungry and cries when he's getting his diaper changed because of his cord and circumcision. He has already stolen our hearts! I love to hold him and just stare at him (of course, this can only be done when big sister is sleeping!). He has big eyes that love to look around at his surroundings- I always wonder what he's thinking about and hope that he is feeling completely loved. He is sleeping tons right now, and is up here and there for about 45 minutes at a time, then snoozes some more. He likes to be held and snuggled...which I absolutely love!

Welcome to the Family!

Eli has met a lot of family over the last couple of days...they've all been chomping at the bit to hold him and see him!

Here Grandpa Aldridge finally gets to hold his 5th grandson! He's a very proud Grandpa and couldn't get enough of Eli!

Aunt Christina would have driven to the hospital with us if she could have! She could not wait to meet, hold, and snuggle with Eli! And Eli cuddled right up to her- the love is already mutual!

When Brylee and Blakely found out their new cousin had finally arrived, they couldn't wait to get to school and share the good news! They had to wait until the evening to finally come over and hold Eli...there just wasn't enough time in the evening for all of the snuggling they wanted to do!

Miss Danica Rae bounded into the house the first free moment she had so she could hold her new baby cousin!

(Sorry to Aunt Shelly, Uncle Tracy, and Uncle 'Bob'...I didn't grab the camera when you were loving on Eli!)

The first meeting of sister and brother!

Trinity was excited to meet Eli. She got up in the bed with me and said his name right away...then began saying, "eye", "nose", "mouth" and poking the parts as she said them! Aaron had already warned Eli that he'd have to get tough real quick because his big sister might not know how to be soft with him at first!

"Yeah, I guess we can keep him. He can't sleep in my room, though...or have my pacifier!"

Trinity and her tricks!

This is one of my favorite pics of Trinity! She loves to wear these butterfly wings around the house and 'fly'! The 2nd pic is of her doing her fish kisses- she just learned to be able to control them instead of accident kisses!! This was taken last Sunday and I of course meant to have them posted earlier!

Here HE is!

First let me begin with this: I'm not Julie. This is Jessica her sister. I have hijacked her blog so that you can see picts of the new baby. So far I only have one from a cell phone. She will email me more soon and I will post them on her blog. I know that she is very exhausted like most moms are!!!!

Elijah (Eli) Ray Aldridge was born at 2:49 am on Wednesday morning, September 24. He weighed 6 lbs, 9 oz and was 20 inches long.

Eli Ray Aldridge

Julie started contractions about 10:45, they got to the hospital about 12:00. She didn't have time for an epidural. I asked if it hurt and she said "oh yes", but as soon as he was out she didn't hurt anymore!!!

Trinity met him Wednesday afternoon. Poked at him a bit and then went to play. Julie asked if they can bring him home? "No" Can he sleep in your room? "No" Looks like Trinity enjoyed being an only child! But rest assured she will love him very soon. And much more than Eli wants at times!

Please make sure you give well wishes and she will see them on her email!

3 weeks to go!

My belly just seems to get bigger by the day! As of Tomorrow, I'll be 37 weeks along- just three weeks, or less!, to go! I'll be surprised if I make it 3 weeks, but if I do, no problem! I'm not quite ready for baby #2 to arrive- still have lots to do around the house and at school. But, I don't think I have a choice in that matter- we're waiting on God's timing for our bundle of joy's arrival! In Wallace County there are about 5 women due within about 2 weeks of each other...and several toward the end of this month! Our hospital is going to be busy! We'll of course let you know, and send you pics when the little one arrives!

There were a couple of more pics from the Bethel weekend that I didn't get posted- they're on my mom's camera! Mom and Dad met us in Newton for dinner...Trinity of course was in Heaven with Mimi and Papa there to give her their attention! Thank you, Mom and Dad, for meeting us!

More pics from the game

"Uncle Tracy!" Luckily, Uncle Tracy has two strong arms to hold up his niece and nephew who think the world of him! He's a sucker for these two munchkins!

The Boys! Aaron and Shayne are so proud of Beau! If it were possible, they'd be at every game of his this season! We love you, Beau!

Go Beau!!

This past weekend the Aldridge families made our annual trek to watch our nephew, Beau, play football for Bethel. It turned out to be a beautiful evening...and they won! yahoo!! Beau with all of the cousins who absolutely adore him!

Trinity, our little cheerleader! She loved saying, "Go, Beau!" Now, everytime she sees anything about football, she thinks it's all about Beau- football games on TV, pictures of footballs- she says, "Beau!"

Good thing Cousin Gabe and his girlfriend, Jess, were there! They helped keep Trinity entertained by letting her make phone calls on their cell phones! She had to warm up to them first, but as soon as she did, she was hooked on them!

Aunt Be's Visit!!

'Aunt' Be, one of Mommy's best friends, came to visit us for a couple of days at the beginning of September! We had so much fun playing and dancing (she taught me some new dance moves that I'm still doing! Thanks, Aunt Be!) We also took Mommy birthday treats to school and played all day! I still ask about her...Mommy said she had to go home!

Aunt Be and I blew up balloons for Mommy's birthday!

Around the house...

Trinity loves carrying her chair around the yard until she finds just the right spot for it. Her daddy bought it for her so she could sit on the porch with Mommy and Daddy.

They were both exhausted! Trinity had had a long weekend and Daddy had been doing some studying...so they curled up for a long morning nap...she is quickly becoming 'Daddy's Girl'!

More of Mimi and Papa

One of my favorite pictures of the weekend...sandwiched between Mimi and Papa!

Snuggling with Papa before bedtime. Trinity would go play for a few minutes, then run back and snuggle with Papa for a few minutes. These repeated all evening!

Mimi & Papa's Visit!

Showing Papa how good I can swing!

"This, Papa, is the street I live on." Giving Papa a tour of the yard.

Showing Mimi how good I can swing!

"Papa, all done?"

"More, more!" Wrestling with Papa!

My Mom and Dad came for a visit Labor Day Weekend! We were thrilled they were able to come! Trinity had a wonderful time showing off for them...taking both of their hands and pulling them around everywhere! Anytime either of them left the room, Trinity would be calling their name making sure they were still there! She loves her Mimi and Papa!

Baby soon to come!!

35 Weeks...5 weeks ( or less!!) to go!!!

Trinity giving her little sibling a hug!

Trinity knows there's a baby in Mommy's tummy, but I don't think she comprehends that her life is going to change radically when baby #2 arrives!