Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the Welches!

(well ok, technically it's Dec 31st but I couldn't manage to get this post out before our holiday festivities...)

This was Eliza's first Christmas and Jonathan and I loved every minute of it. In honor of the Christmas season we officially celebrated for an entire week and a half between our church services, then going to my and Jonathan's family (and extended *whew*) gatherings. Blog posts will be coming about all of our holiday shenanigans and to start us off here are some pictures we took to be able to remember Eliza's first Christmas. Enjoy :)

9 months old

She's learned how to wave and therefore waves ALL the time now.

Eliza has been such a joy to our family.

"Seriously guys, not in public."

Merry (belated) Christmas from the Welches. :)

9 months

I'm not sure what has happened to my little baby but she has grown up OVERNIGHT. Seriously I think she drinks Miracle Grow in her sleep! How is she almost 9 months old?

Christmas at the Summit

Christmas is just around the corner and I'm so excited! Our church is putting on some amazing christmas services and I would love for YOU to come! There'll be music and preaching and services are Thursday-Saturday before Christmas. If you're interested you can find more information here.

Our worship leader's have been busy putting together some amazing music and Eliza's been helping too. ;)

Showing Dad how it's done.

"Mom, you're interrupting our music."

Poor Sophie

Eliza has a teething giraffe named Sophie (no we did not name it, that's what this toy is actually called) that she LOVES. Most of the time she just chews on it like a savage animal but recently she's figured out that if she beats it it will make noise. Poor Sophie.

Almost

Eliza can almost feed herself. She picks up the food, puts it to her mouth and "chews"... but hilariously enough she doesn't understand that she has to let the food go from her hand. At times I'll find her whole fist in her mouth (amazing) desperately trying to chew the food while still holding on to it in her fingers. (oooo good spiritual analogy)

Thought you'd like to see what meal times looks like. It's so precious to watch her learn things that we take for granted knowing how to do. :)

ps- I apologize for the poor quality of the video, it was taken from my phone.

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

Sweet Eliza is starting to show off her personality. She loves books (probably because we shove them at her every time she turns around) and bath books are her favorite because they are good for eating! Here's a glimpse into life with an 8 month old (and yes, this video is mainly for family because who else wants to watch two minutes of our child rolling around on the floor and attacking a book... we do we do :))

Nativity

And so it begins.... this is Eliza's first Christmas and although she has absolutely no clue what's going on, it's such fun for Jonathan and I to begin our own traditions with her.

Here's Jonathan telling her the nativity story.

It was so sweet showing her the manger scene. One of our prayers for Eliza is that she will know God at a young age and that she will "be great before the Lord... (and) be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from her mother's womb. And she will turn many people to the Lord their God" (Luke 1:15,16).

"Great Dad, now let me eat these guys"

Eliza's First Thanksgiving

I love the holidays and was so excited for Eliza's first Thanksgiving. This year we celebrated Thanksgiving with my family in Cary and although we're "grown ups" there's something sweet about really being home for the holidays and that includes spending the night :)).

Here's some snapshots of our Thanksgiving as a family...

I mean, where else do you get to wake up to such cool toys than at Grandma's house.

Eliza loves her Grandpa!

One of the many things I love about being at my parents' house is the vat of coffee in the morning. :)

I had to capture a snapshot of how the simple things in life have changed now that we have b bear.

We all went on a family walk to make room for the meal. Eliza was so exhausted from watching all of us workout that she fell asleep in the stroller.

My favorite shot! Thanksgiving bath with the raw turkey in the background. Classic.

Sweet Eliza loves bath time!

the girls (minus mom) and no, we did not plan on matching

The newlyweds first Thanksgiving. :)

And here it is! Eliza's "thanksgiving meal". Which consisted of some gourmet baby food jar with turkey in it that my parents bought her. She didn't even know the difference but we certainly dressed her up and put a festive bib on. :)

Jonathan partaking in the food... or not

Potentially one of my favorite Thanksgiving treats- a pumpkin roll

sweet baby girl

Our first Thanksgiving as a family :) (it's a very serious matter for Eliza as you can tell)

plum worn out from a day full of fun

A sweet day of family, fellowship, and food was had by all. To burn some calories the girls all got up and went black friday shopping together for a meaningful bonding experience. :) I love my family and I love the holidays!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Artist in Residence

My sister-in-law, McCall, is an amazing artist and just finished painting some canvases to go over Eliza's crib. I had given her Eliza's fabric and she free hand painted the flowers on to some canvases. Oh to be that talented... ;)

Eliza modeling her new canvases (although after this quick smile she started to cry as if to say "I don't want to go to bed, why am I in my crib")

We love you Aunt McCall! Thanks so much!

Rubber Ducky

I think the old song holds true. "Rubber Ducky, you're the one who makes bath time oh so fun. Rubber Ducky I'm awfully fond of you" because Eliza is OBSESSED with her pink (oh yes) rubber ducky. Watch the video for a cute squeal.

ps- this video is one that she will kill me for posting later in life but... it's so cute

Sweet Mornings

It's funny how the little things in life become the sweetest. Mornings have never been a favorite part of my day and God, in his sovereignty, had me marry a man who loves to wake up early. When we were first married I deemed him crazy for relishing in early mornings. I mean, he even sets his alarm on the weekend. (It's a sign of a sick mind) But over the years I have come to love, value, and appreciate that Jonathan wakes much before Eliza and I, takes the monitor (bless him), and starts his day sitting before the Lord.

This means that our morning routine consists of me waking up to two amazing people looking over me like "mom, get up" (one of them normally has drool and a frenzied "feed me" look while smiling). After nursing, I stumble downstairs and hand Eliza to Jonathan while I feel my way to the coffee pot. One morning I had enough clarity of mind to realize how sweet our morning routine has become and I snapped a couple pics.

Here are some pics of Eliza with her daddy first thing in the morning.

One of her favorite chew toys is the strings on Jonathan's sweatshirt.

Eliza is fascinated by Jonathan's coffee cup.

Cuddle Bug

Thank you Lord for my family and little moments.

Birthday Festivities

November is birthday month for Jonathan and my brother, Sam. Last Sunday we got together and had a birthday celebration with my family(Luke and Steph we wish you could have been there). It was also the first family birthday that Eliza has been a part of. It was so sweet to celebrate Jonathan and Sam with family.

Nothing like eating lunch on the counter.

Eliza loves her Aunt McCall (especially when she feeds her good food :)).

boys

I love this man so much and cannot believe I get to spend the rest of my life with this amazing man.

Stunning Ruth with quite the diva pose ;)

Birthday boys. McCall made an amazing carrot cake. So moist. I could go for another piece right now.

Sam hasn't had a birthday in the states in years so it was extra special to be able to celebrate with him in person this year.

"Guys, why are you all singing?"

Family :)

just chilling with the birthday boys

Traditionally we take a kid shot on the couch for every birthday. Eliza joined for the first time... and failed miserably. I think she's plum worn out from all the birthday festivities. Oh well. We'll try better next birthday...

I love you Sam and Jonathan.

Fall Festivities

One of Jonathan and my favorite season is fall (with spring being a close tie) and now having Eliza for the fall has made it even sweeter. Here are some pics from our October/November...

beautiful fall leaves

Eliza's first fall :)

um, do you want to see my muscles?

Oh yes. We did it. Dressed our child up in a ridiculous costume. Ok, lets be honest, I found this outfit in a box of hand me downs (thanks Stacey) and put it on her three days after Halloween because we're lame parents and didn't even think of dressing our child up till after the fact but... we took pictures anyways. :)

sweetest little fairy ever

"Mom, I'm excited about Thanksgiving food already"

Rice Cereal

I'm quickly realizing that parenting is one grand adventure after another. Just when Jonathan and I think we have one area mastered Eliza decides to grow older and venture into uncharted territories.

Her latest conquest is rice cereal. I was admittedly nervous to give her cereal because, let's be honest, for the past 5 1/2 months I have been Eliza's sole source of nutrients. Although nursing was literally a pain at first, I have now come to love and cherish it. (I know, pass the granola) Not to mention that it seems like just last month we were bringing her home from the hospital. How can she be big enough to eat food? But alas, she is so ladies and gentlemen may I present Eliza, the rice cereal eater!

First time in her high chair (yes, she spent half the time staring at the pattern)

American Consumerism telling me I "need" all this stuff to feed my child. Somehow having it didn't make me feel more prepared.

"Dad, it's ok, I'm a big girl now"

First bite! (yes, we documented this whole thing; we're first time parents :))

"hmmm... I think I'd prefer to eat my fingers and bib"

"So it comes from here? Let me see"

Day 2: an official pro

Hilariously, Eliza uses the back of her hand after every spoonful to "help" get the food in.

So happy after a great breakfast! We love you Eliza!!!