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!!!

To Much Here

"Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him,

but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it,

so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God."

John 12:42-43

God may I love you more than I love this world. Forgive me for being to much at home in this physical world. You have saved me from my flesh and yet I often want to creep back in. Remind me that this world is the mere waiting room to my real home. May I remember that "Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:25). May my reward be in heaven and not here. Give me eyes to see this life as you do.

"We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by an offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased" - CS Lewis

Uncle Luke

My brother, Luke, lives in Taiwan where he is on staff with YWAM's School of Biblical Studies. Because of being overseas he had yet to meet Eliza in person (praise God for skype) until a couple weeks ago when he was stateside for my other brother's wedding. Eliza loves her Uncle Luke and it did my heart good to watch them interact. Luke is amazing at taking care of, playing, and loving on Eliza and Eliza is pretty much obsessed with staring at him. Here's to Uncle Luke...

We love you Luke!

splish splash

I love bath time!

Sitting Up

Eliza is a little over 4 months old (ridiculous) and I love watching her hit different milestones. While she is still Ms. Wobble Head she loves to sit up and be able to look around at life. The other morning I sat her on the bathroom counter in this thing (it's called a bumbo... who comes up with these names?) facing the mirror so she could watch me and herself. She was adorable so I of course forgot all about getting ready and took pictures instead. :)

Teddy Bear

Eliza officially has her first attachment to a stuffed animal. My sweet friend and college roommate, Tori Lye, gave Eliza this stuffed animal that is part dog part blanket (kinda warped if you think about it) and Eliza LOVES it. He's a perfect size for her because she can drape him over her body but he's also small enough for her to hold. I think she would eat him if she could. Here are some cute pics of her with her new friend... Thanks Tor!