Baby Pictures and Spring Stuff

Eli is already 5 weeks old. 

He smiled for the first time a few days ago, which is just about the best thing in the whole wide world.  I always feel like I've earned those first smiles.  Like the tiny little one is finally acknowledging the pain of birth, the up-all-nights, and the endless nursing, changing and bathing. 

Or maybe he just has gas. 

No matter.  Either way, it's cute.  And I have earned it.

Spring has totally sprung around here and I am thrilled!!  Even in my sleep deprived state, I had to stumble out into the yard to take a few pictures. Our resident gardener planted flowers with a little help from grandma.

Our little spring flowers are in full bloom.

Can't you just smell them??  Happy spring!

Settling In

Eli is 3 weeks old now.  :-)

He's starting to uncurl and wake up for us.  It's exciting to see him begin to become his own little person.

It's not quite as exciting to watch him become his own little person in the middle of the night.  We're really, really tired.  But this time we know, just like his littleness, this part is only temporary. 

Brooke can't get enough of the little guy. 

Here's the scene I walked in on the other day.  (Yes, little boy is rockin' the pink bouncer.)

And Nathan?

He's doing...better.  Man, it's hard to lose your status as baby of the family.