Pumpkin Patch - Eli

Since life threw us a little curve ball and our precious Evy decided to come early, I'm going to have to back up to update the blog a little bit. :)

On October 27th, Kevin & I decided to take Eli to "Santa's Christmas Tree Forest" which has hayrides, ponies, zip line and all sorts of things to do.  It is actually a Christmas tree lot but they go all out for the fall season too.

We wanted to show Eli attention and have a fun-filled day since we weren't sure exactly when Evy was arriving and around this time I was already feeling the baby pains.  We were bad parents and didn't dress up Eli for Halloween or go trick-or-treating, but since I ended up going to the hospital at 2:30 in the morning on November 1st, maybe Eli will forgive us when he gets older. 

Eli had a blast at the pumpkin patch, but the only thing he wanted to do was run up and down through the rows of Christmas trees and then play with a stick he found while exploring...so enjoy our "pumpkin patch/halloween" pictures. :)  Warning : There are tons because they were too cute to chooe only a couple to post up here.

A visit from Nana & Papa :)

This past visit from my parents (which I'm posting a little late) was one that was super helpful.  It was one that they came wanting to see and play with Eli of course, but they also came to hep prep for Evy.  I was just getting into the nesting phase and certain things were driving me nuts, but between working full-time and trying to be supermom and an awesome wife, somehow I wasn't finding the time.  Go figure.

When my parents arrived Eli was taking his nap.  It was only short after them being here, he woke up and Kevi went in to get him.  As soon as Kevin brought Eli out of the room and he saw mom & dad, he looked at Kevin, pointed to them on the couch and said something.  What he said we will never know because it was in Eli language, but his eyes lit up and he knew.  He got down, went through the kitchen, peaked around the bar and then out of nowhere took off running and went right into Papa's arms.  I don't think I've ever seen my dad smile so big (except when Eli was born).  And as if Eli hadn't already made Papa's day, he put his little head on my dad's shoulder, closed his eyes and just grinned.  It was such a sweet moment it brought tears to my eyes.  I only wish I had of thought to video that greeting because it will always be in my mind.  Nana was a good sport and let Papa have the first moment, but Eli didn't forget about her either.  He found a moment to lean over and give her some kisses too.

The weekend also happened to be Kevin's birthday so there was lots to celebrate. :)  A summary of the weekend included but was not limited to : lots of outside playing in the yard (our big boy with his bare feet in the grass and no shoes...this was HUGE for Eli), playing on the patio, splashing in the tub, eating at the Japanese steakhouse where they cook in front of you for the first time, Eli drinking diet pepsi (which he never gets from mommy), dad fixing our car and saving us tons of money, mom sorting through a million pink clothes for Evy and helping organize Evy's nursery, Dad & Kevin painting Evy's nursery, going to Hobby Lobby and finding ALL of the nursery decorations in one place to match, and last but not least, going to LongHorn for a nice dinner for kevin's birthday (where Eli had his first ever temper tantrum in a restaurant so mommy spent the dinner pushing him in the stroller in the parking lot).  Evy's nursery was completely set up by the time they left and I am so in love with it.  All it's missing is our baby girl.

Here are pictures from the weekend :

It was a quick visit and flew by because of the amount of work we put them to while they were here, BUT Eli loved it and so did we.  We appreciated all of the help and Eli always loves having them around.

 

Eli...spoiled? No...

The title of this blog says it all!  Recently, Nana & Papa visited for a few days and even though they had just been here a month ago, it felt like it had been forever.  Eli welcomed them right away in the car by saying "YAY" and "Hiiii-eeee" as we picked them up from the airport.  Once they got here it was game on until the moment they left.  Eli is a very busy boy (yes a typical toddler boy, but non-stop). 

He loved being able to wave his little hand (which is his way of saying follow me...come here) and have them follow him all over the house, yard, patio...you name it and he took them there.  Here's the hand in action...

I don't know if you can see at the bottom of the picture above, but Eli is going barefoot in the grass.  This is HUGE for him.  He is all boy, except when it comes to grass!  He does not like to touch it in any way.  One day he got so mad at me for putting his sandals on him and the grass touching his feet that he hasn't even worn his sandals since!  He actually throws a fit when I try to put his sandals on him!  So evidently it just took some Papa & Nana "magic" to get Eli to go in the yard without any shoes at all.  See all of the fun?

Yay because Eli ran down the hill.

Mr. Independent going back up the hill.

...and back down.

Papa cleaning off Eli's feet.  He got used to the grass, but didn't like the dirt.  Look at his expression....cracks me up! It's like "yeah, that's right...he'll do anything I ask."

Look at those curls at the back of his head! Love them!

Starting to get sweaty from playing so hard!

This picture is a true display of Papa when he is here...Eli's shadow.  He often sits and just watches him do everything.  Where Eli goes, Papa goes.  Papa even thinks Eli's poop smells like roses.

Nana definitely does her part in the spoiling too!  He made her follow him around the yard and he even watched her feet to make sure she was close behind!

Eli pouring water (wah as he says) on his feet b/c they just showed him how.

One of his favorite words...TA-DA... as he feels accomplished by standing on Papa's knee.

Eli's newest toy...a cookie monster kitchen.  Thanks to Nana & Papa of course. :)

Nana ordering through the window.

Eli showing us all that he can order too!

Love this one.  Those sweet cheeks through the window!

Bath-time with Nana & Papa.  Kevin and I joked about this picture because thanks to Eli's artwork (washable crayons) it looks like a scene from a murder movie.

More kitchen and cooking time after the bath.

Checking out the top.

There's no telling what he did, if anything.  Everything deserves a YAY and clap. :)

Papa helping Eli figure out and play with a new toy that Aunt Karen sent him.  We have such thoughtful and sweet family members!

Papa taking a raisin break with Eli.

And who could forget the huge PONY in our living room?!?

He lit up when they brought it in and liked riding it side-saddle.

I always try to include all of the pictures that I can to portray how special these family visits are, and although they are wonderful, they can't even begin to accurately show every moment.  This last picture sums it all up though.  I had to buy Eli a nap mat for his new daycare and while Nana & Papa were here he was so afraid he was going to miss a moment of play time that naps and night time sleep were a little different than normal.  Their last night here, he was finally so exhausted that he went to sleep in the middle of the living room floor (kind of on his mat) and took his whole nap there while we did everything around him like normal.

Eli might be spoiled, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  Kids deserve the best that we can give them and seeing their face light up or them say "YAY" when they get to go outside and run around are moments I wouldn't trade for the world.  I love being in Florida and Kevin & I have a good life here, but I also know to not take any moments for granted spent with family,because when you don't get to see them everyday you learn to really appreciate all of the small moments you do get.