Catching Up and Flying on Airplanes!

This poor blog and Eli's poor monthly updates have been a bit neglected since September...oops!

Since our last post life has been FLYING by and we've been flying by the seat of our pants to say the least :) Jared is in full swing with his new job and loving every day that passes learning new information and helping students grow right along with him. We are especially thankful this holiday season that Jared gets to experience holidays that are relaxing and spent with family instead of the hustle and bustle that goes along with working in retail. I am beyond blessed to have such a dedicated husband who continues to work so hard each day and help Eli and I so much each evening/night. Eli and I are in a routine of going to work/school together each day. The semester is more than half over and the classroom is in full swing. My staff and colleagues are the best anyone could ask for and are like an additional family for us.
Being a working momma is hard, being any kind of momma is hard who am I kidding. Eli and I went through the weening process at 5 months because my body was 'just saying no' to the pumping process and wasn't producing enough. Even trying all the remedies in the books and talking with my Dr. and the lactation consultant it just wasn't happening. This was MUCH harder on me emotionally than I assumed it was going to be but we made it through and he is of course thriving and doing wonderful! I send out my thoughts and praises to all you mommas who breastfeed, have stopped breastfeeding, or choose not to breastfeed at all. What a difficult decision all of that is and if anyone had told me prior to it all that there would be such an emotional bond I don't think I could have prepared myself for just how tough it was for Eli and I. I am proud of both of us for sticking with it as long as we did :)
 Some fun things we've done as a family (Eli's month 4-6)
* Took Eli to his first K-State Football Game :) We also tailgated and got to see some great friends who now also have kids. Tailgating will never be the same again!
* Eli had his first taste of rice cereal, sweet potatoes, green beans, and bananas. He definitely prefers them warm not room temperature!
* We transitioned Eli to his crib and for the most part he is doing great! :)
* Eli found his toes! One of the most hilarious things ever! He LOVES them!
* Eli was baptized here at our church by Pastor Keith who was also the officiant that married Jared and I 3 years ago.
* Eli was a mummy for his first Halloween
* Eli started rolling all over the place, again hilarious to see how confused/proud he is of himself.
* Eli also started sitting up with help and now is sitting independently!! Wahoo :)
* He is even starting to scoot across the floor little by little. He'll be mobile before we know it!
* Eli now weighs more than our dog-child Kobe!! He is 19lbs 7oz and 27.75 inches long-such a big big boy!
*Eli took his first ride on an airplane, which also means he took his first ride on an airport bus, terminal shuttle, and rode with Auntie Sarah on a 10 lane highway in Atlanta!!!
* Auntie Sarah took us to a park, played with us at her house, and took us out to dinner :)
*Eli got to go with Jared on the CNN tour, play in the olympic park fountains, and stay at a 5 star hotel in downtown ATL all while mommy was at the NAEYC conference.
*Eli went to his first home basketball game :) Go Cats!

Not so fun things:
* Eli got his first ear infection at about 4months in his left ear. First round of antibiotics cleared it up but within 5 days he got another infection in his right ear. We are now on round 3 of antibiotics to clear the rest of the fluid and have a referral to the ENT here in town. Fingers crossed his ears have a chance to heal. My mommy/early childhood brain goes straight to language development concerns and hearing loss...so praying for some answers and healing.
*Teething is in full swing :( 

We love our Mummy

lalalaaaaa

we won?!?!

yuck...yuck...did I say yuck!

I'm a Rollie Pollie

such a ham!

just loungin around

First basketball game!! Go Cats!

Olympic Park Fountains ATL

First Flight bye bye KS

We are celebrating Thanksgiving this year by continuing our tradition of hosting it here at our home which means less travel with the little guy and more rest for all of us! We are thankful each day for time spent with the ones we love!

With love & laughter
Beka, Jared & Baby Eli

Checking things off the 'To Do' List

I've learned many things in these short few months as a momma. One I have to remind myself happens to what I would say most parents of infants and young children. I get started on something and finish it within what seems like hours, days, weeks, or even moths later. It MIGHT get done and checked off the 'to do' list but most likely that list gets thrown away during a hurry up and clean moment and a new one starts with yet more things to get done. Adding into the mix both Jared and I who are working full-time jobs that we both feel very connected and dedicated to means our home is often neglected. This leaves our family time often filled with cleaning and taking care of the home things (scheduling oil changes for the vehicles, sending bills, mowing the lawn, etc) we didn't have time or ENERGY to do during the week days.
I have also been neglecting something I have come to LOVE, get energy from, and learn about on a daily basis. My photography...I got a new camera (WOOOHOOO) a Canon T4i and a new 50mm lens but I haven't even had the time or energy to get them out of their beautiful boxes they were shipped in because I want to have ENOUGH time to learn the new body and lens together and enjoy it. I WILL make time to do this in the next month. I've figured out giving myself the leeway and wiggle room of 4weeks helps me actually feel like I am accomplishing things! So beautiful photographs will soon be on their way!
Its the moments like holding Eli and listening to his sweet sleepy sounds, watching Jared make him giggle and squeal, and seeing him wiggle him self into funny half-rolling over predicaments that fill my heart with so much joy its overwhelming at times. This little man of ours is making me open my eyes to all the little things that make life so wonderful and understand how blessed we as a family are each day. Coming from a momma who worries about all the little things, has way to high of expectations for the amount of time we have in a day, and a very detail oriented organized mind slowing down and enjoying the moment is getting easier and knowing that things will get checked off the 'to do' list when they absolutely need to be.
For now just some Iphone photos that have documented the last few weeks :)

playing with daddy

First day of school 8-16-12 (daddy)

First day of school 8-16-12 (mommy)

fell asleep sitting up!

I'm a sailor, or a cowboy, or an explorer!

Hanging out with Paigerina home from FL!

Paige, Natalie, and Eli!

Eli's first gameday! Cats won 51-9!

With Love & Laughter
Beka, Jared & Baby Eli

BIG changes :)

I have decided that our blog is something I need to make more time for! It has been a month since our last post again...I have been amazed at how quickly days, weeks, and even these last 3 months have zoomed by. Jared and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary by going out to dinner while Grammy Pam watched Eli for us. She is amazing and has been such a blessing for us and baby Eli since he's been here! Jared and I got to talk about all the happenings both difficult and fantastic that have happened in our marriage in 3 short years. We discussed many things but the common thread was that God has given us strength to build a family, find love and support in family and friends, and blesses us everyday with all the little joys of being a mommy and daddy. Our discussion included a post I saw on pinterest one day. God has three answers to our prayers. 1) YES 2) NO 3) NOT YET.  This brought a new light to our conversation and our goals set for this next year of marriage. Each year Jared and I make a list of all the things that happened in that year of marriage. These "yearly reflections" are kept together in a book for us to enjoy.

Our Third Year of Marriage....

*****7-11-11 celebrated our second year of marriage and had dinner at Colbert’s*****,

July 2011 Ellis Wedding, Vacation trip to Springfield, MO to tour Jeff’s brewery “Mother’s” and then on to Table Rock Lake to spend time with the Jensen clan,

~August 2011-May 2012 Beka started a new position with P/W Infant Toddler Services

~9/16/11-We found out we were expecting already 5 weeks to be exact and a Due Date of 05/18/12

~September 2011 Jared went to Indianapolis, IN for the BS National Director’s Conference

~Ocotober 2011 Jared was an Usher in two weddings (Hitt/Zlab)

~ November 2011 Beka went to Orlando, FL for NAEYC

~December 2011 Straight No Chaser in KC with the Harlands

~12/12/11 Beka Graduated with her M.S. in FSHS-ECU from K-State,

~12/25/11 We celebrated our 3^rd Christmas together with baby on board,

~12/30/11 We found out we were expecting a BOY (we were ecstatic),

~12/31/11 We celebrated the New Year with the Axman’s at their wedding and Kobe stayed with Jeebz Pfannenstiel

~01/29/12 Beka started the family blog…”The Meitler Minute” to keep family and friends updated with our family adventures,

January 2012 Beka Interviewed for her dream job at Stone House for a faculty position in the department of FSHS-ECE at K-State and accepted/signed the contract on 04/05/12!

~Feburary 2012 we became God Parents to a sweet baby girl Ainsley Harland,

~ April 2012 We had professional pictures taken to celebrate our growing family by B!

~April 2012 we celebrated Easter by making “No-Bake” cookies and lighting a fire for Sundra,

~05/09/12 We welcomed Elijah Lee Meitler to the world at 12:48pm what an AMAZING experience!

~05/13/12 we celebrated Jared’s birthday and Beka’s first Mother’s day,

June 2012-Eli’s first road trip to KC-Jared was an usher for the Alexander wedding

~06/13/12 we celebrated Beka’s birthday and Eli’s one month with dinner at Umi

~06/17/12 Jared’s first Father’s day

~07/04/12 we celebrated our first Independence Day as a family of 4 (cleaning and rocking Eli to sleep while listening to the fireworks boom outside)

******7-11-12, We CELEBRATED our third Year together******

Eli is growing bigger and stronger everyday. We are getting more rest as a family (5-6 hours straight) at night time! Its the small victories as a parent that are exciting. Like watching Elijah laugh and smile when he is pooping...such a man already. He is so funny and full of personality that seems to shine brighter each day. Here is Eli's 2nd month of life for his baby book :)

Elijah Lee Meitler

o  You weighed 12lbs 4oz, were 23.5 inches and your head was 39.5cm at your 2 month check-up

o  You got your first series of shots (3 in your thighs)

o  Your Grandma Pam came to watch you while mommy and daddy went to dinner to celebrate their 3^rd Anniversary (7.11.12)

o  You went to your first ballgame (daddy’s softball)

o  You went to sing-a-long with mr steve with mommy and Grandma Pam

o  You went on your first 1.5 mile walk with mommy and daddy!

o  You sat in your highchair at the table while mommy and daddy ate supper!

o  You started sleeping 5-6 hour blocks at nighttime!

o  You spent time with the Pfannenstiels again J

o  You started to love bath time again…we moved upstairs to the big bathroom

o  You traveled to mommy’s hometown Emporia

o  You made LOTS of trips to Stone House with Mommy before your first day of “school”

o  We learned that WE LOVE YOU MORE EVERYDAY!!

My sister (Auntie Sarah) got to come back and visit in July and we took some fun pictures together with my mom (Grammy Pam). Eli snoozed through most of it, but gave us some great smiles and squeals at the end. Here are just a few that I LOVE!

she is beautiful!

just snoozing away

awesome auntie

love

grammy pam

aren't they beautiful!

hehe :)

he's awake!

so sleepy!

so serious sometimes

amazing smile!

just can't get enough of this little man

"huh?"

all done!

just a few days old here crazy how much he's changed!

As the title of this post says BIG changes are happening soon in our little world! 1) Elijah is turning 3 months old...amazing! He will be starting his first day of "school" on the 16th in the infant/toddler classroom at Stone House. 2) I (Beka) am going back to work full time next week. I'll be back in a preschool classroom doing what I love. Mentoring students and teaching courses for our Early Childhood Education department on campus at Stone House. 3) Jared will be joining me on campus!! YES you read that right. After working for Best Buy since their grand opening in 2006 he will be leaving his position there to work with Career and Employment Services at K-State. His official title is "Career Development Coordinator". He will continue working towards his masters degree and work directly with first year students which is a dream for him. 4) We as a family will get to enjoy evenings, weekends, and holidays together this year for the first time ever. It might sound crazy but we are BEYOND excited to do all the little things together that a retail scheduled has hindered since our relationship began way back when :)
Again just a good reminder for me that God has three answers to our prayers:
1) Yes
2) No
3) Not Yet

With Love & Laughter (and some blowout diapers)
Beka, Jared & Baby Eli

catching up

Well its been a few weeks...almost a month actually since our last post! Baby Eli is 2 days away from turning 2 months old!! I cannot believe it has passed so quickly and that he will be starting "school" in just a few short weeks. We know that raising a child is a difficult but rewarding job, but we're up for the daily challenges and when I say challenges I mean it :) Eli is definitely a baby with a temperament that can wear you out, but we love him just the way he is and our partnership in parenting strengthens everyday by finding out the quirks and trying to teach Eli about the world around him. Again can't say it enough Jared is a fantastic daddy and works SO hard 10+ hours a day helping others and comes home to help us :) We LOVE you!
Celebrations:
~ Breastfeeding...yes I can actually say we made it over the hump and feedings are going well!! I never thought the day would come to be completely honest. It has been difficult for me and in the beginning for Eli to figure out this crazy thing...they say "breast is best", but I will be very honest and say there have been moments where I've just wanted to stop...move on to formula...and give up. I've just been reminding myself that feeding is such a special time for Eli and I to bond and get that extra cuddle time, breastfeeding has SO many health benefits for the both of us, and I am giving him a fantastic start to healthy eating habits :) What a crazy thing to think the flavors change depending on my diet. The human body is an amazing thing! Just a side note to jog my memory in the future (You can stop drinking caffeine...you did it during the time in your life when you were getting the least amount of sleep!!! YOU CAN DO IT)
~Bottle feeding.... also going great! He does fantastic switching back and forth, I've been pumping and Jared has been feeding one more way for them to bond and enjoy some snuggles!
~ Sleeping...once he is asleep (yes he fights sleep like a toddler) he is going 4 hour blocks of time with a feeding in between at night time. We are still trying to shift these blocks of time from 5-9pm and 9-1pm to 8-12 and 12-4am :) Day by day Eli is making this idea of a routine a bit more manageable for Jared and I. We are working on moving into the crib bit by bit (one-ish nap a day)...Yes he is almost 2 months and NO he is not in his crib. This momma thinks it is important for our rest and daily functioning that he "rooms in" with us and at times co-sleeps with us like we did for the first month or so! Sleep is cherished with an infant...I mean even an extra minute helps the day go more smoothly.
~ Playing...Eli enjoys playtime more and more everyday! I know he especially enjoys listening to music of any kind!! He LOVES our ceiling fans it is hilarious to watch him squeal and smile when we turn them on! The high contrast black and white books and pictures we have are also a favorite of his. This also includes his "big brother" Kobe. Who knew having a black and white dog would be beneficial to our infants eye and brain development!! He tracks Kobe when he is playing on the floor as he walks by it is fantastic. He is playing for 2 hour blocks or so then needs a quick rest and gets up ready for more. This is especially fun when daddy gets him smiling HUGE smiles...hilarious to watch Jared figure out the "funny" things. Just to name a few...pretend sneezes (aaaachoo), the word poop (but you have to draw out the "ooooo" and really emphasize the "p"), and laughing out loud.
~Tummy time...he does great...now its just our job to remember to do it 3-4 times a day!!
~Pooping... :) yes the things we celebrate as parents. Eli in the 3-5 week range began only pooping 2 times a day which was surprising to us because he had been pooping 6-7 times a day and he seemed really uncomfortable. SO we made a few trips to the chiropractor (Dr. Frankie Hutchinson at Manhattan Family Chiropractic is amazing, helpful, and most of all works so well with Eli and is a fantastic resource for us!) I had read in the past about babies who are fussy, "colicky" or just uncomfortable because of gas in the tummy having success from chiropractic adjustments so we went for it. No harm can come from it so we thought why not, I have been going to the chiropractor since I was 12 and I feel fabulous after an adjustment. Dr. Frankie explained every detail to us even down to the amount of pressure they use on infants. It is no more than the amount of pressure you would use to dent a tomato with your finger. AMAZING it worked immediately..Eli returned to pooping 5-6times a day was much easier to sooth and the gas was passing (sounding much more like an adult man than an infant) much easier! We returned for a follow up a week or so later and he checked his adjustment and again Eli literally passed gas immediately. Hilarious really to watch. So successful pooping and passing gas has continued and we have a much more comfortable baby which is the main goal!! :)
Things we are working on:
~riding in the car seat....LEAST FAVORITE PLACE IN THE WORLD FOR ELI! When I say least I mean it. It is so sad to listen to him cry in the backseat and not be able to do anything about it, but just keep driving (just keep swimming, swimming, swimming). So we are working on just spending some time in it each day just in small amounts. Luckily he won't be traveling far in the car when I go back to work each day. It's about a 5 min trip for us.
~bath times...again not a time that Eli loves just yet, but he definitely will someday I know Jared and I cherish the hot showers we get to take now!! We are trying different things, but really open to any suggestions!!
~ Sleeping...not Eli, Jared and I :) I think this will be on the "working on" list for a while!

 Some pictures from the last month or so...he has already changed SOOOOO much :) ENJOY!!!

the Swafford side of the family

love this one with Auntie Sarah!

belly button! woop woop

Skype time with the floating head- Auntie Sarah

reading time with momma

1month 10 lbs 22.25inches

Father's Day 2012

MMMM

"What are those things?"

sitting up with support! SO big :)

Family photo

"our little firecracker"

"Baby I'm a firework"-yes my mom is crazy

2 month pictures will be up soon :) with 2 month stats and our first ever experience with immunizations (ugh)!
With love & laughter
Beka, Jared & Baby Eli