My Eli Song (to my little man)

Since Eli was born I have had a few "Elijah songs". All that means is that I will forever think about his birth and his arrival when I hear those particular songs because they were favorites of mine when he was born. When he was in the ICU I didn't have any time to listen to music. One afternoon Andy and I made our way to the cafeteria to pick up our lunch (provided by a co-worker) and on the walk back to the ICU I put his ipod earphones on and attempted to listen to a song or two. I started crying just listening to any song-because music can move me very easily. I looked up at Andy and he giggled and said "I knew that was going to happen". Now that Eli is home safe and sound (and healthy!) I can listen to music without crying. I have now found the song that defines how happy I am to have Eli in my life. It makes me think about how perfect he is and what a great boy Andy and I have been blessed with. This song was introduced to me less than 24 hours ago and I have already listened to it more then 24 times.

Andy's goddaughter and niece (Elijah's ONLY girl cousin who also happens to be his oldest cousin) came over and had a chance to hold him. Grandma Roeder sat next to them. Together they sang lullabies to Eli. This was one of them, and I had never heard it before. It brought tears to my eyes, not only the lyrics but also the fact that so many people (family and friends) love this little boy so much already! Andy and I decided not to find out the sex of the baby before birth. We just wanted the surprise and it made everything very exciting and fun. Neither of us had a real preference of boy vs. girl. We, like most others, would like at least one of each- tho now that Eli is here-we can't imagine the baby having arrived as a girl and are very excited to have a little boy to get into mischief, play (and excel at) every sport, get excited by trains/planes/trucks and who is not afraid to get dirty.

I have a sister who has 2 precious little boys. I love them so much! I have seen my sister raise these 2 little guys, bonding with and teaching them. Eli has 6 boy cousins on the Roeder side with one more on the way. Of course everyone is waiting for the next girl-but having a big group of boys to play with will be such a joy for Elijah!

So I looked up the song on the computer and found that the Dixie Chicks sing it-it's called "Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)". I'm obsessed with it. The lyrics are perfect for our little boy and I will start to sing it to him daily. Here are the lyrics if you cannot hear the song on your computer.

Thank you Kaleigh and Grandma Roeder.

Godspeed (Sweet Dreams) By the Dixie Chicks

Dragon tales and the "water is wide"

Pirate's sail and lost boys fly

Fish bite moonbeams every night

And I love you

Godspeed, little man

Sweet dreams, little man

Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings

Godspeed Sweet dreams

The rocket racer's all tuckered out

Superman's in pajamas on the couch

Goodnight moon, we'll find the mouse

And I love you

Godspeed, little man

Sweet dreams, little man

Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings

Godspeed Sweet dreams

God bless mommy and match box cars

God bless dad and thanks for the stars

God hears "amen" wherever we are

And I love you

Godspeed, little man

Sweet dreams, little man

Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings

Godspeed

Godspeed

Godspeed

Sweet dreams

To all my supportive co-workers...

Thanks for all the support during our difficult Eli times! We are so glad he is home-we've been spending so much time cuddling, sleeping, eating and pooping. These are all the ladies who provided Andy and I with meals to keep us energized-which kept us sane during Elijah's ICU stay! Each meal was different and special. We never knew what to expect-but who better to keep stressed parents nourished than a group of dietitians. Looking at the group picture-I never realized what a good looking group of women we are! These pictures are from Colleen's baby shower-we can't wait to meet Orla! Thanks Amy for the GREAT party and having us all over to your house. The food, beverages, game and company were great.

Green Bay Cousins

Elijah continues to have lots of special visitors. This week his Aunt Julie drove all the way from Green Bay for a visit. They got a little cuddle time and he also got the chance to meet 2 of his cousins. Elijah has many cousins (all boys and 1 girl) on the Roeder side. Because so many are boys-there will be many pick up basketball, baseball, football, dice and poker games in the future where all the uncles will for sure coach their sons to be super competitive. Although Eli is currently the smallest-he will grow into it and hopefully be able to run and tumble with the rest of the gang.

Julie and Jeremy's boys: Gabe (just over 2 years) and Elliot (9 weeks-so 5 weeks older than Elijah). I think Julie and I share in the dream of these two (Elliot and Eli) playing together at family get-togethers and keeping each other busy since they are so close in age. Although they may not be close in size at this time-Eli will grow to catch up and I can picture these two giggling, being secretive, holding hands and playing catch together. Oddly-both were given names that start with E which could be confusing (even to the mom's!).

We went to Organ Piper Pizza where Gabe bounced to the music, Elliot checked out all the blinking lights and Eli "conducted the orchestra" (he moves his arms in his sleep like he is a conductor of a symphony). Then we brought them home and put them on the floor to compare sizes. Elliot was born at 11 lbs and Eli only at 5 lbs-thus the size difference-but best buds they already seem to be.

I have big wishes for these two boys-look how they intertwined their arms!

"More later...."

that should be the title of my blog. I say this multiple times a day-usually via text message, instant messaging or e-mail. Does anyone else notice that I say that a lot?

The Bird and the Yawn

It is clear now why they nicknamed her the bird!

The 2nd picture is too dark to see-but the bird had her hair in a tiny little pony-tail on top of her head and when her parents took it out to get ready for bed....her hair continued to stay sticking up. Wonder what it looked like in the morning!!!!!
She is at a joyful (and busy) stage of life!

Moving on...

I waited for this moment allllll day long.

What We Know Now...

So, Elijah is only 3 weeks and 2 days old, but there are some things that Andy and I know about him already. Since he had such an interesting arrival, we are just hitting the 1 week mark of Eli being home and are still trying to figure things out as new parents. I'm sure just as I post this-and admit to "knowing" stuff about him, everything will change just to throw us off and keep us on our toes. Every day is a new day and a new stage in Eli's life-therefore we as parents continue to learn learn learn! Oh how we love him.



1. He likes to be called Elijah, Burrito, Eli, Sumo, Ewok, Bubba, E-bug, Goober or Goobs. Don't ask how we know, WE know (because we're the parents!)



2. He hates to sit in a dirty diaper.



3. When he sneezes 2 or 3 times in a row, he coos after!



4. When he burps (sitting up style) he raises his right arm straight into the air.



5. He loves the pacifier (Fa-fa)



6. The only thing he really knows and can remember...is how to eat.



7. He is soothed by singing and having his forehead rubbed (his favorite songs are twinkle twinkle, you are my sunshine, eli had a little dog and ABC's).

8. Elijah's fussy time is from 9-12 at night. There is no getting around it. It is what it is.



The list will continue to grow day-to- day-to- day-to -day.

My Two Boys

Need I say more?