Okay, okay, more photos!

Okay, you get your wish; more photos! Here they are.

As far as our Talley family, we are doing just fine. Some days are harder than others, but every day we are learning more and more. Once we got the whole breastfeeding thing down, we found that Eli wanted to eat ALL the time. For four or five hours at a time! Then we figured out that maybe he wasn't hungry, he just likes the attention from his mommy. But his mommy started getting a little sick and tired of it. So today he was strongly encouraged to take a pacifier. And guess what--it worked! Hopefully this progress will keep up.

We owe a big thanks to our parents. Although we have been struggling to learn about how to best take care of Eli's needs, they have been patient, understanding, and very generous, bringing us whatever we need every day and waiting patiently for their turn to hold him. Although we know they think that they haven't done much, they have been a huge help and we couldn't have made it through the first week without them. Thank you, thank you, thank you! We love you.

More Pictures!

Thought it was worth adding some new photos.

Here we are on our first night...everybody has left and it is just Andrea, Eli, and me. Eli's eyes were, I think, open and looking around for the first time. He slept in that little cradle, and it was nice that it was clear so we could maintain a constant vigil over him.


Andrea and Eli having a peaceful moment together. They are very beautiful together.

At Grandma Talley's request, a new picture. :-)


Me and Eli maxing. I thought I had it all figured out...but it doesn't take long to dispel that.


This photo was after we had gotten back from the Doctor's office (for Eli's snip). It was hot outside, we were exhausted, and so we just fell asleep. I assured Eli things would be alright.


Will post some more soon. Many appreciative thanks for the thoughts, flowers, cards, and assorted goodies that have been sent our way. These first days have been exhausting, exhilarating, and forever etched in our memory. And Eli is the coolest!

Love,

Chris, Andrea, and Eli

Update

Hi All!

So here's an update on details.

Elliot "Eli" James Talley weighed in at 8 Pounds, 11 ounces, and the tale of the tape says he was 21 inches long! That's a keeper!

The whole thing started at around 2:30 AM Thursday night--Andrea wondered if she was having contractions. By 4:30 AM, we were measuring them, and by 6:00 AM we were in the hospital.

Andrea decided going in she wanted to do it "naturally", and was an incredible trooper through it all. It was sometimes hard to tell she was going through contractions because she was so quiet, though she did have to start gritting her teeth by the time it came to push around...I think 1:30 pm. She didn't give up though, and after almost fainting in the last push, Eli
decided it was time and arrived at 3:35 PM. It was a great achievement, and we really want to thank our Mid-wife Suzanne and nurse Ericka for being a super support team!

Cleanup took awhile, but finally by about 5ish, the Talley Grandparents and Susan Wood (thanks again for posting the pics!) got to see him. Smiles all around! Later, around 7, the Wimmer Grandparents made it in from their Cinci flight, and it was more of the same. We also managed to eat some food (Andrea's first meal in a long time!), and by 9, we settled into the night...

I continually have been finding newfound respect for parents (in general), and particularly all the parents I know (least of them my own), and last night was hard fought--and much loved--and I am proud to join the club. Eli did keep us up, and we were both beyond exhausted. When I finally stretched out on the pull out couch at...hm, 1 in the morning, I literally felt like a steamroller had given me a go; I was amazed by Andrea's strength in this regard, as she continued to show such patience for Eli's needs (I did, too, but I didn't have to breastfeed!).

We made it through though, and we got a good couple of hours in the later morning that has really shot us through the day so far.

Elliot. Wow. Again, newfound respect and kinship with parents. When my mother says you will never feel a love as powerful as that love for your newborn, she was so right. It makes me tear up just thinking about it. He has been amazing, and seeing, just inches away from my face, a little human being open his eyes for the first time and look around...there is no price for such an experience, and the most pivotal experience I have had as a human being--it shakes me to my core, and I certainly hope everyone has an opportunity to experience it in their life as well.

Ok, enough chit chat...time to get back to business!


Love,

Chris, Andrea, and Eli

July 18, 2008 - The Big Day!!!

Elliot James Talley arrived today at 3:35! Woohoo! Andrea was incredible, but we’ll save the details of all that for later. It’s hard to explain how happy we are right now…I cried more than Eli when he was born!

Thanks so much to Susan for doing this update! And we will update more tomorrow!

Love! Chris!

One Week Til Due Date!

Sorry it's been so long since we updated this blog. We just haven't known what to say! I'm still pregnant and the baby is still "head-down, but face-up", but it seems like my body is progressing towards labor well. It's been a pretty quiet weekend, just waiting for something to happen...

Here are a few pictures taken by my friend in Cincinnati. I have to give him a plug here--he was very professional and made me comfortable, despite showing off my giant belly. If you are looking for a photographer for any occasion, visit his web site here. These pictures were taken about two weeks ago and I'm quite a bit larger by now, but I don't feel the need to produce evidence here.

Last weekend on July 4th, Chris' parents had a wonderful party for us at their beach house in Ocean Isle. We had a cookout, made homemade ice cream, and enjoyed seeing our family who we don't see often enough! Thank you, Briggs and Talley families, for everything!

I'm still working; unless something happens early, I plan to work up until this Friday and then maybe some half-days after that if I'm still around. Our bags are packed and we're ready to go any time, though. We will write a post here with pictures as soon as we have some news to share, so keep posted!