Courtney, Charlie & Eli too :): Snow, Shower and Santa :)

I cannot express how much fun I've had being home with Eli... He is growing and changing each and every day. Along with Eli changing, Charlie and I have changed so much over these past 8 weeks. It's funny how your mentality about things completely changes when you have a baby. Things you thought were sooo important, are no longer a priority. Eli has taught me how to really enjoy the little things in life. I find myself no longer feeling the need to constantly be going, or doing. Taking Eli for a walk, giving him a bath, kissing his tummy, rocking him to sleep, watching his little facial expressions, waiting for him to make little noises or kick his feet because he is happy....these are the moments I now live for and cherish. :)

I just love this face...

I live for his smiles...

Eli and I really enjoyed this past week. On Thursday, my friend Nancy came to visit and meet Eli. Nancy and I teach 2nd grade together. I am not going to lie and say I miss work a whole lot (since I get to be home with my precious little guy)--but I do miss my co-workers. Every morning I take my morning cup of coffee for a walk next door to Nancy's classroom and plop down on one of her kiddo's desks. We chat and laugh until the dreaded school bell rings. I say "dreaded" because I do not think I can possibly put into words the sight of 22 Second Graders racing to your doorway with a MILLION questions at 7:45 in the morning (hence my coffee addiction).

Nancy stopped on her way home from school. She just loved Eli and was so excited to hold him. :) We were so happy to have her visit!

One of the things I mentioned to Nancy was the "pouty lip" Eli has perfected. Eli will stick out his bottom lip when he is sad and it is so pathetic! I just love that sad little face!!

Well you all know, being the mean Mommy I am, I just HAD to capture him with his pouty face... :)

On Friday, we had an exciting surprise at the Webb house....SNOW!!! Growing up in New Jersey, I have seen snow and know what "freezing" feels like. However, seeing snow in Texas (even though it did not last long, nor did it stick) made me feel like a big kid. I was so excited!!! I had Eli in one arm and Lulu in the other as we watched it snow out the window.

Here is a picture of it snowing from our front window...

Here is a picture of it snowing from our back window...

The best part of our snow day here in League City was that Charlie came home from work early! The Webb family had the nicest day together!! We relaxed and enjoyed our time together. :)

My family enjoying their day...

Little Gram had asked me if Lulu enjoyed the snow. She wanted NOTHING to do with it this year. I opened the back door to let her out and she looked at me like I was insane. She ran to the bedroom and hid in the laundry basket. haha. Lulu is a tad on the pampered side, so I don't think she cares to be outside when we have inclimate weather. She likes to be nice and cozy inside. Last year when it snowed, I bundled Lulu up in an adorable pink coat (given to her by Auntie Alexis) and we went outside and took pictures.

So here is a picture of Lulu from last year in the snow for Little Gram...

I have been thinking about how Grandpa and Little Gram live far away. They LOVE Eli to pieces and ask about him all the time. I don't want them to miss out on anything, so I was trying to think of a way to share some of Eli's wonderful moments with them. I decided to play around with my camera and figured out how to record! So here is some footage (it's not very long...and I am an amateur camera person, so it is very unsteady--haha) from when Eli first woke up from his nap on our snow day...

The next morning, Eli, Lulu and I were headed North to Cypress. Charlie was unable to make the trip with us due to his hectic work schedule. He is going to be working both Saturday and Sunday for the next couple weeks. I try to remind myself that I need to be thankful we have jobs during these harsh times and be grateful Charlie has a demanding work schedule, when a lot of people are unable to even find work right now.

Here is Charlie saying his "good-bye's" before we left. Eli just adores his Daddy! Look at that smile...

I just LOVED the outfit Eli had on that morning! The onesie he was wearing says, "What Santa doesn't bring me Grandma Will!" He received this cute little onesie from Grammy's friend, Mary Starke. He also wore his jeans for the first time. I absolutely LOVE these little jeans from Nana's friend, Violet. They are too cute!

I just HAD to get an up close picture of these boots from Auntie Alison. Aren't they just the most adorable boots you've ever seen?

We were headed to Cypress for a very special occasion...my future sister-in-law's Bridal Shower! Samantha and Chris are getting married on New Year's Eve and we are all very excited to watch them exchange vows! They have been together for awhile now (7 years!), so Samantha already is part of the family...but we are anxiously awaiting for the day when it becomes official. :)

We had a great time at Samantha's Shower! I had a lot of fun helping her sister, Vicki, plan for this wonderful event. Vicki did an amazing job decorating and putting personal touches on things to make this day memorable for Samantha.

Here is a picture of Samantha and I at her shower...

Samantha received such lovely gifts! I told her I will be visiting soon to "test out" her new place settings. In other words...the Webb family is coming for dinner! haha.

Here is Samantha opening her gifts...

Along with gifts and gab, we had games! Vicki had chosen to play a questionaire game called, "How Well Do You Know the Bride?" I learned some new things about my sister-in-law. :) We also played "Toilet Paper Brides." I bet you can guess who chose that game! haha.

Here is a picture of Samantha and her friend of many years, Laura, all dolled up in toilet paper...

Of course we enjoyed some yummy food at the shower! One of the things I enjoyed most was this Taco Ring her sister made. And yes, it was as delicious as it looks...

The cake was fantastic too!

We really had a nice time visiting with everyone. Eli was loving all of the attention!

He was able to see both his Nana and Grammy at the shower...

Eli just loved Aunt Vicki! Look at him smiling at her! I know who I will be adding to the "Babysitter List." :)

As the Bridal Shower came to a close, Vicki passed out favors she had made. I loved all the little details and thought Vicki made everything look so pretty for her sister's special day!

The favors...

That evening I met my best friend Courtney for dinner at Chi Lounge. It was the first time since Eli was born I was going somewhere (besides the grocery store or to run errands) without him. Nana and Super Pop Pop watched Eli for a few hours while I went to eat sushi with Courtney. We had the best time catching up during dinner! We always just laugh and laugh and laugh. :) It was also the first time I had sushi since before I was pregnant, so I really enjoyed it!

Courtney and I...

Auntie Courtney is so sweet and always thinks of Eli. She bought him the cutest little cowboy feety pajamas! I especially love the feet on them because they look like real boots. I put them on him and he kicked and kicked his feet and smiled...

Today was a very special day... Anne and I took Eli and Sara to meet "The Big Guy." Yes, today sweet Eli and precious Sara were able to visit and get pictures taken with Santa Claus!! Sara went to see Santa first. She had on the most ADORABLE red Santa dress and smiled HUGE for her picture!! She was very awake and such a happy girl the entire time. :)

Here is a picture of Sara and her Mommy, Anne...

I was proud of Eli!! He sat on Santa's lap and seemed to be taking everything in. He didn't smile for his picture, but he didn't cry and he was wide awake. :) I was really pleased with the pictures!! The colors are beautiful and the Santa was a "good" Santa.

Anne's Mom was in town visiting and so she was able to join us on our "Santa Outing." It was so great to visit with her!

We had such a nice afternoon!! The babies took their pictures and then we had lunch and chatted. One of the things I have enjoyed most during my time off (besides all of the time with my baby boy) are my weekly visits with Anne and Sara. Anne and I are already looking forward to summer break and talk about taking the babies to the beach and swimming. :) It is so much fun to watch these little angels!!

Eli likes his girlfriend Sara...