Eli's birthday!

Since it is the first real entry for Eli's blog, we thought we'd make this one a little more robust than future updates.

Let's start at the beginning ... Mom and dad went to the doctor on Oct. 24th and Dr. Lo said he thought you wanted to meet us really soon - much sooner than your due date of Nov. 24th. We just didn't know it would be only 36 hours later! When we got home from the doctor, we called all the family and told them you were coming soon. They were all so excited. (Aunt Becky was so convinced you'd be arriving that night that she called 6 times. Uncle Steve drove to her house to pick up your cradle and brought it all the way back to Garmie's so it would be ready for you. Aunt Becky must have known!) Just before mom got ready for work on Oct. 26th, you decided it was a great day to be born. So, at 4 am, we called Dr. Lo, grabbed our bags and headed to the hospital. We sent text messages and made phone calls along the way to family and friends.

While mom and dad spent time in the delivery room, word spread fast that you were on your way. Uncle Dan was first on the scene and, in no time at all, the waiting room filled with all of your family! Around noon, you decided you had had enough so we went to the surgical area to welcome you into the world. When you were born at 12:15 pm, Dr. Lo said, "It's a boy!" And, your dad yelled, "IT'S A BOY! IT'S A BOY!" I think the whole hospital heard him! He was so proud of you - and mommy was too! You weighed 7 lbs, 10 oz and were 21 inches long.

In the coming hours, you decided you wanted some extra attention from the nurses and doctors. So, they kept a good eye on you in the nursery and you got some extra time to rest. And, your whole family peeked in on you all day long. Around 8pm that evening, you got to meet your mommy for the first time. Your mommy and daddy held you all night long. We prayed for you, kissed you, gave thanks for you, tickled you, hugged you, said "I love you" a million times ... and even cried a little.

Your birthday, little Eli, was the most special day of our lives. As we told you in the hospital when we first met: mommy and daddy love you so much; we are so proud of you; and, we thank God for giving us you, our precious gift.