Let me just start by saying parenthood is the most wonderful thing I have experienced. The love that I feel for Eli is like no other. It's a different kind of love that I can not put into words. How can this little person evoke such a large feeling that I have never experienced before. It has given me a new perspective into how our Father in Heaven loves His children and the tremendous sacrifice through Jesus Christ. It's amazing, thank you Lord.

Eli's first week of life has been very eventful. Here is a brief run down:

Wednesday - July 22nd - Birthday!
My family surprised us by making t-shirts that say "Team Eli". They overtook the waiting room and it was like the paparazzi when he was in the nursery with the fast and furious flashes of lights from cameras. On Eli's first birthday we are all wearing the shirts again and Eli will wear a shirt with "Captain" on the front.

Our stay at the hospital was great. The nursing staff was all very nice and we had a big enough room to accommodate all the visitors who were anxious to meet Eli. He is such a mellow baby and was quietly passed around to family members and friends. We were afraid to leave the hospital thinking that as soon as we left that's when Eli's temperament would change. It was all a facade and that he was in a traumatized state by the birth experience and every time he left the room something was poked, prodded, etc.

Nevertheless, with some slight confusion on the carseat -- it was our first time to put a baby in one -- we were on our way.

It was so nice to be home and in our own bed. The first night "alone" went smoothly. We did sleep with the lamp on :). I tried to turn the light off, but every time he wiggled or made a noise I ended up turning in on. I will say one week later, we are sleeping with the lamp off, but it took us a few days to reach that level -- baby steps.

The next few days we had family members over that were not able to make it to the hospital. Eli doesn't stand a chance. We are surrounded by so many people that love and care for us . . . I had to horsie it out!

Our initial visit to the pediatrician's office went great as well. It was our first adventure out as a family and didn't realize how much preparation it takes! We will figure it out, but don't expect us to be on time for anything in the near future!

Here are his stats:
Height: 22 inches - 94%

Weight: 8.3 - 51%

Head Circumference - 35.5 - 33%

He is built just like mom and dad -- long and lean with a head that no baseball cap will fit.

To end, Eli has started smiling. It's not really directed at anything or anyone but I love it!

Thoughts from Dad

Hey, it's Brent here. I know you have already scrolled through this entry and do not see any pictures so you are thinking about closing it. Just don't tell me you did that. Mom and Eli are doing great!

Rachel has been very strong and it reminds me of our wedding. She got all the tears out on the rehearsal dinner and the days leading up to the wedding. On the wedding day she was perfect and didn't have to worry about tears ruining he makeup. Same here with Eli. Rachel got all of the tears out of the way Tuesday; shaking them out. What we like to call the "horsie" or "horsing it out" - when the tears come and you are ready to stop crying you shake your whole body, flail your arms, fling your head, and make horse noises. We had our final prayer over the crib on Tuesday night and were ready for the next day.

Dad only thought he got them all out. I review the last couple of days and two major cycles of emotions came over me and caused the tears to come. First cycle was Eli. The last push, the doctor holding him up, the joy in the room, the look on Rachel, the surprise of 8 lbs. 6 oz., and I get to hold him. Eli's crying was replaced by me. He was very calm, not crying. Just staring up at his old man and looking around the room. Amazing. Rachel, Eli and myself got to spend some time alone together before Brent had to horsie it out and go see Team Eli.

Team Eli consisted of the packed waiting room of family and friends. All wearing black shirts with neon green writing of TEAM ELI. Popular amongst the hospital staff but a rowdy bunch overtaking the entire room and nursery windows. The next cycle of emotions hit me. Overwhelmed by the love of our family and friends I could not do anything but praise God. From the t-shirts, the text messages, the phone calls, the email, the paparazzi on the nursery windows and the flux of visitors who love us and care for us. The crazy thing is that from all the people we have seen, we know there are still more who can't wait to see us still.

We are extremely blessed to have people who love Jesus Christ entrenched around us. Jesus wants me to love and spend time with Him. I look forward to Him showing me how to love more through Eli. Thank you all for the prayers, love and support.

Eli Graham Fisher

He's here! 8 lbs. 6 oz. 22 inches - arrived at 5:36 pm. Whole family is doing great! More to come

It's Complete!

So, we have finally finished the nursery! Below are a few pictures, but for the full transformation of the room look on Facebook.

Full View


So Cute! Thanks again Angela

Whimsical Tree painted free-hand by Lauren. She is awesome!

Hungry Caterpillar Themed bathroom



Now we only need a baby to put in there. Come on Eli!

Preparing for Baby

So we are in the final countdown and have less than 2 weeks until Eli arrives (hopefully). We have almost everything ready in the nursery, washed the clothes, packed our bags, bought "going home" outfits for everyone, even our dogs went to the groomer yesterday for haircuts.

Now it's just waiting. . .

Jewels with her new short summer hairdo.

Tawny - she has lost some weight so this time the groomer did not refer to her as Chubby Bear.

I'll post more nursery pictures, but thanks Lauren for the whimsical tree behind our crib!

Where Eli will sleep for the first few weeks of life at home. This bassinet has been in the Fisher family for 3 generations now starting with Eli and then Colt :)

June Shower

This is the last of the showers hosted by some of my close friends. It was so fun to be surrounded by people from college and even high school.

Below are a few pics!

Thank you Dena, Miranda, Lauren and Stephanie!

Diaper cake and fun entrance

Delicious Cake

I loved the M&Ms

And the big ticket item -- our travel system! Yay! Don't mind the huge belly bump!

Whirlwind Weekend

What a weekend! It was jam packed with fun activities and friends.

Friday:
We wanted new carpet in the nursery and a few other select rooms before Eli arrives. After fighting with Home Depot for 2 weeks we finally called Empire Today and got a quote that was substantially lower and they could install the next day. The sales person was really helpful and could answer all our questions. So Friday we laid new carpet (or really just watched). These guys worked so hard, but poor Brent ended up trapped in his office upstairs without food or drink until I rescued him with Chick-fil-a at 4:30.

The workers wanted to get everything complete so they could have the weekend off and stayed until 11:00pm while Brent and I both hid in the upstairs office.

The carpet looks nice and feels so much better, but we are now obsessed with taking our shoes off and watching the dogs. It's going to be a bad day the first time one of us spills something or a doggie "accident" happens.

Saturday:
Both Brent and I had showers to attend. Brent -- Daddy Diaper Shower at Lake Granbury and Rachel -- lovely shower hosted by our Sunday school.

Brent
Gets up at 5:45am to head to golf at Benbrook then off for watersports and who knows what else at Granbury. All I know is that he came home with rope burns from tubing and said that they were all pretty beat up from the tube. I'm glad I wasn't there to see it!

Daddy Diaper Shower started with one of our college friends. All the guys needed to bring diapers of some sort to participate in the activities. We received all sorts of diapers and even an awesome diaper cake! The best gift is the adult diapers for Brent. Thanks Chad!

**There is a long story behind the whole "Punter" thing. Ask Brent next time you see him!**

Rachel
We are part of an awesome class at First Baptist Euless. We are surrounded by people that love and support us and truly pray for us. The picture quality is not great because I had it on the wrong setting.

Isn't Jen great with cakes!

The Hostesses

Ready to start!

The onesie says "My Dad Cracks Me Up"

Enjoying unwrapping gifts

Brent ready for action with his new Daddy Apron!

Thanks everyone! It was a really special for me.

Sunday
Sunday morning I had the opportunity to serve in a new compassion ministry at our church -- 6 Stones. This ministry is dedicated to help families in need in the HEB area. We had a canned food drive and helped restock a warehouse that was emptied in 12 weeks. We had an outpouring of food donation! It is so amazing to be at a place where you can see God working.

It was HOT but serving in this ministry is amazing. You can look at there website - http://www.6stones.org/

We went to lunch and I came home to find Brent doing "dad" work -- mowing the lawn. He just needs to wait about 10 more years and he will have a helper.

So, Brent's first Father's Day was spent doing yard work, trying to cool off in the pool, recovering from watersports (I think he pulled a hammie), a movie and finishing the day catching up on Tivo'd High Stakes Poker.