June 29

Hi baby!
I spent all day thinking about you! I was looking at your new photos and just thinking how handsome you are. I cleaned your room and put some photos in all those frames that people have been buying you. I went through all your clothes and there are so many that are too small or too warm it is crazy. You didn't even wear some of them! After Mary's, you went to Grampa Keith's for a little bit until Daddy picked you up.

When you got home, we set up your bouncer that we bought before you were born. Remember we bought that Amby bed for you but then it was recalled? Well, it came with a bouncy attachment that we hadn't hooked up yet. We put you in it while I was finishing up your room but you would have none of that - you were starving. It hadn't even been 45 minutes since you ate at Grampa's but you wanted your FOOD. You ate two containers and some cereal puffs. Afterwards, we put you back in the bouncer and you loved it. It is different than your bouncer chair because you can move, spin and almost act like you were flying. You enjoyed spinning around and chasing the dogs. I busted the camera out and OH MY GOODNESS you were working the camera. I have always suspected that you knew when a camera was turned on but tonight confirmed it. Once I put it up to my face, you were "ON." Crack me up!!!

I even took a video that I am putting on you tube for your family to see.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao0mE4__u-M

That is about it for today babycakes. You went to sleep at 7:30 tonight. I don't know if it is for good or for a nap but I am updating your blog while you are resting :)

Pool photo from yesterday - see all those leaves mommy was cleaning?

Bouncer photos from tonight




I said to your dad "I wonder where Elijah gets that big old mouth open pose." He rolled his eyes and pointed at me. I said "No, on Mother's Day, I only did that because he was doing it." He said "Go look at the wall, you have that pose long before Elijah was here." I think your dad is silly but here are the photos he is talking about. You can decide for yourself Elijah :)

June 26 - June 28

Well buddy, today is a big day! You are 6 months old. You are an old man :) I can't believe it was only 6 months ago that I was whining to Bonehead to get you out of there. Only 6 months ago that I heard your first little peep as you were being born. In some ways, I look at you and think where did my little baby go and in other ways, it seems like you have been here for years :)

Let's see, what did we do this weekend? Saturday, we hung out for a bit then you visited Brandi and Jeff while we went to a movie. When we picked you up, you were so darn cute sleeping on Brandi. You were just snuggled up for the count. Then, out of the blue, your head popped up and you looked at your daddy like "Oh, you are here, it is time to go buddy." Once you were asleep for the night, we watched a movie. We heard a big pop and the TV went dark. I think your dad may have started crying. :) Luckily, we bought the extended warranty so will fix it.

On Sunday, we went to the Aksarben farmers market and ran into Brandi & Jeff. We walked around, had lunch there and you got a few tiny bites of a sugar cookie. Then, off to Great Gramma Lang's to visit for a bit. She got to love you up but then I had to whisk you away to take some 6 month photos before you got fussy.

Here are my favorite photos from your photo shoot. I chose this outfit for a special reason. You have worn it once or twice before but I didn't get any photos. This outfit is the only outfit that your dad and I ever bought for any of your brothers. It is the only thing we saved as a memento. I tried to get rid of it several times but your dad wouldn't let me. I didn't see a need to keep it and have such a sad reminder around when I thought for sure there would never be any kiddos. But, now, you are here to stay and a big boy at 6 months! I am glad your dad made me keep it because it sure is cute on you :)






After your photos, you hung out with Gramma Debbie and Donnie for a few hours. You went to a birthday party and you were hamming it up big time. When we picked you up, it was interesting watching you interact with Gramma Debbie and Donnie. You were acting like it was your job to entertain them. You were just cheesing it up and laughing and being a ham. Daddy said he is worried you are going to be the life of the party. I don't see any shame in that but your mom is a ham too :) For some reason, you just tugged my heart on Sunday. When I put you to bed, I was pattting your back and you started cooing your soft little coos. It made me cry because we are so lucky to have you!

On Monday, I put you in your pool for the first time. You just floated around and lounged about while I was cleaning out the leaves. This owning a pool stuff is hard work. Well, for your mommy and daddy anyway - your only job is to float and splash. You lasted about 40 minutes before you were bored. Then, we ran errands. You are in your big boy car seat and you were in the cart without a carseat. Man, you are a BIG BOY!

We can only wonder what our next 6 months will be like. Will you be walking? Talking? Still be a ham? Be ornery? Everyday is a mystery and we love finding out what will happen next!

June 24 and June 25

Hey booger boy!
Our first true sickness is here. Yeah, we thought you had some tummy issues and your thrush but our first true cold or major allergy breakout. We thought it was allergies because it started on the same day that your daddy's did. But, yours got worse really quick and now you can't breathe! On Thursday, we just tried to keep you as happy as we could. On Friday, daddy took you to the doctor and they said there was nothing that they could do. They wouldn't treat you until you have a full blown ear infection. So, we are stuck giving you tylenol and claritin. Luckily for us, you are eating baby food or you would be starving. Since you can't breathe, you have a hard time eating a bottle.

Unfortunately, because you were sick, you missed a date with Gramma Debbie and Grampa Keith and we didn't get to go visit Great Gramma on her birthday. We are hoping you feel better pronto because mommy & daddy have plans tomorrow and you were going to visit Brandi and Jeff. They aren't going to want a booger boy in the pool with them :)

Here are some scrapbook pages I did for your book. I am finishing up your 6 month book. I am pretty much done except for the last 5 pages - the pool pics, your 6 month pic and a letter from me :)

June 22 - June 23

Hi Elijah!
It has been a busy few days! On Tuesday, you went over Grampa's and you came home nekked. Your daddy told me that you were in the big boy pool at Mary's so your clothes were wet. I was so excited for you! I know you love the water and you were watching all the kiddos playing. But, on Tuesday, you were in the water playing with them. Afterwards, we went to the Kroc center with Morgan and went swimming. You liked it and had fun but you were a bit tired so you didn't have as much fun as last time. But, we got some great photos of you in the water and a fabulous photo of you and Morgan.


You are now a splasher. We can no longer expect a dry bath because in your tub and in the pool, you are all about splashing every where.



On Wednesday, it was a day of trauma all around :) I went to the hospital in the morning for my test and you were traumatized by having to get up an hour earlier. You were a crabby pants. In the afternoon, we went to the dr. for your 6 month check up. You are 17 lbs and 13 oz and you are a tad over 28" long. The doctor was pleased with your progress and where you are at developmentally. We can now start giving you a bit thicker food and trying to train you with a sippy cup. At night, you hung out with Auntie Sheila and Uncle Jeff while we went to a concert. You played with them for a bit then crashed! We had a rough night sleeping because your allergies were making you miserable. Unfortunately, it appears that you inherited your daddy's allergies. He woke up on Tuesday sneezing and coughing. Of course, then you woke up sneezing and coughing. The pediatrician said we can give you allergy medicine.

That is about it for today buddy. Hopefully, you will be feeling better tomorrow.

June 21

Hi squirt!
I feel like I have a lot to tell you today, pumpkin!

First off, you are a bit of a fussy pants there buddy. You keep screaming at us. We know you are changed, we know you are not tired and we try giving you a bottle. Nothing works and you keep screaming. So, we made you a freshie bottle with warmer water and all is right with the world. Apparently, I need to get a thermometer because if your formula is not the precise temperature, it is beneath you. Your daddy says you better get over that junk quick because he won't be heating up your milk in a saucepan :) Mary says you fuss at her about it too.

Not only were you screaming at us, today you were a little PIGGIE - oink oink! This was the first day you have eaten so much food. We took some baby food oatmeal over Mary's and you ate about 1/2 of that jar. Then, you ate 2 FULL CONTAINERS at home for dinner. You ate a sweet potatoes with corn and an apricot! We also tried a couple Gerber Graduate puffs and you liked those. I think you liked a new texture and something crunchy. You were definitely a big boy today until you were throwing your temper tantrum about the formula being 2 degrees too cold :)

I made a big decision today buddy. I realized you were sleeping and I hadn't taken a photo yet today. I am giving up on the photo a day. I know that I take plenty of pictures of you that we won't go a week without a photo but the daily photo grind is too much. We end up with some bad quality photos just to say we took one. I also have to scrap them for you and your books are FULL already. I reorganized your book and you have filled up one whole 100 page book already for your first 6 months. I can't really have your first year be 3 volumes so I am making a change. Pretty soon, we will do a big photo shoot for your 6 month birthday! I also have another project whirling around in the back of my head I would like to try to focus on for a bit.

I guess that is about it for today munchkin. You are fast asleep and I am about ready to pass out on the pillow but I will leave you with some scrapbook pages I have done the last few days.

This one is kind of boring but I find it hard to scrap such good pictures. That scenery is just too beautiful to mess with :)


This set was also difficult for me because they are THEE Elijah photos. There is a lot of pressure on myself to do good pages when the photos are so good. But, I had to get them done because I needed them to complete your book.


Some great photos yesterday. I love the ones of you hanging over your dad's shoulder :)

Photo Catch up

Random order this week because your mom is a slacker :)

Hanging out with daddy in bed:


This one doesn't capture how funny the moment was - you were all fussy and crying and squirming about. Then, you wiggled up in Daddy's arm and crashed :)


New outfit from Auntie Val


I love when I walk in your bedroom and you are sleeping with your butt in the air. It is so cute! Today, you even crossed your legs :)



This is your newest face - all your noises are "MMMMMMMM....." I think it is because you are trying so hard to get "mommy" out!


Us hanging out together and trying some new photo settings.


Some scrapbook pages I made lately:

June 15 - June 20

Hi Baby - Did you think I deserted you? It has been almost a week since I posted to you. But you know what? It is because I am just so darn busy being your mommy :) Let's recap what you have been up to this week and I will catch up with pictures later...

Tuesday - you spent time with Grampa and Heather when they picked you up at Mary's. Then, we were just lazy at home at night.

Wednesday - you hung out with Gramma Debbie, Great Gramma Dorothy and Auntie Sue. Gramma Debbie picked you up from Mary's then you went to see Gramma Dorothy's new apartment. I think you were a good boy over there but I did get a text that you were slapping Gramma Dorothy on the face!! When you got home, we busted out our new CocoKey passes and went to the lazy river for an hour. You liked it and daddy liked watching you in the water. I was so proud of you - you got splashed in the face and you were still happy.

Thursday - mommy had book club so you hung out with daddy. You were fast asleep when I got home but I smooched you anyway :)

Friday - Grampa wanted to hang out with you for a bit so he picked you up and showed you off to his friends. Then, you went over Great Gramma's for a bit. I think it might have been the longest you have ever been over there! We went to dinner at Grandmother's. You are starting to watch us eat and look at us like "Where is mine?" So, we gave you some mashed potatoes. You thought those were ok but nothing to eat a lot of. We went grocery shopping and you tried to sleep but we kept moving you all around!

Saturday - we tried something new this morning. When you woke up, I gave you baby food before I gave you a bottle. We bought you Apple Yogurt Oatmeal baby food. You ate a big chunk before you had your bottle. Then, we took a nappy together while daddy went to work. After our nappy, we went to farmer's market with Debbie and Morgan. You did a great job in your sling watching everyone. When we came home, you finished off that big jar of oatmeal - little piggy :) We spent the afternoon over Great Gramma Dorothy's with Auntie Becky and Auntie Betty. You were so good all afternoon. You didn't cry or fuss even though I know how exhausted you were. I was so proud of you. I swear, you have a thing for elderly women - you seem to work them even harder than you do everyone else. You were hamming it up to Auntie Betty & Gramma Dorothy. Auntie Becky was so excited to see you - you have grown so much since she saw you last. Uncle Steve made it over and he was so proud of how strong you were, too. We are going to schedule a date with you and them for July!

After your big afternoon with the Blankmans, Debbie and Morgan wanted some Elijah time. We went out to dinner while you hung out with them. Debbie took you to the park and put you in the big boy swing - she said you liked it. But, then, like always, you conked out on them. When I came to pick you up, you were awake. Morgan read you a book and fed you a bottle - it was so darn cute. You were smiling up a storm for them. When I brought you home, you were kind of a fussy pants and I let you sleep with us. But, I moved you after a bit because I like it better when you are in your crib :)

Today is a big day baby boy! It is Father's Day. We made daddy and Grampa breakfast. We gave daddy his little photo wallet and his shirts. We dressed you in your matching onesie and later we are going to Gramma's for a BBQ with Grampa and all our cousins. I hope that you will be an adult and look back and remember how much your daddy loved you. You truly are his pride and joy and he loves you to pieces!

June 12 - June 14

Hi Elijah,
I have to tell you a secret. As I am writing this, I am on an Elijah high. We hung out tonight with Morgan at the Kroc pool and it was the most fun ever! I hadn't taken you to the pool in ages and you loved it. You laughed and grinned the whole time in your floatie. I splashed you and you giggled. We went in the lazy river most of the time and you loved the water, the kids, the floatie!! Here is the deal kiddo - most days, you are your daddy's son. You look like him so much that it is hard for me to see a lot of me in you. In the water today with you laughing and smiling, you were my son. You were a water baby!

Anyway, flashback to the weekend. We had kind of a weird weekend. On Saturday, I was in a photography class all day so you hung out with daddy. When I got home, I was so tired and I was praying you would take a nappy since daddy had plans. I didn't know if I could function without a nappy. So, we laid down at 4:30 and you were asleep next to me by 5. I woke up around 7:15 thinking you were starting to get up and wiggle around. You did wake up - long enough to eat for 15 minutes and then you went back to sleep until 2:00 AM! You slept from 5 - 2!!! Thankfully, daddy took you at 2 am and you guys hung out together sleeping until 9:30. I took you then, fed you then we took another nappy together. As a family, we were not functioning until after 12:00!! We went out for breakfast and then we went over to Maureen's house. Maureen is Great Grampa Bill's wife. We had been planning to go visit her for months and finally got over there. Want to hear something weird baby? While we were there, the curtains were moving like crazy (both your dad & I heard it) but the air conditioning was not on and the window was closed. Also, when we were there, a lightbulb blew out. You know what I think? Grampa Bill was there with us hanging out :)

One other big piece of news for the weekend. We bought a pool for you & me to hang out in. It isn't a huge one - just a 12' circle and 2.5' deep. Daddy started setting it up for you in the yard and we learned that it is not as level as it looks. So, he is going to move it up on the bottom deck for us to hang out in. I hope that it is all set up and warm for us this weekend!

This morning, it was a little hard for me to send you to Mary's. I knew that you were missing your friends there but, all in all, I enjoyed our week together. I was going to miss you! You were back in your routine in no time and you smiled all day at your friends. After the pool, your daddy and I talked and we decided to buy a season pass to cocokey. It is really reasonable and we can just as easily take you there as we can to the other pools. Plus, it is indoors and warmer for you (and your wussy daddy)! Can't wait to take you!!

One last thing to ramble on about. You are doing so good with your food. You are eating everyday and you are opening your mouth for every spoonful. You are consistently eating a container of food - 1/2 veggies, 1/2 fruit. You aren't gagging as much with your drama-ness, you aren't spitting it up as much and it seems like you are enjoying eating more.

OK baby, that is all my rambling for today. I still owe you some photos that are on my camera but at least I have your pool photo with Morgan today!!

June 11

Hi Elijah!
Our last day of vacation is here. We survived a whole week together without Mary raising you. As far as I am aware, you are no worse for the wear. We woke up this morning, you ate then we took a nap until 9:30. It was NICE :) The rest of the day was just hanging out, cleaning, and scrapbooking. Nothing new to share with you.

It is time for a talk, buddy. Here is the deal - we can't keep going the way we were today. You need to step back and take a look at your potty habits. I got all of your diapers clean today and we were all current. But, you went through SO MANY diapers - you were either peeing or pooing ALL DAY. We need you to save up your dirties to one per day on days that you aren't as Mary's. Maybe we need to stop bouncing you so much as you seem to make more diapers when you are bouncing but you are happiest when you are bouncing! Let's work on consolidating those poos. :)

I do have a photo for you that I took today that I will add later. Daddy dressed you in your Nebraska attire. I think it was an accident but he said it was in solidarity of the conference switching. Apparently, it was a pretty big deal that Nebraska is now part of the Big 10 or something :)

I will leave you with some scrapbook pages that I did today. I built most of them while we were in Denver and just added some photos today. I wish I could take credit for them but most of them were all copied from other people!

June 10

Hi Baby Boy!
Today was all about mommy's stinking medical stuff! You & your daddy took me to the dentist. I was a little nervous to go but it all turned out well. You were flirting with all of the dental assistants and they were so happy to meet you. We rested for awhile then we took you over to Great Gramma's while I went to the hospital for a test. You could have come with us but I wasn't really thrilled about taking you to the hospital with all those germs. Plus, Great Gramma needed an Elijah fix. You slept almost the whole time you were there. You played on your mat for awhile and slept. When we got back, we put you on your swing for awhile. Afterwards, we went over Auntie Sheila's for dinner. You were so tired but you hammed it up a bit. You are finally starting to realize other babies are in the room! You were watching Baby Jakey like a hawk. I don't think you were jealous of him and people holding him but just an awareness that he was in our space :)

I took this funny photo of you sucking on your daddy's arm. I tried to get a good photo of you sucking on his knee but it didn't turn out as cute - it was much funnier in person.

While we were Auntie Sheila's, you were fussing and we could have sworn that you said "mom". About 3 people agreed with me as our heads swung immediately to look at you. Maybe we are getting closer to you saying mommy.

Can I share a secret with you? I love it when you scrunch up your nose when you are smiling and making faces :)

June 4 - June 9

Holy Schmoly baby - your first plane trip vacation!!

Friday - you did your day with Mary and then we whisked off to Gramma Ruth's. We picked up Andrew and dropped off Padi & Luke. We went to the airport and you were so good. You did great on the plane - we numbed your ears with some drops, we let you drink a bottle during the take off and landing. After a big drive, we landed at Auntie Val's. I don't think your dad & I got a hello - it was an immediate run to you to get a hug!!




Saturday - we went to lunch with Candi, John, Finnegan, Bob & Sheila. It was so exciting to meet baby Finney!! After lunch, we hung out for a bit and then we went to a Rodeo in Elizabeth, Colorado. You were liking all the people and activity. Andrew jumped on the bungee, we had rodeo food and watched the animals. However, it started hailing and we had to leave early.




Sunday - it was a HUGE day baby. Your daddy sat you up and you stayed sitting! You were playing with a toy that helped you with your balance but even without the toy, you can do it on your own. It was so exciting. You were in your normal routine today - nappy, up 4 hours, nappy. When you woke up, we met a new baby in the family. My 2nd cousin Ron Proksel brought his baby Harrison Ryan over. We didn't have you guys hang out together but we enjoyed seeing the latest member of your mommy's generation. Yes, your mommy sure does feel really, really old when she has started making babies in the next generation but there is one in her generation :)



Monday - we hung out with Candi and Finnegan all day. I can't lie and say you were a good baby. You were a complete bully. Let's start with something small. I put you in Finney's playpen with your pacifier for a nappy. When I checked on you, you had moved all around the playpen and found Finney's pacifier and started chomping on it. Then, you smiled at me. Towards the end of the day, I wanted to get a photo of you and Finney together. I laid you down and put your arm out so I could lay him on your arm like I did Baby Jake. I put Finney on your arm. You rolled over, grabbed Finney's head and started gnawing on the crown of his head. It was kind of funny but inappropriate. I split you up and I tried to take more photos. You grabbed the kid's head again and started smacking him. Thank goodness Finney's mom wasn't in the room, I was so embarrassed. The other noteable thing for today was how much cereal and nanners you ate. You ate so much that you didn't even eat as many bottles that day.



Tuesday - we went to have lunch with mommy's friend in Colorado Springs and did some sight seeing at Garden of the Gods. When we got back to Auntie Val's, your cousin Brandon was here and you didn't even fuss at him!! We had dinner with him and then we got RAINED on.



Overall buddy, I think you had a great trip. You were so spoiled by your Auntie Val. She loved you up all weekend. When we would let you cry, she would pick you up. When we would let you cry yourself to sleep, she would rub your back and sing you lullabies until you were asleep. She bought you lots of new clothes and toys. She went to garage sales and bought you exersaucers, mats and toys. You will need a week long detox but you enjoyed yourself and she enjoyed her time with you.

To be a mushy mommy, you warmed my heart all weekend. I was watching you sleep Tuesday morning and my heart swelled. Every time you smile, it brightens your whole face and my whole day. Thank goodness you are such a happy, smiley baby. You were talking up a storm in the car when we were stuck in traffic and it made me so happy! You are getting so big and it makes me kind of sad because it is happening so fast. Next time I open my eyes, you will probably be rolling your eyes saying "Whatever mom, give me the car keys because you are such a rotten mom who won't buy me a car." :)


Wednesday -
We got all of our stuff together and packed up while Auntie Val loved you up. Brandon came over to see us off! You did great on the plane again. We had dinner out and you were a good boy. At night, we did a bath and then you were CRASHED! You slept from like 9:30 until 8:30. Vacation wore you out!!!