Busy weekend!

Hi Elijah!
We had a busy weekend, huh?  Now, at the end of the weekend, you have cooties.  I figured it was your allergies but now, I wonder if you have true cooties!  I hope you feel better because when you are sick, I feel really bad for you.

On Saturday, you went to the allergy doctor with daddy so he could get his shot.  Then, we ran errands while you took a nap in the car.  Afterwards, we went to the Amazing Pizza Machine.  We ate lunch and you walked around and watched all the kiddos.  Unfortunately, you were still a wussy when it came to the rides.  You liked sitting in them but when we turned them on, you would scream!  Before we left, we took our photos in the photo booth.

You did like the whack a mole but the whacker was a bit oversized for you!

In the car before we turned it on....

On the carousel - of course, no movement or you would be screaming.

The little kiddie room with the little kiddie slide.

And, after we turned the car on...done dealing!

On Sunday, you & daddy had your quality time together - Starbucks and a donut at Bakers.  After your nap, we went to visit Great Gramma.  It was a big gathering - Auntie Sheila, Brandi (and by default, Heinrich), Jeff, Cory, Lauren and Baby Jake. We had pizza and you showed off your new walking skills.  When daddy picked us up, you said "Hi Dad!" when he walked in the room.  Seriously dude, when do I get a "Hi Mama" or "Bye Mama"?  After your nap, daddy treated us to dinner at Outback and you did a great job.  No demon Elijah in sight!  You had a bath and we hung out but you were not feeling so hot at the end of the night so we cuddled and it was time for bed.

You really were a walking machine all weekend and I know I will eventually get used to it.  But, it is so strange to see my little boy walking.  Sure seems like you should still be wrapped in a swaddle like a bump on a log - not toddling through the house like a big boy!  I am guessing that it is pregnancy hormones from baby Joey that make me so darn sentimental when I look at you and not the fact that you have weaseled your way deep in my heart.

I leave you with a scrapbook page that was inspired by your daddy making fun of us....

Circus and Standing

Hi buddy!
We had a huge day today!  We picked you up early and we went to the circus with all of your daycare buddies.  Your mommy is a slacker and didn't get any photos!  You did great - I was worried you would be a demon.  You only had one moment where you got squirmy and you went to hang out with Amber for awhile.  I think you had a great time watching all the activity and we even bought you a light up treat so you could be like all the other kiddos.

Here is a photo Mary took of you today - you are a dork!

When we got home, you played all night & you started standing up on your own.  You have been standing up when you pull on something for months but today, you started standing up from a sitting position.  You are such a big boy!  I took some video of you walking tonight.  You think it is so funny to walk and act like a proud peacock!

Walk, walk, walk

Hiya fussy pants!
Yep, you still are a bit crabby but we love you anyway  :)  You spend two afternoons with Gramma Debbie this week and we were boring at home - just staying at home and playing with you.  Few highlights...

Your dad thought for sure you learned some new sign language.  You put your hands by your ears and you wiggle them around.  I noticed you did it more frequently when music was on so I thought you were dancing.  When we finally asked Mary, she said you were doing the hokey pokey.  So much for you being a sign language genius.

Your tummy is still upset.  We didn't know if you ate too much ice cream on Sunday or you have some sort of a virus.  It is still there so it must be some sort of a virus.

You are a fruit fiend.  I was getting a little worried about your dependence on fruit snacks for your night time snack.  So, I started cutting you up a little bowl of fruit.  We did strawberries, bananas, grapes and kiwi.  You love, love, love this treat!  The kiwis were not a huge hit but they were kind of tart.  Tonight, you were sharing with me and feeding me some.  You went to put it in my mouth then snatched it back to eat it yourself.  You thought it was so funny! I thought you were a demon  :)

Tonight, you decided to be a walking machine!  You are getting yourself balanced with little help from us and you were even trying to stand up from a sitting position.  It is so strange to see you toddling around the basement.  You thought you were pretty impressive - you left me, went to your rocking cow, turned around and came back to me.  You were so proud of yourself!

I have felt a bit neglected lately - no Elijah kisses.  Each time I ask you for a kiss, you kind of ignore me. Tonight, I asked again and you ignored me but then you puckered up and turned around and gave me a kiss.  Seriously, your kisses are a highlight of my day, buddy!

Well, we have a big day tomorrow.  I have to break it to Great Gramma that you won't be coming over but it is because we are going to the CIRCUS!  We are going with all your daycare friends.  I am not sure if you will be good or you will be rotten but it is free so we can leave anytime.  Other than that, no plans for this weekend.  Auntie Val postponed her trip so you are stuck with your mom and dad - sorry buddy  :)

New tooth - crabby pants

Hey Elijah -
Not much to share today except you are a crabby pants because you have a new molar coming in.  This will be tooth number 8 and you bit me really, really good when I was feeling around for it.  :)  Mary said these molars are bad because they can poke through in 4 stages - one for each point.  If that is the case, we are 1 down 15 more to go and that is a lot of crabby days.

You did have a funny today in the midst of the crabby.  I was listening to a voice mail from Donnie on my iPhone.  You grabbed my phone and started freaking out laughing.  Then, I put on a voice mail from Auntie Val and you did the same thing.  Apparently, you sure like it when voices come out of my iPhone.  You crack me up kid!

Big news day!

Alert! Alert!  Stop the presses  :)

Hi Elijah!
What a big day you had today!  You made your mommy cry - I was so proud of you.  Not only did you sleep 14 hours last night, you really walked on your own today.  You were sitting on my lap at the Children's Museum and I put you down.  You started toddling off towards the balls.  Then, the rest of the day, you would just take off walking .  You didn't do it full time but you are now comfortable enough to go long distances without anyone prompting you to come to them.

Well, just to let you know a bit about our day.  We woke up at the same time, had some oatmeal then we went to Kidz Explore.  You loved all the kids and the activity going on.  Unfortunately, there wasn't a big selection of activities for you to participate in.  Most of the stuff was for older kiddos.  But, you did pet the donkeys, play in the ball pit and go down the bouncy slide.  You really liked the slide and I was kind of worried as it flipped you over.

After the Kidz Explore, we went to the Children's Museum.  You had fun and showed daddy all the ways to play.  However, the room that is supposed to be all about kiddos your age is too boring for a big boy like you  :)

Finally, we went to your cousin Andrew's birthday party where you showed off your walking skills!  You did great playing with everyone even though you were getting tired.

Well buddy, we don't have huge plans for this week or weekend.  The only exciting thing we have going on is Auntie Val coming in town and you know she will want to love you up!  Thank you for making my day today - just thinking about watching you walk away from me is making me tear up again.  My little baby is now officially a big boy!

Big day!

Hi buddy!
You had a super busy day today.  You went to bowling with your daddy & cousins then, after your nap, you went to the zoo too!  I thought for sure you would be out like a light by 8:00 because you didn't take any afternoon naps.  But, you made it until 8:30!

Then, I was super excited because 3 different times, you took steps to me without me prompting you to walk to me.  You were standing on your daddy's chair and walked to me - about 3 steps.  Not a huge distance but so exciting that you walked to me without me saying "come here Elijah."  Pretty soon, you will just walk all over the place!!

Here are some photos from you at the zoo today and hopefully, we will make it to Kidz Explore tomorrow.

I thought this photo of you & Aunt Laura at the zoo was pretty cool.

You love the aquarium.

So excited to see you on the infamous gorillas.  Daddy said you got scared when a baby gorilla charged the window when you were visiting the real gorillas.

I love your Elmo sweatshirt.

Your hair

Hi Elijah,
I have a funny for you.  When you were conceived, your daddy and I joked that you were fathered by my acupuncturist, Donna.  Because I had done acupuncture before you were conceived, we thought that must have been what had done the trick to miraculously conceive you.  I hadn't seen Donna since August 2009 but I went and saw her yesterday.  I showed her a picture of you and said "Here is your child."  She said "Where the heck does he get that light colored hair from?"  I told her we were still trying to figure it out.  She said "Oh, I guess it comes from me!"  Your dad and I got a big laugh out of that because it is true :)  I feel so much better after my appointment and glad I got to see your "father."

We went to the Lancers last night and you did pretty good for the first 2 periods.  We left and you were asleep in the car before I think we even got out of the garage!!  We went with Troy & his family.  We saw Brandi & Jeff (and Heinrich).  It was nice to get out of the house for a bit.

I am working today & hopefully, you will do something fun with daddy.  Go to see your cousins bowling or go to the zoo.  I will be boring and you two can have fun!

I finished up your scrapbook pages from the Children's Museum and will share them with you.

Some Scrapbook pages

Hi Lijah!
You had 2 big things happen this week!

1) Daddy took you to Mary's and you said "Bye Dad."  I think that is your first 2-words that you have strung together.  It was clear enough that Mary heard it and then all your friends at daycare started saying it too!
2) We were having you walk in between us and you dropped your toy.  You stopped, bent over and picked it up, stood up and started walking again.  You lazy bones - you know how to walk but you are just lazy!

Other than that, we are kind of boring, buddy.  Mommy is getting worn out really quick with Baby Joey so your daddy is having to do all of the hard work.  You keep going to bed later and later.  I finally decided that we need to stop letting you dictate your bed time - we normally put you down when you seem that you are tired.  However, we are going to try to start doing it by the clock or at the first sign of you being tired rather than the overtired stage.  Last night, that was 8:45.  We will see how that continues!

I have some scrapbook pages to share with you and I hope we have some good weather this weekend.  I have to work on Saturday & daddy was thinking about taking you to the zoo.  Then, on Sunday, I want to take you to Kidz Explore and we have your cousin's birthday party.

 This week, you have made my heart burst!  You have started crawling up on your love sac and resting with books.  I loved seeing you all curled up on your love sac but loved seeing you "playing" with books even more.  It doesn't matter that they are upside down.  Last night, you even let daddy read you a whole book without fussing or wanting to move.  LOVE IT!!

February 14

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY ELIJAH!  We hope you had a great day!  I know I sure did and I was so grateful to share it with you, your daddy & little Joey kicking around there  :)

Let's back up to last week.  You got in trouble for biting at daycare.  The thing that bothers me is that you do know better.  I think you are just testing to see how far you can push everything.  We went out to eat with our friends Sandy & John.  You were shy at first but you warmed up to them and then wanted go home with them!  On Friday, we had dinner with Great Gramma Dorothy, Auntie Sue and Gramma Debbie.  You were hamming it up and wouldn't leave Gramma Debbie's side!

On Saturday, I got my haircut and then we took you to Oakview's play area for the first time.  You enjoyed crawling around and seeing the kiddos.  But, once we had to stop you from jailbreaking 3 times, it was time to go.  We were going to go out but we just couldn't get your nap time right so we stayed home.

On Sunday, we went to the Children's Museum with the Beatys.  You loved it.  You played so HARD!  I have never seen you walk so much - with Debbie or Morgan holding your hand or with the shopping cart.  You were so wore out.  We did grab dinner and you were an angel.  We were so relieved as you tend to turn to demon child when we go to dinner anymore.

You love the ball room!

Making all sorts of noise!

Face Painting time - let's torture the only boy in our group  :)

End result

You ran this shopping cart ALL OVER for what seemed like HOURS!

Today, you had your Valentine's Day party at daycare!  You came home with lots of treat bags and goodies!  We made creme bruleee to surprise your daddy then it was nappy time.  When you woke up, we had Chicken Carbonara for dinner (YUMMY), pink cupcakes for dessert and daddy bought us chocolate covered strawberries.  DELISH.  We were having a sugar smorgasboard.  Gramma Debbie & Donnie came over with lots of treats for you.  But, the big news of the night was your walking.  You were holding on to your exersaucer and I said "Come Here Elijah."  You walked over!  Then, we were showing Gramma Debbie and Donnie how you were walking and you did great.  You were walking all the way across the living room - the longest distance yet.  Next step is you doing it all by yourself!

Well, baby, thank you for a great Valentine's Day.  For some silly reason, I was just plain happy today in preparation for the evening.  I was so excited about the dinner, the creme brulee surprise, the pink cupcakes and photos with you in your tux shirt.  We didn't go anywhere or do anything but I had an awesome Valentine's Day with my 2 1/2 boys - yes, even Joey kicked up some noise once or twice  :)

Treats from Morgan & Debbie

Treats all 3 of us made & you took to daycare.

Treats daddy ordered for us.

Me and my baby!

 You and daddy being silly!

Your first piece of chocolate!  Yummy!

Have to sample the cupcake!

Hanging out with Gramma but she doesn't realize you don't look at the camera anymore  :)

Monday

Hey babycakes!
You were finally in good graces at daycare - you ate well, you took a long nap and you were in a good mood.  It has been a long time since you were in good graces.  We were so excited.  When we picked you up, we went to get your Valentine's Day photos taken but Portrait Innovations was closed.  We went to Target and got a few taken but they won't be in until 2/18.  We will probably have to go again so we actually have them for Valentine's Day.

You practiced walking quite a bit - both with us and we were playing with the boys at daycare.  Everyone thought it was so fun that you would walk to them.  All the kids were screaming "come to me Elijah!"  I think now we need you to make the connection in your mind that walking gets you from point A to point B.

At Target, we got a treat and you were a FREAK.  So, of course, mommy had to bust out her camera  :)

Well buddy, it is 8:47 and you have been asleep since 8:00.  Your dad and I looked at each other in disbelief and wondered who that baby was in our son's body  :)

Walking Video

We were working with you and I decided to see if we could get a tape.  What was so surprising was that you were walking while drinking your milk before this.  So, you don't even need to balance yourself with your arms.  I think you are just plain lazy and don't want to do it on your own  :)

Friday - Sunday

Hi Lijah -
We have had a busy weekend, huh?  We went to Children's Museum, you went bowling, over Gramma Ruth's and it was Superbowl Sunday.  You should be so tired but it is 8:00 pm and you show no signs of being tired within the next 2 hours  :)

We have been working with you to get you walking and we got up to about 10 steps.  You are so proud of yourself when you take steps.  You laugh and we cheer!

On Friday, we went to the Children's Museum and you loved it.  I thought you were too little to go but I was so wrong.  You looked around for like 10 minutes in AWE.  You didn't know what to think.  Then, you crawled around and played.  When we went to the ball room, you sat in the middle and just screamed happy screams.  It made my heart so full!

Yesterday, I wasn't feeling so good.  I was worried that we were going to have to call the doctor to check in on Baby Joey - he was throwing me contractions for over an hour.  You hung out with daddy at bowling, hung out with Gramma Ruth & your cousins then we got groceries.

Today, you hung out with daddy while I went "lunching."  You were in such a good mood when I got home.  You were all smiles, orneriness and glee.  We went to get some pizza for dinner and I was playing with you in the car.  We got some great photos of you being silly and a couple of videos.  Excuse your mommy's big mouth but you are a silly duck  :)

Scrapbook page

Hi Elijah!
We have a really good time towards the end of the night when you start to get tired.  You get all mellow and you want to hang out with me & your daddy.  You are learning "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and we are learning how to give closed mouth kisses.  You do so good giving them during that last hour of the night.  The last few nights, I have been thinking that I need to make a scrapbook page so I don't forget how lovey dovey you are in that last hour.

Not a whole lot else to share with you.  We are still monitoring the flights in Chicago to see if we are going to be able to go visit Gramma Debi D.  Other than that, we are hanging out with you and giggling at you  :)

January recap

Hi Elijah!
We have some bad weather here so we are stuck inside the house  :)  You are feeling a bit better and sleeping a bit better at night.  But, it seems like if you sleep good at night, you don't nap during the day.  Gets us in trouble at daycare  :)

We don't have a lot of plans this week but we are scheduled to go see Gramma Debi D on Saturday.  With the weather, it might not be happening if we can't get into Chicago with our flights.

For January, I tried a new project and I am really happy with the results.  It is just a calendar of what we did all month with a few photos thrown in here & there.  Mostly photos of you, 2 of baby Joey and a few of times just where mommy & daddy hung out.