Big week!

Hi Elijah -
We have had a jam packed week, haven't we?  On these busy weeks, I need to get my act together and get things written down for you.  We had so many activities going on and we were so bad about eating out that we haven't been home much.  So, this weekend, we will be home and getting the house back on track.  Let's see what we did....

You survived your first night away from us and you were no worse for the wear.  In fact, when we picked you up, you smiled but then just went on playing with your toys.  No rushes of hugs or declarations of love for us.  :)  We had a busy day that Saturday - we went to Finnegan's first birthday party and then we went to Jacob's first birthday party.  You were kind of funny at Jacob's party - you weren't really part of the action.  You just wanted to wander all over Great Gramma's property.  I am not sure who was more tired - you or daddy chasing you.  While Jacob was busy most of the party, you did a great job of being gentle with him during the few times you were together.

You received sidewalk chalk in your Easter gifts from daycare and you played with it during the party.  It even took you longer to eat it than I anticipated!

You were messier than Jake with his cake - and this was after some clean up.

Sunday was our big Easter celebration!  We made you a basket of books and plastic food - you like to play with the plastic food at the Children's Museum.  You took one look at it and dumped it all over the ground to fully scope it out.  :)  We had brunch with Gramma Ruth, the Mickelson's, Gramma Debbie and Donnie.  You didn't eat a ton because there were too many toys to play with and too many people to flirt with.  There was a huge Easter egg hunt and we played outside for awhile. You did good with the eggs but you liked to run around more.  Afterwards, we dropped you off at Great Gramma's to take your nap and then it was time to celebrate Easter again.  When you finally woke up, you didn't care much about the eggs but you ran all over the acreage again!  When we got home, you were ALL about the Easter candy.  I have never seen you so into candy before.  We had to hide it from you!

The first time we put you on the "big boy" swing!

You and your cousins!  If it would have been warmer out, your outfit would have matched Tyler's.

 You and Jake opened your basket together.  You did a great job of sharing and not getting upset when he was helping.

You look like "Hmmm...how much chocolate will they let me have at once?"

This is my favorite picture of the weekend.  You just look so big and cute in your white shirt.

You loved playing on Jake's slide!

And running around playing with his ball!

I am not really sure why you have to touch him in every single photo we take of you two together!

On Monday, we had your preop appointment with Dr. Macklem and you were all cleared for surgery.  Then, we had dinner with Auntie Val and Great Gramma before Auntie Val headed back to Denver.  At the restaurant, they had someone making balloons so you got a fishing rod and a fish.

On Tuesday, you had a fever in the morning so you stayed home with daddy.  You went to his work for a little bit then you hung out together at home while I worked.  We were surprised that you had a fever because the dr. didn't find anything wrong with you.  But, daddy figured it out - you got a new tooth.  You finally got your 4th bottom tooth.  That little bugger was stubborn coming in.

On Wednesday, we had a big day.  We went to Children's hospital to have your tubes put in.  We had to be there super early - before 6 am!  You did really good - you didn't seem to be scared at all.  I was so proud of you.  They dressed you in cute little scrubs and you flirted with all the nurses.  When it was time for you to be wheeled away, you looked kind of confused and nervous that the hospital bed was some roller coaster ride but you didn't cry.  I was really worried about how I would do.  I know it should be all about you and not about me but I was nervous that I was going to have a break down knowing my little baby was going to be in surgery.  But, we barely got a glass of water and they came to tell us you were done.  You had a lot of infection and fluid in your left ear so we really hope this helps you feel better.  You were really fussy after surgery because you were hungry, tired and in pain.  But, after some food and all 3 of us took a big long nap, you were back to normal.  All that stress and you didn't even act like you had surgery 4 hours later!

On Thursday, it warmed up and we got to play outside for a bit.  You did great on your swingset - climbing everywhere.  You were even more hyper than normal so we think you are feeling a lot better.  Your nose was better, your ears probably hurt less and you were much happier than we have seen you in a long time!

Outside of all of our activities, some random things to share with you...
You are loving your brother up every night.  You will climb up on my lap, lift up my shirt and even give him kisses.  We say "Hi Joey" together and then you put my shirt down and we say "Bye Joey."  I am guessing that you think every person's belly is just named Joey.  But, it is really cute.

You are an altoid junkie like your mom.  You will grab my container and want one.  I was scared to give you one because they are so hot.  I finally gave you a piece of one thinking it would teach you not to want them anymore.  Instead, it made you a junkie.  Daddy is amazed that you can tolerate them but I think it is because we ate so many when you were growing inside of me.  Yesterday, you took a whole one before I could grab it.  You put it in your mouth and sucked on it for awhile and said "Hot."  A new word!  You did finish the whole thing but you had to put it in and take it out several times.  You even tried to bite it between your front teeth like I do for you.

I think I have told you before that you are a manipulator.  You are so good at giving a kiss or being affectionate right before the exact moment that you decide to cause chaos.  I finally told your dad (while you were trying to get the best of him) that he is mistaking your love for plotting.  Sure enough, you tried to get in trouble right after you were smoochy-smoochy with him  :)

You definitely know what you when you want to watch TV.  You hand me the remote and get excited when the TV comes on.  But, if it isn't Mickey or Garfield, you get impatient until I turn it on.  Thank goodness for DVR - they are always available.  You watch about 5 minutes before you are on on to the next thing.

You play with Daddy's iPad a lot so I told him we need to get you a few things to play with.  I got you a Mickey book and and a Garfield video.  You were so excited when they came on the screen. You sat in the chair with me holding the iPad watching the video.  It was SO cute to see.  I am not sure that daddy likes that you hijacked his iPad but I told him it will come in handy if we ever travel again  :)  I just can't get that image out of my head - you snuggled up on my lap, holding an iPad and a look of fascination on your face.

Mary says that you are talking more at daycare.  She says that you will say "Shoe" and even know one of the little boys' names.  Either she is a better translator than us or you hide your vocabulary at home.  We just hear foreign languages and a lot of screaming of "Dad."

I am so excited because you are getting to know your Uncle Zachary and I think you have really taken a liking to him.  He picks you up once or twice a week and sometimes, he will stay with you an hour or so.  At first, you were pretty shy to him.  Then, you got upset when he left one day.  You kind of pouted and rushed to wave good-bye to him.  Today, he told me that you saw him come up to the gate at Mary's, walked right up to him and started waving goodbye to your friends.  He also said that you will snuggle up to him when you are being shy.  You even call his friends on his cell phone and just tell them "Uh-oh" repeatedly.  I am so glad that Uncle Zachary is able to help us out while I am growing Joey but I am more excited that you are forming a relationship with him!

Finally, we definitely had a "moment" last night.  You were on my lap (you typically are for an hour or so at night as you wind down) and you had your head laying on my chest.  I didn't think anything of it as you were starting to slow down and I figured you were snuggling in.  All of a sudden, I feel this sharp pain - you bit me.  You bit me so hard that I actually had a little blood.  It was so unexpected as you normally bite when we are playing or I see it coming.  I jumped, screamed in pain (Daddy thought Joey was coming) and it really startled you.  I tapped your mouth and said "No bite."  You were a completely different kid the rest of the night.  I really think you made the connection that you hurt me and you were remorseful.  You had a really new look on your face that we hadn't seen before.  Daddy said you looked sad because you knew that you hurt me.  Maybe it will put an end to your biting!


Well buddy, that is about it.  We have absolutely no plans all weekend.  We are just hanging out.  Maybe we can do something fun last minute.

Hard week....

Hi Baby!
As I write this, guess where you are?  It is 7:30 in the morning and you are not home.  You had your very first overnight visit with Great Gramma and Auntie Val.  Your very first night away from your mommy.  I am counting down the minutes until it is socially appropriate to go pick you up  :)  We definitely missed you but we both survived.  Daddy did OK until we got home and he was sad that he didn't get to put you to bed.  Every night, I see him walk upstairs with you, give you big kisses then tell you how much he loves you.  I was sad because I missed my little cuddle time.  But, we will make up for it when we pick you up!

This past week, you went bowling to see your cousins.  We got to see Auntie Becky & Great Gramma Dorothy at her new house.  You were apparently the hit of the dining hall flirting with everyone!  Your cousin Andrew spent the night.  It was so funny to see you two play together on the swingset.  He made you less fearful of the swing.  When you saw him swing, you wanted to swing.  Unfortunately, the weather has not been nice enough to swing a whole lot.

Then, we tortured you this week.  Twice....  On Sunday, we went to see the Easter bunny.  You were waving to the bunny and talking to him but as soon as we got up there, you were crying and reaching for daddy.  Then, Gramma Debi D sent you an Easter present that you are terrified of.  It is a singing chick and it jumps up and down.  You lost your marbles when it started jumping.  I am guessing Easter just isn't your thing, buddy.

The infamous evil chicken!

You had your Easter party at daycare.  Mary posted a photo but you look like a little loner off in the corner while the big kids do all the fun stuff.  But, that doesn't seem to be bothering you any  :)

Other than that, we have been boring.  You had your (what has become) normal visits with your Gramma, Grampa, and Uncle Zachary.  We were home most of the week.

We have a big day today.  It is Finnegan's 1st Birthday Party & Jake's 1st Birthday party.  We will get to see your long lost Uncle Jeff!  Tomorrow, we have two Easter celebrations - Gramma Ruth's in the morning and Great Gramma Lang's in the afternoon.  Lots of eggs for you to find!!

This week, we have to go to the dr on Monday to get you checked out for your surgery on Wednesday.  All 3 of us are off work to get your tubes in your ears.  Then, mommy & daddy go to the dr on Thursday to see Joey.  We think you may have a play date on Saturday with a little girl just a touch older than you.  Heavens knows you like them older  :)

I just want to leave you with one final thought before I show you two other photos from the week.  Even though mommy & daddy need a night out every once and awhile, I would say over half our conversation is about you & your brother.  Heck, even on our date, we stopped at Toys R Us for you.  They had jeans on sale so we got you a couple of pairs.  Then, Daddy saw your Christmas present on sale for $60 off.  Then, Daddy saw your basketball hoop on sale.  We spent more on you than we did on our whole date night - and you weren't even with us!!  But, you are always on our mind and in our hearts more than you will ever know!

This week, you decided to wear hats.  We were shocked by how long you left them on your head.  Here is your little gangsta-rap looking photo.

You & Uncle Zachary hanging out enjoying a snack.  Yeah, you have a rough life buddy!  Surrounded by all your toys upstairs & downstairs plus when you walk in the door, your snack is prepared for you.

Another week gone by...

I don't know what my problem is Elijah but I am just really slacking on your blog & Joey's blog.  We aren't even busy - I don't have an excuse except my tummy is so big that it is fogging up my brain cells  :)

Friday night was so much fun.  I bought you a water table.  It is your favorite thing at the Children's Museum so I thought you might like one at home.  It arrived Friday night and daddy put it together right away.  Even without the water, you were really happy with it.  Of course, mommy is really impatient so we put it on some mats and put some water in it.  We stripped you down to your diaper and let you go at it.  Oh my goodness Elijah, I think I was just as overwhelmed with happiness as you were.  You got so excited that you could hardly breathe.  You haven't done that in months.  You were squealing and laughing and playing.  You just thought this was the coolest thing ever.  You did get upset because you were trying to climb in the table like a bath tub and that isn't an option.  Then, you really, truly threw a temper tantrum when it was time for bed and we had to drain it.  It is going to go on our deck and I can't wait for the weather to warm up again so you can play with it more.

Saturday you spent over 5 hours with Gramma Debbie and Gramma Debi D.  You went to the zoo and that was the longest time that you have ever spent at the zoo.  You were super, duper crabby when you were at home but they said you were in good spirits with them.  I am sure that you really enjoyed yourself. Mommy & Daddy enjoyed lunch at an adult place - we had a coupon but hadn't used it because it was not Elijah friendly  :)

On Sunday, we spent the day with Debbie and Morgan.  We had lunch together - where you hammed it up like nobody's business then we went to the play center.  You were so exhausted but you had a great time.  You went into the bouncy houses.  You laughed up a storm but only stayed in a few minutes.  You liked the foam pit for a few minutes too.  You definitely gave me, Debbie and Morgan a work out chasing after you!

Monday was our big day!!!  The swing set arrived.  I was so excited but I had to readjust my expectations because I just didn't think it would interest you.  When you got home, you did play on it for a few minutes and went down the slide a few times.  You liked it but it wasn't your favorite thing ever.  The next night, you made my heart swell!  You climbed up the stairs and the plank like an old pro.  You went over to the slide and went down like you had been doing it for months.  You went on your butt, on your back and on your belly.  I was so excited to see you do all that because I just really didn't think you would be into this monster swing set for another few months.  Thank you for making my day!

The only other official thing we did this week was going to the ENT.  It was a horrible appointment.  You were fussy and loud, we were so confused and we both left wondering what the heck just happened.  You still had an ear infection and you had fluid on your ears.  You are back on antibiotics to clear it up and you are scheduled for tubes on 4/27.  We are going to have to leave the house at 5:30 am for your surgery.  That is going to be a fun day - all 3 of us will be CRABBY  :)

This week marked you picking up a new language.  We are used to your baby talk but this week, you have picked up some Star Trek language that is so funny to us.  No words but it is definitely different than baby sounds.  Mary said that you and Oakley talk back and forth to each other like this all the time.

You are getting a fork or spoon at every meal and it makes you feel like a big boy.  You try to use them but then you give up and go back to your hands because it is too slow of a process  :)  You also say "Done" now when you are done eating.

You blow kisses now and even make the appropriate sound to go with them.  You also like to give kisses.  You don't do it every time you are asked but you will sometimes give 3 in a row!  You also give them unprompted - which makes me all mushy.

You are really into your books more than ever.  You will "read" them for at least an hour every night.  We try to read them to you but you are too quick to turn the pages so we just give up.  There are a few that we groan at so we need to get those out of the rotation!

Finally, the last two nights have been kind of funny.  I read a pregnancy board and people are talking about their little toddlers learning about the baby.  I have told you about Joey from day 1 but I didn't think you would comprehend it.  My belly is so big that it is hard to miss it.  My shirt got lifted up two nights ago so I pointed to my belly and told you "Baby Joey."  You started patting my tummy and talking to my tummy and laughing.  Then, you started hitting my tummy & bit it.  (I assume this is how real life will go with Joey too - spurts of love, spurts of violence).  Last night, you lifted up my shirt and started talking to my belly.  You laid your head on it and you coo'd to it.  You would laugh and you would push on it.  You would rub it then you finished it off by hitting it and biting it.  I don't really think you have any idea what is going on except that mommy's tummy is big, round and soft like a pillow.  But, it was so darn cute.  When you laid your head there and coo'd, it looked like you were singing to Joey.

Well buddy, that is about it for this week.  We have a busy night tonight.  You are going to see your cousins Andrew & Tyler for a little bit then we have to go say goodbye to Gramma Debi D.  Tomorrow, we are going to visit Auntie Becky & Great Gramma Dorothy.  I hope the weather is nice so you can get some swing set time this weekend.

Slacker mom...

Well buddy, I am a slacker lately.  I haven't been here to tell you anything in awhile.  But, I need to update your brother's site so figured I better pop in here too  :)

You are finally feeling better.  Your ears must have cleared up.  But, we are still taking you to the ENT next week to see if you need tubes.  If you do, I would like to have them done before your brother comes.  It is so nice to have your personality back to normal versus you being sick.

You are getting to be really ornery, kid.  If you don't get your way, you scream bloody murder.  It isn't even a crying temper tantrum.  It is like a caveman scream.  We just look at you and laugh which doesn't make you any happier.  haha.  I am not sure how we parent those little fits away except to ignore you and be consistent in not giving in.

You are also using new techniques to try to manipulate me.  You wanted to go behind my recliner but I wouldn't let you.  So, you stood by the recliner and started making kissing noises to me.  I get all mushy when you give me kisses so I bent down to give you kisses and immediately after the smooch, you tried to get behind the recliner.  Yeah, buddy, the kisses may get you so far but not get away with everything.  I really, really do love it when you pucker up, make the kisses sound then give me smooches  :)

Not a ton to share with you about your activities.  You have continued hanging out with Uncle Zachary, Grampa, Heather, Gramma Debbie and Great Gramma Lang for that hour or so after daycare.  Our system seems to be working out.

Last weekend, I took you to Children's Museum for an hour.  It was our first alone outing since I started having problems with Joey.  We used your stroller and I didn't lift you much at all.  I didn't get any cramping so that was a good but I was definitely worn out and had some activity in Joey's vicinity.  You had a great time there - as always.  I got a little sentimental in the ball room because it brought me flashbacks of you walking for the first time.  I also got a little sentimental on the race track.  Just seeing you walking a bike around the track with all those little kids made me realize what a big boy you are!

On Sunday, you and I played in the backyard for a few minutes.  We got you a little t-ball set so I was trying to show you how to use it.  You liked that for about 5 minutes.  Then, we took our short little walk to Harrison Street with you in your stroller.  Finally, we played in the driveway for over an hour!  Daddy & I worked on shoveling out the garage while you roamed all over.  I sure do love being outside right now.  It is so nice when the weather cooperates.  We even had you in shorts and flip flops - it was that warm.

On Tuesday, we got to see Gramma Debi D!  You were hamming it up with her.  I thought it would take you a bit longer to warm up to her since it had been awhile since you saw her.  But, it only took a few minutes before you two were feeding each other and you were flirting up a storm.  Afterwards, we went to Strokers to see Grampa on his birthday.  He was so excited to show you off to his friends.  We had yummy cake and you got to see your Uncle Tyler too.

Well buddy, that is about it.  Just hanging out and waiting for the weather to warm up a bit.  Also waiting for your swing set to arrive on Monday.  Here are a few photos that I took on my phone....

I totally had to get a photo of you in your shorts & flip flops.  :)

You enjoying Grampa Keith's birthday cake on Tuesday.

Children's museum slide.  You would climb up on your own and scoot down.

Scrapbook Pages

I have been neglecting your books  :)  Did a few pages for you today.