August 31

Hi Baby!
Can I just tell you that you are the most handsome baby I have ever seen? Each time you smile, you take my breath away! You waved at me again today - twice. I think you really do have the hang of it. When I picked you up, you also waved goodbye to Mary. Other than that, not much going on here. You came home, played a bit, took a nap, we ate and took a bath.

I do have some scrapbook pages to share with you! Now that I have your photos organized, I could get your scrapbook pages organized.

August 29 and 30th

Hi Elijah!
Oh my goodness - you were so darn funny on Sunday. You were out of control. You woke up super happy, you were laughing, making noises like we had never heard and just weird :) We think you were super happy to be home - in your bed, with your animals and your toys. It was a day unlike any other that we have had with you. You are adding a "Ga" sound to your vocabulary and you are making this new noise where it sounds like you are clearing your throat. It is kind of funny.

So, what did we do today besides laugh at you? Well, mommy went to Baby Jake's baptism. He did a great job! He didn't fuss or cry. He was so cute in his gown. Then, we went down to Auntie Becky's for a birthday party. You got to be loved up by Auntie Betty & Great Gramma Dorothy again today! Afterwards, we just relaxed at home.

August 30th
It was a big morning this morning. You woke up at 5:00 and ate a bottle then went back to sleep. When daddy picked you up to take you to Mary's, you WAVED at me! I couldn't believe it. I thought maybe it was an accident but you did it two different times. Daddy said you were so happy to be at Mary's. You went right to her and you were reaching for all of the kiddos. When I picked you up, she said you were happy to be back and you wouldn't let go of her. For dinner, we smacked some waffle pieces on a plate and you gobbled them up. We followed them up with applesauce and a bottle. I am not sure if that is balanced or not but you enjoyed it.

I finally got your photos together! Are you ready for a big long post of pictures?

Gramma Debi D when she babysat you on 8/15.


Family photos for mommy's birthday.


Me and my boy - the best birthday present ever!


I love, love, love this photo of you on the boat. Makes me laugh and smile each time I see it!


Could you be any bigger of a ham? You are such a poser!


Your time in the lake with your cousin Brandi.


How you ended up spending the majority of our boating time - sleeping on Kylie!


4 Generations of Langs - Great Gramma, Grampa, Mommy & Elijah


You & your cousin Baby Jake hanging out and hamming it up for photos. This will probably be your last photo in the bumbo - you are getting too big!


Your true first big boy bath! We moved your duckie tub into the big boy tub but in Missouri, you had your first bath straight in the big boy tub!


Our day with the Brigham's - Karen, you, daddy and Aunt Colleen


Floating in the hot tub with Heather - the hot tub was a favorite gathering spot of the whole family!


Road trip food - just like mommy & daddy, you like to eat in the car. You were eating cheetoh's and turned all orange!


Your new Joe's Crab Shack onesie on your first visit.


Your first meal ever ordered for you at Joe's Crab Shack - fish sticks!


Our family portrait in front of Arrowhead


I took a ton of self portraits of us at the Chiefs game. This is my favorite of us!


You enjoying the Chiefs game


Your daddy enjoying the Chiefs game


Gramma Debi D enjoying you at her party.


You were working Great Gramma Dorothy - you were laying your head on her shoulder and cooing!




You getting some love from Auntie Betty! Everyone keeps telling us that she doesn't like babies all that much. But, every time you are around her, she loves holding you, talking to you and playing with you. At Alec's birthday party, she was even feeding you ice cream from her plate!


Cousin Jake in his baptism gown - so CUTE!




Grampa Keith, mommy & baby Jake at the baptism.

August 20 -August 28th

Hi Pumpkin!
I have a lot of catching up to do since we were so BUSY this week with vacation!! I will write it all up and I may have to do a photo catch up later as I am trying to get all of our photos organized!

Friday - August 20
Daddy took you to the allergist today and thought it would take just a short time. I couldn't get a hold of him and then I called Mary to see if you were there. We were worried about you! Turns out that you just have so many darn allergies that it took that long. When Daddy called me, I wasn't surprised that you have environmental allergies. I was ready to cry when he said you were allergic to milk, wheat and corn. I was ready to hang up on him when he finished up with your allergy to dogs. We have new meds for you and they want to do an Xray of your sinuses. They also want us to do a 2 week food challenge with you to see what changes the foods make. We are still tossing around that idea but we think you may have a minor intolerance to those foods rather than a full out allergy.

When you left Mary's, you got extra smooches from her and extra goodbyes from your friends - everyone is going to miss you next week! We visited Great Gramma for a bit. I ran to Walmart while you two shared a bottle and a nap. Afterwards, it was all about getting the dogs over Gramma Ruth's, packing, getting you in bed and just getting ready for our VACATION.

Saturday
WOOHOO - vacation time! We picked up Great Gramma, loaded up the truck and started our trek down to Branson. Gramma played with you in the car and you were in pretty good spirits. As long as you had some food in your mouth, you were happy. But, food in your mouth makes Gramma nervous that you were going to choke :) We ended up running into your Auntie's in Clinton Missouri. You got to see Auntie Val, Auntie Kim and Brandon early! We had lunch together where you had your first experience with rice - Auntie Val dumped a bunch on the table for you. Yeah, that doesn't work so much for me... I hate those families that go into restaurants and make a big mess. I am sure it won't be our last mess but I gave your Auntie Val a stern look. Our family time started off right - great dinner, lots of fun and games. You poor thing were trying to sleep and us Lang's were just too darn loud for you. Everyone was in a super happy mood (that you will recognize later as being drunk) and just plain loud. But, eventually, we quieted down and you were able to sleep!

Sunday
You hung out with daddy today while I went out on the boat with the family! I got my first experience on a tube and your Uncle Jeff was super nice to me when he was captaining me! We were all a lot quieter tonight as we were all recovering from the night before!

Monday
Today, daddy went golfing with your cousins and we went out on the boat. You did great on the boat - you just slept and let the breeze run through your hair. When I put you in the water, you were a bit fussy because you were tired. So, you got in the lake and experienced the boat but then you took a nap! I think your cousin Kylie liked hanging out with you, feeding you your bottle and letting you sleep on her.

At night, we did family photos. We got some great ones of you and Jake. You guys are starting to notice each other - you even "talked" to each other. Jake likes to smile at you and talk to you. You want to eat him. I am not sure how you are going to make any friends when all you want to do is eat people. I know you get excited and that is how you show love but it doesn't feel so loving when your teeth grab on to some skin :) We are going to have to train Baby Jake some defensive moves to block all that love you want to give. I hope that you and Baby Jake are able to forge some really fond memories together and you guys love each other as much as I love my cousins!

Tuesday
Oh baby - we were SICK. Your allergies were in full force and I got some cooties. We just hung around the house and did nothing. We are getting you some new medicine that we hope helps. Sleeping was tough as you were in a foreign place, you were sick and just fussy. We lost cousin Jeremy today - he was off back to the real world!

Wednesday
Another day of rest for us. We had great plans to get on the boat and go shopping. We did end up going out for lunch and we hit the outlet malls. I went into a few shops while you stayed in the car with dad. You really liked my chocolate malt!! Today, we lost Brandi & Jeff back to the real world. I don't know what day it was but you were in your play pen crying. You had woken up and started crying. Then, we heard on the monitor that the crying stopped. We thought you fell back asleep but it turns out that Jeff went in our room and picked you up to help you stop crying. While that doesn't sound like a big deal, it is a huge thing! Jeff used to be so scared of babies. Now, he loves to play with you & Jake and love you both up. It warmed my heart that he took the initiative to pick you up and watching his face light up when you smile at him!

Another deep thought for you. Tonight, you were laying in our bed between us. You were looking up at me and your daddy and just had a happy look on your face. It seemed like you were looking at us both and thinking how great we are. You are so young and innocent. You think that me and your dad hang the moon. You smile just looking at us. We feel the same way about you and we always will. However, even the best of parents turn out not to be perfect. Someday, you are going to look at us and we will not have hung the moon anymore. I dread that day when you realize that we are human and not superheroes. I envy your innocence and trust in everyone. I envy what little you need in life to be happy - some food, a dry bum and to feel loved! I wish I could capture that love in your eyes to remember when you are mad at me.

Thursday
We slept in like we have all week. You have had some bad sleeping habits this week - up at all hours, eating several times a night then sleeping in until 9:30! Today, we lost your Auntie Val, Auntie Kim and Brandon. You want to know something I don't want to forget? Your Auntie's are silly for you. They make all sorts of funny faces and voices just to see you smile. I came into the bedroom and they were both on their knees around the bed. They were bopping up and down going "peek a boo." I haven't seen something so funny in ages! Women in their 50s bopping up and down screaming "peek a boo" at a little boy!

Daddy & grampa went out on the zip lines today! What an adventure for those two! We hung out together and played with Baby Jake for awhile but you just want to eat him.

Friday
It was time to call our vacation over. We had to pack up and leave our beautiful home! We headed up North and ate at Joe's Crab Shack. It is one of your mommy & daddy's favorite places. We got you a onesie. We even ordered you a meal there. You love fish sticks at Mary's so we got you some fish and chips. It was funny because your meal came with one more fish stick than my adult one did! You liked all the lights and the shark at the restaurant. You liked the lemonade. But, you know what your favorite part was? The applesauce that came with your kids meal. Yep, the same sauce we give you at home for like $.50.

When we got to the hotel, your daddy was picking on us. He kept saying what a Momma's boy you were. You kept reaching for me and wanting to hang out with me. I didn't see any shame in this. I don't see anything wrong with you loving me more than anyone else :) I told him to quit picking on my baby!

We went to the Chiefs game and it was a lot of fun. It was so exciting to see you in your Chiefs jersey. I am not a huge football fan but you know what was fun for me? It was fun for me to know how proud your daddy was. He was at an NFL game of his favorite team with his son. He finally has a son to share his love of the Chiefs with. Yes, son, they may not be a good team. They may never make the playoffs. They may only win a couple of games a season. However, he will now form fond memories of hanging out at Arrowhead with his boy - his boy that he waited for 12 years to arrive. There is not much that compare to that buddy! You did great at the game. You people watched and looked around. You took a nap and you were good to go for another few hours. I was so proud of you for how well you behaved!

After our big game, we stopped for dinner and I got dessert. I shared my frosty with you and you flipped out. You were making big noises and attacking me for more. It was so funny and I can't describe it well enough. I think your dad may have even snorted. You slept with us again and it was a bit smoother than our Missouri nights. We are hoping that when we get home, you will be back to normal!

Saturday
Well, it was time to finally come back home buddy! Our vacation is officially over. We had a great time hanging out with our family. With so much family, we were concerned that it would be a horrible time. haha! We knew you would have fun because you would be so spoiled. Some of the best times were the simple times - talking with my Aunts & Gramma, playing cards, laughing big belly laughs over silly things. Those simple things that won't make it in a scrapbook - laughs that won't show up in pictures, intimate conversations that don't appear in photos and silly inside jokes that won't make sense to anyone outside our family!

After our long drive, we went over Gramma Debbie's for the party. Gramma Debbie's birthday was yesterday & Gramma Debi D is moving to Florida. You got to be spoiled by a whole new set of people - Aunt Betty, Great Gramma Dorothy and lots of others!

When we got home, you did like a million laps on your walker. You were jonesing for it after a long absence. Then, it was two bottles (yes, piggy, 2) and you were out at 8:20. Gotta have some calm and some sleep before our lives are back to normal!!

August 16 - August 19

Hi buddy!
Man, this week has flown by. Your mom is so busy at work that the days go by so quick then our couple hours together at night are flying by. You know what I have found this week? You are getting so strong. When I hold your hands, you can pull yourself up. I really fear walking before crawling. But, when I put you in bed last night, you were on all fours so maybe crawling will happen soon. Who knows - I am not ready for either one. I just like having my little baby who likes to rock with his mommy. Let's see what we have been up to...

Monday -
You got to see a bunch of your family. We met your Auntie Sheila, Uncle Jeff, Jeremy, Cory, Lauren, Jake and Cindy for a family meeting about our Branson trip. We had dinner at the Varsity and you were in a normal high chair for most of the meal. You ate your puffs and some of daddy's french fries. You also drank a lot of water through daddy's straw. We need to get those darn sippy cups in your bag! After dinner, it was time for bed already!

Tuesday -
Time for your date with Grampa and Heather. We had company over - it was Book club night and you were a fussy pants to people. You would come in the kitchen with daddy and flash them all a big, flirty smile but then when they would look at you or talk to you, you would scream. It was funny being upstairs with people and hearing you talk to your daddy & him respond. You two are so cute together!

Wednesday -
Since I was so busy at work, you went to Grampa and Heather's again today. When I picked you up, you were sleeping in Grampa's arm wrapped in a blanket. Heather said that you said "Uh-oh." That wouldn't surprise me because I always tell you "Uh-Oh sketti Os." When we had dinner, it was our first dinner that was all "normal" food. I didn't give you any baby food. You had summer squash that I steamed and froze for you, plums I froze for you and then, you were eyeing my lasagna so you started eating that. See, we haven't been giving you much food but when I look at your paper, you are getting all sorts of stuff at Mary's. Today, you had eggs & toast for breakfast and one day this week you had fish sticks! You know how to chew now with your gums and you like normal food. You get better food than daddy and I do :)

Thursday
One more day at Grampa and Heather's house. Mary is going to think I am giving up custody of you to them :) When I picked you up from Grampa's yesterday, he said "If you need me to pick him up again, I will." I didn't think I would but work is so crazy that I worked until 6:00! I think Grampa probably liked having you around more than just his 1.5 hours on Tuesday. I got my hair cut and so I didn't get to see you from 8 am until 8:45 at night. I missed you so much. I called your daddy and he said you could hear my voice on the phone and you were looking for me. So, I had him put the phone up to your ear and I talked to you. Our first phone conversation! I talked, you smiled then said BLAHBLAHBLAH. :)

Well buddy, busy day tomorrow. You are going to the allergist then Mary's. Then, we are getting ready for our trip. Saturday morning, we are OFF. One full week of vacation in Missouri!

August 12 - August 15

Hi Baby Lijah!
Big news for you. This weekend, you started "talking." You always make a lot of noise. You always babble sounds but now, you are actually making syllable sounds that sound like talking. It sounds like "blahblahblahblah" but it is so cute to watch your mouth make "words." Daddy and I first heard it on Saturday but you may have started on Friday!

You are also really reaching to be picked up now. When Gramma Debbie was holding you on Friday, you literally reached for me. Daddy has seen you do it but it is the first time I have seen you reach for me. It was my birthday present because it warmed my heart!

We also had one of our first booboos. You hit your head on your crib rail while you were in there. First time that I can remember that I had to pick you up while you were crying because you hurt yourself.

So, what has been going on lately?

Thursday
I think you broke your Auntie Val's heart today buddy. We did a Skype with her and you just screamed. I thought it was because you were tired. You took a nappy and we called her again. You screamed again. I think the computer scared you. While Auntie Val's heart was breaking, my heart was swelling. You were grabbing on to me and wouldn't let go. Your daddy says you are becoming a momma's boy. I know that he means it that you are whiney and want your mommy. I don't think it is a bad thing - it makes me feel good that you want to be with me and be held by me.

Friday
Today was mommy's birthday and your daddy let me sleep in without taking care of you! I slept for HOURS. I had lunch with Gramma Debbie then we picked you up. We played for a little bit and we took pictures for my birthday (which I accidentally deleted - darn it) and then it was off again. You hung out with Brandi and Jeff while mommy and daddy went out for my birthday. Brandi said you were good but your darn mouth was bothering you and you wouldn't sleep even though you were exhausted. I think they had fun with you but I also think that they were TIRED when we picked you up :)

Saturday
Not much to tell ya buddy! Besides your talking, we just hung out picking up the house and running errands.

Sunday
It was cleaning day at our house. You slept, played and did your "job". I told you that everyone was busy today and your job was to be good. You listened well. Unfortunately, it was another first - Daddy put on Spongebob on TV and I let you watch it. You have seen cartoons before but this is the first time I knew we needed it on so you were entertained in your bouncer/walker and we could come in and out of the room. 8 1/2 months for me to become one of those moms. *hanging my head in shame* Tonight, daddy and I are going to dinner then a concert. Gramma Debi D is coming to stay with you. I am sure you will entertain her with your playing and talking. You have to love her up since she is leaving us soon! You also have to be a good boy!

August 9 - August 11

Hi Baby Lijah!
Well, you are back in your routine and back at Mary's. She asked us what the heck happened to you during that week - she got back a baby who she didn't recognize. She didn't really appreciate the high pitch scream you picked up again :) Your daddy said she missed you a lot - she reached out and grabbed you and smooched you up. At night, we went out to dinner at Dundee Dell. We had a coupon and it was a momentous dinner - it was the first time that we specifically ordered something for you. We ordered you a bowl of homemade applesauce. You did really good eating at the Dell - some mashed up chili beans, applesauce, some strawberry dessert. Then, 2 more errands and a fussy Lijah was out past his bedtime. But, you woke up in the middle of the night in pain with your mouth. You had a bottle then back to bed.

On Tuesday, we went up to see Gramma Debbie at the hospital. She was feeling better and on her way home but she got to love you up & show you off to her coworkers. Then, we went out to dinner again- hopefully, the last time this week! We went to Malaras. You had some of their delish bread and we gave you a cheese stick to gnaw on. I knew you wouldn't eat it but I had to take a photo of you gnawing on something from Malaras. You had a couple bitty bites of manicotti meat and were drinking a lot of water. We wrapped it up by all 3 of us sharing a piece of cheesecake. You have this new noise you are making where you smack your lips. It is so CUTE! You went to bed and woke up around 10 screaming in pain. We numbed you up with Orajel and I put you in bed with us. You woke up again at 4:30 in pain. Darn it - I wish this teething thing would stop but I know that we are just beginning.

Today, nothing much happened. You were kind of fussy at times, happy Lijah at times and then just screaming to scream. You were just a roller coaster :) I took a couple of videos of you on your walker and daddy put your sunglasses on. Nothing like a nekked baby inside the house with his sunglasses on.

August 8

Dear Elijah Lang Brigham,
I am not a morning person but sometimes, I have to be with you. Your daddy and I made an agreement that he would watch you on Saturday mornings and I would watch you on Sunday mornings. So far, you daddy has been watching you both days but today, he must have been tired because you woke up and he kept sleeping. I changed you, fed you then we laid in bed together. You know what? As tired as I was, it was a great morning. We snuggled, I sang to you, you coo'd at me, I stroked your hair and you finally fell asleep. I was in an uncomfortable position so I rolled over and you woke up. Darn it! You laid there, you pulled my hair and talked to me for a bit before you fell asleep again. It was a great hour of just being with my son and trying to take as many mental snapshots of our time together as my brain could hold.

We went to breakfast and it was the greatest! We went to Amatos and it was so busy & loud. You were just overwhelmed by all of the activity. We were sitting by another little girl who appeared to be a tiny bit older than you. You guys were looking at each other, talking, smiling and making noises at each other. It was so darn cute. You ate some ice cubes (Yes, the boy who has a 1 degree tolerance for his formula was eating ice) and shared my pancakes with me. I took some pictures while we were there and already made my scrapbook page.

Other than that, it was a normal day! Fed you, nap, play time, eat more, suck on my chin and bite it, bath & bed. I have a busy week at work this week so I hope we can enjoy our evenings together!