September 25 & September 26

Hey Monkey!
As I type this, I am drained.  Exhausted.  Tired.  You are taking it out of me, man.  I don't know what is happening but your night time sleep is just not working for us.  You are happy and playful during the day but then, when it is time to go to sleep, you are a fussy pants.  On Friday, we thought it was just because you were overtired because of the football game.  Then, on Saturday, you were screaming in pain twice and you ended up sleeping with me.  On Sunday, it was the same thing.  I don't know if it is teething, food issues, allergy issues, or you have just learned that when you scream hysterically you get to sleep with us.  In any event, it makes for difficult sleep when there is always an Elijah kicking you, taking up the bed or grabbing my hair in an effort to get 1/2 centimeter closer to me.  I hope this works itself back out now that it is Monday & you will be back in Mary's routine.

On Saturday, our family photo shoot was canceled due to rain so we just ran errands.  After nappy time, we went to watch the Huskers play football at the Beaty's house.  You played with Debbie, Morgan and the puppies until you were exhausted!

On Sunday, we hung out in the morning as your daddy was at the Chiefs game.  Gramma Debbie came over to babysit you while I went to Uncle Tyler's graduation ceremony.  Even though you were not there, he did not forget about you - he had a call out to "Baby Eli and Baby Jake."  Afterwards, we went to Great Gramma's for our photo shoot and Gramma Debbie acted as an assistant.  You did a great job for the photos - didn't even pull your hat off.  When I wheeled you around in the wagon, you thought that was pretty darn cool  :)  Then, it was evening, fussy time and trying to get you to sleep time.

Thank you, buddy, for posing so well for the photos.  We really did get some good ones today.  I thought you were free of the camera until Halloween then I remembered that we were doing Brigham family photos next weekend!

September 23 & 24

Hi Lijah! Actually, I should say "Hi Squid".  That is what your dad calls you  :)


Not much to share on Thursday buddy - Mary's, visit at Great Gramma's, home, mommy at book club, you asleep.


On Friday, we have more to discuss  :)  Omg - you are such a twerp kid. This morning you were all fussy and it was a morning where I felt guilty being a mom that sends her kid to daycare. See, if you were a stay at home kid, I thought you would have taken a nappy and been happy again. But, I quickly learned that you weren't fussy. You were just in a big hurry to go to Mary's. Each time your dad would come in the room, you would look up excited and then get fussy when he left again. As soon as I said "Are you ready to go bye-bye?", you were all smiles!! You just didn't want to hang out with your mommy anymore. Dad said you weren't fussy at all and you were near giddy when you walked up the stairs to Mary's.  Twerp. Traitor.


We went to the Omaha Nighthawks game tonight.  It was the first one ever and it was at Rosenblatt. You went with daddy early then I met you later.  You also saw your first concert - Nelly.  You slept through most of it  :)  You were a good boy all night but you were a tired puppy.  We got lots of photos.

Your favorite food - french fry.  You are like "Look at me, I am a cool kid."

You like to suck them like spaghetti.

Playing with Morgan and Debbie at the game.

"Gaga Baba" Oops, I mean "Go Nighthawks"

Look at Silly Debbie playing with you.

Silly Elijah!

I am going to go deep on you for a minute. I had a big realization today and I think it is important to share it with you. A few years ago, I went to therapy to do some work on myself to get me to a place where I was happier. I don't know if I achieved that goal but I did learn a lot about myself. One thing I learned is that I didn't think too highly of myself. This was pretty shocking for me to learn because I always felt like I had a very healthy ego - bordering on plain being conceited.  She had me do an exercise where I had to tell myself something nice about myself everyday. It was amazing to me because each time I said something nice to myself, a little voice immediately followed with a negative thought. For example, I would say "You have a beautiful smile." That little voice would say "yeah, when it isn't buried in fat from being overweight." Each thing I said was constantly negated and I was shocked.  So, this morning, I was driving and listening to one of my favorite songs, "I am" by Train. The thought popped in my head "I am ... A good mom." You know what buddy? There was no negtive voice that contradicted it. From the core fiber of my being, I know and believe that I am a good mom to you. I am sure that every person who knows me and you probably has an opinion on what kind of mom I am. But, I really don't care - I know that I am a great mom to you and that is all that matters. I am so grateful that you bring this out in me and I am also so grateful that if there is only one thing that I can compliment myself on, it is being a good mom to you!!

September 22

Hi there buddy!
I feel like it was a really momentous day today - despite our activities being rather mundane. When I picked you up from Mary's, she said you pulled yourself to your knees with a toy. Man, I sure was nervous thinking that you are going to be pulling yourself up & walking soon. We came home and you took a nappy. We had dinner - you had Spaghetti Os and some fruit.

After dinner, I looked around the kitchen and living room to see if I could put you down on the floor. After deciding there was nothing hazardous to your health or digestive system, I set you down. I blocked off the stairs and closed all the doors down the hall. You were so excited because this was the first time you have ever been put down upstairs. You have been in your room and you have been downstairs but we don't spend much time upstairs. You just thought you were all that and a bag of chips doing laps from the kitchen to the living room. You may not be crawling but you do a great job with the scooting. It was so weird to see you scooting up towards me while I was putting away dishes. Overall, it just felt like a big boy moment.

After we wore you out on the floor, it was time for a bath. I was sitting there watching you and you were wanting to pull yourself up but just didn't get there. All of a sudden, you did it. I yelled at your daddy to come see. You were standing upright!! What was even more amazing was that the floor of your duck tub is so unstable and you were able to keep your balance. What I am about to show you could be considered distasteful but I am sure that your girlfriends will love it :) Definitely another big boy moment. I can't even believe how you are growing so fast, buddy!

September 21

Hi Baby!
Well, you were a fussy pants today. Apparently, your dad gave you bean soup last night and it ruined your day. Your tummy was upset, you were pooing up a storm and just squirmy. Even Grampa & Heather said you were a fussy pants.

When we got home, we fed you then we went and ran to Old Navy. We had to get a new family outfit for our photos on Saturday. We are going to do your 9 month photos and Brigham family photos. You were good in the car & good at Old Navy. We had fun trying on new hats. At first, you liked them. Then, you got tired of being a model. We did buy one for your photo shoot & I can't wait. Oh, wait, we bought it because you need a winter hat. haha.

Here are some photos from our hat fun.

September 18 - 20th

Hi Elijah!
Man, did we ever have a busy weekend and boy, I sure was proud of you. You did so good with all sorts of new people and new adventures. You were even short on sleep and were a good boy.

On Saturday, your daddy woke up to a surprise! Your butt was nekked in your bed! You ripped off your diaper. There was a small mess in there but, luckily, you were not all dirty! After that discovery, you went with daddy to the allergist and he got his shots. Then, we did a bunch of cooking while you sat in your highchair or exersaucer. You were so content for such a long time that I was kind of surprised. We were heading to our first Husker party and you were all dolled up in your Husker gear. We stopped at Uncle Zachary's so he could take a few photos of us. Then, off to our party. You let so many people hold you and play with you. I was so impressed. You were going through a phase where you didn't like strangers much and I think you have outgrown it again. You played, scooted around and even did a party trick. We put you on the ground and you got yourself into a pushup or plank position and you just held it. Your abs, arms and legs must be so strong because it was a true ab bridge. After awhile (like 2 minutes), you got tired and starting fussing because you didn't know how to get out of that position. You were a great little sport and you met lots of new people. You also got to see our friends Sandy & John again. Sandy loved you up & she bought you your first Mickey Mouse! You will have to get to know him before we see him in December.

On Sunday, you & daddy went to check people in at the Corporate Cup run. Then, we went to visit the Lindbergs. You played so well with the girls. I was worried you might try to eat Vivianne but you and her just played together. I was so proud of you again. Afterwards, we got to see Great Gramma and Auntie Val for a couple of hours before you were just exhausted tired. While we were there, Baby Jake came over and you did try to eat him. I can't figure out why you played so well with Vivianne but not Baby Jake. The two theories were that you knew she was a girl so you were nicer or you are trying to establish dominance :) You ended up sleeping with us because you woke up all upset. You see, your mom is kind of lazy. Instead of taking the time to get you back to sleep, I just throw you in bed with us. So far, you haven't made a bad habit of it but I will have to be careful :)

Not much new on Monday buddy. Mary's, nap, eat, bath, play, sleep!

I will leave you with your scrapbook pages from this weekend with all your Husker photos!

September 14 - September 17

Hi Elijah!
I don't have a lot to share with you for this week. We worked, went to Mary's hung out and slept. That is about it. No visits with Grampa Keith or Great Gramma. On Friday, you did hang out with the Beaty's and they said you were the most fun ever. Now that you are getting older, you are more animated & such a scooter :)

Few developmental items to discuss with you Mister. You are getting to be a little speed demon with your scooting. We have to watch you every second - especially on the bed. You get your knees under you, you push your butt up but no actual crawling yet. I don't know that you need to crawl because you can scoot so quick.

You are now a master waving machine - when you want to. You are so darn stubborn. You know that we want you to wave to us in the mornings and you look at us, grin and put your hand in your mouth. You just know that it is expected of you & so you are not going to give in.

Finally, there is the mama thing. All 3 of us know that you are perfectly capable of saying mamamama. But, just like waving, you know that we want you to say it so you are withholding. Your dad says you are the master manipulator. On Thursday, we went to Sams and when we were driving in the car, I said "Yeah, his first words will be 'I love you Mary'." All of a sudden you started saying "mamamama". Then, you realized that you had let it slip that you knew how and stopped with a devious grin. Mary said that you said it twice on Friday. The devious grin is cute though :) And, watching your dad talk about how you are a master manipulator at 8 months is pretty funny too.

Well, we have another busy weekend buddy! On Saturday, we have a Husker Party with our friends. On Sunday, we are going to visit the Lindbergs so you can see your future wife (whichever one you choose) and then Auntie Val is in town for you to visit on Sunday night. Better rest up!

Mommy & Daddy's January - July Photobook

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