Baby Liam is coming!

...And before the rumor mill starts that's Auntie Steppy's baby! As most of you already know from facebook, my sister is 23 weeks along (eeek!) and they found out it's a baby boy. I'm kind of partial to boys myself so this is pretty exciting news ;)

Well anyways. In anticipation of this big event come august, (august 9th to be exact) I've been working with Eli on how to be "gentle" with babies and proper handling of a newborn. Here's how he's doing:

Ok, so we have some work to do. But he's a fast learner so I'm hopeful he will get there come August ;)

I am NOT a morning person...

But waking up to this makes it aaaaallll worth it :D

What a ham bone. " Toys?!"

Catchya later alligator,

-Linds

Putting Eli to bed

One of the biggest things I am grateful for is Eli being a good sleeper and napper. The main thing is to make sure not to try to put him down too late or too early (which is very easy to tell with him) and we have no problem. (Knock on wood. I certainly hope I don't jinx myself.)

Anyways, lately when I go to lay him down in his crib, he hands me his blankie for me to to tuck him in. I did it randomly one time and he just LOVED it and now its our routine. Before this, I used to just sit him in his crib and he'd immediately assume the prone position and he'd be ready for "na nights". I've been telling my mom and hubby about this new routine and how cute it is to watch and finally got Aaron to trail in behind me to get it on camera. Sorry about the poor quality. Aaron's talented at many things but videoing is apparently not on that list :P I still love you honey but you're fired.

So does that melt your heart or what??? He doesn't quite understand why his usually dark room at this time has a bright light in his face and daddy is standing there, so he's a little distracted. But I just LOVE that little voice saying "mommy" and "daddy" and I just LOVE that kid!

-Linds

Building a leaning tower....

The other day I was getting dinner ready and Eli happily entertained himself in our pantry. After a while I kept hearing him say "Ta da!" over and over again until I finally looked down at him. This is what I saw:

I love how the top can and bottle hang precariously in the balance up there, ha ha ha.

Alrighty, back to your regularly scheduled internet perusing...

-Linds

My big boy is getting so independent!

 

I'm trying out a new blogging tool called "MarsEdit". I'm not sold yet. Luckily they offer a 30 day trial period so I can see if I like it or not. I feel Windows Live writer was so much more self explanatory which is what this computer illiterate needs. Ugh! I hate learning curves! So bear with me as I learn the ropes.

 

A couple things about the video, 1.) He stole my spoon and would not give it back, hence the ginormous spoon he's using instead of a baby spoon, and 2.) Not sure why he's using his left hand to eat. So far he switches back and forth and hasn't shown any particular hand preference yet. And have I mentioned how crazy I am about this kid yet? Well I am.

 

Later gator,

Linds

Can't touch this...

Woo hoo! Go Eli, show us whatchu got!

Well folks, this post is going to be the last one for a while. My lap top bit the dust and my hubby talked me into getting a Mac. The problem with this is I use Windows Live Writer to do my blog posts (because doing the post IN Blogger BLOWS! I'm doing it right now for this post and already I'm about to shoot myself in the face.) Well I can't use that program with my Mac so if any of you are super computer savvy and want to help me transition to a new one compatible with a Mac, I will love you forever and ever and ever and ever. Until that day, so long my lovies. It's been a blast!

**Sniffle, sniffle**

-Linds

My smart kiddo…

This is a very fun age (16 months) when he is starting to use more words and understands SO much! I just took this video today (for you grandma):

I freakin’ love that kid.

Toodles!

-Linds

My kid, the adrenaline junkie….

We all wondered what Aaron’s contribution to the gene pool was…Whelp, here it is:

We LITERALY did this over and over and over and over again for 10 minutes straight.

Mom, I don’t recommend doing this with him tomorrow as I’m sure my shoulders and back will be really sore after this :/

Pray for me????

Night night,

-Linds

My kid moon walks!

Oh my word you have GOT to see this! Seriously he does this all.the.time now. What kid walks backwards at 1 year old??? This really has got to be the cutest thing ever. Check out my little moon walker :

What a goofball

Anybody else have a stupid grin plastered on their face right now?! He also does side steps like he’s learning to line dance, it’s hysterical. It all started when he’d go backwards off balance (reminded me of learning to drive stick. You know how you tend to roll backwards until you get the hang of using the clutch and then lurch forward?? Like that) Gosh I love this kid.

On that happy note, night ya’ll

-Linds

Some more new kicks for Eli…

I’m seriously dying over here watching Eli walk around in his new shoes from my grandma Jerri. I’m pretty sure I showed you guys these shoes back in December when my grandma sent them to us for Christmas but his feet were too tiny then. Well not anymore moooooreeee. Check him out walking in them, hilarious!

Thank God for technology and video making capability

Later Gator,

-Linds

Eli knows where his belly button is…

I just HAVE to show you all his latest big boy move. He now hikes up his shirt and points out his belly button when you ask where it is. So stinkin’ ca-uute!

I was able to get it on video so here it is.

I could just eat him up!

Ok, back to playin’. Catchya later!

-Linds

My big boy is ONE year old!!!

Ahhhh! Can you believe it??? That also means that I’ve been blogging a little over a year! I’m so happy I did because I LOVE looking back at how much he’s changed. People always say “enjoy it all because in a blink of an eye, they’re all grown up” which is a big reason why I chose to blog. I wanted to document all the momentous occasions and be able to look back at it and relive those moments accurately. And bubs, you made it all so much fun!

Remember my glow worm, just a few days old?!

How about how little he is in this video. Remember this??

And my big boy today:

This past year has been everything I ever wanted it to be and more. My dream has always been to become a mom and I feel I’m living the dream. I thank God every day for entrusting me with such a precious responsibility and for pairing me with a motivated, intelligent, loving, and very hands-on daddy who has worked hard to provide for our little family in order for me to cut down my hours at work and spend this important, foundation-building time with Eli. Muuuuah! Love you honey for helping me live the dream .

As for you Eli, you are a blast to be around. You have such a fun personality and it only takes a few moments for you to wrap complete strangers around your little finger (Go figure! With Grandma so tightly wound I didn’t think there would be room for anyone else!) You’re quickly learning that with a shy smile and a tilt of your head you can get people trippin’ over themselves to give you anything your little heart desires. This concerns me! You just turned one, where did you learn to flirt???

Ok, shall we tell everyone your 1 YEAR stats? Ok lets do it!

Size: He is probably the only child I know who is wearing his age in clothes! Ha ha. He fits pretty nicely in the 12m clothes, although I find the waist band of 9m pants still fit the best. He’s grown 3 inches since his 9m well visit which means he measures at 30 1/2in tall! He’s 19lb 9oz, up 2 lbs since last weigh in. Definitely my little string bean.

Likes: Finger foods and feeding himself, exploring, cheerios, fruit, hoarding, watching things he’s dropped hit the floor, making noises with his mouth, and sleeping on his belly.

Dislikes: No new dislikes that I’ve noticed. Same as last month.

Feeding: Yay me! I made it to my goal of nursing for a whole year! Woo hoo! We still nurse 4x a day, first thing in the morning, before each nap and at bedtime. I think I’ll continue until it’s not practical anymore or he stops nursing. I feel like we nurse because I want to, and that he could really take it or leave it. So we’ll just play it by ear as far as how much longer it’ll be. He’s still loving all kinds of foods and I’m really enjoying getting and preparing new food recipes for him to try . I stopped pumping back at 10m so I’m all out of frozen breast milk. My plan is to give him organic rice milk or almond milk while he’s with grandma on days I work. I’m going to hold off on cow’s milk for the time being. Our pediatrician said the main thing is him getting calcium so it doesn’t matter if its cows milk or other foods/drinks just as long as he gets it.

Sleeping: No real changes here. He’s been a great sleeper for a while now. He goes to bed between 6:45-8pm (depending on activities we have going on each day) and gets up at 8am. He’s about 50% when it comes to sleeping through to 8am or waking up at 6ish to eat and then going back to bed. He’s also been really good about taking 2 naps during the day.

Milestones: He’s officially walking…a LOT! Lack of balance doesn’t stop him from speed walking either. I’ll be excited when he prefers walking to crawling when we’re out and about and I’d otherwise have to carry him. Sheesh he gets heavy (and there is NO way I’m letting him crawl on icky public floors!) He also now walks all over the house going “Ma? Mom? Mom?” or “Dod? Dod? Dod-ee?” when one of us has left the room. It’s SUPER cute!

That’s all .

Buh-bye sweet BABY boy…

…Hello sweet toddler *sniffle, sniffle*

-Linds

My little Frankenstein :)

So I’m considering having my son audition to be the next frankenstein. We’ve been practicing, check out his skills:

Wow, did you see that look he gave me for accidently tripping him?? Ha ha. Simmer down now child.

I’m just kidding, no auditions . That’s my kiddo learning to walk. Sigh. This little guy has been a lean mean walking MACHINE today! I am thoroughly entertained watching him stand up, start toddling, and then have to correct his balance every other step. I find myself shifting my weight in an attempt to help him out, ha ha .

I told my sister that he’d be walking by the time she got back from her vacation in Punta Cana. I was right!

Now excuse me while I go grab my running shoes to keep up with this kid.

-Linds

Baby steps…

The last few days Eli has really done a lot of “walking” (meaning 3-4 solo steps, without help.) Its funny to watch because he clearly has no clue he’s doing it, it just happens. I’m waiting for that “lightbulb” to go off in his little noggin when he’ll realize what those 2 little things attached to the bottom of his legs will allow him to do . Daddy and I were encouraging him to take steps to either one of us and we’d cheer when he’d venture away from his trusty piece of furniture that holds him steady, so I think he’s starting to put two and two together.

Here are a couple of video clips of him teetering on his feet all by himself. Daddy lured him away from his toy chest by holding my highly coveted headband in his mouth. That got him movin’! Ha ha! Sneaky, sneaky sir (the remote was unavailable). The second video, Eli has it in his mouth. Weirdos .

Here’s the second short clip

How come when an adult walks while drunk I get annoyed, but when a baby walks like he’s 3 sheets to the wind I can’t stop grinning?? Does  it GET any CUTER than the drunken baby swagger?!? I think not.

Ok, the baby sleeps, back to studying .

-Linds

Hello? Is this thing on??

Sorry for the lack of posts these days. I’ve been preoccupied with cooking (weird!) and studying for my medsurg certification that’s, gulp, this  week .

I DID complete a sewing project on my to-do list although it’s an incredibly boring yet very functional and very needed project. Yay me for FINALLY sewing some black-out fabric to the backs of his white and incredibly bright curtains in his room. This allowed me to take down my ghetto green blanket precariously pinned behind said white-bright curtains, and therefor be able to open and close them to let sunshine in! It was an all or nothing deal with the pinning of the blanket so it was constantly dark in his room and not really a very inspiring place to play. I NEED sunshine but with it not getting dark until 9pm these days, I couldn’t expect Eli to willingly go na-nights with bright sun shining in his face, hence the dark, drab room until momma could get her butt in gear and take care of those shades. Phew, I feel so relieved! Ok so the point of that whole paragraph was to say that now it’s the perfect place to have play time in because its 99% baby proofed and baby friendly . So when we aren’t running errands or outside going for strolls, this is our play ground. Here’s a super short video of Eli playing. I just LOVE his cheesy grins! (Is it wrong that I wanna giggle when he totally biffs it trying to crawl away??)

Sigh. I needed that. Now back to the time sucking task of studying for my big test this week. Groan. I’d rather get in First-birthday-party planning mode. Waah!

-Linds

My baby is ELEVEN months old!

Handmade tie-dyed onesie compliments of our swimming buddy Nick and his momma Jacque.

Ahhhhh! I can’t believe how quickly this year has flown by! Now I’m feeling pressured to plan and organize his first birthday party. I think I’ve settled on June 23rd, so mark your calendars until this momma can get her butt in gear and send out invites.

Well this little guy…ahem, BIG boy, is really starting to look so grown up! I am taking pictures regularly of him hamming it up and baring all his teeth and if it wasn’t for him looking bald with his platinum blonde hair, he’d look like a toddler! I can’t get over it.

Stands solo.

Size: Still my string bean. I feel like he’s getting taller so he’s consistently in 12m clothes but he has such a tiny waist that 9 month pants fit the best, except he looks like he’s ready for a flood :/ So I end up putting him in 12m pants and rolling the waist band and we get along fine. Not sure how much he weighs, we’ll find out next month at his well visit.

Likes: Eating! Speed crawling from one side of the room to the other as fast as he can, figuring out new ways to outsmart momma by getting past the baby gait, climbing, sniffing his blankie (mom, maybe this is a hereditary trait seeing as how this is the 3rd generation to be “sniffers”..?), puffed cereal and cheerios, playing with mommy’s belly button (** see video below), wrestling with daddy, pulling stuff out of drawers and giving kisses.

Dislikes: Still despises being changed (diaper and clothes) and having his face and hands cleaned after feeding himself. He doesn’t like wearing his sun glasses, or when people eat in front of him and don’t share.

Feeding: Still going strong in the nursing department but eats full meals regularly as well. He continues to eat anything I give him but is particularly fond of those foods that he can pick up and eat on his own. Interestingly, I’ve noticed he consistently eats with his left hand. I know you can’t tell hand preference until they are 2ish but I watch for it each meal and he always grabs food with his left (after grabbing a fistful of “reserve” in his right for safe keeping of course.) We’ll see if this changes when we introduce silverware .

Sleeping: He sleeps 12-13 hours at night. We are up for the day at 8am after going to bed around 7pm (this time fluctuates to 8pm if he takes a super long nap in the afternoon or we have evening plans) He now naps from 10a-12p every day and usually about 1 hr at 3pm (although this nap doesn’t come as easily.)

Milestones: Nothing really new in this department. As far as I can tell no more teeth have sprouted (the back of his mouth is hard to see) and he’s just mainly mastered his previous skills. I have seen him take a few steps while pushing his hamper bucket along the floor, but no solo steps yet.

Eli popped the lenses out so we had to get a pic

A new game Eli likes to play is make-momma-gag-by-sticking-my-finger-in-her-belly button. Ick. I can’t stand my belly button being touched. It seriously makes me want to hurl. (Just thinking about it is making me nauseous, bleh!) So naturally when I gagged, Eli found it hysterical. Here’s a short video of him getting a kick out of my misery:

I still love him though

-Linds

Eli loves his grandma…

 

We have my mom’s living room all blocked off and baby proofed but Eli succeeded in climbing over the little ottoman mom put up between the couch and recliner—the little stinkpot! It was super cute though so I wanted to get it on video. But alas, he found playing with grandma too fun so I couldn’t get it this time. You get the general idea how he ended up doing it if you notice in the beginning of the video he tries throwing his leg up onto it . Now just picture him pulling his little body up and over and there you have it!

He’s really beginning to show a lot of personality. Love that kid.

Night night all.

-Linds

Happy Mother’s day…to ME!

Well my very first mother’s day (gosh I’ve been waiting to utter those words For-e-VER!) was wonderful . I just love my boys. Daddy and Eli worked together to plan a day for me. First, we all went to church were Eli went into Kids World for the first time (and did awesome by the way!), then Daddy drove us to one of my favorite places, Starbucks, for a “drinky-drink”. Yumm-o! Then we drove around a bit so Eli could finish up his nap and ended up at the river walk in St. Charles where we had a picnic lunch and people watched.

Me and my bubs

We walked along the river and ended up at a playground where we found a set of swings and decided to let Eli try them out for the first time…He LOVED it! He just leaned forward staring at the ground below him moving back and forth, back and forth. Ha ha.

Daddy got him to giggle:

Then we headed home for my time to spend with my mom and sister where we went to another one of my favorite places, Joanne fabrics, followed by a grilled dinner back at my moms house. Phew! Daddy took Eli for the afternoon while I was with the girls. And where do you think they ended up??? The Glider club of course!

I’ve been pretty emotional today and the 3 awesome cards I got from Steph, Aaron, and my mom just about put me over the edge. To top it all off, my incredibly generous and awesome sister got both me and our mom a 60 minute massage!!!! Can you say S.P.O.I.L.E.D?!?!?! I’m one lucky girl to have such an awesome family who would do anything for my son, and me, for that matter.

I think I may have gotten a little snot and tears on my computer screen. I apologize for that.

So overall, it was a very special day for me. Thank you all for the messages, texts, and phone calls wishing me a very happy first mother’s day. It means a lot.

-Linds

P.S Did you all read that “For-e-VER” up top there in your best Squints Pelledorous voice?????? And are you now quoting the rest of the movie in your head? Sorry ‘bout that.