Two Firsts

Well, last weekend when we were in Milton for my friend Jenni's surprise bridal shower, I decided it was time for Eli to get a trim. I tried, rather unsuccessfully, the weekend before. I trimmed his bangs a little and cut off the rat tail, but it looked a bit amish. His hair is really thick and it was much harder to cut than I thought it would be.

So Mim and Pop and Mommy and Daddy all went to Mrs. Bruno's salon in Milton. She was so excited to cut his hair. We timed it for mid morning bottle time, and it went very smoothly. He stayed very still and didn't mind at all. Perfect timing.

That was the first "first."

The second "first" came later in the weekend when my Nan was over to the house. Eli really liked her cane. He was walking around with it for a bit until I realized that it might not be a good idea. I was afraid he'd whack the cat or something. Canes are not toys. When I took it away, he threw a tantrum. My sweet little baby threw a tantrum- the mad cry, pushing me away, throwing his head back in anger. I thought that was a terrible two's thing!

Back to the haircut. Here is Eli after I gave him a little trim. I did an okay job with his bangs, but I was afraid to cut around his ears.

I thought his hair looked a little "Mitch Albom-like" so we went to the professional.

(Mitch Albom)

This is the only "after" picture I have. It doesn't really show off the new cut. It's still shaggy, but it's cut around his ears.

Look What Eli Can Do

First Sickness

Long time, no blogging. We've been busy taking care of a sick little boy. Last week Eli woke up with a fever and Kevin and I stayed home with him Thursday and Friday. The doctor thought he might have croup or some other viral thing. Motrin and steam showers seemed to help for a day or so, but his fever came back and stayed for a few more days. A second trip to the doctor confirmed a double ear infection and possibly pneumonia, and they prescribed amoxicillin.

Luckily my parents were able to come down and watch him this week. Eli was pretty much back to normal on Wednesday, but they stayed until Thursday pm just to make sure. Eli got a bonus Mim and Pop day on Thursday.

He went back to the sitter's today and is back to normal aside from a cough. What a rough first sickness- for Eli and his parents! Thank you Mim and Pop for helping us out this week. You were lifesavers! (Meals were great, too!)

Side Note: Eli started doing some new things while Mim and Pop were visiting. After months of practicing "So Big", Eli finally does it. And he does it without you putting your hands up first to demonstrate. For months, I did "So Big" and he just looked at me like I was crazy. He's also signing more without being prompted... like when he wants to be thrown up in the air again or wants more cheerios.

New Tricks

Eli's been up to a lot of new things lately.

• He is a walking machine. He walks now more than he crawls, and he's getting steadier and steadier everyday.


• When I ask him where Gracie is, he looks at her and points. He chases after her, pretends she's a drum, and does belly flops on her when she's sleeping on the beanbag.


• He says "yeah" all the time, so he and I have these nice conversations everyday. I ask him if he likes dinner and he says yeah. Then I ask him if he loves his mommy and he says yeah. Then I ask if enjoyed his day and he says yeah. Lovely conversation with my little man.


• He is a champion sleeper, especially compared to when he was little. I can give him a kiss at night, rub his back for a minute, and put him in his crib. He'll smile at me and go to sleep on his own. It's hard to believe that this is the same child who would be sound asleep but just knew he was being put down for bed and would scream.


• He popped out another tooth...his seventh.


• He loves to watch me use the vacuum. He points at it and follows me around as I clean.


• He can climb the steps in about 30 seconds. He's fast!


• He can use the shape sorter if I show him which spot it goes into.


• And my favorite... he gives kisses on command!