A visit from the grandparents

Elliot got to meet my dad for the first time and was reintroduced to my mom this past week.  Their visit was fun and couldn't have come at a more needed time! We are still fighting with a fussy boy and just last week he took one of the good things we had going, away…going down to bed in the evening was easy….not anymore!

Even with a boy who is moody and a poor nap-taker, we were able to do a lot of activities and managed to get E to smile. He seemed to have a connection with my dad…it only took him looking at E to get him to smile!

During their visit we kept busy, going to the dog beach, into LA where we ate Wurstkuche, and then drove to Venice Beach. We also relaxed at the pool, went to the farmers market, and Jared and I even went on a date!  We had a great time and can’t wait for them to visit again!

Elliot’s swim top was a little snug and showed all his belly rolls…too cute!      

 

My dog can’t swim! :( Jared would take her into the water and while all the other dogs moved gracefully, keeping their paws paddling under the water…Elsie slapped her’s on top and held her head as high as she could!

Elsie wouldn’t go into the deep parts of the water, so when Jared would throw the frisbee too far, he would have to go in after it!

After being at home with their other grandchild, Marissa, my parents were a little shocked at the size difference (Marissa 10lbs, E probably 14lbs).  They got a workout lifting this chunk of a boy!

   Venice Beach Wurstkuche Breakfast at Rialtos

Baby Whisperer: So my dad had a way with Elliot.   They bonded in many ways …maybe because they are similar  :)

   Dad would hold Elliot and with his calming ways would put him to sleep. 

Teaching Elliot about good beer!  E seems to like their conversation :)

 

the room

We have finally set up Elliot’s room. It has taken us a while to give our bedroom up and move our belongings to the loft, but we have finally done it.  Elliot now has a place in the apartment to call his own!  Considering my limited budget and limited design freedom, I think it turned out well!

The bumper in the crib was made by me!  I am currently working on a matching quilt.  We chose to do white furniture so we could accent with color!

 

Elliot is 9 weeks today… Wow!  We had his 2 month appointment last week.  Elliot weighs 13lbs 12 oz (95%…go big boy!), is 23 1/4 inches long (75%), and looks good!  He had his first round of shots and did pretty well…there was a about a 30 second scream/cry and then he slept the rest of the day. 

Not sure if it’s because of the shots, but we’ve had a couple of rough days.  Elliot has not been napping, which leads to this face …so sad :( 

Hopefully the naps will start soon! (He’s still so stinkin’ cute…even when he fusses)

 

 

When he is not fussy, we get these cute little smiles!  Elliot loves to stare and smile at Jared when he is giving him his bath.

My sleeping beauty (when he sleeps).

Happenings

There have been a few new things happening around our household. 

1. Elliot may have had a growth spurt (not sure if he is growing taller or even wider!) He slept 2-3 hours each nap and ate more frequently for about 2 days.  We are however,  back to our normal no nap schedule :)

2. Jared and I went on a date!  That’s right, Elliot had his first babysitter! 

3. I am beginning to fit back into my pre-pregnancy pants!  (These are jeans I didn’t wear very often before pregnancy because they are stretchy and a little too big…BUT they are regular jeans!!)

4. Jared has been on a week break from school before he starts his fall quarter (apparently the toughest one).  It has been WONDERFUL having him home! 

5. I started running again!  I decided to get back into running using a run/walk plan.  I started running 2 min. and walking 4, repeating this for 30 min. total.  The first 2 min. stretch I did, just about killed me!  And to think this time last year I was running 2 hours!

Now for some pics…The many faces of Elliot!

6 weeks and fuss free!

     Well, not completely fuss free, he is a baby! We are doing better though.  Thanks to my friend Erin for recommending a book, Secrets of the Baby Whisperer, we are on our way to a happy baby :)  Elliot’s feedings have spread out, he is taking 1-1 1/2 hour naps, and is playing on his play mat independently for 10-15 minutes!  He is also sleeping more at night.  He goes down between 7:30 and 8:30 each night and sleeps until about 4:00 when he eats and then falls back to sleep for about 2-3 more hours (there is a feeding at 11:00…to “fill him up”, but he remains asleep (yes, this is possible)).

Here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure!

“Sumo” Elliot (this was Jared’s doing)

    Doesn’t he look handsome in his K-State gear?!                                                             

He loves his bath time.

He also loves his daddy!Elliot’s 6 week picture next to Elsie

Smiling as he plays with his toys! (these are still few and far between)

Marissa Kate

This post is 4 weeks over due, but I would like to introduce my niece Marissa Kate! Her proud parents are Amy (my sister) and Paul. She was born 6 days after Elliot on June, 28th, weighing 7lbs 13 oz. and was 19 3/4 inches long. The word from home is Marissa is a sweet happy baby! She is already sleeping through the night! (I'm jealous!) Congrats Amy and Paul...she is a cutie!

4 Weeks and Growing Fast

We have passed Elliot's 4 week mark and are doing well...he is doing well, we are sleep hungry! The first two weeks we felt we were blessed with this perfect, no fuss, sleep all the time baby, and were loving life and waiting for me to feel better before we could get back to "normal". WRONG! The past two weeks we have been blessed with a cute little one who likes to fuss when not being held and fuss when being held, but not being moved around! We were also running off a few (literally 3 hrs) of sleep for a couple of nights. Without going into too much detail (call it parent intuition) we sensed his fussing was partially out of pain. We stared observing when and how Elliot was upset and made an appointment with the doctor. When we described what we were seeing he felt it could be reflux. So, we are treating Elliot for reflux and have seen a change...he is still a babe who likes to be held and likes to move, but he is sleeping much better. We are continuing to watch and may try taking him off the meds in a few weeks to be certain it is reflux and not just him being a "colicy" baby.

Other notable achievements by Elliot:
He continues to work on holding up his head. He is actually quit good at this. Elliot also likes to use his leg muscles. When held in the sitting position with his feet under him, he likes to stand. He is a little shaky, but can hold himself for a few seconds. I'm convinced I've seen him smirk at his accomplishments! Elliot is also holding his focus longer. We catch eyes every once in a while!

My little man can longer be called little...he is quit the eater!
Birth weight: 7 lbs 5 0z
2 weeks: 8 lbs 6oz
4 weeks: 11 lbs

Week 2 pics

" bio butt"

trying out a sling....Elliot is not a fan!

Bath time

Week 3 pics....We spent our 6th Anniversary relaxing at the park together

1 month old! Look has much he has grown!