End of the Year Banquet and Mothers Day

We recently went to Jared’s end of the year banquet.  This year it was held on a YACHT in Newport!  We got dressed up, ate good food, and (Jared) danced the night away!We had a great time!  And true to form, my man won an award voted on by his classmates…”Most likely to be naked under their graduation gown”!  I’m so proud   Just to make it clear, Jared will be fully clothed on graduation day.

My Mother’s Day was amazing this year.  Jared made sure to make me feel so special.  He started out by getting up with Elliot so I could sleep in.  Then, he treated me to homemade pancakes…Elliot enjoyed his first.  I was taken to a delicious lunch at Bucca Di Beppo by my two wonderful men.  From there, we went to a “paint your own pottery shop” and together painted a plate that Elliot signed with a handprint.  I had an amazing day and am blessed to be mother to my wonderful little man.  Thank you Jar for making this day special!

Our Celebrate plate.  This is the finished plate from Mother’s Day

Mother to this amazing little guy:

Can you tell he is being loud and ornery?

My Cuteness

It hasn’t even been a month and already I feel the need to update on my ever changing, growing, learning little man.  He is clapping regularly and will say ‘yeah’ as he does, but his ‘yeah’ is more of an “aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa”.  He is standing on his own more and more and is extremely proud when he does an especially long stand.  Elliot has also conquered the stairs.  He made his way up them for the first time yesterday!  He is also using his walking toy to cruse around the apartment…he is very unsteady and looks like he has had one too many drinks, it’s cute .  Elliot has also decided he HATES getting his diaper changed, or anything involving being put on his back when he can’t roll immediately over.  This boy has got ‘the world is ending’ cry down.  He is also becoming very opinionated, and what he thinks hasn’t quite matched up with what Mom and Dad want, so we have had many tears (Elliot tears)! Enjoy some videos and recent pics!

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Easter and a Laguna hike

A couple weeks ago Jared, Elliot, and I loaded up and went on a hike in the Laguna Hills.  I will admit, it didn’t last long, but it was very beautiful and Elliot seemed to enjoy it! After our hike we went into Laguna for some dinner and ice cream on the beach.  This was a spontaneous fun family date. 

The Easter bunny returned!  After many years of being away the Easter Bunny finally returned to our house! Although Jared and I didn’t get our own baskets, we still enjoyed nibbling on candy (thanks Elliot for sharing ).  Elliot loved shaking the easter eggs and throwing around the fake grass.  He received a packet of bubbles that Elsie seems to enjoy more than he does.  We spent the day as a family dying eggs and cooking a chicken.  This was my first time cooking a whole chicken.  I also haven’t eaten meat in a long time, so this was tasty (purchased at Whole Foods and with a lot of consideration).

Elliot update 10 months

What does he do now?

• Elliot can pull himself up on most things
• He can “cruse” around objects
• He can climb up on his toys
• He is beginning to “walk” by pushing his walker/car
• Elliot waves and says “buh bye”
• He mimic us
• Elliot has started clapping his hands
• He is interacting more with others, especially the other kids in the complex
• He can stand by himself for a few seconds at a time
• He has just begun deciding that he wants to stand instead of sit in his stroller (he is strong)
• Elliot “walks” when holding our hands
• He knows the letters that run around the top of his room go with the “ABC” song
• He is using his sippy cup better
• He has tried so many new foods
• Elliot is officially on formula bottles (yeah me!)
• He jumps on his bed
• He stays up later at night
• His favorite show is “Miss Spider” on Nick Jr. (He smiles and laughs when it comes on)
• Elliot laughs and smiles ALL the time
• He is loud and likes using his voice
• He loves the pool
• Elliot hates to be put on his back to get a diaper or clothing change
• He is becoming very opinionated about things, which has involved more crying
• He still points at everything!

A lot has changed in the last month.  I can’t imagine what he will be doing in 4 more weeks. 

It happened. Sick.

It happened much earlier than I thought it would.  My cute, sweet, fun, adorable, do no wrong son ate his own poop! Lesson learned—when all is quiet, someone (aka Elliot) is doing something naughty.  I was cleaning the kitchen last night, while Elliot played in his play area.  I was so thankful he was playing well and I was able to get a lot done.  When I went to get him I walked into a wall of stink and a sight I didn’t expect.  First I saw a “dark spot” on the carpet, no poo to be seen.  Then I saw Elliot’s back side, a mess.  Next came the streak of poo across his face, and finally the mess his hands caused all over his play yard.  Elliot was rushed to the tub and hosed down, pjs and all.  After his bath and teeth brushing he went to bed, and I set to work cleaning. He seems to be doing fine today, so lets hope any ingested poo won’t cause a bellyache!

9 months

Elliot is already 9 months old….what?! Wow.

Stats:

27.5 inches long

20lbs 7oz heavy

The most obvious change in Elliot I have seen over this past month is his energy.  This boy is non-stop!  He is still army crawling, but will get on hands and knees to move backwards.  He has the want to pull up on things.  He LOVES to stand.  He has only begun to “cruse” around objects, but mostly he remains stationary and happily bangs his hands on things.  He has successfully (only once so far) pulled himself into the standing position in his crib.  His favorite place to play (when he is not going for all the things he isn’t suppose to) is under the coffee table….he climbs up and over, spinning around, and does it all again!

Elliot now has 6 teeth and is working on a 7th (4 top front, three bottom front).  His hair has begun to grow just a tiny little bit, but it is so blond it’s hard to see.  Elliot is a very happy boy and rarely fusses.  He smiles, laughs, and is starting realize what will get a chuckle out of others.  His new “funny” (not so funny) stunt is spiting his food back at you and then laughing.  I have conquered the serious face, but Jared is hopeless.

Cloth diapers are going well.  We have started using cloth wipes too (and making my own solution)! Elliot still loves bath time and splashing like crazy.  He has also discovered how to pull himself up on the side of the tub.  Elliot has also taken to pointing at everything!  He constantly has his pointer finger ready and will point or touch things.  It is too cute. Another new change is the gradual transition to table food.  Elliot is doing well with it.  He loves feeding himself.  Some favorites so far are strawberries, hummus, and toast with cream cheese.

Man I love this kid!

Messy easting

Point, point, touch

First picture.  He did more banging of the crayons than anything

Kansas, Minnesota, family, oh my!

To give Jared some much needed study time before and during him first round of Boards, Elliot and I headed to KC.  This was my first flight with Elliot by myself…challenging.  He did well on the way there, but was rowdy, loud, and awake on the way home!  We were fortunate enough to have the middle seat open both there and back, so Elliot would play in it, but the child can not sit still!

Once I arrived in KS my parents and I loaded up and drove to Minnesota.  This was Elliot’s first extended car ride.  He did really well!  While in Minnesota we did a lot of relaxing.  It was really nice to sit with a fire going, snow on the ground, and watch Elliot play.  I was also able to participate in some wedding preparations!  My cousin Jenni is getting married in September and I have been asked to be a bridesmaid…thank you Jenni   While I was there a few other bridesmaids and myself helped pick out the bridesmaid dresses…they are really cute and in a Eggplant color! 

After out stay in Minnesota Elliot and I were in KC for several more days.  We made the rounds and were able to visit with friends and family.  Jared’s parents were a must see.  Elliot had a lot of fun with the cool toys grandma had bought….he especially enjoyed a play washing machine with it’s many articles of clothing!  It’s cute to see how tickled they get at all his everyday antics   He was a busy guy while at both grandparents’ houses and seemed to have a lot of fun!  We were also able to steal cousin Marissa from daycare and make a trip to Topeka to visit with my grandparents (Elliot’s great grandparents). 

As usual, it was nice to see all of my friends….I just wish I could spend more than just a meal with all of you!

Grandpas

Taste of a lime…haha

Dinner with the Minnesota fam

2nd Cousin Jenni

Cousin Marissa

Great Grandpa and Grandma

Great Aunts Tina and Julie

Eating mexican (mom’s favorite) with Grandma and Grandpa

Great Grandma aka “Nana”