casualties of daycare part 2

Eliot has come down with bronchitis and an upper respiratory infection. He's coughing a lot, but it's the sort of thing he just has to live through. As usual, he's a little trooper - even if a fussy trooper. We've been using the humidifier and baby triaminic. It's only been a couple of days - I'm sure he'll be feeling better before too long.

Carnival

Eliot's daycare had a Summerfest today. It got rained out, so all of the booths were moved inside. They had lots of fun games and door prizes. All the proceeds went to the school and United Cerebral Palsy.

We had a great time! Eliot's class had a hat parade. Everyone packed up in the bye-bye-buggy, donned their hats, and rode the parade route (the hallway) saying "hat parade! hat parade!" Eliot is the one in the back left corner with the blue hat on. He loved the bye-bye buggy. The little boy next to him fell asleep. Eliot kept squeezing his arm as if to say, "hey, wake up! look at everything there is to see!" The little girl in the middle row with the turquoise had is Adeline. Her mommy works with me at Saks. She's also in his play group. The parade must have been hard work, because the little boy in front of Eliot fell asleep in the toy tub when it was all over. Eliot also went right to sleep after the parade was over. Parading is hard work!

5 months old

Today is Eliot's five month birthday. WHEEEE! He didn't have to go to the doctor for a checkup this month, but we were there this week for a reflux problem. So we know that he's 17lbs, 1oz.
He's not rolling over yet. But he loves to sit up and look around the room. But this is his month! I know it! I'm quite sure that by his 6 month report he'll be rolling. And I bet he'll have a tooth or two, as well!

hand in hand

Eliot started his new daycare today. Hand in Hand is fabulous - we are so excited to be there! It's partially funded by United Cerebral Palsy, and has children with many special needs. It's an inclusive environment where Eliot can learn to interact with all different types of kids.

His first day went very well, even though he slept through music time. The only time he fussed was during tummy time. He really hates being on his tummy - he just squeals and squeals! But he finished all of his bottles, had several messy diapers, took three good naps, and when I picked him up this afternoon he was talking and smiling at one of his new teachers - Ms Wanda. He must've had a big day, because he went to bed tonight an hour early!

play group

Eliot was invited over to one of my co-worker's house on Saturday for a play group. The other kids were about his age - some a little older. Cole had lots of great toys. It made me feel a little guilty that Eliot's favorite toy right now is a washcloth! He enjoyed playing with Matt. Matt (who's already sitting up) would push the top and make it spin, and Eliot would watch and then look up and Matt and smile! He also got to meet Adeline - one of his new classmates at Hand in Hand.

Mostly, though, it was fun for us moms. We shared tips and tricks. It's great to find out what worked for other people when problems arise.

like father, like son

If there was any doubt as to Eliot's paternity, everyone can rest assured - he is his father's son. At four and a half months, Eliot sat through Finding Nemo in it's entirety. I'm a little embarrassed to say that I let him do it. I know that's not good for a little baby, so no need to send any hate-mail. I just wanted to see how long he'd go. About halfway through, he got fussy, so Brian sat in the floor and fed him a bottle, as he sat in his bouncy chair and continued watching. Popcorn, anyone? And it's not just because it's animated. He started watching Pirates of the Caribbean, too, but I wouldn't let him sit through all of that. You have to draw the line somewhere!

new movies

The Short Films page has been updated with new movies. Check it out!

rubber duckie, you're the one

Last night Gigi came over for dinner. Well, the Bath Time Committee met and decided, since it was a special occasion, that Bath Time could be skipped. Regrettably, the Bath Time Committee neglected to confer with the Benevolent Dictator on the matter.
Around bedtime, we tried to give him his bottle, which he vehemently opposed. He squealed and stuck out his little tongue. We waited a little while and tried again. Still a no-go. We changed positions, we passed him around, we switched out nipples. Still he squealed. I didn't know what to do. Finally, Brian said, "why don't you try giving him a bath?" So, at wit's end, I put him in the tub. He smiled and giggled! He splashed and wiggled! Afterward, he happily took his bottle, like the kind and loving despot that he is.
The Bath Time Committee has realized the error of it's ways, and does solemnly swear to adhere to the prescribed order of events, going forward.

you spin me right round, baby

Our newest, favoritest trick is to spin around in the crib. Eliot will plant his right foot into the mattress, and arch his back, then re-plant his foot. He continues thusly until he's 180 degrees around. He stops there, though, never any further. Guess he just needs to see the world from a different point of view. How open-minded of a 4-month-old!

sense of humor

Eliot has started laughing. I mean really laughing. It is the most beautiful sound I have ever heard in my life. EVER. It's not just a big grin and "uuuuhhhnnngg." It's a real-live laugh. When I picked him up at school yesterday, Ms Judy said, "he has the cutest laugh." My jaw dropped. "He does?!" She leaned down and said, all sing-songey like, "I'm a-gunna.... getcha!" and shoved her fingers in his armpits! Eliot opened his mouth so big I could see straight down his throat and let out a squeeeeeaaal!!! followed by laughter. Like this: "EEEEEEEEEE-HE-HE-HE-HUUH!" I was dumbfounded. I have spent the last forty-eight hours doing whatever I need to do to get more fixes, just like a drug addict. If he's awake, my fingers affixed firmly in his armpits. Else I'm singing a silly song, or making a silly face... I have been so animated that I could give Jim Carrey a run for his money. But I'll do whatever I have to do to hear that little laugh just one more time!

teacher and student

As you may know, Eliot comes from a long line of teachers. Yesterday, when I went to pick him up at school, he was sitting in the bouncy seat. Eliot was having a grand old time grabbing and squeezing the dangley toys on the seat. He's progressed a long way from swatting at them. Well, his friend Bailey (whose about a month younger than Eliot) was sitting in a bouncy seat next to him. She was watching him very closely. She'd look at him, then look at her own toys, then look back at him. Finally, she took aim at her own toys, and swung! It was so interesting to watch this scene unfold. Who knew that babies so young could interact like that? Plus, I was so proud of Eliot for teaching another kid something new!