grill n out

Uncle Donnie was in town this week with his friend Ron. They are starting a business - Grill N Out - in South Florida. They were in town to meet with the folks from Moore's Marinade (the ONLY marinade, I've been told) to work out a business deal. Eliot was more than happy to be his unofficial spokesman.

pardon me, I was just teething...

I think I've mentioned before (several times) how everything goes into Eliot's mouth. Friday, when Eliot got to school, I sat him down next to Adeline. I just turned my back for a second, and the next thing I knew he had the Adeline's dress in his mouth, chewing on her shoulder-ruffles. She was looking at him like he was crazy - which, I guess he was!

new pictures

Here are some new pictures that I posted on the gallery. They are:
Daycare
Sippy Cup
Play Ball
Tummy Time
Hooray for new pictures!

man's best friend

Eliot and Oliver (the cat) have developed a very close relationship. For Oliver, I think it's sorta love/hate. Whenever Eliot hears "meow", he starts looking around with glee. Oliver will come over and pet himself on Eliot's little out-stretched hand. Then Eliot will grab him on the broadside with both hands and bury his head into Oliver's side, with an excited "UUUNNNNGGGhhhhh!" Oliver will pull himself away, leaving Eliot with nothing but two handful's of orange, tabby hair. But he can't resist Eliot's outstretched hand - he always comes back for more.

true colors

Now that Eliot has a tooth, he thinks it's time to start exploring his independence, and testing his boundaries with Mom. Last night, he was very belligerent. First, at dinner, I had to take a toy away from him so he'd pay attention to the spoon. He didn't like that, so he squealed and refused to eat. Then, when I put him in the bathtub, he refused to sit up straight - he wanted to lean forward. Every time I tried to sit him up straight again, he'd squeal. I finally decided that the best lessons are the ones you learn on your own. So, while remaining in control of the situation, I let him lean forward enough to get his nose wet. Well, he really didn't like that. I made him lie down for the rest of the bath. And he splashed, and flailed and kicked... He got the whole bathroom wet, including me! Soaked! Boy, was he proud! When I got him out of the tub, he didn't want a diaper, he didn't want any teething medicine, he didn't want any pj's... Later, he wanted to chew on his bottle, not drink it and he wanted to twist and strain to see whatever was not in his direct line of sight... Finally, exhausted, I got him in the bed. The next thing I know, I looked in the video monitor and saw that he had pulled his bumper away from the side of the crib, over his face and he was chewing on it and patting cakes on it. So I went upstairs and removed it from the crib entirely. He just grinned and grinned and made that "uuunnngh" sound that I can't resist. I just started laughing and kissed him on the little head. Thank you, Eliot, for giving me seven full months to fall in love with you, before showing your difficult side.

seven months old

Another month's gone by! Whew! This has been a big month for Eliot. First of all, his stats: he's 21 lbs, and 27 1/2 inches. He hasn't gotten any taller since last month, but gained a little over a pound. Just ask my aching back! We have to go this month and buy a new carseat, since his other one is only recommended for babies up to 22 lbs.

This month he learned to sit up. He is a sitting-up fool! We don't even have to put pillows behind him any more. He's also teething. This has been confirmed. We can actually see a tiny little white tooth just pushing it's way through his bottom gum. It hurts him so much! But I just keep telling him that teeth are great things! After he gets a few, he can have chicken fingers and apples! This month, we've also started practicing a little with a sippy cup. He understands the concept, but does not have the coordination just yet to do it all by himself.

grocery shopping

Yesterday Eliot and I went to the grocery store. Since he's outgrowing his baby carseat, I didn't feel like lugging it into the store. All of the buggies with baby seats built in were taken. So the only thing left to do was to sit Eliot up in the front of a regular buggy and buckle him in. Boy, did he feel like HOT STUFF! He sat up and looked around and smiled at everyone we passed. He swung his feet and patted cakes on the buggy-push-bar. He did such a good job that I went out today and bought him a seat cover for our next outing

teething

We're almost positive Eliot's teething. I've never been through teething before, so I could be wrong, but everything is going into his mouth. Yesterday he grabbed Brian's beard on each cheek and pulled his nose into his mouth. Youch!

sittin pretty

Eliot has gotten very good at sitting up. So here are a couple of pictures of him showing off this incredible talent in a variety of locales around the house.

This first picture is in his high chair. I know, I know... I've posted lots of messy-eating-baby pictures, but I just loved the look on his face in this one.

Eliot's friend Lauren has been kind enough to loan him this bathtub ring. It helps him sit up in the bathtub. He loved bathtime before, but it's a whole new world for him now. He had no idea that bathtub toys could be so fun!

Today, Eliot woke from his nap while Daddy was playing video games. I put him in the floor as Brian was wrapping up, and he didn't want any part of his own toys. No, he wanted the Playstation controller. So we let him have it. Daddy couldn't have been more proud! Notice the drop of drool on his chin. He's never looked more like his father! =)

play ball!

Eliot's finally old enough to play with the balls. He has a soft soccer ball and a soft baseball. Last night we sat in the floor, and Brian rolled it over to us. We did it for a really long time (at least twenty minutes), and Eliot never got tired of it. Every time it rolled his way he just squealed with delight!! Then he'd pick it up and shove it in his mouth for good measure, put it back on the floor, and we'd roll it back. Eliot just laughed and laughed.

morning glory

Today Eliot started his new class at school. He graduated from Babybirds to Morning Glory. When we got there this morning, we met his new teachers - Mrs. Valarie and Mrs. Kela. We were both very happy to learn that Mrs Wanda moved over from Babybirds, also, so Eliot had a teacher that he already knew. He was so happy to see all of his friends - Hayden, Adeline, Boozer... He has been working very hard during his week off to learn to sit up, and he has almost got it! So he and Hayden sat in the floor and played with toys together. First they would play with their own toys, then they would get more interested in the other's, and they'd switch. Eliot leaned forward to get Hayden's toy and fell over. He thought that was really funny. All of the kids in his class are about the same developmental level as Eliot, although he's still one of the youngest.

His new classroom is much bigger - and has windows, too! They even have a lesson plan. We also got a sample menu for when he gets older. It has such tasty things as baked ham, coleslaw and scalloped potatoes. At first, they will puree the food for the kids, then move to solid chunks.

It's hard to remember that he'll be in this classroom for a whole year! When we got the menu I thought, "we don't need that - he's just a baby!" But by this time next year, he'll be eating all that stuff. And while the lesson plan might seem a little advanced for him now, in a year it'll be child's play.!

spending the night at grandma's

Eliot spent his first night away from home this week. He spent the night at Gigi's house Monday night. We got a good report the next day from Gigi. He slept all the way through the night for her. On Tuesday they went shopping and bought some clothes. He ate all of the baby food that we sent over there. Mommy did pretty well, too. It wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be. Knowing that he was happy and well taken care of helped me rest easy that night. Nonetheless, I missed him so much, and I was pretty happy to get him back the next day!

new pics

Be sure to keep checking for new pictures! They are updated about once a week - give or take.

six months old

I didn't post an update when Eliot turned six months, like I usually do. I was waiting until we went for his checkup, so I would have his stats. I'm pleased to report, that he's 19lbs, 4oz, and 27 1/2 inches long. He's in tip-top shape, all pieces and parts in order. Dr. Stansell asked if he was rolling over yet, and I informed him that Eliot was really more of a "thinker". But, he is eating lots of baby food and juice and baby cookies. He's trying really hard to sit up - although he tends to fall forward. And he is talking up a storm! It seems like he has his very own language - like he is REALLY trying to tell us something important.

visiting friends

On Saturday, we went visiting. First we saw Tracey and Sonya at the Crestwood Coffee House. They were hanging out with their friend, Emma Grace, who is two. Mama had a cup of coffee while Eliot tried out Emma Grace's stroller.

Then we were off to visit the Lampheres. Lauren helped feed Eliot his bottle, and then told him what each of his piggies do. "This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed home..." In return Eliot slapped hands with her. Lauren said with a giggle, "Eliot gave me some five!!!"

He was so tired when we got home! He took a very long nap.