Beach Trip Part II

I love being able to capture moments with my phone and not having to carry the nice camera around all the time.. because lets face it-- sand + expensive camera.... eek!!

At the beach, I was 14 weeks and already sporting a cute bump!

Eli & I ate in bed a lot! 

Although we had the pack & play.. Eli was much more comfortable sleeping with us.  We learned that next year we need to get a 1 bedroom condo somewhere so that Eli can have a semi-regular sleep routine.  We did have a KING sized bed and there was more than enough room for all of us!

One of the days we were there we went to the aquarium... and sadly, we were disappointed!  It was sooo crowded as we should have expected from the summer...so the next time we visit will be off season!

Beach time! The weather was great while we were there and we went to the beach every single day.  Eli didn't care TOO much for the water but would crawl in the sand until he was tired and would rest his sweet little head :)  I think we're still finding sand on him...  

Overall, it was a fabulous first vacation and I cannot wait to take him next year!

Our first vacation.

On August 1st we will celebrate FOUR years of marriage!  And we have NEVER been on a vacation. When we first got married, David was getting his masters and I was a workaholic..and then we got pregnant (complete with bedrest!) and packing up and heading somewhere just never seemed to fit into the calendar.  I was so excited for us to take our first vacation as a family! 

The first night we were there- we set up Eli's p&p beside the bed and had to eat our dinner in the dark so that he would go to sleep.  All of a sudden Eli pops up from his bed and goes, "ahhh!!!" as if he's scaring us.  David and I must have laughed for 10 minutes.  Now, that is Eli's "thing" -- he loves trying to scare us! 

We learned a few valuable lessons on our first vacation that we will implement in the coming years:

1. Have a separate room for your child to sleep.  If not, his sleep schedule will be thrown so far off his cute little "crabby" shirts will become real life.  You may even come home a day early and have to eat the prepaid cost because you are craving normalcy and sanity.

2. Rent a condo with a full kitchen!  You will save lots of money and you wont gain 10 pounds eating at the restaurant for meals.

3. There is no need to bring a beach chair- you wont be sitting down.

4. Your kid is going to eat sand.  Leaping across the way trying to prevent it might just make you look silly in front of everyone.

5. King beds feel like a vacation in themselves..make sure your next room has one! 

Overall, it was a great first vacation!  I am looking forward to the activities that come as Eli gets older. 

15 weeks!

Hello, 15 weeks! 

It really has been a quick 15 weeks- it's flying by much faster than the first!

Morning sickness is on & off

I haven't gained very much (I think only 1/2 a pound!)

I have not felt a lot of movement, a few pops here and there that leave me thinking it has to be the baby, but nothing consistent. 

I am excited for that to pick up!  The movement, not the weight!

In a few weeks we will find out what we are having and I can NOT wait!! 

11 Months!

Eli you are 11 months old!!

I am guessing you weigh around 24 pounds.

You take one nap a day and go to bed around 8:30 and wake around 8.

You have 8 teeth!

You can crawl sooooo fast.  

You do great walking with assistance and we are looking forward to when you reach that milestone!

You are such a good eater.  Seriously, you will eat anything!

You have started throwing fits, one we call the "Jesus" because you throw your arms out and your head  back with your feel together -- it's looks very similar to Jesus dying on the cross.

Thankfully, the "fits" do not last long at all.

You started doing what we call the "London Bridge" and you'll put your butt up in the air and head down.. it's so cute!

We took our first semi long trip this month with you and you did great.

You LOVE dancing to music!

You aren't into TV but there is one episode of Barney that you like- but it basically sings the whole way through.

I cannot believe we are planning your first birthday.

I love you sooooo much!!

12 Week Ultrasound

We all went to the DR for my 12 week ultrasound-- Eli did really great!  Put him in a room full of people to watch and he is in H.E.A.V.E.N -- he is seriously the nosiest child I've ever come across..but it's cute for now..one day I will have to tell him to stop staring ;)

We love love love our OB/GYN office - they are all so friendly and the care we receive is the best.   I love ultrasound days -- The 12 week ultrasound is the downs testing-- and although we wouldn't dream of doing anything besides loving this sweet baby, peace of mind or knowledge of a possible condition is wonderful! 

Hi baby!  We cannot wait to find out whether you are a boy or girl! -- Next time we see you we will know!

Quote.

Little moments { iPhone

We have been really enjoying the pool this summer!  Eli loves the water and his float has a canopy so we can go any time of day and not worry about sunburns!

Learning to drive! (We were at the pool, hence the no shirt)

Eli has started doing this funny move when he is done with food/bottle.. sticking the tongue out!  He also does it when Daddy kisses his face when he's scruffy. 

Emma is getting SO BIG!

Speaking of "SO BIG!" Here is Eli showing us how big he is :)

Saturday mornings are full of family cuddles

Who needs toys when you have a cardboard tunnel?  This was perfect until Emma thought it was the perfect spot to relieve herself because we couldn't see her.  Fun over!

I think we've hit the highlights of July so far this month!  

Playroom Dilema

For Eli's first birthday (which is exactly ONE month from now..eek!) we are going to do a playroom for him.  Which means that we have got to get moving! I don't have a theme, or paint colors, or anything except I know what items are going in. Ikea has a ton of good and reasonably priced items (kitchen, tool bench, table & chairs, etc.) so we are going to get those items for the room.

If I knew we were having another boy I would do more of a boy themed room...but I will not know until the end of August/early September.  I'd really like to have it all complete by his birthday, but I guess waiting a few extra weeks so we can appropriately decorate is the smart thing to do.

I have been stalking pinterest and if we have another boy.. I love this "city" theme! But... if we have a girl.. I am not sure what we'll do!

Poor Fella :(

Yesterday Eli was very fussy.  For a non-fussy baby I feel like he was on the edge of a breakdown.  I texted the picture to David to show him, because it is very rare that Eli cries. 

He wasn't running a fever, and had gotten more than enough sleep the night before (even slept in an extra hour  & half!) ..was it tooth #9?  Nope... Welcome stomach bug #1 into the house. Yuck!!  This is actually the first time Eli has been sick- with exception of an ear infection at 5 months - but a "bug" sickness first.  I'm not worried about catching it because I never have.   David should run for the hills and leave us to defend ourselves here, but they've always passed over me. Poor guy took an unheard of 4 hour nap yesterday, and is currently on hour 3 of a nap today. 

We have spent yesterday and today doing a lot of this:

His sweet little head resting on my shoulder.  I am soaking up the extra cuddles, but I do wish it were under better circumstances.  And I wish we could have taken him out to enjoy some 4th of July festivities.  There's always next year!

Activities with family { iPhone

My brother & his family came in town a little before everyone else did and we packed that time with a trip to the zoo, park & set up the baby pool as it has been SO hot here recently!

I love our zoo- we have season passes and have been a few times- you can feed giraffes, farm animals, camels, and birds. Some parts are shaded so even when it's hot it isn't unbearable. Eli likes the giraffes and birds the most. Last time we were there we got him a stuffed giraffe named "draffe" that we take along when we go.

Group picture.. right before my nephew decided to see how grass tasted..then proceeded to puke in the pool.... party over! 

At the park, we put Eli on this tractor and he held on to the bars and was going "mm mm mm" and each time he did he'd throw himself forward and rock it. So funny- we've never taught him that! 

My niece & I! I think she could be mine :)

Family Visit

Last Wednesday Eli and I were at the grocery store preparing to feed 16 people for a few days. I was nervous about taking him and making him sit in the cart for a while as I usually wait till David is home to run long errands and we all go together or he stays with Eli. I really had nothing to worry about- Eli did great.

He was all smiles even after sitting in the cart for an hour & half!