Elijah's 1st Christmas

As noted already, our Christmas season was quite eventful, but even though Eli was sick during most of it, he still had a really great time and got some awesome gifts. We enjoyed seeing lots of family (all though the weather and sicknesses did prevent us from seeing everyone) and when he was well enough Eli was pretty friendly and enjoyed everyone.

I am going to post a few Christmas pictures, but there is so many of them that I am also going to make a Picasa web album of them and you check out the rest of them there.

He figured out wrapping paper pretty quickly.

Dan and I had a couple of his gifts already put together, so he could play right away!

Auntie KiKi got Eli a new book!

Eli certainly loves anything with wheels... little cars and trucks were a big hit this year.

Uncle Darren teaches Eli about puzzles.

Momentarily feeling great and oh so happy!

I love reading with this little smiler.

Happiness through all the sickness...presents will do that!

Good-bye December!

We have quite an eventful end to our year. Aside from typical holiday madness and rushing about, we have each been quite sick, especially Eli. As I write this I am hopeful that we are about to put this all behind us, but with how things have been going, I am not holding my breath.

Beginning on December 10th, Elijah has had/still has each of the following ailments:

- Double ear infections (treated now with 2 rounds of antibiotics)

- Sinus Infection

- Diarrhea

- Vomiting

- Runny Nose and Eyes

- Cough

- Diaper Rash/Infection

Dan and I have both had some of the cold and stomach issues as well, but not nearly as severely as Elijah. He has been a trooper most days and survived his first holiday season quite well for how sick he is/was.

He is considerably better right now, the cold symptoms are still lingering, but seem to get better each day. We are treating the diaper issues now with a Rx and are hopeful that will clear up soon. He has been eating some again, but is refusing all green vegetables, so it looks like I may have a battle ahead on that issue.

Because a sick baby just wouldn't have been interesting enough, my parents and siblings have all been sick as well, one of my uncles had surgery, a cousin got pretty sick while in town and yesterday a tornado ripped through my mom and dad's neighborhood. All are okay in the tornado and minimal damage was done at my parents, although many of their neighbors weren't so lucky.

Our break hasn't exactly been relaxing... but somehow still I am ready to go back to work. It is exhausting to be home 24/7 with a little guy who is so miserable and out of sorts. We all need to get back into good routines.

Sad sick eyes!

8 Months!

What a big, little guy you have turned into. You are starting to eat table foods, pulling up everywhere and all the time, cruising around the furniture, and beginning to babble. You got your first two teeth at the same time right around Thanksgiving. You are keeping us on our toes all day long, but we love your energy and personality.

Eli Likes: standing up, daddy, eating big people foods, emptying trash cans, crawling, peek-a-boo, going to daycare, blowing raspberries,

Eli Does NOT Like: waiting, being in the car alone, getting dressed/diaper changed, going to bed

Patio Finished!

The patio is finished!!! Dan did a great job, it may have taken 4 months, but it is done and looks great! I can't wait till next spring/summer when we can really use it! I like to have parties and this will give us more usable space for people to hangout. I also think that Eli will love playing on the patio, I am sure there will be many cars driven around on this patio. I am so proud of Dan for finishing this project, it wasn't his favorite project by any stretch, but he did a great job on it.

The King of the Jungle

We had a great time at our Trunk or Treat at church. Our trunk was a jungle and Elijah was The King of the Jungle. We had him sit in his throne for a few minutes to get some photos, but he didn't stay still for long. I personally, love his little tail.

Great Grandparents Come for a Visit

In October, my Grandparents came for a visit from Mississippi. Eli got to spend lots of time with them and showed off all his new tricks; scooting, crawling, and pulling up. He was quite the entertainer and I think everyone had a good visit. I especially enjoyed all of the Apple Cake that I got to eat thanks to my grandma!

Fall Leaves Fall

What could possible be better than sweet baby pictures?

A sweet baby playing fall leaves of course!

Oh, and of course he eats the leaves...