A LOT to report (aka LONG post)!

Since Eli has turned 10 months, a lot has happened! We've done a variety of activities & Eli has been practicing a few skills showing what a big boy he is. I have yet to get video of these skills, but once I do, I will post them. They include:

1) Attempting & working very hard at pulling himself up with the help of a chair or his crib. He's a big boy so I'm sure it's a lot of work!
2) Eli rolls & rolls....& rolls! He wakes up in the morning rolling & when he is playing....we may bypass the crawling and go from rolling to walking!
3) Eli is very good at standing when holding on to something. He is yet to cruise the furniture, but he holds up himself very well (although I still stand guard ;)
4) Eli is now bathing in the big tub by himself without any device holding him. He really likes the room & splashes & splashes! He likes to watch the water drain out, too.
5) This isn't really a skill, but Eli now has 4 teeth. The 2 middle ones on top just came in last week! Don't have pictures yet, will soon!

Some funny things he is doing:

-this morning Eric put in 101 Dalmatians (the original) & Eli seemed to be howling with the dogs during the scene where they howl at each other to report the missing puppies....it was too funny
-he will find random things funny & will laugh & laugh at them....but 20 minutes later they are no longer funny if you try to do it again (he really thinks certain people & bouncing balls are funny)
-this maybe isn't funny, but Eli is quite the biter now (thankfully NOT while nursing....ouch!!). He will go in for the "kill" at any moment & I often am saying "no biting....hurts mommy!!"
-Eli loves to have his teeth brushed with a finger brush....he opens nice & wide & laughs...maybe I'll have to sneak some food on it sometime ;)
-Eli talks & talks & likes to make funny noises which I think feels funny in his throat which is why he does it. Here is video:


Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Because there is a lot to share with you, I will divide the post by sections (my organization side of me ;)

Emmalee's 1st Birthday

Our friend Emmalee from breastfeeding group had her first birthday on Saturday. Unfortunately I didn't take pictures of her (I guess I was too busy holding Eli) but our friend Jodi did. Visit his blog to see pictures :) Eli did enjoy the swings at the park, though, and we plan on going back to enjoy the water part of the park! Happy 1st Birthday Emmalee!

Visiting Great-Grandpa Bidney

We visit Great-Grandpa Bidney in his rehab center every week. I finally got around to getting a picture of us. Grandpa always says "Well there's that little guy....he's a good lookin' one" as he never really remembers his name.

Grandma Clarkson's Retirement Party

Grandma Clarkson retired from her job at a bank after working there for 18 years!! All her co-workers threw her a very nice retirement party. They did a Hawaiian theme & served virgin Pina Calada's & other wonderful appetizer-type food. They had everyone wear leis & had Hawaiian music playing. It was really a great party for her which showed how much they loved her. I'm sure they will miss her greatly!!

They had this amazing cake made that was looked & tasted really awesome:

Playing with Uncle Blake's sun glasses:

Eli had a great time at the party and was making everyone laugh because HE was laughing so much!

Congrats Grandma!!


Fourth of July

For the 4th we went to Grandma/Grandpa Clarkson's. Eli decided to wear his best red, white & blue outfit to show his patriotism:

Eli also swam in a pool (or Grandpa's "big bathtub" as he called it) for the FIRST time!! As you will see, he loved it!! But first, sunscreen time! He wore 50 SPF which worked great as he is very fair skinned. Here is Eli already disliking mommy trying to do what's best for him:

What are those big kids doing in that "big tub"??

Eli wasn't sure if he liked it at first but he warmed up to the idea pretty quick. Here's some fun video of the occasion:


Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

See the smile on his face?

Eli says: "This is a pretty cool ride!"

Eli says: "Oooo, I think I like this one even better!!"

Eli then got out of the big pool so the big kids could play volleyball. Eli didn't mind, though, because he got to play in his OWN pool!!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Grandma Clarkson made this yummy patriotic cake!

Eli loves his Grandma!

Jack's New House

This evening we went to Eli's friend's Jack's house from breastfeeding group for their housewarming party. Jack took a nap for most of the time we were there, so we didn't get a picture of him & his mommy, Tori. But, we had fun in our matching outfits! Aunt Holly bought Eli these cute shorts & mommy decided to match him tonight....just for fun!

Just mommy & Eli

We also had a get together with friends I went to graduate school with. For some reason, pictures weren't taken there either!! It was a fun time, though! We ALSO went to visit Sue & Kalani again by bringing them lunch on Monday. He's such a beautiful little boy & so tiny compared to Eli!

This coming week we don't have anything planned yet besides the good ol' regulars (breastfeeding group, visit Grandpa, errands, etc.). We hope to take Eli to the park this week & maybe a play date. I'll post pics of Eli's new & improving skills....& his teeth soon!