Saturday, January 19, 2008

Trip down memory lane....... (and 21 weeks)

Okay, so I'm feeling reflective today....probably due to talking to Sue today about my delivery experience. Last night I looked at old pics/videos, some I forgot we had, and decided to post a few. It's so amazing to think that almost 5 months ago he was still in my belly like this:


Taken 8/22/07, 3 days before he was born

Then the next picture shows how I felt on the evening of 8/24/07....I was in just a little bit of pain!!!!

In triage room waiting to hear the decision as to whether or not I was in labor....I had no doubt I was!!!


Ahhhh.....the epidural is awesome!! Except when it stops working on one side and then you end up feeling everything on one side and then during delivery....EVERYTHING!!!!

But, here is my reward at the end.....can you tell I'm tired and hadn't slept for about 24 hours or ate in about 16 hours????


Tiny, peely feet....


Tiny hand holding daddy's finger (sniff, sniff)


Aren't I big???

After delivery and in post partum room....I think I was about to eat some much needed food!!


Going home!! Exciting yet VERY scary!!


At home with daddy when he's about 6 days old


Just got done eating....he's so tiny!

Anyway, it is fun to remember the time when we were preparing for his arrival, the day the contractions started, delivery, and going home. Such an emotional time and I remember feeling all the possible emotions at once. For my first time expecting friends....enjoy your pregnancy as it will be the only time you can truly relish in it! When you have your subsequent babies, you'll be too focused on your toddler to do so! Being pregnant with your first and experiencing all the "firsts" is an amazingly scary and overwhelming happy time. Best wishes to all my first time mommy-to-be friends!!!

Okay, now on to the current day.....

Eli saw the chiro this week and he is doing awesome! He only has to go back on an as-needed basis. So glad we decided to take him....she has worked miracles!

Took Eli to the doc on Friday to see if he maybe had an ear infection or something of the sort. The last 2 weeks he's been fussy while eating about half of the time, waking more at night (NOOOO!!!! ;), his weight gain has slowed down a little (1/2 oz. a day compared to about 1 oz. a day....nothing major and I know weight gain slows down around this age) and I had to give him tylenol twice this week to help calm him down. I know he is probably teething, but it just seemed as though he wasn't feeling well and I wanted to make sure it wasn't something more. He checked out fine but she said he may have some reflux going on which would explain the night waking, fussiness while eating, arching of his back (although I thought it was just him wanting to practice standing like he does.....who knows, though!) and the spitting up and burping/gas he's had. Most babies have some form of reflux, but some more than others. She said we could put him on meds if we wanted, but it was up to us. We are going to see how he does this weekend and then decide, but we probably won't. We just need to do better about keeping him elevated after feedings, burping often, and possibly feeding him in football hold like we did for the his first couple of months. He doesn't seem to be too bad, but if we can't help him feel better by doing these things, I would consider medicine, just to see if it helps or not. We'll see!!

NEWS FLASH: ELI SLEPT IN HIS CRIB FOR THE FIRST NIGHT LAST NIGHT AND SLEPT 7 HOURS WITHOUT WAKING!!!!! This makes me so happy and I just hope it continues. I broke down and bought a video monitor to help me be able to just lay in bed and look at him in the monitor instead of getting up to check on him. This helped a lot last night and I feel very rested today. Maybe the crib is part of the key to him not waking as he was affected by our noises while we sleep. Who knows, but all I know is I feel a big sigh of relief as I was concerned he would hate it and wake up screaming due to being in a big bed by himself. Pray that he continues to do well!!!

Next weekend Eric & I will have a date brunch and movie while Grandma & Grandpa Clarkson watch Eli. We need to do these more often to help him adjust to alternate caregivers (although he does just fine with other people, which I am thankful for) and to the bottle. I am still job searching and haven't had any leads yet, but have about 6 resumes out. I look online daily and send out resumes each weekend. I'm hoping to find something by March, but we'll see. I'm being picky so it may take longer but it will be worth it to find that family friendly job!!

Nothing majorly new this week as far as development. Eli is still playing with his feet, rolling to his side, practicing sitting up (but always tumbling over ;) and doing some raspberries. Although, I have noticed he gets more upset now if I am not in his sight. Separation anxiety can happen at anytime now, so hopefully it won't get any worse. I think he just doesn't like to feel like he is alone. He does fine with other people, it's just when we are home alone and I walk to the kitchen (we have a cut out in the wall so I can still see him, but sometimes he can't see me). Then I return to the room or peek through the cut out and he smiles again.

Enjoy this weeks pics/video:



Daddy's way of taking care of me in the evenings


Love my toys and bumbo chair!


Is there a bug on my bib??


Yes, I am a pooper!


Mommy loves this little outfit as I look like a big boy!


I love to hear stories!


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Saturday, January 12, 2008

20 weeks- 4 1/2 months

20 weeks today....5 months on the 25th! This week we just continued our advancements from last week...not a whole lot new to report. We did stop using the papasan chair due to Eli starting to sit himself up and brought out the high chair. It's funny because he looks so small in it! This allows him to eat dinner with us and to get used to it for when we start food in a few weeks. After talking to our lactation consultants, we decided to start rice cereal when he is 5 months. This way when I return to work, hopefully around March, there will be "other options" for him. I am concerned about him taking the bottle okay or even the cup and would feel better if he would have the option of cereal if he has picky days. We'll see how he does and if he likes it, great, if he doesn't, we can always wait longer. But, he seems to be ready to at least try since he loves to watch us eat!

This week we had a couple of play dates. On Monday we met for lunch with a friend from grad school and her 8 month old little girl. Eli was a little crabby that day so she didn't get to see his "best", but she understands. On Wednesday our friends Da, Lucy, Emily & Mallory came over. Lucy & Mallory definitely remind us that we'll have to baby proof much better once Eli can crawl & walk. Anything at their level is fair game...no matter what it is!! I told Da & Emily that once we are ready to baby proof we'll just have Lucy & Mallory over to show us what we need to put away!

At breastfeeding group Eli weighed in at 19 lbs. on Monday and just 19 lbs. 1 oz. on Friday. This could either mean he is slowing down a little in his weight gain or that because he had just emptied his bladder & bowels that he just didn't show his true weight. Either way, is still a big boy! We will need to get his convertible car seat before he turns 22 lbs. or 30 in. and he is now 27 in. So, not too far away!!

This week we go to the chiropractor and I think she may tell us we don't have to come back for awhile. We'll see!

Enjoy the pics/videos:


First time in high chair....I'm a big boy!!


Rolling over to visit my friends Mallory the Monkey & Lion


I'm trying SO hard to sit up on my own, but some how I just keep toppling over!!


I really seem to love my jumperoo & jump almost non-stop while in it....it's so fun & I am strengthening my legs!


The hunting camo outfit my Uncle Blake & Cousin Sammie bought me...almost too small already!!



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Saturday, January 5, 2008

19 weeks (& many accomplishments!)

It seems as though Eli has chosen this week to do several new things which has been quite fun. Here are this week's accomplishments:

1) Eli has now learned to grab his feet and play with them. He just one day while on the changing table decided to grab them and now he does it at every changing, while in his crib watching his mobile, and on his play mat. He also likes to pull off his socks!






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2) Eli is also starting to spit, blow bubbles and do raspberries. He hasn't done a full blown raspberry, but pretty close.


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3) Eli now insists on sitting up when he is held and can sit by himself for a few seconds before falling foward or to his side. Soon he'll be sitting all by himself!




4) Our cats stay pretty clear of Eli and occasionally come over and sniff his head while we are holding him. Our girl kitty has been the most brave and sometimes tries to sit near him. Well, she did this this morning and Eli reached over and started patting her and then pulling her fur! I got this on video on my phone as it was the only thing close by and don't know how to download to my computer. This is the first time he has acknowledged their existence! She did really well and just sniffed his hand as he did it. They will have to be good sports once he can crawl, walk, and then chase after them!!

In addition, Eli continues to talk, talk, talk!! He actually sounds like he is trying so hard to have a conversation. He looks me in the eye and makes sounds with infliction and a serious look on his face. I have yet to get this on film but I do have a talking session where he was having with himself.


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The trip to DM went well. He slept most of the way there and only complained a few times. I stopped to feed him once and he made it the rest of the way. We brought our pack-n-play bassinet for him to sleep in (which he sleeps in at home still) and he did okay. He work up more often than if he was at home, but I guess that's to be expected. The way home was harder. We didn't get on the road until around 5:30/6pm and he just was not tired or happy. He cried and whined for quite awhile and then fell asleep for about 45 minutes, and then woke up again. We now know to travel during the day vs. at night as it goes much more smoothly. Oh well, live & learn!! Our 3rd Christmas went well and we received a Costco membership and gift card (much needed!), a Roomba (robot vacuum cleaner!) and a nice sum of money to start a college fund for Eli from my dad. We just have to pick out what kind of fund we want and he'll contribute the money. What a fabulous idea!! Thanks Grandpa Bidney!!

Just some other fun pictures:


Me & Grandma Bidney when she was here the week of Christmas


Tummy time


More tummy time!


Me & Pari on New Year's Eve....we couldn't quite stay up until midnight....neither could mommy!


Awww...almost holding hands....


You're cute, Pari, can I hold your hand??


No!!! Stay away, daddy said I'm not old enough to hold hands!



Just smilin' for mommy!


Reading is fun!

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Eli's baby blessing

Eli was blessed on December 23, 2007 by Adam Smith and John Koehler. It was a beautiful service as Eli got to share his special day with his good friend Pari Smith, who is 4 months older than him. Eli's aunts (Sarah & Holly) played violin for the service and Pari's aunts (Sue & Da) sang for the service. It was beautiful!! Both sides of the family were present and all went to the Smith home for lunch and conversation afterwards. It was a great day!!


Eli being blessed


Pari being blessed

Da & Sue singing "A Mother's Christmas Wish"


Both were tuckered out by the event and fell asleep on the way to Pari's house....too cute!!


Eli & Pari talking about the event


The cute couple ;)


Eli is starting to melt down....Pari is trying to comfort him


Eli is saying "It's time for my nap!!! NOW!!"


Pari is saying "What is wrong Eli??? Why are you getting upset?"

Pari is saying "Oh well, I'll just be my cute self even if he isn't!"