Chatting it up!

Our little guy is starting to become a real talker! For a week or two now, he's gotten the words "ma ma" and "da da" down pat. It really makes me smile to get a phone call from Missy while I'm at work (on speakerphone on her end), and hear Eli start saying "da da, da da" in response to hearing my voice on the phone!

Today, Missy let me know that Eli started putting the words "bye bye" together with his goodbye hand wave. (He's already had the wave itself figured out for a while now.) I'm so glad that Missy can be at home with Eli, to witness all of Eli's precious "firsts" as he grows from a baby into a little boy!

Hilton Head Vacation!

Elijah took his first plane ride a few weeks ago when we headed down to Hilton Head, South Carolina for a family vacation with Grandpa Bob and Nana Sherry, and Uncle Jeremy. Elijah handled the flights very well and didn't cry at all! He slept through the entire flight down there, and would have slept the entire flight back except that Daddy, in an effort to pull down Eli's sleeve since he seemed cold, accidentally dunked Eli's hand into the glass of ice water that we had been served. Oopies! That sure woke Elijah up!

I'm sleeping, on a jet plane . . .

The week in Hilton Head was really a treat for all of us. It was a nice combination of activity and relaxation. Our room overlooked the kiddie pool, and was also very close to the larger pool, so that was very convenient. And the complex that Grandpa and Nana's timeshare was in was simply beautiful and very close to the beach and a nice shopping complex, so we were able to visit the ocean! Elijah liked walking the beach and tried tasting the sand of course.

Grandpa explains the waves to Elijah.

Playing by the pool!

We rented bikes and went bike riding a few times too, which was a new experience for Eli, since we don't currently own bikes! He seemed to like it, and both Jon and I really enjoyed it, so maybe we'll get bikes next summer.

We also saw a big lighthouse and climbed to the top, went to a children's "museum" which was actually not a museum but just a place with different children's toys, and went for a sunset dolphin cruise, which was a highlight for me! We saw dolphins riding along near the bow of the boat as we cruised along, and saw a beautiful sunset as well.

At the top of the lighthouse with Grandpa and Nana!

Looking at birds with Nana. The lighthouse we climbed is behind us.

Snuggling with Mom on the Dolphin cruise!

Jon, Elijah, and Jeremy on the cruise!We actually did see dolphins!

Jon and I and Jeremy went kayaking one morning as well, which brought back memories of Jon and I kayaking on our honeymoon together seven years ago. This trip was not challenging, but we did get to see dolphins right in front of our kayak, oyster beds, and all kinds of birds and wildlife. And we didn't tip over, which was good since I brought my camera along despite my husband's misgivings. :)

That dolphin is right there in front of us!

The best part of the week though was getting more time with Jon's family, and seeing Elijah get used to being around them. He's just now getting to the point where he's starting to remember his grandparents and extended family. By the end of the week he was all about Grandpa and Nana and loved their crazy antics to entertain him. Jon's Dad would say, "Da-da-daaaa," and then Eli would repeat it back to him and just crack up!

And Elijah actually started saying "Nana," on the trip - first for a banana, and then also to Nana Sherry. Nana Sherry would say "Uh-Oh" when Eli tipped his cup over at mealtimes so he started doing it and then looking at her quick to see if she would say it. How cute! With all the family around Elijah always had a person willing to take him for walks, so he was in seventh-heaven. If we weren't fast enough in going he'd be by the door though wanting to get out. Another favorite of the week was playing with the elevator. Nana would hold him up to push the button and he'd get so excited when the elevator came and the doors opened. I guess if you look at elevators through a child's eyes they are pretty wondrous, aren't they?

The week was too short for me though; I could have used another few days to shop (sooo much shopping down there!) and sit by the pool. It was a really nice time though, and it was nice to sleep in our own beds when we got home. I'm already looking forward to another vacation!

Pictures!

I took Eli to have his pictures done at JC Penney's before we left for vacation, and we ended up with some pretty cute ones! He wasn't sure of the whole experience at first - especially since they were running 30 minutes behind, which put us close to lunch time by the time we were seen. And of course it was a battle to get his thumb out of his mouth in some of the shots. We took along the stool that Uncle Jeremy gave him when he was born which says "Elijah" on it, and that was a great prop. These were his first "professional" pictures (though I think some of mine of him are pretty close!) and I don't think they'll be his last. It didn't take long, the pictures are cute, and it wasn't very expensive. I think I'm hooked!

We're Back!

We haven't posted for a long time but we're back now! We went on vacation at the beginning of September, and then when we returned our computer died on us. It's back in working order now though, so we'll be posting about our vacation and all the fun things that our devoted readership :) must be dying to know. A lot has happened in just the few short weeks since we last wrote!

Maybe We Should Get Him Some Chopsticks?

Today at lunch Elijah picked up an extra straw from my iced tea from Wendy's, bent it in half and ate his oranges with his straw! Maybe chopsticks would be more appropriate for him than eating with a fork and spoon? He seemed to pick up the straw-technique faster than his fork and spoon!

Labor Day Weekend Fun!

Over the Labor Day weekend we had a lot of fun, and did a lot of work too! Missy's Mom and Dad came for the weekend to help us paint our tv room and our living/dining room. It was a lot of work but it is just beautiful and the color turned out great! Thanks Mom and Dad for all of your help!

Elijah loved having Grandpa and Grandma here for the weekend, especially since he couldn't be inside (almost the entire downstairs was being painted) and spent most of Saturday and Sunday playing outside with Grandpa. He went on walks, played with balls, ran around in the yard, and just had a great time. It was nice to have him out of the way while we were painting, so Grandpa was a Godsend! On Monday when Elijah saw Grandpa just waking up Eli picked up his shoes and brought them over to Grandpa and then pointed to the front door and went, "Eh Eh Eh!" He knew who was his ticket out of the joint! It was so cute to see them enjoying each other. What a wonderful way to spend a long weekend - being productive and having fun too!

I love playing outside!Wrestling with Daddy in the grass!
I've got my wagon; let's go Grandpa!

Sometimes you just have to do things yourself. If no one is going to pull me then I'll pull the wagon!

What do you mean I can't go to church in my PJs?

You'll have to catch me then!

Grandma and I count oranges (and eat a few too!)

Grandma says I'm eating worms!

Silly Grandma - it's only spaghetti!

Look What the Stork Brought Us This Time!

We are now the proud owners of a 2006 Honda Odyssey! We've joined the ranks of the old-fogeys with minivans, and we are quite happy to do so. This is by far the nicest car we've owned - it's got leather seats, a DVD rear-entertainment system, and all kinds of goodies. We'll be keeping this one for a while so we decided to get what we wanted so we could enjoy it for many years to come, and so far we love it!

Our Sleeping Angel

Another scare for Mom.

After our meals I roll Elijah and his highchair to the sink, wipe off his hands and face, and remove his tray and bib. Then I take him out of his chair and he and I push his chair into the corner. He usually then proceeds to play with the buckles on the chair and stand on the bar between the legs (2 inches off the ground), while I clean his tray and bib.

Today after lunch I'm talking to him and cleaning the tray as he's playing with the buckles, and then I glance over and see that he is not standing on the bar between the legs of the chair. No, he is standing on the footrest of his chair (2 feet off the ground!) and climbing INTO his high chair seat! What?!? I thought I had seen it all with our little monkey. I immediately said, "No!" (okay, I yelled) and took him down, and I think I scared him - he turned around and ran away from his highchair. Once again I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Elijah is constantly surprising me with how strong, inventive, and fearless he is. And I imagine he's keeping his guardian angel on their toes too. :)

He takes directions?!

I had just finished making Elijah breakfast Thursday morning, and was putting it on the table when he walked into the kitchen from playing in the living room. He no longer had his sippy cup of milk that I had just given him, so I said, "Elijah, where's your milk? We need your milk before we have breakfast." He looked at me and then turned around and walked back into the living room, so I figured he was going back to play some more (like when I say, "It's time to change your diapy" and he runs the other direction.).

Well, about 10 seconds later he comes walking back into the kitchen - holding his sippy cup of milk! He walked up to the table, put his cup down and lifted his arms to be put up in his highchair. I was floored! He took my directions! Wow! I feel like the whole dynamic of our interactions is changing every day and it's really cool to see him grow up and understand more and more things. And to see that sometimes he might listen to me. Sometimes. :)