State of the Eliot

The last days as an only child and Eliot has been an angel. All energy and politeness and song and just so happy. He's busy and out of focus much of the time. These last few weeks have been out of focus for all of us as we try to wrap our head around 2 children. Eliot communicates better every day. I have entire conversations with him and he often makes me laugh. It's great except when he wasn't trying to be funny and he tells me it's not funny mama. I love him to pieces. He's still so much a baby and yet so much a little boy now. It must be hard to inhabit both worlds. I try and remind myself of that when I'm frustrated and he's frustrated and not making sense. He's mostly sunshine lately though. We are so lucky. Even when he's not perfect he's just perfect. I love you Eliot. Here comes life with a sibling...hang on!

Changing and Growing

I guess that's me lately. So much change. I keep getting bigger, this little baby keeps getting bigger, and it's getting harder to deny that our family is soon going to be 4 instead of 3. Two more months - I can't wait. Does Eliot realize what's happening? Not really. Does he realize that one of the most important people in his life is about to appear? No. How special is this. That I get to be the mom to two little boys, two brothers. That I get to be part of this family, part of their lives? I know there will be some adjustment as Eliot realizes that maybe he isn't the center of the universe in our house (and oh, it's going to be a little painful), but I think it's good for him too. It's good for all of us. And how lucky is this new baby, to have an already built family. To have a big brother already there for him. I'm so nervous for them to meet each other. It just blows my mind...we made brothers. I will be there the moment they first meet and neither one will really realize what it means. I hope it's a good start. I hope they are friends for life.

I wonder sometimes if my heart really can expand to love two people the way I love Eliot. I worry about it stretching so thin that it snaps. You put these little people out into the world and it's painful in ways I couldn't imagine, but also the most joyful and wondrous thing I've ever done. Two little boys that need feeding, clothing, loving, attention....and who will be exposed to all the good and the bad the world has to offer. Wow. This motherhood thing really sneaks up on you, kind of like not being able to see the forest for the trees.

In other news I'm starting a new job next week. At 33 weeks pregnant. I figured one life change wasn't enough, I'd just start over. New house, new job, new baby. Keeping the husband though, I like that guy. I'm going to work for the government. I won't have Mondays off anymore, but I will be guaranteed to only work 40 hours a week. They're very flexible too. I think this is an awesome move for me and I can't wait to start. I just hope baby stays in for over 6 weeks so I can really get into the job...and take advantage of the great benefits.

So that's probably enough change for now, huh? Merry Christmas and all that jazz, I'll try and post some of my maternity photos up here soon.

Birthdays, Thanksgiving, Vacations, Oh My!

I went and turned a year older recently...last Sunday to be exact. It was nice. My mom cooked me brunch and invited over some family. Chris got a TV for the bedroom - which I love and fall asleep to often now. I'm sure I will love it even more on maternity leave.

The day of my actual birthday I got on a plane to Florida. We went to Disney World...again. Yes, we were just there in February! This trip was generously financed by my mother in law though, so I couldn't not go on an awesome free trip. And yes, I am 30 weeks pregnant and lugged myself and a 2.5 year old around Disney World. Oh, and, the day before we left said 2.5 year old was diagnosed with an ear infection! Nothing like an ear infection to make you want to bring your toddler on a plane ride. So here's how it went:

Sunday: Plane ride. Eliot was incredible. He couldn't wait to get on the plane, never cried or acted like his ears hurt, and basically played with toys or technology the entire time. We did buy a brand new Mater and Lightning McQueen car for him to play with that he got to open up on the plane. Strangely, we met the rest of Chris' family walking in the airport. Drove to the condo, had some dinner, and basically relaxed for the rest of the evening.

Monday: Went to Animal Kingdom. Eliot loved the rides - he went on this crazy big Triceratops ride. I had no idea he was getting so brave. We looked at some animals, tried to keep Eliot from breaking down, and saw the Lion King which was a big hit. Eliot was noticeably....crabby....and continued to be so for the rest of the trip. Most of this is from the fact that he was up before 6:30 every morning (5:30 here) and was going to bed late. The kid couldn't sleep.

Tuesday: Chill day. We went swimming. A LOT. Eliot loved the zero depth pool.

Wednesday: Sea World. I was getting quite tired by this point. Being this pregnant and this...exhausted...was making me tired. Eliot found a train ride and rode it a lot. He went on a few other rides and we went to see the Shamu show again. Chris and I left pretty early so I could relax back at the hotel.

Thursday: Another fairly chill day. We went swimming again, and picked up food for Thanksgiving. That evening Chris and his family went out to Disney Quest. I stayed home with Eliot and went to sleep at about 8pm.

Friday: More swimming! We bummed around in the morning, Chris' nephews and brother left around noon. Chris' mom watched Eliot in the evening so we could go out. We went to see Circque du Soleil's La Nouba! It was so, so very aweseome and amazing to be out just as two adults. We walked around Downtown Disney and had some dinner. A glass of wine would've topped the night off wonderfully, but I can wait.

Saturday: Magic Kingdom. I may have overdid it. Eliot and Chris went on Dumbo and drove race cars (Eliot's favorite - he still talks about it), we all went on It's a Small World and Winnie the Pooh. The adults watched a parade that Eliot slept through. That took all day. We were there from 9:30-5:30. Oh! I forgot to mention Eliot's favorite part - the Mickey train. He lost his mind over the damn train.

Sunday: Chris' mom leaves, we have to switch hotels. We swam from checkout time until lunch, and then headed over to the new hotel for Eliot's nap. The new hotel did not have a heated pool, but it did have free breakfast with Mickey waffles. Glad we didn't stay there the whole time, but I'm a sucker for free breakfast. We also discovered the rental car had a nail in its tire and spent an hour at a Walmart getting it repaired. Stupid rental cars.

Monday: Head to the ocean. Our flight didn't leave until 6:30 pm and checkout time was at 11am. So we headed out to Cocoa Beach. Eliot was all excited to go see the ocean until we got there. And then he was terrified. TERRIFIED. We held him while we put our feet in the ocean and I put him down (on dry sand) and he just started running and crying and nothing I could say or do got him to stop. I barely caught up with him. We had to sit at the back of the beach and even then he didn't like it. It is so big, and it's loud. He was scared it was going to get him. We ate at some overpriced ocean-side cafe and I felt like I'd been ripped off enough. $50 for lunch...sheesh. So we drove the hour back to Orlando, Eliot slept for about an hour and a half and we were at the airport by 2 pm. We were just seriously out of things to do. In Disney World. How sad is that?! We got home aroung 10 pm Monday night and Eliot slept like a champ last night and is napping again right now as I write this. I am so glad to be home and so glad we took Tuesday off. Being able to get laundry done and go get groceries is a necessity.

I missed home. That vacation was awesome, but also exhausting and draining because Eliot is really testing his limits lately.

I'm finally just posting this without pictures...I'll try and add more later. I think it's time for a new computer.

Halloween! Plus!

My nephew, who I swear was just born yesterday, turned one last week. There was a party - with Eliot's favorite - pizza and cake. 

 

I think this is one of my favorite pictures ever - happy birthday. Get me out of here.

Oh, you got me cake? Never mind. I will stay.

Then Halloween happened, and we had the sassiest little raccoon you've ever seen. There's a long story behind this costume, but mostly I felt like a bad parent because when we were ready to buy him a costume we tried to get his input. Asked him, took him to a store and showed him costumes, and he had absolutely no opinion. So great, I dress him in the funniest thing I can think of. Then a week before Halloween he wants to be a train. Or a car. Sorry kid, next year speak early and often.

He didn't seem to mind after all. Once we were outside he kept telling the neighbor girl he was a monster raccoon. He was happy.

This picture? Part of the inside joke. Chris isn't really going to hit our child with a shovel.

And Trenton was the cutest pumpkin ever. He looked very unsure of the whole thing too

 



Eliot loved trick or treating though. He would run up to each house, try and press the doorbell himself and loved the fact that people put something in his bag at each house. I thought he would be done after one and just want to eat the candy. Nope. Once we told him there were more he kept saying lets go get more! We went around my parents cul-de-sac and could've done more...but he seemed happy. Definitely a fun year, and here come the holidays. I'm so excited!

Putting Yourself Out There

Today we went to the park. Another family with three children came up and Eliot said to the boy closest to his age, "Hello friend." The little boy, who looked about a year older than Eliot, kept running, and Eliot tried to keep up. Eliot ran to the top of the playground and yelled, "Hello, Eliot!" He's working on the "I'm." Whenever he caught up with them he'd tell them about trains and choo-choos and how he was a conductor. They didn't really have anything to say back. The boys were going down the biggest slide. Eliot almost went down too, but backed out right beforehand. I finally had to grab him and tell him it was time to leave and eat lunch. He didn't want to go. "Where's my friend?" he asked. We stopped to pick up our sand toys on the way out and the little boy he called his friend came over and helped. "Thanks friend, bye-bye," said Eliot.

Oh. My sweet boy.

A sort of summer recap

I think I just want to post some pictures here, recap what's happened this summer. I wish I had more time to post this summer but with the new house and the pregnancy and the rental and the heat...the awful ridiculous heat...and this stupid broken computer it hasn't gone well. Here's some of my favorite things I missed posting about in picture form from this summer.

Spinning in the back yard with Dad. Again and again!

Dad's new remote control toy.

From the front!

My nephew - check out those baby blues!

We spent almost every evening at the water table. Water saved this summer. These two boys are becoming such good friends - I'm jealous of all the fun they'll having in the next few years. Cousins are awesome.

At the "Choo-choo" park. Eliot spends every trip screaming "All Aboard" at the top of his lungs. It's cute to me, but a little loud to some of the kids.

The Children's Museum is so much fun now!

We love any and every park.

We made it up to the cabin a few times too. It's incredible how long these boys can play in the water! The cabin is the first time Eliot has ever skipped his nap. He's also a bit of a mess by the end of the day.

Chris had a busy summer clearing this area of rocks. I'm kind of sad that we don't have a finished product picture - it looks so nice now, I'll share soon!

A birthday party was a big hit. Matchbox cars are now a favorite. So many boys....

We went to a wedding and Eliot danced for hours.

Grandma's visiting.

One absolutely incredible sunrise off our deck...

The best end of summer haircut ever!

Hanging out and goofing off is always a favorite.

We went to the fair - Eliot's second - and he started the morning by eating an entire corn dog. Then donuts and a little bit of my raspberry malt. Eliot is a natural fair and food lover.

This is the luminarium at the fair - definitely worth the money. It was supposed to be rather zen-like but we missed that part with a 2 year old...and probably ruined it for others. But it was very cool.

Eliot loves curious george.

My mom is so great with these boys. She never complains about how exhausted they must make her.

Discovering more local parks. I played here when I was little. Full circle and all that jazz.

After a day at the zoo, falling asleep in our arms on the way back to the car. It must be great to sleep that hard.

Eliot and I went camping with a group of ladies and their kids. It went ok...would have went better if both of us hadn't been sick.

Fall came - and is almost gone already. Piles of leaves are awesome fun though.

Can't you tell we're at the apple orchard here?! We are. It was so hot - 80+ degrees - I've never picked apples in shorts and t-shirts. It was fun though. Great end to a great summer. To think that next year there will be two little guys to share it with!

 

It's a boy!

Most defintely a boy!

I feel guilty - I actually found out this baby was a boy last Monday but really just haven't had the time to post.
Part of the problem is that I am constantly on my Kindle Fire now and barely ever bother to start the computer because....well...why bother?

How freaking adorable is this picture? I know only mothers love these but I want to kiss that nose already!!

But! Baby! So cute! And perfectly healthy according to the ultrasound. I don't know if this little guy realizes the money he has saved me in clothing! It just keeps getting recycled...although I really can't help myself and have already bought him 4 new outfits. Because of sales, and cuteness and oh my god look at how tiny these little outfits are!!! I forgot how small people start out (well, maybe not the people I make...ahem 9 lb 5 oz Eliot).

The baby is looking right at you in this picture. His head is facing towards the left of the screen. Isn't he handsome?!

So we are so excited to meet you little baby. Eliot doesn't know how amazing and important you will be forever and forever in his life, and you have ready-made entertainment! Just wait until you see how hilarious your big brother is! He sure makes me laugh. I can't wait to see your personality, your looks, who the heck are YOU!?! It's crazy, all I can picture is Eliot, but I know you're you. And I want to hold you and meet you and learn all about you.
You've been kicking away lately, letting me know you're safe and sound...and maybe a little pissed off when I eat Indian food. Forgive me for the spice - it's SO GOOD!


In regards to this pregnancy? I'm feeling ok. Sick this week but I've been lower energy in general this time around. Chris painted the nursery this weekend, and we have been furiously looking at names. Boys names are so hard you guys! I think we finally have a couple we like though. I hope.