16! It's sweet!

Let's see if I can keep this post in any sort of order, you'll be able to tell by the pre and post haircut of the boy! It was getting a little raggedy (actually becoming a giant dread daily) as seen here:

 Coincidentally, these last pictures were also the day of our trip to Como Zoo. I'll give you 2 guesses what he was more interested in - animals or TRACTORS (dah-dohs)!

So, we went to get his haircut. I didn't have time to be upset myself because look at this face....

 Oh man, what torture. Then, last night I read an article about the first haircut and how they just cut off the hair they were BORN WITH and I got all verklempt. Seriously, we just cut off all the hair that grew when he was in me. SAD.

We also went to the apple orchard. This would be a yearly tradition now...you ate apples this year! YAY!

 We got you a pumpkin! Which was later stolen during our trip to Iowa. Stupid kids and their pumpkin-stealing ways. At least they had to courtesy to not smash it on our front sidewalk. I choose to believe that some family that couldn't afford a pumpkin took it. Look at this guy - so strong!

We went to a park on a Sunday morning like the heathens we are and they were handing out baloons. They were baloons from Jesus. Well they caught us, enjoying the last nice fall day Minnesota had to offer that happened to fall on a Sunday. I'm sorry that I didn't want to spend it in a church. This little heathen is totally willing to model for me as evidenced by the following pictures:

And then - you need to goof around with your dad.

Lately your favorite thing has been the swing. And kid - I had forgotten the joy of throwing my head back while I'm swinging. I agree. What an awesome feeling.

Here is where you can't hide your love of your mother's kisses.

We went to Iowa! Your first out of state excursion! 5 hours in the car each way for your Uncle Brian and Aunt Liv's wedding! You did great!! The wedding was awesome! We also did a bit of touring in Dubuque. Here we are at the top of this lift elevator built in the 1800's:

 Yes, I got into that thing with my only child. I am very trusting of old rusty buckets.

 Here's where I didn't push you off a pier! I love you!

 This is just cool. A door with a big step.

 You're a star! The next day we ate a the restaurant inside this building and you literally almost choked to death. We were all sobbing in the restaurant. We definitely know how to make a scene - don't ever scare your mom like that again!

 The biggest catfish any of us had ever seen. And finally! The haircut is highlighted! Much better minus the rats nest! Does anyone else miss the curls? I do.

 Okay, so they had a real crocodile, but it literally stalked Eliot and I while we were walking past the cage. Every move we made, it followed us. It started creeping me out so no pictures with the real crocodile. This one was much better.

 Look at these two - SO CUTE!

 Unfortunately this is the ONLY picture I took of the bride and groom. Aren't they cute though?

 Eliot was quite Tom Cruise after the wedding. He was also quite exhausted.

 Fall is definitely here (as evidenced by our pumpkins and apple picking). We've been training Eliot for trick or treating. Too bad he goes to bed at 6:30!

 I've also been scoping out all the indoor play places. This one is perfect for little guys like Eliot and it's really helped with his coordination!

 Could he look any more grown up in this picture?

We continue to wait for the arrival of my nephew, Eliot's cousin. I can't wait to meet the little guy and Eliot can't wait for another cousin close to his age! This month was so full of fun times, I say this all the time but I can't believe it keeps getting better!

So how am I doing?

Not that anyone comes on here to check on me or anything. So if you're looking for adorable baby pictures, come back next week. We had a great month so far and have taken lots of pictures I can't wait to share. But I am. Waiting that is.

I was out running the other day and realized how much more comfortable and accepting I am of my postpartum body than I was pre-Eli. I used to hear mom's say this and think it was a bunch of lip service, that they really did care but used the pregnancy/birth/lack of time whatsoever with a kid to justify the fact that they no longer really liked their bodies. But I'm telling you - I am amazed at what my body did and amazed at what it is now. I gained 45 pounds, I've lost over 50, and there are parts of my body that are changed forever, but I really don't even care. I think I look damned good. The sad thing is I used to care so much more - what released me? Did becoming a mom change me that much? I am in awe of the fact that I gave birth to another human but why would it change that part of me? Truthfully, I don't know why but I know it's nice. It feels amazing to be content.

I am feeling a little disconnected though. I went shopping for my wardrobe that is sorely in need of updating. I've never been super into fashion or anything, and now I just want to wear clothes that flatter me and look put together, no matter what the current trends are (seriously - go away skinny jeans and leggings. I have too much hip to pull you off). When I was shopping though I was just...surprised at what the people at the checkout counters were wearing, and surprised at what was even offered in the store and how much of it I just didn't like. I suppose I'm getting older and I haven't seriously bought clothes for 2 years because of the whole pregnancy/birth recovery thing, but I didn't think I was that out of touch! I think a lot of it is because flowy tops and skinny pants just don't flatter me, I need flowy pants and skinny tops for this pear-shaped girl. When I did find a pair of pants I liked (cords) the girl at the counter asked me "aren't you glad cords are back in style? I had a friend make fun of me and say that cords were so ten years ago but they're coming back!" Christ. They were out of style? I guess I haven't worn any in a while but I love cords, they are like the perfect fall pant. So I bought them anyways, they may not be back in style (I only saw them at one store) but they look good on me.

I hope to have time to update next weekend. My brother is getting married Friday, my sister is due any day, and Eliot will be 16 months old. Exciting times people, exciting times!

15 months

Oh buddy. You are so big now! And way too busy to sit still for a picture with the damn bear. Although you were willing to give him a hug.

You're walking now. Where before you would refuse to move unless someone was holding your hand, now you push our hands away if we offer. You can do it, you are doing it....I can't believe all the things you can do! You're talking, you have lots of words - tractor, all done, mama, grandpa, daly, dada, ball, tons of animal noises, vroom, car, choo choo, and you'll often repeat something I've just said. I gotta watch myself! Just today you said up, grapes, water, keys, and boo...but tomorrow you probably won't say them. It's weird that way!

You point at everything and say "Da?" You want to know the words for everything around you, so curious. Daycare says that the whole family now says "Da?" all the time to everything because although all kids go through this stage, you are especially inquisitive and say it more than most. I love it!

You are so exciting now, so interactive. Playing and laughing and wrestling. I love this stuff. I love you. We just love hanging out with you.

At your first Twin's game. Just believe me, you're there.

Not so sure of the boat at the cabin.

Not so sure about getting his picture taken.

Oh never mind.

He is willing to play in the sand, especially if he's next to his buddy Summer.

Obsessed with tractors. Seriously.

Second trip to the fair and eating one of Uncle Brian's mini donuts. I think he liked it.

This kid loves playing with the bathroom. Smallest room in the house and we spend a lot of time in there. Strange.

There's so much I want to do with you. So much I want to show you! I am so excited to take you places and show you things that will blow your mind. There's just so little time, you need to slow down so I can savor this age forever and keep you right here full of wonder and innocence and open mouthed slobbery kisses for your mama.

My Typical Day

Saw this on some other blogs, thought I'd try it out:

4:30 AM: Eliot wakes up to nurse. I try to get back to sleep myself. Most days I do, some days I don't. I have early morning insomnia - I have no problem getting to sleep but I'll often find myself awake at 3am for no reason. Waking me up at 4:30 is not cool kid, not cool.

6:15 AM: Eliot wakes up for good. He usually wakes up and starts head butting and kicking everything in sight. Like a kicky rhinoceros. I wake up protecting myself and trying to prevent him from head butting the wall. Contrary to what it sounds like he's usually in a great mood.

6:18 AM: Get up, turn on cartoons long enough to change Eli's diaper (he hates his diaper changed). If Chris is doing this I feed the dog and either start making lunches or breakfasts. And for cartoons? I change the channel immediately if it's "Special Agent Oso," I hate that show. If he sings about three special steps ever again I'll scream.
6:22 AM: Breakfast for all! Eli has been eating more and more of our food. Not quite enough to make an entire breakfast for him, but enough that Chris and I have noticed we're usually starving for the rest of the day.

6:30 AM: On Wednesdays and Fridays Chris and Eli leave to go to my parent's house, and Tuesday Thursday we're still getting ready. Tea is usually made around now. That's my rocket fuel for the day.

6:56 AM: Tuesdays and Thursdays Eli and I take off for daycare. Depending on Eli's mood I'm either singing the entire ride or he's quietly observing the scenery. I know which one I prefer.

7:14 AM: Tues/Thurs - dropoff. I hate dropoff because the little man still screams every time I leave. I'm assured that it's temporary and he stops once I vacate the premises, but it still breaks my heart.

7:30 AM: Arrive at work, fill up my water, check my emails and bank accounts. Get down to work.

7:30 AM - 9AM: Work. 9AM I always have a snack.

9AM - 11:AM: More work. I am an early luncher. I eat at 11 most days. People know me for this, I'm usually the first one at the microwaves, and often I can barely wait until 11. Believe me, I'm watching that clock for my snake eyes!

11AM-11:30AM: Obsessively read blogs on my reader and check out thebump.com if I have any baby questions. Sometimes I go out to lunch. Bun Mi is my current favorite, most days I eat at my desk. AM SO COOL. Sad fact, there was a semester in High School that I ate lunch in the library. None of my friends shared my lunch and I preferred to read anyways. Moving on!

11:30AM - 4PM-ish: Work. Try not to count hours until home.

4:15 PM: Pick up the kid Tues/Thurs. Lately he has not been wanting to leave because there are cars to push around on the deck at daycare. CARS MAMA! I drag him from daycare play screaming, our circle has been closed.

4:30 PM: Arrive home, try and scrounge up enough food for Eli's dinner, pick out tomorrow's outfits and pj's for the evening. Get a little inside or outside playtime in.

5:00 PM: Do not mess with little man's dinnertime. He is like his mama, when he needs to eat, it's time to eat. This is also Daly's favorite portion of the day - food dropped on the floor like it's raining manna from heaven. Sometimes I eat. Sometimes Chris is home, sometimes not! The excitement! The intrigue!

5:30 PM: This is always the time of day I wish Eli stayed up longer. I'd love to head down to the park, but we have to start getting him ready for bed (he usually goes down between 6:30 and 7). Sometimes there's a bath - I think we all love bathtime. Not only is it a blast for all, but he comes out smelling all sweet. Mmmmm....fresh soapy baby head. This is prime playtime with mom and dad.

6:00 PM: Nightime diaper, PJ's, snuggles and books. We usually have to stop ourselves from riling him up because if you tickle him this time of night the belly laughs are so great. We usually fail.

6:30 PM: If you see eye-rubbing bedtime must be started immediately or you pass the point of no return and have crazy baby until 8:30.

7:00 PM: If we haven't eaten Chris and I either start cooking or eat. Depending on the night we walk the dog, try and do dishes, pick up the toys, take showers. I usually crumple onto the couch and wish that I could go to sleep for at least a few minutes. Sometimes I read, I often think about working out but I'm so freaking tired that I count picking up Eli ten million times as my weightlifting and cardio.

9:30 PM: I am in bed by this time most nights. I need my sleep. Chris is usually up for another couple hours - I don't know how he does it. Yes, I get almost 9 hours of sleep a night and it usually doesn't feel like enough.

Seriously - what did I do with my evenings before the kid? We had so much time and we didn't even know it!

Not much to say this month

We've had a good month, a little on the expensive side:

as this was the view out of our front door for a day. It was almost worth the $2000 price tag - Eliot has never been so excited. It was our sewer - again. We've now had that side of the yard ripped up twice, and we got out cheap at $2000 because it wasn't done correctly 4 years ago. You live and you learn. But, we keep on smiling even when we have egg on our face.

Our house goes on the market tomorrow - TOMORROW! It's crazy. I'm nervous and excited and anxious. I'm worried it won't sell, I'm worried it will sell fast. I'm worried about emptying my bank account to get out of here. Sigh. But we're doing it!

Eliot is still not officially walking. But he is doing this

and this

and lots of this

The kid is part fish, and all about wheels. Wonder where he came from. I'm still enjoying keeping him close to me

And I think he enjoys it too. He's a mess, this guy

But we're loving every minute. Wish us luck on house selling, I know I've got my fingers crossed!