It Snows and He Walks (well, one step)

We celebrated Eli's first Thanksgiving in the privacy of our own home... I cooked for the 3 of us and Eli actually ate some too! I learned he really doesn't like mashed potatoes and rubs them into his hair rather than eat them (just like RJ used to do when he was a baby). The weather was really nice so we ate out on our new deck, yay!!! Now we don't have to worry that anyone will break their ankle on the old one!
i took Eli's Christmas pics myself again... I think we did a little better. It was really tough to get him to sit still and not crawl. He took one step on December 17 but NOTHING since then, I figure he knows he has the crawling down, why bother?
He also has been having some breathing and coughing (mostly coughing) issues for some time now and his Doctor started him on some treatments to help with inflammation in his lungs. I REALLY am hoping and praying that it doesn't turn into Asthma. The Doctor did say that it doesn't always mean it will. It was really hard to get the breathing treatments in him, he was NOT happy and waking him (and us) up every 4 hours is no picnic!!! ANyway, he still plays and plays constantly, he'd never know he was having an issue.... Lastly, we did have night with some real snow. Pretty awesome for us "Yankees"...

Halloween and Family Visit!

Eli's first Halloween was a big hit. My parents came in and brought my niece Maya for the big holiday. The week before we went to pick pumpkins and I had grand visions that I would get the most precious pictures of Eli at the pumpkin patch that I would cherish forever. Instead I got approximately 45-50 shots of him looking anywhere BUT the camera, eating leaves, grass and various bugs and crying. No one told me that taking pictures would be this HARD!!! If anyone has ANY baby cooperation techniques, feel free to divulge as I simply ended up looking like a lunatic calling his name louder and louder and clicking, whistling and clapping. I am, thankfully, lucky I wasn't committed... Here's some pics... the good, the bad and the ugly....

Yummy...


more food!


Kaiya and Eli scheming to keep me from taking pictures

My Baby Boy


The only decent photo from the patch


Inexplicable Number 1 Sign


Our day at the "zoo boo"


He loves to swing


"Is this food?"


Maya was Jasmine and Eli was a Skeleton


Playtime with Maya


Eli learning bongo play

9 Months Old, Swimming and Aiden's Party

Since my last post we have been very busy...
Eli's Nana left after staying with us for 3 weeks. and what a 3 weeks it was (Ike). Eli started swim classes and we have been going to Ellen and Amy's houses often for assistance with Babies A-F... (Ellen has quintuplets and Amy, her sister, is pregnant and on bedrest).
Eli has learned quite a bit... his new nanny started and has already taught him to clap. He is "army crawling" and getting everywhere he needs to go... it ain't pretty but he gets the job done.

We kidnapped Ellen from her busy baby schedule to go to Aiden's (Amy's son) birthday party and Eli got to "hang" with his "guy" friends.. very interesting.





Eli has also learned a new trick...




Eli started swim classes and he is enjoying every minute... I think we have the next Michael Phelps... (doesn't everyone?) Well, I think it's a great possibility.

Eli had his 9 month well baby check up today... he weighs 18 lb 4 oz and is 27 3/4 inches long. Time is simply FLYING by and he is getting bigger!!! I know I was warned about the time warp but, wow!

Here's some random shots from the last few weeks...

Eli's First Trip to Pittsburgh!

Eli finally made his first trip to the 'Burgh to meet all of his family and friends. What a whirlwind it was!!! We had a good time but needless to say... exhausting. Eli also caught his first cold, which then developed into an ear infection which THEN led to his first course of antibiotics which then led to not so fun diaper changes. Eli was supposed to attend his first Steeler game but due to his "cold" he and his mother (boo) stayed home and watched it on TV. GO STEELERS!!! Here is some various shots from that trip

Eli's friend Cameron who was born a day after him...


Steeler mania!


Cousin Maysen and Eli at the Point in downtown Pittsburgh


What a fan!


Oh no! Mommy's hungry!!!


About a week after getting home from our visit, we experienced our first hurricane while living in the Gulf. RJ's mom was here helping us out with Eli while our nanny was on vacation and I do believe she won't visit during hurricane season next year!!! No really, it was quite an experience. Follow the link to the pics I uploaded to flickr to see the local devastation.
http://flickr.com/photos/susanbsn/sets/72157607358243802/

Some New Things

Well, after months and MONTHS of slobber, we finally have a tooth!!! It's just a chip right now but we LOVE it!! Eli also has been doing this "face" where he blows up his chest and puffs his cheeks, we call him Tommy Boy, or, for those in the know... Keanu Reeves.
Lastly, Eli's been getting much stronger and much more mobile. He crawls (backwards only) and can stand with support for a bit... here he is trying for his favorite new drink, Red Stripe!

Congrats David!!!

We have a good friend, Jim, whose son has just finished treatment for AML (the same leukemia I had) and now he is getting back to living! He is big motocross rider and had a party last week at the track> Eli, of course wanted to participate, however, just looking is all mama is ready for right now...

Susan the "Photographer"

I decided after our disappointing "professional" 3 month pics that I would try to do some shots of my own and, since I got a really nice camera for Christmas and I LOVE to screw around with Picasa (thank you Kari), I have found a new past time. I even bought "props" to dress up the shots. Poor Eli, he has no idea what he is in for now!! Here is a few of my faves...

Two Favorite Pics

The 4th of July post parade party...

July 4th Vacation to Breckenridge, CO

Lots of firsts the past 2 weeks. Eli flew for the first time (he did really awesome.. god bless baby tylenol). He saw his first parade, first snow and snowball, first sledriding (modified for age appropriateness) and first fireworks!!! Not to mention he finally met his Uncle Tim and Aunt Dorothy and got to be spoiled once again by Mimi, Pap and cousin Maya...