sophie and more

I wanted to add a few more pics of Mr. Eli. Most importantly, you can see him eating "Sophie La Giraffe." This cute toy was sent by his great Aunt Ann (Thanks again!). It sounds like it can be used for teething, but Eli likes putting everything (except Cheerios) into his mouth. I have to put the Cheerios bits in his mouth for him.

costumes and carousels!

Yesterday was costume day at school. So, I put Eli in his Brewer's jersey and hat. I thought it was a reasonable attempt to be spirited! Today, the band and bucky badger came to school, but it was Eli's day at home with me. I tried hard to time his naps right so we could make it to see them, but Eli was not napping cooperatively. He just wouldn't go to sleep until 10am. We finally made it over to school around 11:30am, but Bucky had already left.....maybe next year!

There is also a picture of us on the carousel with Eli at the zoo a few weeks ago. The picture doesn't show it, but he seemed to like the ride -- and I'm sure he'll want to ride again next time we go to the zoo!

more cute pictures

Here are some more cute pictures of Eli from last weekend. Look at how good Eli can sit. Enjoy!!!

Passover and more

Eli got to participate in his first Seder today. I know that Seder should have been a few nights ago, but we prefer to have it on the weekend during Passover because it takes so much time to prepare. He seemed to enjoy his Kipah. But, more importantly, Eli was on good behavior the whole time. He didn't like his mashed potatoes (but I thought they were yummy!). As usual, he did enjoy playing with the spoon.

We have also been having bathtime each night. As you can see, he now likes to eat duck. He especially likes it when the duck quacks at him. Good times....

The New Evening Plan

Eli is now sleeping, more or less consistently, through each night. Last night he gave us a seven hour block, a brief wake to eat, and a four hour block. We welcome this new development. Being scientists, we'd like to know what 'worked' and got him to sleep. Was it putting him to bed earlier? Bathing him each night? Simple luck? We'll never know.

But now that Shelby and I are getting significant amounts of uninterrupted sleep each night our bodies are recovering. We are both spending a frighteningly large amount of time dreaming each night, a symptom of light sleeping. I think the last six months conditioned us to listen for Eli's cry; we now need to retrain ourselves to sleep soundly!

It also creates unusual scheduling issues. On days like today when I play basketball before work, I need to rush home by 5 PM if I want to see Eli. But it does create a blissful window each evening where Shelby and I can eat in peace and even do some work (if necessary).

Another weekend, another snow storm

We're now into April and the weather continues to make Fools of us all. We will probably spend the day playing around the house and trying to stay warm.

Eli's last week has been relatively uneventful. I went to Boston for two days, leaving Shelby and Eli home alone. Uneventful, but mainly because I got a touch lucky. I drove myself to the airport on Wednesday. My flight from Boston to Chicago was delayed by two hours on Thursday, putting my connection to Madison in jeopardy. When you miss the last flight from Chicago to Madison, your only option is to take the bus that leaves the airport at 11PM. But...the bus doesn't arrive until 2AM. And the bus drops you downtown, not at the airport. So if I miss the connection, Shelby and I need to figure out how to coordinate a pickup in the middle of the night and get the car from the airport (which is about 25 minutes from home). Fortunately, I dashed from flight to flight (covering nearly a mile in just over 6 minutes with a backpack on) and made it to my gate before the plane left. A kindly gate agent opened the door to the plane so I could get on, though boarding had officially finished.

Yesterday I bought Eli a new toy ball/rattle combination that he is really enjoying. I like playing with it because it is a lot more interactive than his other rattles. He is also now pushing up like he wants to crawl and his balance improves daily. I think it is only a matter of time before Eli becomes mobile.