How to Get Blocks From the Bin.

How to get blocks from a bin when you are not mobile and have short little arms...

Elliot did this sequence about half a dozen times before I ran for the camera. You can see he's becoming very aware of the camera and his performance.

Keeping up the cuteness.

Hugs.

How could I forget to mention that Elliot is hugging now? It's become one of my favorite things.

Busy week.

Elliot is sitting up really well now. It's so crazy how fast things just click, once they're almost there. Sunday he was still flopping a lot, Monday he managed to stay up for several minutes at a time. Just like that.

He's become a more picky eater-- and I'm trying to stick with the things he does not like for several tries, but then it becomes a battle that usually ends in a temper tantrum if I let it. I am trying to find that fine line between making him eat the foods he's rejecting and not creating a baby who cries just when I start to put him in the high chair because he knows I'm going to force food on him! After 3 or 4 sessions of pea rejection (it goes like this: we manage about 5 bites, most of which are spurted back at me, and then the vault is shut for good, and the cries come), I gave in and added a bit of banana (his favorite), and then he couldn't get enough... I had to refill the bowl and keep going! I hate to keep adding the sweeter stuff, but it seems to work so well.

Our week was very busy, lunches with friends, new play spaces to try out, and a day at Ikea... Tuesday was the only day with nothing going on, and that was due to the fact that we canceled with a friend because of the snow coming down all day!

On Monday, we hit a really cool coffee shop that has a play space attached-- moms can watch their kids play while enjoying a lovely snack and not feel that their children are offending anyone! Also, it automatically puts you in contact with people who have similar things to talk about and who don't care if your child spits up or if you need to nurse, etc. Jen and Avery invited us and we lingered for more than 3 hours, very comfortably, with Elliot falling asleep by the end. If anyone is interested, it's at Lincoln and Addison (so a bit of a drive for us southsiders); it's called Family Grounds Cafe. (www.familygroundscafe.com) Pricey for toddlers, but non-crawlers are free if you spend $4 in the cafe!

We tried a new play space as well, through the Hyde Park Parents Support Network. They basically have a room in a church down the street, filled with toys and such, and designate times during the week for specific ages. Not busy because of the weather, but this will be a nice outlet when we want an easy place to go and will be great for socializing. I'm excited about the networking (didn't really think it was a big deal before), as I have already gleaned a lot from the email listserv, and they do things like a free CPR class next month!

Thursday was an ALL DAY trip, last minute, to Ikea with a friend! We timed it absolutely perfectly-- his morning nap was the drive out, and his afternoon nap was the drive home! And, Ikea has a "baby care station"-- it's a separate room, with a private bathroom, where there are some toys and nice chairs to nurse in. I was super impressed-- Elliot ate twice while we were there and stayed in wonderful form the entire time. I couldn't believe how smoothly it went.

The sun has been out a lot lately, so I hope that means more walks now. We made it to the lake with Claire and Diane yesterday, and Elliot woke up in the goofiest mood... I guess I had underestimated how much sunshine deficiency he was experiencing!

Grandpa and Nancy visit.

Pat's dad and Nancy visited this weekend. A quick visit, but fun nonetheless. We ended up laying low, catching some of their friends for a late lunch yesterday, and spending the rest of the time relaxing and enjoying some downtime. Got a little card playing in last night. Very nice time.

As Grandpa was talking, Elliot would just look up at him and stare like this. It was darling.

Elliot managed to whine/protest for about two days straight, on Friday and Saturday. By the time they arrived Friday evening, I was worn out which meant we ordered in dinner! I found myself tugging at my hair unconsciously. He cried some, but it was more a constant complaint that just began to eat at my nerves, as it seemed he wanted nothing of playing, rocking, napping, swinging, jumperooing, being strapped to me in the moby... you name it, I tried it. Twice. (And the only two tasks I left for Friday were to vacuum and put away laundry... definitely doable, right!?)

And he showed a newly developed fear of the vacuum cleaner (are the cats and him in on this together?!), bawling with a terrorized look in his eyes whenever I turned it on. =OVERTIRED. To combat this, I perched him on my hip and talked him through the process while I finished the job, "See, Elliot, vacuuming is a good thing. You need to vacuum or people won't visit..." Over and over, until my arm gave out; I put him in the high chair and just let him scream while I finished. Whew.

His last nap came at 7:30p (so I thought it wasn't a nap...), which meant he was then up until 10:30p... everything was off.

He's also been nursing so often, and a lot, so this may just be typical growing.

Saturday morning was better, but the afternoon brought more of the groans and whines. I just hope the explanation is teething, or I don't know what else to think of this being. Pat mentioned trying to get out for a jog at one point, but I think the immediate look on my face of "If anyone needs a break, I do," put a quick kibosh on it. He'll get his jog in today.

As much as I am now whining, he had plenty of grins and giggles for Bill and Nancy, so he seemed to really like having them here.

This Poor Little Piggy.

Elliot's big toe is nice and red... and infected, due to the corner of his toenails growing in it seems. Lovely, eh? He's taking it well, but definitely telling me when it hurts. We consulted both the pediatrician and Dr. Grandpa Ulrich. Dr. Grandpa went through various ideas of how to get it soaked for 30 minutes in epson salts. Turns out Elliot is quite similar to his clientele of horses and such, as neither want to sit/stand still for more than a few minutes.

We had a nice shopping trip today with Claire and Diane. Although the bargains weren't there like I'm used to, BOTH babies slept while we had a quick lunch. And then they both awoke and let us know we needed to leave. Perfect timing.

Check Up!

Elliot had a check up today- more shots, but he did quite well, ending it all with a big smile. He usually falls right asleep, but waited until he got home and had eaten to do that this time.

He's 26" long, and 15lb, 2oz. Dr. says, "Well, somebody's gotta bring up the bottom of the chart..." But besides the tendency to stay on the runt end of the chart, he's healthy and doing fine.

I need to vent: Pat took the car today and accidentally took the stroller. I thought, no biggie, I'll take Elliot in the carrier, which is a little more effort, but not that bad. And I hopped on the bus and was there in no time. Once there, however, the juggling act of managing my winter gear (hat, coat, gloves), his winter gear (hat, fleece over-onesie-thingy), a blanket, the baby bag, and the carrier itself when I had to shed it to get my coat off made me close to cursing. But there were plenty of chairs to dump on. The further complications came with trying to redress him and me-- I failed to use the medical table as I thought he would need to nurse (and they were so backed up, I tried to scat fast) and so arms full, I moved to a discreet corner in the waiting area. There was no luck with nursing, and then I realized just how hard it is to zip a coat, put on a carrier, and bundle a little one, all while trying to hold the little one on your lap. Finally, I gave up, propped him up on a chair, crossed my fingers, and zipped my coat and put on the Snuggli as fast as possible. And this was after I attempted to do these tasks with him pinched between my knees while I sat, which didn't work.

I could not even entertain the idea of trying to ease my growing hunger or urge to use the bathroom. Then the bus was rerouted for the way home because of construction on that side, so we never found a stop along the usual route, and we ended up hoofing it home.

Needless to say, I will not make the mistake of forgetting to get the stroller out of the car again. At least in the winter.