It’s GOOD!
Happy 10 months, Super Elliot!
You are soooo super! You can walk! I believe the record is 15 steps in a row! You also say “Good Gat” when you are talking about Tilly. You can clap and wave bye bye. You are especially good at waving bye bye to our nanny, even though she is sweet to you! Every now and then, daddy and I have noticed you dancing to music and even singing! Also, you can climb! You climb the stairs, the love sack, and anything else you can reach. You still get up some at night, but generally you go to sleep sometime between 7-8 and wake up at 3-5AM for a snack.
Today we went to your cousin Kyra’s birthday party at Pump It UP.
You were scared at first of all the noise and activity!
But Kyra and her friends were really nice to you! We all helped you play on the inflatable toys!
Once you put on your Super Baby costume, you were ready to party!
Happy Birthday Kyra!
Mama baba!
Yay! Elliot said “mama”! I was going to feed him yesterday and he said “mama baba.” “Baba” is his word for food so I think he knew what he was talking about!
Logan has also taught him to say the word “good” by combining the sounds he already knew (“goo” and “duh”). It’s cute except he thinks it means “throw” since he says it after he throws a ball.
We had Sarah take some 9 month pictures this weekend! They turned out pretty awesome!
Happy 9 months, Elly Belly!
Wow! We could have another baby by now! Thank goodness for breastfeeding (and Mirena)…
We missed making a specific post last month because Elliot’s Month day was the same day as Linzy and Ian’s wedding. Elliot is now taking steps towards walking… ba-dum ching! He is also saying “dada” like he means it. He is in size four shoes and 12 month clothes. I’ve been on night float for the past week and a half, but last night, dada got Elliot to sleep from 9PM to 4AM! He also has had his first nanny, who unfortunately won’t be staying with us for long since she got promoted at another job… Anyone want to nanny for a super cute boy?
Elliot’s first Christmas, a pictorial review!
Elliot and his new blue ball, the Frederick version of his very similar ball at home.
Linzy: “That better not be my nephew in a tutu!”
Logan: “It’s not…
It’s Scout’s dog collar!”
Elliot found my parent’s magazine basket.
Visiting the Collier’s on Christmas Eve Eve
Elliot’s teeth picked a fine time to make their appearance.
Fortunately, his Gingy was there to help make him feel better!
Splashy baths help too, especially with bubble goatees!
Getting the presents sorted for Christmas Eve gift exchange!
Elliot and his presents!
Elliot’s stacking bowls
Uncle Art reading him I Want My Hat Back.
“Towels, mom? That’s what you wanted?” Oh YES!
Getting interesting video footage.
Uncle Art and his huge arms!
Elliot visiting his Nell and Mosley. He got a cool lime green sock monkey. Also, notice his onesie…
Christmas hats!
The obligatory “baby in a bucket wearing a hat” picture.
On to Gam Gam’s on Christmas Day. Auntie Linzy helped him open his presents!
Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Stride-to-Ride Puppy
Logan got a Bengals hat.
Finishing up our fun filled Christmas at Granny’s!
Happy 6 months!
You’re half way around the sun and you can already stand like a big boy! You scoot along the furniture and crawl like a pro. You are in size 3 shoes, twelve month clothing, and level 2 foods. You were apparently ready to start trying to nap by yourself because today you fussed less than 10 minutes each time daddy put you down to nap. Way to go! I am so proud!
The War on Sleeping
I worked my first night shift on Friday night, and if there is anything that I learned it’s that we are not ready for mommy to tackle a week of night float. Logan went to Gam Gam’s with Elliot and Gam Gam volunteered to let Elliot sleep in her room and take care of him. I appreciate that but I bet she won’t volunteer to do that again! Elliot would not sleep unless she held him. Otherwise, he was up at 1:30 and 4, although he only ate at 4. Poor Brigitte. We’ve got to get this taken care of before December.
So, perhaps it is time to learn some self soothing. Unfortunately, Elliot has NEVER been easy to get to go to sleep. He generally naps with someone rocking him and he sleeps in our bed. I do actually like sleeping with him, except for the part where I don’t get very much sleep. He is cuddly! I have not been ready to let him cry it out… Attachment parenting advises against it and those that follow the philosophy feel that it is cruel. On the other hand, those that advise to let them cry it out say that it “empowers” the child to learn to soothe themselves. It basically feels like (to me) that it is a question of do you want an obedient child or one that loves you? Where is the middle ground? and why won’t little Elliot just sleep on his own? Sleep is so nice!
So we are attempting a Ferber style plan where we check on him at increasing intervals. So far with the current nap it has not worked. What is going to happen is that he is not going to get a nap and I am going to go out this afternoon on some errands and he will sleep in the car, thus defeating the purpose.
We are going to the pediatrician for his 6 month check up this Tuesday. I feel like the GERD set us back on the sleep thing in the first place. He still cries a lot when we try to put him on his back. Maybe his medication dose is too low? He is a BIG 6 month old…
When I got home from my night shift, Logan had him dressed in this. (Courtesy Teresa)
It cut me to the quick. It felt like Elliot had grown up overnight while I was working. I told Logan the same and he said to me that Elliot and he had discussed that (him growing up) on the way home from Gam Gam’s and Elliot apparently made some very interesting points… Haha… Still, he really won’t be a baby forever…
Now (an hour later) he is finally lying down, but he is making great big sob sounds. It is breaking my heart…
I’m a blob and I’m mad about it!
This is basically Elliot’s attitude towards life so far. Uncle Art made the above comment at the Cabin, and I agree. The boy wants to move! I don’t know why. Daddy and I “and some others” carry him wherever he wants to go until we get too tired. I think this need to be mobile is the reason he is hitting his milestones so well. He’s motivated!
Anyways, it won’t be long now…