A mess

Eli and I had fun at dinner tonight creating just the right mashed potato/carrot combination. Jason refers to it as Eli's Indian war paint.

The Matthews boys were having fun playing with Tanky's ball. They took a break just long enough for me to snap a picture.

Eli's newest thing is squirming around until he is upside down on your lap. You can hold him in your arms, he'll go still like a log, and throw his head back to look at the dogs upside down. He thinks it is hilarious! It's hard to get a picture of that!

On the mend

Besides an unattractive nose, Eli seems to be on the mend. Last night was a normal night of sleep! He seems to have come through this happier than ever, which is making his mommy and daddy happier than ever!

Eli's first x-ray

Yesterday Eli woke up with a fever of 102.4. In to the doctor we went. His lungs sounded clean and his ears looked clean after the doctor took out the wax, so Eli had a strep test (negative) and blood drawn for a complete blod count. His white cells (those that fight invaders) were elvated enough that the doctor ordered a urine analysis and a chest x-ray.

All came back clean so now Eli is taking bubble gum flavored amoxicillin, benedryl for his nose, and tylenol for his fever. Hopefully the one sleepless night is already behind us!



Here is how he looks today....post-tests and three doses of medicine:

Action!

Thug or movie star? He sure does love the camera!

6 months old!

Weigh-in: 18 lbs. 12 ounces
Height: 27 inches

He's a big, but not too big, healthy baby boy with advanced trunk control. He's a whole 2-4 weeks ahead of "schedule". We're so proud of him, because he is so heavy and wiggly it is nice to sit him on the floor.

Highchair action

Last night we went out to dinner with some friends and Eli sat in a high chair for the first time!

He was such a big boy, just sitting at the table trying to eat it.



We gave him a bottle instead, and he surprised us by holding it himself!

Eli in action

Click the pictures for some fun videos!

Bathtime

Jumpy Jump

Eli and I were playing in the bathroom in front of the mirrors, his favorite place, when he did the funniest thing.

Follow with me if you will...

Step One:



Place rubber ducky in right hand.

Step Two:



Place ducky in mouth and slobber it up.

Step Three:



Place the entire head of the rubber ducky in mouth.

Voila, a new pacifier! He sucked on it for quite a while, but he can't swallow very well with it so he spit it out and a whole bunch of drool came with it!

Eli's First Christmas

Click picture for a slide show!

Enjoy the many many pictures! Eli had a very busy holiday season. We flew to Midland to celebrate his great-grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary! He didn't cooperate well during the family picture but I think he can cut and paste a good shot. I was bouncing him and would stop when the photgrapher said three, hoping Eli was not making a scrunched face! He even got a bright shiny red tricycle, which is just adorable.

He was so full of life and laughs and coos and smiles while we were in Midland. His Aunt Trisha and Uncle Marc fell in love with him, and he gave them quite a show. He was a good little traveler, sleeping at all the right times.

We flew home Christmas Eve and picked Grammy and Papa Bill up at the airport on Christmas Day! Uncle Scott, Aunt Angela, and Madelyn even came to play. Papa Bill got his little cowboy a not so little horse that Eli just loved. He also got a Thomas the Engine train set that his mommy and daddy just love!

We drove to Granddad's house for New Year's and played with Madelyn. We sat by the fire and played with new toys.

It was a wonderful few weeks, and we got to see the whole family!