Playing

Eli has recently discovered the "big" toys! Instead of just stuffed animals and soft things, we have cars, tables, and tunnels. His favorite is to be pushed around on his car. The other morning, he drove himself right up to his table for a little drive-thru breakfast. Of course, it was cookies, but I guess since they are plastic it won't ruin his appetite!

When daddy was working nights, Eli and I got really tired of looking at one another. We treated ourselves to a trip to IKEA. The carts there really swivel and the child seats aren't as confining as the grocery stores are, so Eli thought he was on a roller coaster ride, especially the way I was driving! I couldn't resist buying a crawl tunnel for him. He loves it! He'll hide toys in it, carry his cellphone (my old one) in there and make secret phone calls, and crawl so the tunnel rolls around and scares Tanky.

We took another trip to the park where Eli found more cars! He really enjoyed sitting in it and watching the other kids run around. He kept kicking his feet, he just can't wait to be running around too!

Later at the park, I wanted to see if Eli could climb steps. We don't have any at home so we borrowed some at the park. It took a while to find a playground without a lot of big kids to run him over! As you can see, he is pretty good at climbing steps, already working on his second one!

Our 85 degree weather made him hot and sweaty so we had a nice cool bath at home. As he was standing on the bathmat after his bath, his little feet were leaving these adorable footprints that I just couldn't resist getting a picture of!

I've also noticed that Angela is posting pictures of Madelyn's bruises, and I was wondering why I didn't have those kinds of pictures of Eli. Then I realized that Eli doesn't get bruises, he gives them to me. Maybe that is a boy trait?

The Beach

Introduction to the waves went well, until the big four inchers knocked him over.



I'm a little annoyed that my nine month old sun tans better than I do. (I now have sunburn, he's golden brown and wore 50 sunblock!)

Grammy took the initiative to introduce him to the sand.

And he loved it. Here he is eating it. Gross.

Please take special note of his stylish hat. After the wave riding we brought the ocean to him in his wading pool....he loved that too!

The Hat

Grammy was down visiting last weekend and we had a grand time. She brought Eli a hat. I just loves his face in these pictures.

"Now Grammy, if you'll just push the button on top you can take the picture!"

"Do you think you can handle it by yourself?"

The expert crawler

Eli loves crawling and the camera. Here he is crawling to the camera!

Expert

Busy Day

Eli had a very busy day today. After a good night's rest, he started the day at 6 am by cleaning the kitchen floor.

OK, not really, he was playing around with a green bandana and somehow it got tied on his head like this. I'm not sure if Jason is posing or falling asleep, but aren't my boys cute!

Continuous cuteness throughout the day...

Phone book destruction is one way to recycle.

He is becoming such a big boy and loves to show me just how big he is!

He used to play in the Einstein, now he plays in his new "clubhouse".

Row Row Row Your Boat

Eli wore a very snazzy and stylish wetsuit out on the boat this past weekend. It was a little big, but he was guaranteed to float like a bobber if he fell in. Which he didn't. His first trip out on the boat was one of discovery and contemplation. His second trip out on the boat (photos) was one of enjoyment, hilarity, and adventure.

Normally, he likes to eat his sunglasses, but with the wind whipping in his face he bagan to see their practicality.

He threw his hands up in the air when Granddad went fast, just like you might do on a roller coaster ride.

Backyard Oasis

We decided to build a deck in our backyard. I'm glad we did (or that Jason did) because we had an ugly backyard. Little by little it is becoming pretty.

A palm tree so we can sit by it and pretend we are on a tropical vacation. Of course it only comes up to my waist.

While we were at the Home Improvement store checking out with our goodies, the cashier looked at Eli and said,
"Awwww, your first?"
"Yes."
"You should make another one."

Eli's many faces

Beautiful

Curious

Mischievous

Silly

Happy

Tired

One Step Closer

The Eli Evolves

Watch as Eli struggles to get all four limbs coordinated into one efficient motion.

Dance Craze 2007

The Eli

This is how we move at our house (click the picture). If only I knew how to add music to it....humm along if you'd like.....

Bed head

Only remedied by a little spit in the palm and flatten action.

Trouble

Eli has started moving on his own now. I wouldn't exactly call it crawling, more like trying to swim using only your arms. Yes, that's what he looks like, and he is usually smiling, grunting, or saying "dadadadadadadada" whie he does it. He moves with purpose, an objective, and he gets there...such as to the laundry basket to find the one blue sock that would make the perfect toy.

He is also very good at tipping things over to get what he wants. He routinely tips his basket of toys over and crawls inside to get the right toy.

We have also learned that cooked macaroni makes a formidable finger food opponent. He gets it pinched between his two fingers but somehow it ends up flying in a big arc onto the floor, to the pleasure of Tank and Trolley. It is hard to hold those slippery things in your hands and even more frustrating when they get stuck between your belly and highchair tray, where not only can you not get them, but you can still see them. When snack time is over, I always find over half the snack hidden in his lap.

Fun in the sun

The lake is finally full of water again! It was a perfect blend of sun and breeze while we were there. Eli decided that hammocks are pretty cool and that lounging was a good way to pass the time.



And all I did was turn around and my baby is turning into a little boy...