'Bout Time

It's been awhile. I blame my laptop. It has a power-supply issue and dies if I nudge it, adjust the screen, or sneeze. I also blame my need of a nap. Nap always wins over Blog. Except today, I'm working through it out of the desire to update you before this baby comes out and I never blog ever again.

Summer is officially over. I felt like it lasted about eight months. I'm tempted to say it was hot and annoyingly long, but I think that'd sound ridiculous coming from someone who lives in an air-conditioned house with her well-fed, healthy children, and whose air-conditioned car stays in the cool(er) garage. Don't get me wrong, I always welcome summer with open arms, but once the crisp air of fall returns, I'm totally in love with a new season and am done with summer.

The kids are now 3 and 2, which I can hardly believe. Eli especially grew like a weed this summer. He's super tall and talks a good bit. He's thinned out so much, that ALL of his baby fat is gone. Charley is still hanging on to some, but Eli is just long, lean boy now. Sniff. I will be sad when his "mease" turns into "please" and his "wabbit" turns into "rabbit" and his "I wanna 'nuggle' " turns into "No thanks Mommy, I'm too old to snuggle." He is still such a happy boy, and loves smiling, laughing and being a flirt. He does have a super-shy streak, and will cover his ears when he gets around strangers. He loves singing and will fall asleep singing and wake up singing. Eli is like his daddy, and while he is a good sleeper, he can survive on little sleep and wakes up, for the most part, in a good mood. Charley is more like me in that respect... let me sleep and don't wake me up...or else. Eli has recently taken an interest in stuffed animals...for example, he will sit one down across from him and roll a ball to it, and he once opened a play laptop to show Abby Cadabby how it works. He often gives his bear(s) big hugs and exclaims, "He's CUTE!" And the way he says "cute" is...well...cute! His most favorite things in the world, well above stuffed animals, are sports! Football, "Backetball," "Bateball," Soccer. Loves loves loves. And he appears to be a lefty. Throws with his left. Eats with his left. Colors with his left. Etc. I guess we will know for sure within a few years.

Eli's Birthday Cupcakes

I'm two!!

I love how he's looking adoringly at his candle...

Charley... She is our imaginative little one, who talks talks talks or sings sings sings all the day through. She is full of drama and emotion, but you wouldn't know it if she was in a group of unfamiliar faces. That's when she clams up and sticks her finger in her mouth. She often says funny things, but often times isn't trying to be funny...she's dead serious. Her favorite things are the My Little Ponies my nieces handed down to her and pretending -- pretty much anything -- but lots of times pretending to shop with her cash register and grocery buggy. She loves books and flipping through the pages "reading" what they say (based on the picture or because we've read the book five bazillion times). If she is allowed to watch TV, she turns into an absolute zombie who is non-responsive to the English language. Apparently she gets this from her father, so I hear from his mother. We don't do TV much, but Blue's Clues, Dora and Dinosaur Train, oh and how could I forget Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, are the favs around here.

Our sweet girl...

Both kids remained fairly healthy all summer. In fact, we recently had our first snotty-nose since April, which was like a four-month stretch (which hadn't happened in like 3 years!). Cue the angels singing!! However, Charley and Eli are both prone to what appear to be viral fevers. They get super high fevers which can last anywhere from 3 hours to 3 days. "High" temp for Eli is like 102-103 and "high" for Charley is like 105-106, which goes without saying, is scary. We just keep them drugged up and give cool baths if needed (which is just plain treacherous for everyone involved). Anyways, this has happened three times this summer. Boo. But so grateful for their overall health... something I NEVER want to take for granted.
As far as the conditions of their hearts... well, we work on it every day. ALL day. As they've been young, it has been a lot of "behavior modification," but we certainly want to have "heart-change" and not just raise robots who know their manners but can't put themselves under authority. I'm learning daily, and have LOTS to learn about how to go about doing this. Grateful for a husband who takes the lead and fights the good fight along side of me.

Most Recent Family Pic. Eli is sitting on "the belly"

Pregnancy update? Well, I'll be 36 weeks in a couple days. Whoa. That's insane!! The most common question I get is, "How are you feeling?" and I often answer, "Can't complain." I really can't. I feel pretty good. I'm tired. And I have to wear annoying compression hose on my legs due to varicose vein issues. It takes like ten minutes to get them on in the morning, and by the time that's through, I'm so tired that I'm ready for bed! BUT, they make my legs feel much better and I just realized the other day, I have no swelling in my feet like I did with the other pregnancies (hence "compression" hose...you'd think I'd catch on quicker). I have low-blood pressure and low-blood sugar issues, so between the two, I often feel like I'm gonna pass out. Not fun. But...it's all worth it. And even though I said "I can't complain" that whole paragraph sounds like I'm complaining, but I'm really not trying to! Just trying to fill you in. Especially our family far way who doesn't have the luxury of seeing my amazing nude-colored hose. :) Can't wait 'til we meet this little boy!!

Mema and Granddaddy came to visit for Eli's bday, and we went to Sky Top!

So there's an update for ya. I really want to post more often. I will try! Until then...

Summer Cut

So we tried using the ear-guard piece thingy on our friend's clippers that we were borrowing to cut Eli's hair...and nearly gave him a bald spot. We then had to take it allll the way down. Good-bye curls. (for like a week until they grow back). He looks like such a big boy!

Go Cocks! Nat'l Champs Back to Back! You better believe mommy watched every second of every game and nearly had several heart attacks until our defense managed to pull out of  several one-out, bases-loaded situations. Maybe I will play beatball, as I call it, for Carolina one day.

If you are thinking, "that doesn't look so short," let me remind you of this hair-do...

Big-Boy Haircut

Eli had his official "first haircut" back in December, and has had 2-3 "at home" haircuts since. His hair grows super fast, and we have decided to keep it short for now. I love, love, love his curls, so we don't want it to be tooooo short, though!
As cutting his curls with scissors is quite the challenge for the non-professional, D bought some clippers with several different length guards so that we could "clip" his hair without completely buzzing it. And... it worked! Yay! D used the longest guard last night on the top, and then the second longest on the back and sides. It's almost "too" short, but that probably will only be the case for a week or so until it grows back in some. After about three months, the clippers will be paid for with the money we saved on haircuts!
oh and p.s., Eli turned 18 months today!! Whoa!!

Before pics...

 

why are you making me wear this?? ahhh!

After pics...

Our Kryptonite

Take a second and imagine you are Superman. ... Are you there? Okay, well, even though you're Superman you can't fly, and you still can get a cold, cancer, or break your leg. So I guess you are really some knock-off brand of Superman or maybe you are just plain Clark Kent. BUT the one thing that still rings true is that Kryptonite can kill you. Kinda scary. But, you say, only the "bad guys" like Lex Luther have Kryptonite, right? No!! Kryptonite is everywhere!!! Your best friends have jars of it. Your grandmother keeps a can of it next to her rocker. It's in the mall, at Wal-Mart, and there is enough Kryptonite in your local grocery store to kill a thousand Supermans! Your favorite candy bar says, "May Contain Traces of Kryptonite." Your favorite holiday dessert is made with 95% pure Kryptonite. Every single cookie on the cookie aisle (minus Oreos, thank goodness) contains or may contain Kryptonite so you just can't risk it. So, what do you do?? You avoid these things. No more pretzels at the mall. No more Chinese with the fam. No more ice cream from most ice cream places, no more visits to Grandma without the can of Kryptonite on the highest shelf in the pantry, and your friends have to hide their jars of it lest you get exposed.... sigh. This makes you sad. You know the world is not perfect. You know that you are capable of being hurt. But having Kryptonite - your poison - everywhere is pretty overwhelming. You don't want to inconvenience your grandma or your friends.You don't want to read labels. You want to simply enjoy your favorite Holiday treat. But the world is broken. Your body is broken. And in order to stay healthy, you must stay away from Kryptonite.
Okay. You are not Superman anymore. You may have guessed by now where I was going with this. Peanuts and Tree Nuts are Eli's Kryptonite, and therefore, our family's Kryptonite. We found out about three weeks ago after visiting the allergist after an adverse reaction to peanut butter. I was SHOCKED. If you had asked me two months ago if I thought I'd be reading, "How to Deal with Your Child's Life Threatening Food Allergy" or the "Peanut Allergy Handbook," I would have laughed. I NEVER thought we'd be that family. I don't know why. I just didn't. But, now we are, and it's been adjustment. Like I tried to portray above, peanuts and/or tree nuts are IN EVERYTHING. We are now "label readers," which is pretty annoying but something we gladly do in order to protect Eli. It's a lifestyle change, but certainly not the end of the world. All of this has just opened to my eyes as to how healthy my kids are. It has made me more sensitive to other families with allergies...especially those with multiple allergies (like peanuts, milk and egg - don't know how they do it!) I have realized how much I adore food...especially that of the peanut butter variety (peanut butter balls, Reese's, etc etc etc) -- have I made food an idol??
So, in a nutshell (haha), I hope to learn and grow from this. I serve a mighty God who I trust and who loves my son. Peanut butter flavored Kryptonite or not, life will go on, and God is good.

Episode Two: The Prince Turns One

Sweet Boy is One!

Elijah Barton turned ONE last week!!!! Holy moly! (and what a week it was!...as you already know).
Kirsten was here for his actual day and we had a blast. First, family pics downtown (which if you haven't seen them, you are MISSING OUT...check FB or maybe I'll post them here one day. Props to Kim DeLoach Photography), then lunch at Wild Wings, then fun times at Sky Top Apple Orchard, then fun birthday dinner at home, then cake and presents!!! What a happy day.

Catchin some Zs on my busy birthday

First time Kirsten is feeding me, so I think I'll pull a fast one and bite the spoon (and not let go)

Eli's first ever Apple Cider Doughnut. Good stuff.

My very first birthday cake! Props to Kirsten for decorating it for me (mommy only helped a teeny bit)

Success!! He likes it!

Thanks for the GRAFFF Aunt Libbie!!

Also, I must make mention of the fact that a few days before Eli's birthday, my parents made a special stop on their way home from my sister's in TN to have lunch with him for his birthday. We are VERY appreciative of their visit!! Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Can you put it in the bus? (had to be there)

As far as one-year stats and facts about Eli...

• Still not walking, but cruising well, and probably could walk if he wanted to. I'm not concerned the least bit since Charley didn't walk until 17 months!
• He is 31.75 inches and 23lbs 6 oz. He has slowed down SIGNIFICANTLY on his weight, considering he hasn't even gained a pound since June!!! Now he is average and not a behemoth! :)
• Ummm...his little personality is starting to show more and more. He's a flirt will flash his smile at anybody, mainly the ladies, and especially Charley and Kirsten. Kirsten gave him a picture frame designed just for him...it sits on his dresser and while we wait for a picture of the two of them, it has a pic of just her...and Eli absolutely BEAMS every time he sees it. It is the cutest thing ever in the world!!!
• He's starting to talk more. Says "all done" in a cute little sing-songy way. This morning he said, "mamama" but I'm not quite sure it was on purpose. :)
• While Kirsten was here, he started both clapping and waving!!!! It seemed a little late to be doing those things, but we are convinced he was just waiting on Kirsten. It made me soooo happy that she was here to witness those things!

Happy Birthday, Eli!!! We love you!

He Eats Real Food!

Just wanted to let the world know that Eli is doing really well with eating solids (aka table food)! Yay! We haven't had any gagging in the last few days, which totally makes me happy (for him of course, and let's admit it, for me too). The doctor said it may take him to 18 months to get it down, so we are doing good! AND he has made the smoothest transition ever from the bottle to sippy cups! I was SO dreading the switch, because with Charley I had to do a 10-day sippy cup boot camp, which was absolutely no fun. But, little man started with the take-n-toss variety and hasn't looked back. As a matter of fact, I put all the bottles away already. Good riddance! And we are doing the half milk, half formula thing right now, using our last can of formula (oh darn), and hopefully being 100% milk by the end of the week (or sooner). So far so good with his belly.

So, we are thankful for no more bottles and no more baby food! It looks like he'll be eating CAKE on his first birthday after all!

I am SUCH a big boy. I mean, seriously.

Umm, silly faces are IN.

Beans and rice?...No problem, Mom. I got this.

Eli's 11 Months!

 

In the midst of the Kirsten excitement, Eli turned 11-months-old! Our precious lil thing. He's still a really happy boy. He smiles all the time and is pretty easy going. He does have a temper though, and if you make him mad, he'll let you know! (like throwing things, screaming...those fun things). He's also been a bit clingy lately, and will grab around my neck if he thinks someone wants to come hold him. I have to pry him off of me sometimes. He still has the gag-reflex thing going on, which is discouraging, but clearly he's not starving. We are slowly giving him more and more "table food," although usually we end up with a big mess to clean up, if you know what I'm sayin'. He just can't handle certain textures and swallowing certain things still proves challenging. But - we will persevere, and hopefully he will be able to eat some cake on his first birthday!! (you think I'm kidding? He may be eating a bowl of applesauce with a candle sticking out of it!!).

Eli still LOVES Charley...thinks she hung the moon. They still play fairly well together, and of course it's usually Charley who gets her panties in a wad about sharing, but in due time, Eli will realize what's going on, and I will be training two children in this area. Yay.

Eli is still a tank. Today at the store, the two of them were in the side-by-side double stroller, and we received TWO "look at the cute twins!" comments (really??). I think it's because Eli's legs are sooo short and his torso is sooo long, that when they are sitting next to each other, they are pretty much the same height, which I guess makes their age difference unapparent. When standing, Charley is like six inches taller! 

Let's see....other things.... He's a fast crawler now, a proficient cruiser, and is getting better and better at walking behind push toys. He actually will use anything as a push toy (chairs, stools, our big kitchen trash can), and prefers those things over things will wheels (probably b/c they're slower and more interesting since he's so curious). He's a good sleeper at night and does okay with naps. His morning nap is now an hour later, which pushes his afternoon nap later, which means he and Charley aren't exactly down at the same time, which is hard. I usually have maybe an hour of overlap time, which I'm grateful for, but it sure will be nice when they take a long nap at the same time!

Can't believe my baby's first birthday is just around the corner! We are so thankful for his life! And in regards to our recent family "expansion," we are thrilled to death that Eli will now have TWO big sisters!

Our Big Boy

Well, Eli is eight-months-old already. He's a joy. He's a handful. Here are some quick things about him...

• Still scooting around on his belly by pulling with his arms and pushing with his right leg. His left leg is always up in the air, like a periscope.
• He's pulling up on toys now to get on his knees. Kinda cute.
• He's working on FOUR teeth right now. All at once. Ouch.
• His hair starting getting longer, just in the last month or so. You can see in some of the pics below the curly "wings" on the side of his head.
• Eli LOVES water. He "swims" around the bathtub like a fish. We broke out the baby pool a few weekends ago, and he was lovin' it. I can't wait to get him in a real pool, although I'm not sure he'll be okay with just sitting peacefully in a baby float!
• He is very inquisitive and likes to see how things work. Instead of playing with a push toy, he will turn it over and examine the wheels and the battery compartment. Instead of playing with the things in a drawer, he will open and close the drawer a million times. He will crawl over to a door and swing it open and closed, open and closed and just laugh b/c it's "so funny."
• Changing his diapers and/or clothes is like a WWF match. He is a strong little booger and does not laying still.

Looking back at the list above, it's funny, because all of those things are complete opposite of Charley! It's amazing how God made us all so unique, and it just stands out more when you have siblings so close in age, from the same parents, and they are so different! And a lot of things are "physical" things....it will be interesting to see how different their personalities are. Here are some pics of the sweet-heart boy!