Taking a dip in the (Gallagher's) pool

When we traveled to WNY back around Father's Day, we made a stop in the Roch to see the Gallagher's new house.  Eli was very excited to see his girls again and it was so nice out that we got to enjoy their pool and some grilling out on their deck. 

It was Eli's first time in a swimming pool and I think he had an amazing time!  The pictures show his "concerned" face, but we take "not crying" as pure enjoyment at 6 months old!

So much fun!

In his froggy suit for the first time!

"This isn't so bad!"

Kenzie, trying to teach Eli how to swim

Eli's cousin takes the stage!

One of the highlights of the summer was when we shuffled off to Buffalo to watch Eli's cousin Bobby in his dance recital!  I can't believe he is 8-years-old and he performed 5 dances!  I also can't believe that Eli was there for 4 of them!  (The original plan was for Eli to go home with Daddy and Uncle Steve at the intermission, but Eli was having so much fun, he stayed with Mommy and Grandma for the whole show!)

We're also proud of Bobby and I am so happy we were in town to support him!  He is a great role model for his little cousin!

Bobby, striking some poses!

Eli, cheering on Bobby!
(LOVE this photo!)

Eli is 7 months old!

I can't believe my little boy is more than half way to one-year!  Where has the time gone?

July 24, 2012

July 24, 2012

July 24, 2012

Height = 28.5" (90th percentile)
Weight = 17 lbs 6 oz (about 25th percentile)
(Tall and thin!  Lucky boy!)

Eli's life at 7 months:

• Eating: The vast majority of calories still come from formula, about every 2-3 hours. He eats at least 5 ounces at each feed, which works out to more than 40 ounces a day.  We are getting serious about having Eli eat "real" food, now trying at least breakfast everyday, and many times lunch too.  We skip lunch if (1) we're out and about or (2) he seems to have a tummy ache after breakfast.  Again, Eli 's stomach still seems to be the problem when it comes to food ... but his mouth likes everything.  So far he eats: rice cereal, oatmeal, bananas, sweet potatoes, pears, apples (maybe allergic?), carrots (maybe allergic?), and peas.  Of them all, we thinks he likes pears the best. 
• Sleeping: This has been a rough month of sleep for Eli (and us).  At first, we thought the traveling was throwing him off, but then we realized it was actually some teeth coming in!  He had reverted back to three or four wakings at night, wanting to eat at most of them.  Now that the teeth have poked through, he seems to really only get up once (around 4ish) and then will go down again until sometime between 6 and 7.  With a 10pm bedtime, I think this is still pretty good.  Napping has been better, but Eli still hates to miss anything if other people are around.  Ryan has done well getting him on an approximate 9, 12, and 3 nap schedule.  He usually sneaks a power nap in before bed too.   

• LIKES:
  • Eating (formula and "real" food)
  • "Sitting" up
  • Pretty good at holding himself up now, but he doesn't really sit unassisted yet (we're working on it)
  • TV
  • Loves watching sports!  Very excited about the Olympics right now! 
  • Getting dressed/changed or being naked
  • Frozen teething toys  
  • Also likes chewing on a spoon when we let him!
  • Exersaucer thing 
  • Walker
  • Yes, he has an awesome old-school walker and takes quite a few steps in it (though usually backwards) 
  • Stacking cups
  • Rolling ball toys
  • Books
  • The best one is from "Grandma Kathy" (Aunt Kimmy's mom) which is actually all cloth!  It is awesome!  He loves looking at regular books too, but he really, really wants the paper in his mouth!
  • Swimming
  • Pools or beaches!
  • Gorillas
  • iPhones and iPads
  • Seriously obsessed.  Maybe because we all spend so much time on them.  Maybe because Grandma lets him play slots on her iPhone ...
  • Adventures
    • He loves getting in the car seat and heading out and about!
  • People watching and meeting new friends!
• DISLIKES:
  • Waiting for food
  • Warm weather
  • Being away from Mommy and Daddy
    • He still often looks for us when someone else is holding him.  He has also recently started whining when we walk away, especially Mommy.  Apparently (according to the baby books), this is the age where "separation anxiety" starts.  Here's hoping we get him over this real quick. 
  • Napping
    • If people are around.
  • Diaper rash 
  • We are very lucky and have hardly had to deal with diaper rash for the last 6 months, but he had a HORRIBLE diaper rash at the end of June.  It was so bad that he was actually crying when we had to wipe him (crying during a diaper change never happens (unless he is waiting for food!)).  It was right after he ate apples and carrots, so we think it might have been an allergy and we're waiting a while before we try those again.  Luckily, it cleared up in a day and he was make to his happy self!
• New this month!
• Holding his own bottle
• Ryan is an awesome stay-at-home summer dad and trained him to hold his own bottle after about 3 days.  Best.  Thing.  Ever.
• Screaming with joy!
• After some baseball games, he learned that people yelling doesn't always mean distress, and they can yell in joy too.  He has since started screaming when he is very excited.  Adorable ... most of the time!
• Hitting with joy!
• He also tends to flail his arms when he is very excited, often hitting himself or us.  Again, sort of adorable ... until you get slapped across the face or get a sharp claw in the eye!
• Standing (with assistance)!
• Teeth!
• Eli's got his mandibular central incisors (bottom middle teeth)!  We had suspected teething for a while and they showed up in late July! 

And here are some of Eli's 7-month outtakes!

"Mom, seriously, do you not see my feet sticking out?
I don't think I fit in this box anymore!"

"Oh, Mr Seahorse, look, the paparazzi are back!"

"Mr Seahorse, of course they are going to stalk
us after all of the fun we had when I turned
6-months-old!"

"Mr Seahorse would prefer if you didn't take any
photos of him today."

"I said, NO PHOTOS OF MR SEAHORSE!!"

[insert your own caption here]

"I told you Mr Seahorse doesn't like photos"

"Wait!  How old am I?!?!?"

"Help me hide my age Mr Seahorse!"

B(ack)log

Did you ever think that Blog is actually short for Backlog?

We have lots to tell you about from our excited summer time adventures ... and we promise to post about it all soon!!

Eli likes to Go, Go, Go!

Sorry we haven't updated lately!  We're too busy having fun on our many adventures to actually write about them on the blog!  I promise we'll update you on all of Eli's adventures soon!

Eli is 6 months old!

Took a while to make it on the blog, but Eli just celebrated his half birthday!  Can you believe it?

6 months old
June 24, 2012

6 months old
June 24, 2012

6 months old
June 24, 2012

Height=??
Weight=??
(No official measurements yet ... dr appt in a few weeks!)

Eli's life at 6 months:

• Eating: Still on formula, about every 2-3 hours.  He eats at least 5 ounces at each feed, which works out to more than 40 ounces a day.  He has tried rice cereal, bananas, sweet potatoes, and oatmeal, but we still haven't been pushing the food.  We really need to, but we're on the "summer adventure" schedule which means he's totally off, so we'll get back to it soon. 
• Sleeping: More often than not, Eli is still sleeping through the night (10pm-6am), but has been thrown off with all of our adventures, so it has been a bit shaky lately. Napping has been rough.  When we are out of the house (which has been a lot lately), Eli doesn't want to nap.  He is definitely a kid that doesn't want to miss anything!  We are hoping that will settle down soon and he'll get back to some regular naps.  For everyone's sake (my happy, calm baby is whiny without sleep!).   
• LIKES:
  • Eating (formula and "real" food)
  • "Sitting" up
  • TV  
  • Getting dressed/changed or being naked  
  • Caterpillar or any "teething toy"
  • Floor gym 
  • Exersaucer thing (his and the awesome one that Aunt Kimmy lets us borrow in Buffalo!) 
  • Adventures
  • He loves getting in the car seat and heading out and about!
  • People watching and meeting new friends!
• DISLIKES:
  • Waiting for food
  • Warm weather  
  • Being away from Mommy and Daddy
  • He still often looks for us when someone else is holding him.
  • Napping
  • This is going to be rough.  He just doesn't want to miss out on all the fun! 
• New this month!
• Sleeping on his side
• When he does sleep, it is usually on his left side!  It's so adorable to watch him roll over and snuggle his blankie!
• Almost sitting
• He really likes the Bumbo chair
• Swimming
• I think Eli might be a water baby!

And here are some of Eli's 6-month outtakes!

"Mr Seahorse, we have to stop
meeting like this ..."

"What?  You want to put our differences
behind us and celebrate with shots?"

"Tequila makes me want to dance!"

"One more round for me and my
boney fish friend!"

"Oh, Mr Seahorse ... I love you!"

"Maybe shots weren't the best way to
celebrate my half birthday ..."