Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Let me start by saying that Eli is normally a very happy baby.  On a normal day he will smile at anyone and loves to laugh.  Not the case on the day we decided to go and see Santa...

He had already started acting up at the end of church.  Josh had to get up and take him out of the service.  He screamed like we were taking his bottle away until I got back out to the car.  We had planned to go and see Santa after church since next weekend was our only other option and I didn't want to wait any longer.  Let me just say it...Eli was ill.  Not himself.  We pushed on and went to the Bass Pro Shop for a glimpse Santa.  Eli gave us some of the same looks I gave my Mom when I was going through those awkward teenage years. 

We finally got up to see Santa.  Eli looked very stunned.  He would look at us and then look at Santa.  He grabbed a nice wad of Santa's beard (glad it was a real) and got right up in his face.  He was studying him.  He then realized that we were several feet from him and he started to cry just after they snapped his picture!  Bless his heart.  Normally he would have been grinning from ear to ear.  Oh well.  It's a funny memory of a very ill baby and his first trip to see Santa.

Eli was staring us down because he had just realized we weren't holding him

He was checking Santa out.  Had a nice chunk of his beard as well.  Poor Santa.

Right before he started crying. 

This is the sad look that we got ALL. DAY. LONG.

He did like looking at the "fishies"

This was the happiest face we caught all morning!

Had to really beg for this smile!  It's funny the things you will do in public to get your child to smile for a picture!

So...we get home and Eli magically turns into the happiest baby alive.

  Go figure!  Oh well.  There's always next year.  Hopefully it will be one of those hilarious crying Santa pics ;)

Fall Photo Session with Talita

We had a wonderful fall photo session.  It was our first time taking professional pictures and I was a little nervous about it!  Talita (photographer) made us feel very comfortable and at ease.  Eli was a complete angel- he didn't fuss a bit!  Here are our pics.  I am so pleased with them.

6 Months

I cannot believe I am writing this post!  How can you already be 6 months old?  Eli, you are the sweetest boy I have ever seen.  You are such a blessing in our lives.  Everyone comments on how well behaved you are and you smile at anyone and everyone!  I love coming to get you out of your crib in the mornings and seeing that sweet smile! 

You are sleeping so great in your big boy room!  You sleep anywhere from 9-12 hours at night.  Your usual bedtime is around 8 or 8:30.  You take a 3 to 3 and a half hour nap during the day.  Mommy uses this time to do chores and exercise (sometimes!)

On November 19th, you started holding your own bottle.  On November 21st, you sat up in your bedroom floor for several minutes with no help!  We were so proud of you!  You are still working on sitting up.  You hold yourself up straighter and for longer periods of time.  Now when I leave you at daycare, I sit you in the floor with toys.  You are such a big boy!

November 22nd was your first Thanksgiving!  You were the life of the party.  You showed out in your jumparoo!  You wanted to make sure everyone watched you!

November 29th you started trying to crawl!  You get up on your hands and knees and rock back and forth!  It is the funniest thing.  You want to move forward so bad!  I know you will figure it out soon enough and we will be chasing you all around this house!

December 7th, I came into your room to get you up for the day and I was so surprised at how I found you!  You had pulled up on the side of the crib.  You weren't on your feet but you were up on your knees.  I was very shocked and you were just smiling that adorable toothless smile! 

There was one day that your Daddy was not feeling well.  His blood sugar dropped really low and I was scurrying around to get him food and drink to bring it back up.  Eli, you didn't take your eyes off of your daddy.  You watched him like a hawk.  It's like you knew that something was wrong.  You watched him until he was feeling better and then you started jumping in your jumparoo again.  I know you are going to be very protective over us! 

We love you so much!  We don't remember our lives before you!  I'm so excited for your first Christmas!  Even more excited about the next 6 months! 

It's a hard life...

Eli got to vote for the first time :)

The smile that can brighten even the darkest day!

"Aunt" Tiffany :)

My sweet angel!