The Blue Bear

Sunday was a beautiful sunny day here.  We took advantage of it and went out for a family walk (and dose of Vitamin D).  Elliott surprised us by staying awake for most of the walk.  We bundled him up in his blue fleece suit for the trip.  He looked just like a little blue bear.

All bundled up.

Cheeks and smiles

Look at those beautiful eyes!

A week in pictures

Our little boy is so awesome.  He brings us smiles every day.  Here are some pictures of his cuteness over the past week.

Hey! Why did you put this toucan where I can't reach it??

And this turtle too!

Humphrey stayed with us for a few days while my parents were in Florida.  He and Elliott usually ignore each other but get along very well when they do interact.  My parents have noted that Humphrey sleeps near Elliott when he naps at their house.  I guess Humphrey is guarding him.

Happy, smiley boy

We're practicing sitting these days.  We keep both hands near by since he doesn't have control over his muscles yet.  He'll go from nicely sitting to arching his back and launching himself in a split second. 

Happy!

Mid-launch

Mom, why do you keep pointing that thing in my face??

Smiles and Laughs

Elliott was in a very happy mood yesterday afternoon.  He was full of smiles and laughs.  We've realized that he's quite ticklish, or he just likes being tickled.  Here is a wonderful video of Elliott laughing with Jesse.

Elliott's Ab Workout

Elliott is getting very strong these days.  He's close to being able to sit unsupported.  He can sit up from an incline but his lack of control is quite humorous.  Here is a video from today of his rapid-fire sit ups.

Tongue Clicks

Elliott is full of new tricks these days.  On Sunday night, he starting clicking his tongue.  My mom has said that my siblings and I did this.  We've been quite amused watching her trying to teach Ned (to no avail) and Elliott this trick.  Well, I guess it worked!  This is another one to turn your volume on for.

Bouncing and laughs

Elliott really started pumping his legs in his bouncer yesterday.  He loves this seat.  He plays with all the gadgets and will play for 20+ minutes while we make dinner, etc.  Jesse was sitting in a chair facing Elliott when I took this video.  Jesse would bounce up and down and Elliott would laugh and bounce in response.  Make sure you turn your volume on!

Outing to the Gardens

After months of above-normal temperatures, we finally had a cold weekend here. Looking for a fun activity and a warm spot on Friday, we went to the Botanical Gardens. I knew we had come to the right spot when we walked into the building and it smelled like Florida.

A rare shot of the three of us.
This is a special bridge. Just over five years ago, Holly and Mike surprised everyone (well, almost everyone - their siblings knew) by getting married at their engagement party. It was six months before their planned wedding. We're all still talking about how great it was. Anyway, we took all the family pictures on this bridge.

Elliott taking in the views from a new perch.

Checking out the koi pond with Jesse

Those are big fish!

After the gardens, we went to Holly and Mike's (aka Ned's) house for dinner. Here is Ned showing Elliott his bulldozer. Ned loves his trucks and talks often about teaching Elliott about trucks when he gets bigger.

Carhartt overalls make for easy lifting . . . and, no, that's not me. That's Holly (we look really similar).

I love my toes!

As I've shared before, Elliott loves playing with his feet and especially loves putting his toes in his mouth.  When we put him on the changing table and take off his socks or footies, the toes go straight to the mouth.

Sometimes he holds both feet with both hands (and looks at the camera)

Sometimes only one foot

And sometimes he gets his feet so far in his mouth he gags a little bit

This love of his feet (and flexibility) started early.  This is a picture from a 3D ultrasound I had about a month before Elliott was born to check size and position.  There is his cute little face . . . and that is his foot right next to it.

Here are some new pictures from last night.  Elliott is feeling much better but still has a cough that may persist for a couple of weeks.  It doesn't keep the smiles away.  

Playing on Jesse's lap

Back to the toes! Some kids suck their thumbs.  We appear to have a toe sucker.

Tickles with Jesse

Elliott loves being tossed in the air.  Look at that smile!

The Happy Wheezer

To my loyal blog followers, my apologies for not posting this week.  We've had a rough week at the Doren household.  Elliott has been quite sick.  He went to the pediatrician on Monday.  And Wednesday.  And Thursday.  And Friday.  It started with a cough and progressed into lots of wheezing and labored breathing. The doctors were very close to sending him to the hospital on Wednesday but he was still eating well and smiling.  So, they started calling him The Happy Wheezer and we stayed out of the hospital.  He seems to be on the mend now but is still coughing quite a bit.  Poor little boy!  Jesse has been amazing through this whole thing.  He has taken excellent care of both of us (I have a sinus infection too).  I love my boys!

Happy boy enjoying his new bouncing, spinning, singing entertainer.

A bit out of sorts

Elliott has to use a nebulizer multiple times a day.  Sometimes he is very upset by it and cries the whole time. Other times he is calm and gums on the mouth piece.  We've found that some distraction from the tv makes it  easier on us.  Here are Jesse and Elliott watching tv while getting meds.