First Day of School

Elijah started school today with Mama Teacher. We learned about E, 1, circles, red, and fire safety. It lasted about 20 minutes which is pretty good for a kid who's not even 3 years old. I even have 'lessons' to get us to Christmas. This kid is going to be preschool ready next year.

Eva decided to eat Elijah's knee while he was playing the guitar. He didn't like that.

Standing Water

Eva has pulled herself up into a standing position a few times, but this is my first proof of one. She has been able to stand holding onto something for a while, and now she is pulling up to do it all on her own. More baby proofing to do...

I almost got a picture of him dragging his huge snake to bed...well his room. He said he didn't want the snake in his bed. This is his bed time water...so he doesn't come wake us up in the middle of the night for a drink. Elijah is even starting to say his own nighttime prayers. It was just listening to Mommy or Daddy.

Orange Boys

Sea Life Crown Center

There was a long line for the Sea Life aquarium, but we didn't have too long of a wait because we had advanced tickets that we bought online. Elijah moved quickly through the displays. "Look at that! Look at those fish! Look there!" He didn't want to get in this bubble that surrounded your head with fish/water, but Mommy did it first, so it was okay. He didn't want to touch the starfish either at first, but he did after a little bit of watching.

This one was so big and close to us that Elijah almost leaned out of his stroller pointing at it. The stroller was a good idea. He was in and out of it the entire time, and I heard other kids say they were getting tired.

I really didn't want to post a blurry picture, but I did to show this little area. Elijah is out on a clear board so he can see the pool of fish directly below his feet. I only had my cell to take pictures and we weren't allowed to use flash.

We didn't go to Lego Land because Elijah's still a little young. He can't even play with normal Lego's yet. However, at the Crown Center entrance, there were a couple Lego people. "I can't get one, Mom." Haha! "I don't think they want you to take one off. These are just for looking, not taking."

We even colored at the Crayola place. I wanted to buy so much stuff from there... Maybe we'll order something new and artsy for him soon. He needs some safety scissors and markers.

The train delivered our dinner at Fritz's. Elijah loved yelling, "Chooooooo! Chooooo!" the whole time we were there. He liked sitting in the train booth outside the diner when we arrived, and he enjoyed watching the trains come around and deliver food. I think we need to go for another train ride.

Super Mess

Eva was caught trying to take a toy from Elijah's hand. We took Eva to the doctor yesterday for her 9 month check up, and many people commented on Superman and his cape. Eva is very small. She's now in the 2nd percentile for weight and 6th percentile for length; however, her head is in the 50th percentile which makes the doctor happy because that means her brain is growing well. The doctor recommended a few minor changes to her eating so she gets more breast milk and fat calories.

I cleaned! Can you tell? Nope. It took less than 10 minutes for Eva to do this.

Someone woke up too early from his nap. I left the room for a minute and came back to this.

Dinner Together

Yummy solid foods for dinner! But what I want you to see is located just above her ears. Little hair curls...so cute.

Why is Elijah crying? Because the bacon isn't crispy enough. He didn't even have a bite yet.

Finger Food

Eva eating her finger.

Elijah eating his finger at the same time.

Love You!

We've been working really hard to get Elijah to sign "I love you" for us because we do the sign each time we say bye. His little fingers are finally able to bend correctly for this sign. I had him make the "L" and then lift his pinky with his other hand. He was so happy that he got it!

This little girl has been extra whiny for the past few days. We can't figure out what's wrong but she keeps wanting to be held but not be held. Silly girl. Hope she starts feeling better soon. She's not whiny because she's hungry, dirty, cold, sleepy, tummy hurting, lacking attention, getting too much attention, or teething. 

Giraffe Outtakes

Jump!

Jump! 

Elijah too!

"Giraffe on my head!"

Rugrats

Watching Rugrats. Frog blanket!

Turning from watching Rugrats. Frog onesie!

Making Dinner

Elijah made dinner tonight. Erik told him to put the ravioli on the tray and this is how Elijah did it. There's still one in his hand, but he had no where to put it. He said he was done and put that one back in the bag. 

Eva crawled into the kitchen to see all the action. Her poor onesie is now gray on the front because she's army crawling. Hope she can learn to crawl on her knees so we can save her clothes a little bit.

Pillow Time

Eva's favorite toy: climbing items...like pillows, cushions, blankets.

Elijah's favorite toy: fort items...like pillows, cushions, blankets.

Standing Smile

Baby girl is 9 months old today! Here's an outtake from our sticker pictures. She always (always!) tries to take off the sticker and eat it. Erik had to help a lot with distracting her today.

Look who can stand! She can stand holding onto something for a minute or so before she turns and falls or slides her feet backwards. I can't wait to be past the crawling stage.

Bud-Do wearing his whale pjs and watching a video on YouTube before bed. Tonight's pick was The Lion King...narrowed down to "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" and "Hakuna Matata." Strange that his eyes look green in this pic.

Wet Shake

We brushed Bilbo and washed him while pet sitting for my parents. Bilbo shakes. Elijah gets wet.

Ha! She's not scared or shocked...she's just eating her puffs. Silly girl!

Ride Bilbo

Elijah likes having Bilbo around to play with. He likes to pet him, try to lead him to water, and yell 'Bilbo!' a lot. A boy and dog and water...who knows what could happen.

Mommy and Eva pj party on the back deck before bed time! Love my baby.

And they ride off into the sunset...

Actually, Bilbo tried to shake her off and hide under the table.

Gate Ruffles

Both kids were playing in the living room, and out of nowhere, Elijah starts building this gate to keep Eva from crawling to his room way down the hall. He was saying "No, Eva!" the entire time. She just climbed over the pillows that he stacked up.

What are these ruffly things on my shirt? The shorts she has on are ones I just bought: size 3 months for this 8 month old. And they are a little loose at the waist. 

Elijah doesn't want his picture taken so Erik had him look at a bag of chips on his cell phone. Then we had him look at another picture and say some funny words. Finally...a smile.

Independence Day

Looking bright in her new shades.

Red bow bringing out her patriotic side.

Throwing some poppers on the back deck.

Hat and sunglasses with Kass.

Lighting snakes with Daddy.

Elijah and Ellis are playing in the water.

Elijah helped put a bottle rocket in the crazy explosive creation the boys made.

Eva had a little ride in the carrier.

Fireworks!!