Eli 4 month old update (11/8/11 to 12/8/11)

Our little man is 4 months old!  He is 25 inches long and weighs 15 pounds and 2 ounces.  He had a good well visit at the doctor.  Dr. Frazier recommended that we start giving him a vitamin with iron, and Eli does not like it one bit.  Dr. Frazier said that his gums are swollen and he would probably be teething soon.  He did have to get immunizations, which made him a little fussy and caused him to have a low grade fever.  He did have one episode this month of being ill where he was coughing a lot, waking up really fussy, and had a runny left eye.  Speaking of eyes, I am still not sure what color eyes this little guy has.  They look kind of hazel or greenish, but it's difficult to tell.

Eli definitely knows his name now!  He loves being smiled at and enjoys when people talk to him.
He also enjoys taking baths, playing with the activity bar on his car seat, laughing at Isaac, and squealing when I get excited!  He is also babbling a lot, which is the sweetest little sound!  He seems to be interested in food as he is starting to stare at our food when we eat.  Eli doesn't mind laying on and playing on his belly now. 

Eli has had several accomplishments this month!  He is able to sit by himself for a few seconds before tumbling over.  He can sit easily with a toy in front of him and lean on his belly for a little extra support.  He is also able to stand with assistance, such as holding some one's hands. His balance seems to be improving, and he constantly moves his arms and legs for balance.  Eli made his debut as an actor!  He was in our church Christmas play (at Rich Pond Baptist Church) and was Deborah's son.  I was a little worried, but he made it through all three performances without making a peep!  Another big moment this month was Eli's first haircut!  We cut his hair on 11/24, so no more tangles!!!  It was definitely time for a haircut!  He is becoming more mobile.  He somehow moves all over his bed by rolling and scooting around.

Eli is awake more during the day, so he more aware of his surroundings.  He focuses on tasks and is grabbing objects better.  He is starting to really feel and explore with his hands and mouth.  He chews on toys, which is partly to explore things, but also since he is in the early phases of teething.  Everything he touches seems to go straight to his mouth, including his foot.  He loves putting his feet in his mouth.  He is also able to put his own pacifier his him mouth.

Our babysitter Valerie quite, and we are so blessed to have found Natalie!  Natalie is a friend from church and know she will take such good care of Eli, just like if he were her own son.  We are so thankful for her!  Eli's schedule is similar with his eating.  He nurses/eats 6 times a day, about 5-6 ounces of milk.  He has started to eat rice cereal but seems to spit most of it out.  He sleeps from 7:30pm to 6:00 am and I wake him up around 9 pm for his last feeding.

It is a joy watching our little fella grow and develop!  We are so thankful he is thriving the way he should be!

 

 

Isaac - November 2011

Isaac is one fun little, 32.5 pound, fella!  He is doing a good job adjusting to no longer being the only child.  However, I do miss some of our special times since I'm always busy with Eli.  Since I haven't had a lot of time to just play with Isaac, Adam and I took him to Gatlinburg when Adam had continuing education for work.   The details of this trip are included in a separate blog entry, but we had a wonderful time! 

 

Isaac just makes me smile with the things he says and does.  He has been in a kissing mood lately!  He wants to kiss everyone.  Every time before Adam leaves for work, he says "I want a kiss."  He likes to play with my hair, which is sweet.  At night when he is laying down for bed, he wants his back rubbed.  One night he said, "will you rub my back while I sleep, and Eli's too, because Daddy rubs my back."  It was sweet of him to consider Eli too!  Isaac often reminds me to pray.  One night I asked him what he was thankful for, and he said "I'm thankful for my buddy Tay."  He has lately had questions about Grandmother Dot, who passed away.  He said "did she drive to heaven?" "Is God in our hearts and not heaven?"  "Are you going to wear your watch in heaven?"  It's pretty cool that he is starting to ask questions about God and heaven.  The funniest thing he said this month was out of the blue.  We were talking about grandparents, and Isaac said "I want to be a Dawson man," meaning that he wanted to live in Dawson Springs.  It was hilarious how he said it!  Another thing he has started asking frequently, when he wakes up from nap is "Can I get up?"  If I say no, he just goes back to sleep.

 

Isaac seems to like Eli most of the time.  He has started talking to him in a baby voice like how adults to babies.  I have to admit, it's pretty funny!  Besides playing with his brother, he lately has liked to trace his hand when drawing at home and school.  He enjoys pretending like he's on the phone.  One day he acted like he was calling Walmart.  He is very interested right now in learning his right and left.  In the car, on the way to daycare, we practice right and left directions.  With Isaac, I have pretty much discovered that he will only really work on things he is interested in at the time.  Isaac is also showing more interest in college sports.   He likes the "Tucky Wildcats"  and "Western Hilltoppers."  When he is watching the games on TV is most interested in finding the mascot.  Because Isaac is so interested in so many toys (cars, trains, balls, etc), we are trying a new rule of cleaning up one toy before getting another out.  I have a feeling this will be a losing battle.

 

Of course we have had some challenges this month.  First of all, he's been telling me "no."  This is the one thing I learned at a very young age is not to tell my parents "no."  He too will be learning this lesson.  He has also been crying at school more lately, especially when I drop him off.  He has been licking, spitting, and tattle tailing too (for example, he said "Levi pushed me at school").  Other challenges.....He is still scared of hand dryers in public restrooms.  He doesn't want to wear pull-ups at night but continues to wet the bed.  He threw up in bed one night.  He had a sinus infection.  We almost had a fire.  Isaac had his rubber toy tractor wheel on the light bulb, and came to me saying "there's smoke."

 

Isaac had a school play with month.  Since he only attend his school two days a week and since the song was not a common song to the public and I was unable to help teach it to him, he was not prepared for the play.  When it was time for his class to sing their song, he literally just turned his back to the crowd.  I asked him afterwards why and he said he didn't know the part.  I kind of felt bad for him.  He sure was cute anyway though!!!

 

With Isaac's trip to Gatlinburg, spending time with family (celebrating cousin Jonathon's birthday and Thanksgiving and visits with grandparents), and visiting with his friend Tay (from his previous daycare), he really seemed to enjoy himself!