Wednesday, November 24, 2010

I've Been Crowned!

How to earn a crown:

It takes: 10 months, 3 doctor visits, 3 ENT visits, 1 consult with an oral surgeon, 3 dentist visits, 4 endodontist visits, 2 root canals,  5 rounds of antibiotics, 1 allergic reaction to antibiotics, 1 round of steroids, 1 CT scan, 3 X-rays, 2 scopes up my nose, 1 numbed nose, 3 shots in my mouth, swelling in the roof of my mouth and on my face, and more cold tests on my teeth then I'd care to remember.

All of this for a tooth that had no decay, no cavity, and nothing visibly wrong. The roots just decided to die. So much for religiously brushing and flossing my teeth. No one ever told me that your teeth can just decide to quit on you anyway.

So, maybe it's just a crown on my tooth, but after this whole ordeal, I feel like I deserve a royal crown as well!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

The Zoo

Because the petting zoo at the farm was such a big hit we thought Elijah would love to go to the zoo. We took him the last weekend in October, and while he had a good time, I was a little disappointed that he didn't love it as much as we were hoping. We also went during his nap time, but he was a trooper and never got fussy. His favorite part was seeing the free range animals: birds, squirrels, birds, peacocks, birds, birds, and birds. He tried to chase them every chance he got. Even though it was two days before Halloween it was incredibly HOT out, and we were all a little pooped by the end of the day.


Ooo,giraffes!


We watched this little fox wake up, streeeetch, and then wander over to the window where we were standing. It was so cute!

It's hot!

Look, a bird!

This is Eli falling INTO the monkey exhibit. Yes, I win Mother-of-the-Year for this one. Thankfully I was able to grab his foot just before he fell all the way over. Yikes!

You're a baboon, and I'm not.

This little guy was falling asleep right next to the window. It was adorable!



Z is for zebra!

Birds in trees!

They have this cool squirrel monkey exhibit where you walk in with the monkeys.

This little guy ran right in front of my feet.


Looking for the elephant, who was put away while they were cleaning the exhibit. Bummer!

The elephant is coming out!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Pumpkin Patch

We went to Mother Nature's Farm with some friends in mid-October. Eli LOVED the petting zoo. He tried to climb into every cage there and loved feeding the animals. We also went on a hay ride and walked through a hay maze, which Eli walked on more than in. Then Eli and his buddy K got to pick out and decorate their own pumpkins. Ours has been on our front porch and Eli loves playing with it every time he sees it.


Let me in! Let me in!


He would feed the animals, then try to eat the hay himself. Gross!



Setting a good example for his buddy.

This one, please.



Just like Daddy.


Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Things I Love

These are some of the things I love about Elijah:

How he pats my back when he is sleepy or sad and I'm carrying him. It's what I do to him, and it's like he's giving me comfort too.

When he pumps his fist and says "me, me, me, me, me!" after he's done eating. I have no idea why he does it, but he's so excited when he does it and it means he's ready to get down.

How he LOVES chocolate. No matter where he is in the house, he KNOWS when I am getting some chocolate and he comes begging. "Choc?" "Choc?" "Choc?"

That he loves to snuggle with me. If he's sad, or sleepy, or knows I just need a snuggle moment, he will curl up on my lap and we can snuggle for a bit. If we're reading a book or if I'm sitting near him he'll come and sit right next to me, then put his foot on my leg or his head on my arm, or both.

How much he loves to read. If he's sad or getting into something, or if I'm tired and don't have the energy to play I can say "want to read?" and he'll go running to grab some books.

That he loves the moon. It is so sweet how is says "moooooooon" and always looks for it. And he is so creative he can turn anything into the moon--the letter C, the tail on his hippo, the Pepsi logo, anything.

When he tries to get me to do something. He has started to try to pick me up or move me. If I'm sitting he tries to pick me up by the torso, if I'm standing he tries to move my legs. He is just so tiny and so determined to get me to come with him.

That he is so attached to me right now. It's not always ideal to have him get so upset when I leave or always need me, but I do appreciate it because I know it won't last forever.

When he says "oooOOOooo." It's is a sweet and excited little noise that he says several times a day. Whether he saw a car on TV, or we're giving him a treat, or he's found a toy or book he hasn't seen in a while, he's sure to let out an "oooOOOooo" in approval. 

How he likes his Daddy's picture. He's not nearly as attached to Mike as he is to me, and when Mike leaves for work he's lucky to get a waive. But at some point during the day Eli will grab the picture of the two of them, which is on our entertainment center. He might kiss it, or bring it to me and say "Dada!", or just bring it over to where he's playing, but it is clear that he is missing Daddy at that moment.

When he gets the giggles. He will just laugh and laugh and laugh. Sometimes it's becuase of something I said, like "shoo fly". I'll say it, he'll laugh and laugh, and then say "again" and we do it all over again. This could go on forever it seems, and his laugh is so infections it's hard not to laugh with him. Sometimes he'll read one of his books and just start laughing every time he turns the page. I love it!

His happy dance. Throughout the day he will do a little wiggle. He could be sitting, standing, walking, it doesn't matter. He just wiggles his upper torso back and forth with a huge grin on his face.

Getting a snuggle when I get him dressed. I have him stand up now to put on his pants, and when I do he puts his arms around my neck and gives me a big hug while his pants on.

This list could go on and on, there are so many things I love about this boy. I just felt like gushing about him for a minute. But he's ready for a snuggle and I am not going to turn him down.