Halfway to a Year

I can hardly believe that it's been six months since Eli was born. WHY MUST TIME KEEP GOING SO FAST?!?! Bryson asked me today (whilst dressed in his new favorite outfit that screams Christmas) when Santa is coming... I said not for a very long time... and then I realized, it's only four months until Christmas! And then, alas, Eli will be 10 months old. Oh ya, this post is about Eli... back to him *grin*
These pictures say so much about Eli right now... He really is a happy happy boy- especially when he has my attention- but he's doing better entertaining himself. Drool all over his shirt- he's soooo close to his first tooth- I'm pretty sure I can feel it, but I can't see it yet. He's sitting up pretty well by himself- it looks like he's leaning against the couch in this picture, but he's about 6 inches in front of it... he sat there for about 10 minutes playing with his toys before he fell over... with a big smile on his face. He is such a joy to his family- we all love to love on him and make him smile.

At the car wash (hoo-hoo)

On the way home from Greenbluff, we decided the car needed washing, especially cause it was so hot outside. Bryson was a great helper hosing everything (and everyone) down.
Dallin saved us from having to give him a bath tonight- he was loving the soapy bubbly water...
Check out that pot-belly! And could his shorts be riding any lower? It is so fun to watch the way he operates. He was cracking me up trying soooo hard to pull the trigger on the hose nozzle- and finally got it... he was so pleased with himself and squealed with delight as he sprayed everyone.

Just Peachy

We took a little family outing along with some neighbors today to Greenbluff to pick some peaches- We'd never been to Greenbluff before, and never picked peaches, so I was excited- Bryson was mostly excited about a trip to the farm. We went on a little tractor ride- oh, wait, it was a train according to Bryson and Dallin- it was called the fruit loop express. Cute.
As we rode to the peach part of the orchard, we went through the apple section- it's not apple season yet, but I can't wait for that. It was so fun to point out to Dallin the apples growing and see his amazement- by the time we got to the peach section, he was READY to pick some peaches- we'd been eating store bought peaches for a few weeks, and nothing gets his attention like me asking if he wants a peach for a snack.
What is with Bryson's new smile? He was 'smiling' for Aunt Emily when I snapped this picture.
Even Eli got in on the action. Really, he'll benefit the most from our little excursion- I pureed a bunch of peaches up and froze them in ice cube trays for him. No, he's not eating solids yet, but soon enough. He had so much fun in the backpack- content as can be watching everything.
It was stinking hot out there, but so much fun... I can't wait to go back for the apples! And pumpkins. And squash and lot of other stuff too.

Oh, and the peaches are divine! So juicy and sweet.... mmmmmm.

Buddies

My brother Scott and his family and cutest tiny little puppy came into town a week ago and stayed with us for a few days. It was so fun to have them here with us, and thankfully Dallin didn't maul the dog to death. He loves dogs- especially ones that he can be all 'alpha male' over.

This is cousin Jesse- he's 10 months old- and pulling up on everything... He and Eli had great fun playing with the exersaucer- Eli inside, rotating around, and Jesse on the outside toddling around. It was so cute to watch.

It is amazing to me the difference that six months can make in babies-

Mmmmmm Mustard

Mother of the Year (again)

I'm sure I've posted before about how I missed out in parenting class the day that motherly intuition was handed out. Good thing I'm a nurse, so I can trust my nursing judgment... or not. Apparently my nursing judgment doesn't apply to my own kids. Oh, and the third strike, my kids didn't read the manual on symtomology.

A month or so ago, I had a nasty head and chest cold. All three boys had it too, but not nearly as bad as mine- I'd rather it be that way any day though. We all got better and had been better for a few weeks. But late last week, I noticed that Eli's cooing and babbling (and crying) was kinda raspy and hoarse. He didn't have any other symptoms, so I just logged it in my brain as something notable. Then two days ago he started with the goopy nose and gunky cough. Still sleeping well? Check. Still eating well? Check. No fever? Check. **Side Note** ever since Bryson had his 13 ear infections in 11 months (NONE of which I had ANY clue anything was wrong with him because he showed NO symptoms!!) the voices in my head are always shouting "EAR INFECTION!!" anytime my kids look at me funny. And do you know how many times (and how much $ in copays!) I have taken my kids to the doctor just sure that they had an ear infection because they have a cold, won't eat, won't sleep and they've got a fever?? A humiliating number of times... enough times to reassure me that the kids are really smarter than I give them credit for. I think they stifle their laughing the whole way home.

So back to Eli. Raspy voice, icky nose, yucky cough. And yesterday he was so fussy sporadically here and there. He just seemed extremely uncomfortable every so often, and then he'd be fine. So around 5pm after he writhed in my arms for a few minutes before settling down again to his normal docile self, I told Nathan I was going to call the doctors office (our fab pediatrician is open until 8pm Monday thru Thursday). Nathan was headed outside as I told him, and the door had barely shut when I had already changed my mind... I really had nothing concrete. Of course Eli is more fussy... he's got a snuffy nose- that's bound to upset any obligate nose breather. So I didn't call.

He slept fine last night but woke up with a crusty nose to beat all. Heaven forbid I touch the childs nose, let alone chisel the dried mucous off- so I took him in the shower with me to loosen it all off. While I've got him in there, I notice a bunch of crusties on his right ear... so I'm thinking maybe his nose ran all the way down his chubby little cheek into his ear and crustified there. Except that the crusties are golden in color- resembling ear wax... hwuh? There is no way that this kids ear drum could have ruptured! But still, this does warrant a call to the doctor. Or does it? Still no fever. He hasn't been that fussy. I erred on the side of caution and got an appointment. After I hung up the phone, Eli was all smiles and cooing like never before. I almost called back and canceled, but stick with it. What's one more shot to my motherly ego?

Pretty sure the doctor was skeptical too. I can't say I blame him considering how loudly Eli was chuckling and babbling at me in the office as we were waiting. The doctor asked about his appetite, his sleeping over the last few days, any fever? But when he looked in little Eli's ear, the doctor only said one word. "Ouch." Yes my friends, my sweet little 5 month old has a ruptured ear drum (and double ear infection) and I was ready to cancel his appointment to save my pride because he didn't have a fever. What a little trooper! I've heard that generally once the eardrum ruptures, it feels a little better because the pressure is relieved (which is what makes the eardrum burst in the first place), but from all accounts, that getting to that point is a very very painful process.

So do I get a trophy for being Mother of the Year? 'Cause if so, I'm pretty sure I should get a very large display case that will hold the numerous ones I'm accumulating.

I ask you, is this the face of a child in need of immediate medical attention?
C'mon, throw me a bone here!!