Don't tell Mom the babysitter's Us!

Today Mom and Dad had two extra kids around, Katie and Anna. You know what, it was really fun. First Mom and Dad put together our double stroller and we strolled on over to the park. I took a snooze and Katie and Anna played in the park. We went on home and then we all played. Anna colored, Katie played with Legos and I hung out in my bouncy seat.



When 3:00 p.m. rolled around I was exhausted so I had some chow and fell asleep. It had been a long day. I slept from 7:30 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. Mom said I'm almost there. I've been wanting to sleep in lately though. Mom woke me up the last two mornings. Mom says I get really cranky when I sleep in. It doesn't bother me getting woken up. I just am happy seeing Mom.



We also went to the farmer's market this morning. There are not too many vendors there yet but we got some more herbs, some onions, asparagus and organic bacon. All sounds good. Also Mom put on my cool shirt that Gramma Bette gave me. Mom said she gives all her clients this advice. Peace out...

Alex

Erin & Mike's son Alex is 22 months old and too cute!

Four months already!

Well I had my four month check-up yesterday. It went well except for the shots. I do not like those shots. Thankfully Mom was ready with some chow so after a few glugs I forgot about them. I even smiled at the nurse after she gave them to me. Besides the shots I weigh a hair less than 13 pounds and I'm 25 inches long. I've grown over a half a foot since I was born. Mom thinks that's not too shabby. My head is 43.5 centimeters around which is pretty big, but I have a big brain.

I'm laughing and laughing away. My most ticklish part is under my chin. I like to be tickled right before my bath. That is a ton of fun. I talk a lot, but Mom says that runs in the family and I'm almost rolling over. I can get my feet all the way over but alas (I know big word for a four month old) I can't get all the way.

My favorite toys are my bug, which Uncle Craig and Aunt Kasie sent (I bet cousin Sophie loved it too), my Winkel Gramma Bette bought me, and my O'Ball that Liza brought me. I love them all!

The Grandparents have been babysitting and doing a wonderful job. I love spending time with them. Last week I was at Gramma Sonny's and we had a blast. This week Grandpa Bill is back and next week Gramma Bette gets to put me to bed and watch me at night alone for the first time. Mom, Dad, Ken, Carla and Jon and Meera are going to see R.E.M. and Modest Mouse. I'm sure they'll have a good.

Mom will post another pic soon (like she hasn't posted enough already) and I'll continue to update you. Peace out...Elias

Memorial Day.

Take time to remember our Vets on Memorial Day (Thanks Dad!). Love, the fam...

Elias likes it!

Well, maybe, maybe not. So on this long Memorial Day weekend Mom and Dr. Toma decided it was time for me to get my first taste of rice cereal. To tell you the truth I'm not sure I like it. It was mushy and kind of tasted like cardboard (not that I know what cardboard tastes like). I spit most of it out and gagged a few times, as most of you know I do that when I'm not sure about something. Mom has a pretty easy gag reflex, I must have got it from her. Anyway Mom said the foods will get better tasting. She has some apples, pears, bananas, peas, sweet potatoes and more. I guess it will be interesting to start trying this stuff but for now I'm going to make Mommy work for it. Peace out.

Upscale Baby

Hey everybody, well Mama is making a little side income. I just got hired on to do some blog reviews for a website called Upscale Baby. This blog is just starting out and is in the process of getting bigger and better as we speak. We would love to get some additional traffic so now you can check out Little Man and head over to Upscale Baby as well to enjoy my daily banter.

Oh and Elias turns 4 months old today! We had a little bit of Rice Cereal this morning and got it all on video. I think he plans on posting something later about it so check back.

- Carly

I know people, too cute.

Garden of Eden

Yesterday we planted the garden. This year, of course, we went all organic. We planted five different heirloom tomato plants, some onions, swiss chard, cucumbers, strawberries, and peppers (purple, red and hot and spicy). Every year we do this and have tons of extra tomatoes and cukes but hey our relatives and co-workers also reap the benefits. I love gardening and doing things in the yard. We're planning on landscaping the East side of our backyard next weekend with plenty of Hosta varieties and some other shade growing plants. I can't wait until Elias is old enough to help and dig in the mud. Right now he's not very interested in hanging out in the yard. I guess that's why mom's don't do much yard work. He played on his activity mat in the shade for a while then sat with me on the deck but most of the time just wanted to hang with mom. That's okay, hanging with me is also my favorite thing. So for all of you who we will see this summer, we'll make you a cucumber salad with some nice heirloom tomatoes.

Great Website

Now you all know how crazy I've gotten lately. I've rid our house of chemical cleaners, I make Brad use organic shampoo and paraben free shaving cream and I'm thinking of using organic forumula when the time comes. Elias uses only BPA free bottles, teethers, toys, etc. To me it's a scary world out there and I'm going to do what I can to sheild my family from it. So in my rants and internet searches I found a great website, http://www.safemama.com/. It's great. It actually has cheat sheets you can download, print and bring to the store with you. I've been having an issue with finding a sunscreen for Elias, bam, first post on safemama today. To me California Baby is the way to go. Elias uses their bubble bath, shampoo and now sunscreen. I really wanted him to have eco-friendly diapers as well but they leak and are very uncomfortable for him. It's too bad that there are no reliable, affordable diaper services in the suburbs, but alas he's as green as can be. Anyway, I thought I'd share this site with everybody. I'm off to buy some 7th Generation laundry detergent, carpet cleaner and some Earth's Best baby food (Elias starts solids very soon). Call me crazy, but at least I feel I'm doing my part.

Asher update...

Getting big and too cute!

No Sleep till Brookfield

Okay, now being back at work the lack of sleep is starting to kill me. It's not like I don't get sleep, I usually head to bed around 10:00 p.m., I don't get continuous sleep. Every night Elias wakes me up around 1:00 a.m. and then again around 4:00 a.m. The first one he eats, the second one his head is usually lodged against the crib rails or his arms and/or legs are dangling outside. Now I completely understand the no one would like to sleep with their head against a rail but jeez, if I could just get one night of sleep.

I tried to train my body a few weeks before I went back to work. I would get up at 6:00 a.m. and not take a nap but there is something about ACTUALLY working that makes you even more tired. The bummer of the situation is that Elias actually sleeps 6-8 hours straight. Yes, SIX to EIGHT hours straight. They're just from 6:30 to 1:30 a.m.

Don't get me wrong, I love the kid more than life itself but could he give a Mom a break. Maybe sleep from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

So I have yet to write a date in his baby book in the slot that says "slept through the night". I know, I know sleeping six hours in a row is considered sleeping through the night, but until I fall asleep at night and don't wake up until the morning, Elias has yet to sleep through the night.

How did everyone else get through this? Do you have any tips, pointers, drugs (ha ha just kidding about the last one) that can help me survive the title of "Working Mom"?

I am 16 weeks old!

So I hit 16 weeks today. I'll be driving before you know it! So I've had a pretty good week. I discovered my feet. They're pretty cool. I almost got them in my mouth but not quite yet. Mom says I do some pretty good yoga poses. I really love my Gymini activity mat. I can now reach the purple elephant. So far I can't pull him down but I can hold on while he wiggles back up. It's pretty cool.

I slept 8 hours straight last night. Mom says it's too bad that it wasn't from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. but from 5:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. I really like getting up at 1:30 a.m. No matter what time Mom puts me down I always wake up at 1:30 and then around 4:30. It just kind of breaks up the night.

I've started talking a lot. It's really cool to yell, gurgle and squeal. I pretty much babble all day. It sounded like I said "when" the other day but really I was just yelling.

Mom said solid food is around the corner now. I guess I can start eating something called Rice Cereal. I'm not sure what it is but I may or may not give it a try, depends on my mood.

Other than that I've been enjoying my time with the Grandparents. Grandpa Bill was here last week, Grandma Bette is here right now and I get to hang with Grandma Sonny next week. I'm really looking forward to that. Mom is doing okay back at work. I know she misses me a lot but I'm cool. So far she usually gets to put me down for my first nap so I'm sleeping when she leaves. I do miss her but I like hanging with the Grandparents.

So peace out for now. I'm sure Mom will have some funny video post when I start eating solids. Mom's gotta ask my cool doc, Dr. Toma, before we actually start. I know she's going to ask about Organic Formula too. I think I might like that stuff when I have to start drinking it. Talk to you all soon!

Cute picture of the week!

Heck they're all cute!

Happy Mother's Day

I wanted to say Happy Mother's Day to my Mommy and to all the Mommies out there. I got all dressed up and headed over to Gramma Sonny's and Grandpa Jim's for a wonderful feast. Mom had a fabulous time and Dad and I did real good on her gift. She loved it. I also wanted to give a special shout out to the new Mommies, Leanne, Meghan and Carissa. I hope your Mother's Day was as good as Mom's. Peace out...Elias.

Wednesdays with Grandpa

So yesterday was my first day with Grandpa. It was pretty cool. I took a short nap in the morning before Mom left for work, woke up and then ate a very big bottle. I'm growin' ya know. Then Grandpa and I did some playing. We had a really good time and he kept me really entertained. Mom called and Grandpa told her I was being a good boy. Then it was time to nap again. I didn't sleep that much yesterday it was too exciting. Grandpa read me books and took me and Marbie for a walk. I didn't cry once (now I can't guarantee that happening again). Grandpa also got really lucky. No poops. I had two big ones this morning before Mom left for work so she got to deal with them.

So I'm looking forward to my second day with Grandpa. I actually slept seven hours in a row last night. It was from 6:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Mom asked if I could start doing it from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. but I'll have to think about that. Peace out...Elias

Shout Out

Congratulations to Derek & Molly and big brother Aidan on welcoming Liam Patrick.

Born May 1, 2008. May Day Baby!

Eco-friendly and no chemicals.

I know many of you probably get American Baby magazine but I thought I'd let you know about this cool website for toys. Plan Toys uses only water-based stains and preservative-free rubberwood for its toys. Not to mention they are extremely cute! Check them out here.

This week on Cribs, Elias.

Guess who has two thumbs and sleeps in his crib all night, this baby! Yeah, that's right I'm sleeping in my crib all night. Now I still don't sleep through the night, I wake up mom just once during the night and sleeping in about 5 1/2 hour stretches, but it's all in my crib!

You know it wasn't too difficult. Mom just decided we were going to have a bed time ritual everytime I napped or went down for the night and you know what, I really like it. Around 6:30 we head up stairs for a bath. I love my baths, we splash the water and play with the ducky. Then I get my PJ's on and we read a book. I hold onto my lion-headed blanket "Roary", and after I chow down I fall asleep to some classical music (I'm a sophisticated baby). Before Mom & Dad head to bed I eat again and then don't wake them up until 3 or 4 a.m. I think I'm pretty close to sleeping through the night but I kind of like seeing Mom during the night so I'll keep doing it till I get sick of it.

If I get bored I turn on my crib toy. If I can't reach it with my hands I'll use my feet. It's nice to wake up the 'rents that way. Sleeping in my crib is fun. I can turn myself all the way around and sometimes stick my legs out the side. It is always interesting when Mom gets me in the morning.

Mom said we shouldn't have a bumper on because of something called "smothering" but I'm not sure. Do any of you other babies stick your legs out? Do you have a bumper on your cribs? Let me know so I can tell Mom. Peace out...Elias