More Water Fun

We went to a friend's house today and got to play on her waterslide! I love taking pictures of moving water. (And the little baby in the pictures is pretty cute too)

The water droplets are in focus, cool effect....

Love how Eli's swimsuit matches, that wasn't planned I promise.

Left the shutter open a little longer for this picture, I love how the water looks!

A Boy and His Dog

When we decided to get a second dog, Doug was the one who did some reading up on various breeds. He really wanted a bloodhound, and had read that they were really good with children. In fact, they can be so passive they can easily be abused by a child pulling on their ears, etc. We knew our lab mix should get along fine with children, and the bloodhound sounded like a good match, so, we ended up getting a bloodhound about 2 and a half years ago. Our bloodhound does not seem to have a typical "bloodhound" personality in that she is extremely skittish and shy. Won't let anyone pet her when we are out walking, hides from people in the house, won't walk past unfamiliar objects placed in her usual path, that kind of thing. She finally has warmed up to our immediate family members, since she has seen (and I supposed smelled) them several times. All this to say, we were not sure how she was going to react to the newest human member of the family. For the longest time, she didn't seem particularly interested in the baby; she would sniff at him ocassionally, then walk away. The majority of the time she is inside, she sleeps on the landing on our stairs, and since Eli doesn't climb stairs - they don't interact very often. Lately however, she has shown a very gentle, submissive attitude towards the baby. Lucy the Lab has actually been more likely to give a warning 'growl' at E when he is getting too much in her personal space, even though she will come around him quite often. Today, for whatever reason, Maggie laid down beside Eli and just let him go to town playing with her. He patted her, pulled on her feet, her ears, her dog tag, and she just didn't seem to mind at all. I sat beside them the whole time, because (1) I don't want her to suddenly snap if Eli did indeed hurt her and (2) I want to protect her from getting hurt by Eli! I just couldn't resist taking a ton of pictures of their interaction. I wish the lighting was better where they were sitting, but that's just how it goes sometimes. Enjoy the pictures! (well, I can't seem to display them in an orderly manner; I had so many, I made them smaller, thinking I could place them next to each other, but can't seem to get that figured out, so, ummmm, enjoy the Scatteredness!)

Reflections on FWAFB

Finally my nervousness has given way to giddy anticipation. I didn't know how many emotions I would run through, getting ready for my First Weekend Away From the Baby. I agreed to go on this scrapbook retreat with my sister-in-law; I went with her to this same place/group of people two years ago, where I worked on a mini album about my dogs. Big difference in topic this year! Sometimes I step outside myself and marvel at where I am with motherhood. A few months ago, no way could I have gone on a weekend away from the baby. I had opportunity to go on two different retreats already, but after waffling about the decision, opted not to go, just wasn't ready yet - either of us. Definitely was not ready to leave for a weekend while I was still nursing (weaning him from that was tougher than I thought, on BOTH of us.) Now that is done, he is much more independent (well, as independent as an almost 11 month old gets), and I'm ready for a weekend outing - alone. I'm not worried about the baby's welfare at all - Doug does a great job with him, and my in-laws are coming in for reinforcement as well. (On a side note, I've been reading a book called "Babyproofing Your Marriage," and I am astounded at the rudeness and helplessness of some of the husbands quoted in the book. I am very thankful that Doug is not like those men at all! Don't worry honey, the "REM Sleep" comment won't get posted here or put in Eli's baby book. You're allowed a few of those comments as a new dad, and since that comment you've seen the error of your ways, so it's all good. ) I suppose it's ME and how I will miss him that makes me feel nervous! I read somewhere, and totally agree with this concept, of how a new mother falls "in love" with her baby - it's the same feelings as when Doug and I first fell in love. I remember how I felt when we were first married and Doug went on his first overseas trip - I missed him so much and was so lonely when I came home from work to the empty apartment! Of course I still miss him when he travels now, but it's not that intense feeling when it's all New. The intense, new mom love I have for my baby is overwhelming sometimes - I know I will miss holding him and seeing him smile at me, watching his antics and his new-found skill of pulling up on everything in sight. On the other hand, as I was washing his feeding tray for the millionth time this morning, listening to E cry on the other side of the baby gate, standing on my recently mopped floor now covered in dirty dog prints, I thought, whew, this break will be nice. I worked all week on getting pictures and papers picked out and organized; I cleaned house and did laundry. Even though my in-laws are the most non-judgemental people I know, I still want the house to be clean for them, at least the bathrooms! I made sure the baby had food, new wipey refills, new tube of desitin. Now that everything is "in it's place," my feelings of trepidation are moving towards excitement - I get to spend a weekend with my favorite hobby, visiting with other gals, can even take a nap WHENEVER I WANT TO, meals will be cooked for me and no cleaning up required - ahhhhhh. It's time. Time to be recharged!

Here's the load I'm taking. Actually not too bad compared to what I've seen others take on my scrapbook retreats. The blue tub towards the back actually is paper I'm going to donate to others (did some cleaning out while going through everything this week!) We do a get to know you game with a gift exchange, that's why you see a wrapped present there. This year's theme is to bring something you Really Like. You're supposed to bring your own favorite thing (at around $12) and then bring a wrapped one to share. I had a hard time coming up with something, seems like my favorite things are either more than $12, or, I can't find another one (like the cool chicken wire basket in this picture, I LOVE that basket but couldn't find another one at Home Goods.)

Wanted to feature a glimpse into my Page Packets I've worked on all week. I actually got this idea from Nicole. I picked out the pictures that will go in the book, matched paper to them, and found whatever other pieces would need to go on that layout - letter stickers, ribbon, that kind of thing. Then I put all of that in one of these 12x12 envelopes. I actually have 3 or 4 layouts in each envelope. I am hoping I will have Eli's book caught up to March!

Swingin'

Experimenting with this fee layout I downloaded. Fun stuff!

new round toy

Eli wants to know why I haven't shown him this fun new toy before....

Investigating

Checking out the corner in his toy area....

Outfit Blast from the Past

Here is Doug, circa early 1970's....

Doug's mom kept this outfit, so.....fast forward to July 17, 2010....

Who Is This?!

Who is this big kid? Where did my baby go?! Pulling to stand, not drooling constantly anymore, banging things together, starting to imitate more and more motor movements...so many changes all at once!

visits with friends

We've had some fun with visiting friends and family lately!

We got to meet Baby Matt! We are so excited that Traci/John/Matt are moving back into town! Look at that little precious baby.

John entertaining E.

We went to the park and had a picnic lunch with cousins Rachel and Aaron last week. Love the expressions on all of their faces.

Can't get over how grown up Rachel looks these days!

Pam came into town with her kiddos, Jamie and Nate. I've known Pam since...well, let's put it this way, I can't remember a time NOT knowing Pam! We had a good time catching up over lunch. I like how Lucy was trying to edge into the picture with her toy in her mouth.

We've had fun with all of our visitors!

life at 10 months

At age 10 months, Eli:
-really likes peas, and likes to feed himself
-has discovered it's fun to throw peas on the floor (too bad Lucy won't eat peas)
-is starting to imitate motor movements, such as touching items in a book
-will find ways to get around baby gates that are not securely fastened
-will sit up in his crib when he wakes up (sometimes)
-has tried to stand up in his bathtub, and stand up in his bassinet
-accidently rolled down 5 steps to the first landing, without a bruise or scratch
-had his first "high" fever and sore throat
-is starting to take baths in the "big" bathtub, even though the running water freaks him out
-crawls everywhere
-loves chasing the dogs
-is a total delight.

Managed to climb over or around the Dr. Pepper box and slip through the gate and chair to escape!

Won't be taking baths in this tub much longer!

Enjoying the walk and feeding ducks.