Elliot almost 5 months...

hey all,

Elliot had a busy week! We joined our family at the Agua Linda Pumpkin Patch last weekend and had a blast.  It was a little warm (in the 90's), but we managed to have a good time and brought home pumpkins and some delicious pumpkin butter!  We were able to snap a rare pic of the family as Jason and I were heading out for our day.  Jason in his uniform and me in mine We like to call them our blues...)

Elliot had a chance to meet his cousin Austin for the first time!  Sarah and Michael were here from California and the family gathered at Judy's to meet Austin.  Elliot and Austin just stared at each other and then they reached out and held hands...AWWWWW!  So cute.  We had a nice time catching up with family and hanging out outside.

Elliot had his picture taken for the Tucson Citizen newspaper...check out the link to the right...

Also, check out the link to even more pics of Elliot on Flickr!

sending lots of love,

c, j, & e

tongues and toes...

The past few weeks, Elliot has been working on getting his toes in his mouth.  Last night...success!  He was so pleased with himself and sucked on his (post-bath) toes for a good while.  He also has discovered that he has a tongue in his mouth.  He rolls it around, gums it, sticks it out, so much fun!  Also this week Elliot found his thumbs.  He has been sucking on his fingers non-stop for months now and he finally realized that there are thumbs on his hands.  We think he may become a thumb-sucker...could be worse.

Our dear friends Minette, Ryan and their son Everett were in town from Colorado last week.  They don't get to town too often, so we are thrilled to see them when we can.  Minette, Greer and I all have boys 2 months apart.  With the addition of Julia's son Quinn and Betsy's son Mateo, we have our own little boys club!  We love it and talk all the time about how they will be as they get older and all the mischief they may attempt!

I am officially halfway through my 3rd semester of nursing school and this one has been a real doosey!  At this point, I'm just looking forward to getting through it.  We just finished our rotation in Pediatrics, which I loved!  Now were on to Med-surg which is all big people (aka adults).  I'm much better with small people, so wish me luck.

This Saturday we are heading out to Aqua Linda Farm for pumpkin picking.  If that name rings a bell, it's because that is where Jason and I got married.  We're looking forward to sharing it with Elliot.

It is definitely fall now although we still are having some 90 degree days.  The mornings and evenings are gorgeous!

love to all...

c, j, & e

Elliot gets political...

hey everyone,

Elliot was in good company at the Obama Rally we all attended on Sunday.  We were all wearing our "obama gear" and got all fired up in support for change!  It's never too early to be political!  I found some other cute pictures on my camera that I had been wanting to post so here they are...

Elliot had his 4 month check-up and shot today.  The check-up was great, he is growing beautifully. The shot didn't go so well, but so far no reaction to it (what a relief).  He weighs in at almost 15 lbs and is 25 inches in length.  His head grew an inch and a half in a month...we're not surprised because he's the smartest baby ever!

xoxoxo,

c, j, & e

Elliot @ 4 months!

Hello all!  Elliot will be 4 months old tomorrow!  It is unbelieveable how fast it has gone.  Jason and I have noticed an "explosion" of skills coming from the little guy in the past week.  He is very proficient at grabbing toys and bring them to his mouth.  When he drops them, he gets them again!  Brilliant!  He can scoot around on his tummy and end up halfway across his blanket.  The volume of his voice has increased and he loves to serenade us...especially at 4 in the morning!  He gets cuter everyday (if that is possible), and we fall more in love every minute!  We had a nice morning with our friends greer, kiley and nate at himmel park.  It was breezy and felt like fall...

love to all,

c, j, & e

Elliot grows!

Elliot has been busy lately!  Not only has he learned how to grab things and put them in his mouth, he has had many functions and parties to attend!  Aug/Sept are big birthday months in our family, so we have been celebrating!  First my dads' birthday where Elliot debuted his very dapper hat (a hand-me-down from buddy Quinn).  Then Kieran's hot-wheels-themed birthday party, and then the co-bday celebration for Kieran and I (we were born on the same day!).  He was a champion as usual, delighting all those attending with his infectious smile and happy spirit!  Elliot has also been working very hard on tummy-time and is now starting to really enjoy it!  I think it helps that he can look around, reach for things, and roll over on his back if he wants.  Elliot has been amazing while transitioning to the change in our schedules.  We are incredibly blessed to have my mom and Mary (Gawain's mom) on hand to fill in the blanks while I'm at school and Jason is working.  It feels so good to know that Elliot is in such loving hands while I'm away.  The weather is finally changing and fall is coming!!!  I remember once again why we live in Tucson!!!

sending love to all of you...

c, j, & e

Elliot @ 3 months!

hello all!  The past two weeks have flown by as we have tried to adjust to our new schedule now that I am in school.  It was a lucky break that Jason's days off just happened to be the days I was in school.  So, the childcare transition has been hard, but good.  Jason has done an excellent job of taking over the "mommy" role and Elliot doesn't seem to have noticed.  The first day I left, I cried all the way to school, each day has gotten a little easier since then.  Elliot hit his 3 month  milestone and is 14 lbs now.  His 3 month doctor visit went well (except for the shots) and he is in the 50-75th percentile in height, weight and head circumference.  His doctor, Molly, describes him as  a "thriving" baby.  Music to my ears...

Today we tried Elliot in the bungee bouncer that was a hand-me-down from his cousin Kieran.  Lately, all El wants to do is stand and kick his little legs, so we thought he would love it, and he did!  He stayed in it for about 20 minutes...turning this way and that and shrieking with delight that he could "stand" on his own.  According to Jason's mom, he was the same way!  Just wait until he figures out that he can jump in it too!

The weather is threatening to cool down and we are all looking forward to gorgeous fall days!!!

love to all...

c, j, & e

more pics!

Elliot has so many pictures taken of him that sometimes I don't even get to see them all.  Here are some sweet ones from my mom's camera.  The pic with all the babies is from Elliot's Tuesday playgroup (he's in the orange stripes). I love the one of Elliot in the toybox with cousins Tillie and Ailsa close by. Elliot with his daddy, Jeff and Nate Parrish and a sweet one of Elliot with his Tio, Gawain.   

Well, time has flown by and tomorrow is the day I start school for the semester.  Elliot will be home with daddy this week as I get used to being a normal person again.  I sure hope my brain still works...

c, j, & e