i'm on the move

posted by eloise

it seems i am moving more and more each day. mommy and daddy finally had to lower my crib to make sure i don't try to pull myself out of it.

eloise: 10-month update

posted by mommy

an every-two-month-update seems to be the norm now! yet again, i missed posting an update (this time at 9 months) and again, am a bit late on this one. oh well!

1. nursing - we are still nursing 5-6 times per day and once or twice at night. i have been playing around with dropping one or two during the day (after naps), but she is still such a finicky eater with table food that she still sometimes needs those extra calories.
2. eating - eloise is definitely more finicky than either of her brothers when it comes to eating real food. she does still enjoy cheese, apple, pear, and root veggies. sometimes she'll chicken or eggs, but we never know! often times i'll make smoothies for everyone that we all love, and by all accounts she should, too, but she won't touch it! she is definitely more challenging, but i figure it's still mostly about exploring tastes and textures, so i try not to sweat it. she has, however, figured out how to drink water and loves either her straw cup or my camelbak.
3. growth - she did gain some weight at her last checkup, but the last couple months have brought a few colds, one nasty unknown virus, and a new tooth (#5!), as well as army crawling, so growth has been a bit slower than before.
4. development - the last two months have brought lots of advancements in this department! she has begun army crawling and has great form! she has one very strong upper body. she has now enjoys waving and loves clapping and dancing. daddy is working with her often on standing, and even trying to take steps around the ottoman, but she's still too wiggly and floppy!
5. sleeping - not much has changed in the area - wakes once or twice a night to nurse, and takes two naps during the day (1.5-2 hrs morning, 1.5-2.5 hrs afternoon).
6. overall demeanor - since she spent much of the last two months either sick or teething, eloise has definitely been much more fussy and needy the last two months. we have missed our smiley, happy baby, but fortunately she is doing much better now!
7. favorite things - she loves crawling all around the house, playing on the floor with her brothers, and laughing at herself in the mirror. she has also developed the best and biggest smile ever!

eloise milestones

posted by eloise

i seem to be learning more and more each day. i'm all over the place with my army crawling and daddy has been working with me on my standing. i'm just preparing myself for a fun spring with the family trying to keep up with me.

i'm able to stand all on my own

                                         

happy 10-month birthday eloise!

posted by eloise

look what i'm doing

posted by everett

daddy walked in my room to get me after my nap and this is what he saw. good thing they lowered the crib a few days before.

everett's ten month update

posted by mommy

1. food - spoons are close to being officially banned! and variety is an absolute necessity...not just throughout the day, but at each meal. ev pretty much wants at least 3 or 4 separate things, just a little of each. he definitely challenges me! nursing is still going strong and hasn't slowed much, about 6-7 times each day/night.
2. growth - not a whole lot of change in this department, except we think he's lost one of his five rolls on his legs! he seems to be lengthening out just a bit.
3. development - he continues trying hard and getting better every day at pulling up, almost getting himself out of his bath once! he has also begun playing with consonants more and i am happy to report, unlike his brother, it appears his first word will be "ma ma"!! he doesn't yet actually know what that is, but that's his main consonant of choice for now. he is also teething again and it seems #5 and #6 are working their way down. lovely.
4. sleeping - daytime sleep is the same (except days when he wakes early due to a hurting mouth!). nighttime sleep seems to be settling to only waking once a night to nurse. however, with teething, that one waking can be for an hour and a half or more!). he still doesn't much care to be soothed by daddy for now, especially since he only wakes once, and is understandably hungry (he's gotta work hard to maintain his chunk!).
5. overall demeanor - we continue to enjoy ev. he laughs a lot, smiles more, and enjoys being with us wherever we go.
6. favorite things - ev recently went to the pool for the first time, and loved it! he has been back a few times and enjoys being in his float, bobbing with mommy, or floating on his back. he also enjoys going for walks with his brother and riding in the blue car. increasing independence definitely makes a for a much happier everett!

c is for cookie

posted by everett

today i had my very first oreo cookie...well, the whole foods version of an oreo anyway. no wonder people love these things.

the handoff

the preparation

the first bite

the last bite

the result

the mess

the enjoyment

i love bath time

posted by everett

i love when i first get out of the bath and get to hang out on the floor. i seem to be very energetic after my baths and according to mommy, i'm such a ham.

happy ten month birthday everett!

posted by everett

my ten month birthday was on monday, but mommy and daddy are just now getting around to taking the pic. taking the picture is always a fun event with my brother owen running around behind daddy trying to make me laugh while mommy tries her best to keep me from grabbing the sign.

peekaboo!

posted by everett

i found my new favorite hiding place.

everett and the lion

posted by everett

mommy and daddy pulled out the lion to help motivate me to pull myself up. so far it seems to be working and now i'm determined to pull myself up the stairs...as long as there is a toy for me to chase.

falling asleep

posted by mommy

i knew ev was tired this afternoon, but didn't realize he would be so tired as to fall asleep like this!

please excuse the graininess. low light + camera phone + auto-enhance = poor quality. but you get the idea!

he was definitely moved shortly after taking these photos. thank goodness for video monitors!