Monday, February 21, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
2 Year Check-up
Elliott had his 2 year well-baby (I mean check-up!) appointment the day after his birthday. Apparently he is officially a kid now and no longer a baby. Not only does this mean we have to start paying co-pays for check-ups (well-babies are almost always co-pay free so people will go), but he also got to use the big-kid scale instead of the baby 'vegetable' scale for his weight. This however was not something he was super happy about...although really, it wasn't the scale that was the problem, it was going to the doctors ;)
We have been expecting Elliott to start 'catching up' at some point size-wise, given he is not exactly from petite stock. He weighed in at 26 pounds and measured 34 inches tall. This puts him on the growth chart at 25% for weight and 40% for height, so I guess he is starting to catch up! Now, my opinion about the validity and significance of The Chart hasn't changed, BUT we can use the chart to clearly see where Elliott is in comparison to himself and his own growth rate. He was previously at the 5-10% range in weight and about 25% in height, so clearly he has been doing a lot of growing in the last 6 months!
This appointment also proved mama to be a big fat liar. In an effort to begin the process of displacing Elliott's fear of the doctor, I told him all about his visit and what the doctor was and was not going to do that day. Key point: I told him he wasn't going to have any shots and that nothing was going to hurt. They were just going to look at him. Ugh. Apparently there was a booster he was due for which I didn't realize. Oops. Not a happy camper. As soon as the doctor left the room he started asking for his clothes - shoes...kaulks (socks)...pants..., since he knew clothes-on meant we were leaving. Needless to say, he was already crying before the nurse even came in to give him the booster. He cried through the shot and was still crying as the nurse told me she would update his vaccination card and leave it at the nurse station for us. As she was leaving and Brad and I were saying thank you and goodbye, Elliott stopped crying and told the nurse "thank you". It took us all by surprise and the three of us were caught between it being the funniest moment and also the sweetest. Brad and I may have even teared up a bit. Man, I love this kid :)
We have been expecting Elliott to start 'catching up' at some point size-wise, given he is not exactly from petite stock. He weighed in at 26 pounds and measured 34 inches tall. This puts him on the growth chart at 25% for weight and 40% for height, so I guess he is starting to catch up! Now, my opinion about the validity and significance of The Chart hasn't changed, BUT we can use the chart to clearly see where Elliott is in comparison to himself and his own growth rate. He was previously at the 5-10% range in weight and about 25% in height, so clearly he has been doing a lot of growing in the last 6 months!
This appointment also proved mama to be a big fat liar. In an effort to begin the process of displacing Elliott's fear of the doctor, I told him all about his visit and what the doctor was and was not going to do that day. Key point: I told him he wasn't going to have any shots and that nothing was going to hurt. They were just going to look at him. Ugh. Apparently there was a booster he was due for which I didn't realize. Oops. Not a happy camper. As soon as the doctor left the room he started asking for his clothes - shoes...kaulks (socks)...pants..., since he knew clothes-on meant we were leaving. Needless to say, he was already crying before the nurse even came in to give him the booster. He cried through the shot and was still crying as the nurse told me she would update his vaccination card and leave it at the nurse station for us. As she was leaving and Brad and I were saying thank you and goodbye, Elliott stopped crying and told the nurse "thank you". It took us all by surprise and the three of us were caught between it being the funniest moment and also the sweetest. Brad and I may have even teared up a bit. Man, I love this kid :)
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Elliott's View of the Fish(es)
We brought Elliott's camera with us to the aquarium. Here are his photos...all of which he took, except for the last one...mama helped him on that one since his finger didn't quite reach the button, but we knew what he was trying to do ;)
fish tails
hand rail
mama
auntie meagan
self portrait
fish tails
hand rail
mama
auntie meagan
self portraitTuesday, February 8, 2011
A (Birth)Day at the Aquarium
So I decided that having your child's birthday right after Christmas is almost as annoying as having your own birthday right after Christmas. It's hard to even think about planning birthday parties in the middle of the holidays. And then in the aftermath, you don't want to think about it either. Let alone the idea of birthday party gifts! Yikes, following new Christmas presents? It's just too much. This all to say that we kept things simple again this year. And since first and second birthday parties are (for the most part) totally lost on the honorees, we (again) made Elliott's birthday celebration a small family affair. Only this year it was a destination party at the Birch Aquarium!
Elliott loves to look at fish and fish tanks, (heck, remember the Free Zoo?) so we thought this was a great option. It was so much fun to see him with all the big tanks. He must have said "wow" and "wow, weird" I don't know how many times.
And sometimes, he was just content to take it all in.
They have a nice tide pool exhibit outside as well, even though Elliott was a bit small to really see what was going on in there.
We also discovered he was NOT a fan of the rubber lobster. He got behind grandma as fast as he could and just stayed like that until he was sure it wasn't alive...and even then he didn't want anything to do with it! Ha!
He was particularly concerned that some of the star fish were not in the water with the rest of the star fish and tried to rescue a couple of them. Fortunately, we managed to keep all the rubber star fish out of the tide pools!
They also had a great water exhibit outside. There were two tables with water that flowed from one side to the other. You could make adjustments to the current with the yellow and blue plates and then see the effect it had on boats you sent down stream. Needless to say, Elliott had a good time sending the boats on there way and even making adjustments to the stream (or at least trying to ;) He got some good assistance from grandpa and uncle Robert!
Here's a little video of how it worked:
All in all a great day!
Elliott loves to look at fish and fish tanks, (heck, remember the Free Zoo?) so we thought this was a great option. It was so much fun to see him with all the big tanks. He must have said "wow" and "wow, weird" I don't know how many times. And sometimes, he was just content to take it all in.
They have a nice tide pool exhibit outside as well, even though Elliott was a bit small to really see what was going on in there. 
We also discovered he was NOT a fan of the rubber lobster. He got behind grandma as fast as he could and just stayed like that until he was sure it wasn't alive...and even then he didn't want anything to do with it! Ha!
He was particularly concerned that some of the star fish were not in the water with the rest of the star fish and tried to rescue a couple of them. Fortunately, we managed to keep all the rubber star fish out of the tide pools!
They also had a great water exhibit outside. There were two tables with water that flowed from one side to the other. You could make adjustments to the current with the yellow and blue plates and then see the effect it had on boats you sent down stream. Needless to say, Elliott had a good time sending the boats on there way and even making adjustments to the stream (or at least trying to ;) He got some good assistance from grandpa and uncle Robert!
Here's a little video of how it worked:
All in all a great day!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Two Years
Two years. Two years since we became parents to a six pound little man, who was very distressed about how cold it had suddenly become. Two years since we started to get to know this new little person. Two years since our lives changed.
The first photo we ever took of Elliott...before he even had his name!
I think about all the monumental changes that occurred in Elliott’s first year and honestly never thought his second year could ever hold a candle to it. But then I sit here on his second birthday and I am in awe of all of the changes in the last 12 months. He started his second year cruising around and just starting to make his first independent steps. He didn’t talk (not that he was quiet by any means). And I’m pretty sure his favorite past time was pulling all the CDs out of the cabinet (something he wasn’t allowed to do, but did anyway). He needed help to do almost everything.
At his 1st birthday party
Now I see a little boy who loves to run and play and climb. He can tell us what he is seeing (‘water in there’), his wants (‘more bananas’), and his plans (‘go play legos?’). (Heck, the fact that he makes plans!) He knows acceptable behavior in our home (even if there’s a little slip now and then – our bags are just so tempting!) and follows it! He is even starting to make friends (although opportunities to foster any real friendships have been few and far between). He is always exploring and observing the world around him, something that has helped mom and dad reconnect to some of the simple beauty in our world (when was the last time you stopped to notice the truly magnificent sight of cars and trucks streaming over a tall freeway interchange at sundown?).
We are also discovering who this little man of ours is. He is bright, curious, and ever fascinated by how things work. He is also kind and giving (one of the best sharers I’ve seen!) and sensitive to others and what they are going through (he cried when Remi was separated from his family at the beginning of Ratatouille – note to self: we really need to get some truly rated G animated movies in our home. How are guns and knives rated G?).
He is funny and likes to make us laugh. And the helping! My gosh he's a great helper! He does the laundry, makes soup, sweeps the patio and even vacuums! The look of pride and sense of accomplishment on his face more than makes up for the extra 'time' it takes when he is helping you with any of these things. He loves to be apart of things and sees everything. Everything. We catch Elliott spontaneously mimicking us sometimes, which reminds us we need to be careful about everything we say and do around him now.
Some of his favorite things to play with include his matchbox cars, his train, his Legos, his toy pots and pans (he made a wicked veggie stew last night and even served up some for mommy and daddy :), and his tool box. He likes to draw and he is finally starting to enjoy books again (he has always liked to flip through them, but for a while there, he had no interest in sitting still long enough for us to read one to him). And food? Freeze dried bananas and mango continue to be a favorite along with apple sauce, carrots, yogurt, pasta, noodles and the occational french fries. He's still not much of a meat eater (unless its in ball form *eyeroll*) and you can just keep your cheese, bread, and rice (unless you can make him Ethiopian or Somalian rice...then he CHOWS down. Thank you, ladies from the farmer's market!).
Elliott's 2nd birthday party at the Birch Aquarium
All in all, Elliott's 2nd year has been a pretty amazing one. He continues to be a healthy, happy kid and I think he just might be my favorite person :D
Elliott, we love you beyond anything we could have ever imagined. We are so proud of you and who you are. Happy 2nd Birthday, big boy!
The first photo we ever took of Elliott...before he even had his name! I think about all the monumental changes that occurred in Elliott’s first year and honestly never thought his second year could ever hold a candle to it. But then I sit here on his second birthday and I am in awe of all of the changes in the last 12 months. He started his second year cruising around and just starting to make his first independent steps. He didn’t talk (not that he was quiet by any means). And I’m pretty sure his favorite past time was pulling all the CDs out of the cabinet (something he wasn’t allowed to do, but did anyway). He needed help to do almost everything.
At his 1st birthday party Now I see a little boy who loves to run and play and climb. He can tell us what he is seeing (‘water in there’), his wants (‘more bananas’), and his plans (‘go play legos?’). (Heck, the fact that he makes plans!) He knows acceptable behavior in our home (even if there’s a little slip now and then – our bags are just so tempting!) and follows it! He is even starting to make friends (although opportunities to foster any real friendships have been few and far between). He is always exploring and observing the world around him, something that has helped mom and dad reconnect to some of the simple beauty in our world (when was the last time you stopped to notice the truly magnificent sight of cars and trucks streaming over a tall freeway interchange at sundown?).
Walking: when it started to become second nature
We are also discovering who this little man of ours is. He is bright, curious, and ever fascinated by how things work. He is also kind and giving (one of the best sharers I’ve seen!) and sensitive to others and what they are going through (he cried when Remi was separated from his family at the beginning of Ratatouille – note to self: we really need to get some truly rated G animated movies in our home. How are guns and knives rated G?).
Our little sharer
He is funny and likes to make us laugh. And the helping! My gosh he's a great helper! He does the laundry, makes soup, sweeps the patio and even vacuums! The look of pride and sense of accomplishment on his face more than makes up for the extra 'time' it takes when he is helping you with any of these things. He loves to be apart of things and sees everything. Everything. We catch Elliott spontaneously mimicking us sometimes, which reminds us we need to be careful about everything we say and do around him now.
Being silly and cute
Some of his favorite things to play with include his matchbox cars, his train, his Legos, his toy pots and pans (he made a wicked veggie stew last night and even served up some for mommy and daddy :), and his tool box. He likes to draw and he is finally starting to enjoy books again (he has always liked to flip through them, but for a while there, he had no interest in sitting still long enough for us to read one to him). And food? Freeze dried bananas and mango continue to be a favorite along with apple sauce, carrots, yogurt, pasta, noodles and the occational french fries. He's still not much of a meat eater (unless its in ball form *eyeroll*) and you can just keep your cheese, bread, and rice (unless you can make him Ethiopian or Somalian rice...then he CHOWS down. Thank you, ladies from the farmer's market!).
Elliott's 2nd birthday party at the Birch AquariumAll in all, Elliott's 2nd year has been a pretty amazing one. He continues to be a healthy, happy kid and I think he just might be my favorite person :D
Elliott, we love you beyond anything we could have ever imagined. We are so proud of you and who you are. Happy 2nd Birthday, big boy!
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