Milestones

Today Elliot is five months old, and this week has been one of big milestones for him. First of all, he had his first airplane ride when he and I packed a bag and took off to Colorado to visit our families. He did great, sleeping most of the way and smiling at the flight attendants and other passengers the rest of the time. In Montrose, his Nana hosted a great big barbeque over the weekend and all our families and several friends came. Elliot got to visit his YaYa & Buzza, Grandee & Hoppa, Nana & Papa, Uncle John, Great Aunt Nan and Samantha, Great Uncle Brian & Aunt Cindy, Uncle Matt & Sophia, and even his Great Grandpa Hiner and Bonnie, and his Great Grandma Betty. Jamie & Kelsie Dimick, flower girls at our wedding but now teenagers, were also there. Not to mention lots of friends and neighbors. It was a lot of fun to show Elliot off. His chunky legs and sweet smiles were a big hit. Drew had to stay in Austin to work, but we will all be back again at Christmas for a longer visit. When we got home, Drew was very happy to see Elliot, and Elliot was happy to see his dad. It was a very sweet moment at baggage claim at the Austin airport.

Secondly, Elliot started sitting up on his own this week. His little back and tummy muscles have gotten stronger and he can balance himself upright for a short while. He is so cute when he sits to play with a toy or watch us, and then after a bit he topples over.

And lastly, Elliot ate his first little cup of rice cereal today. A few weeks ago he would have none of it, but tonight he decided that it wasn't so bad. We mix it with breastmilk so at least it tastes a little bit familiar. He likes to suck the spoon and his thumb at the same time. But he ended up eating more food than fell into his lap so we consider it a success.

This week, Elliot...

• Is sitting up on his own
• Is eating rice cereal
• Is mesmerized by polka dots and things with lots of holes, especially if light shines through them
• Is over 18 pounds at 5 months
  
• Grabs his feet and puts them in his mouth
• Is starting to drop his dream feed at 11pm and sleeping straight through some nights from 7:30pm until 7:00am
• Is even cuter than he was last week

Juli

Juli's last day with us was today (sniffle) because she starts student teaching this fall semester. We can't say enough about how great she has been to our family this summer, and most importantly to Elliot. She is patient, kind, helpful, and most of all, she adores our baby. She doesn't bat an eye if he poops on her nice pants, spits up all over her shirt, or is sad or tired. She makes him laugh and sings "Itsy Bitsy Spider" to him. He really loves her. We are all going to miss her around here. Luckily she has agreed to come visit when Drew and I go out for date nights. Elliot will be so happy... he loves his Juli.

Swimming

A few new things about Elliot these last few weeks:

• We bought him a little inflatable pool and he really likes that. It’s a great way for Mom and Dad to beat this heat wave, too.
• He braces his feet up on everything – the sides of his crib, the tray on his jogging carriage or his swing, or even his bathtub. He also loves to stand up.
• If we hold onto Elliot’s hands when he is laying down, he can pull himself up to standing.
• He is on the brink of rolling over. He’s done it a few times but not consistently.
• He has become preoccupied with gnawing and sucking on fingers… anybody’s.
• He’s a slobber monster and a gigglebox.
• He can sometimes be awake for 3 hours between naps instead of 2 hours.
• He LOVES walking around at Whole Foods. We went there on Sunday and Drew wore him in the Baby Bjorn. He told us how much he liked all the colors. He especially likes the seafood department and the shiny fish.
• He has these bouncy bugs that hang from his car seat handle. He has always loved looking at them. Now he can grab them when they zoom by.
• He can be incredibly tired and cranky, but when Dad peels his clothes off and “flies” him into the tub, he giggles and smiles.
• He used to poo every time he ate. Then it became a few times a day. Now it’s once every few days, and look out when he does!
• He’s ticklish now on his tummy and his dimpled bum.
• He has the chunkiest thighs you have ever seen.