Welcome Spring

This week I planted some flowers and seeds in the yard so we will hopefully see some color pop up later this summer. I don't have the greenest thumb so we'll see how it goes. Elliot was so cute on the deck while I potted some plants in the late afternoon.

On Tuesday, Elliot slipped and came down on his chin, putting one of his top teeth through his tongue. Lots of crying and blood but overall nothing serious. He had a big swollen tongue with a sizable gash in it. Luckily mouth wounds heal quickly. He also seems to have some seasonal allergies. The weather has been very damp and humid so something must be in the air that is bothering him. He is a blue-eyed blondie like his dad and Austin is notorious for being one of the worst cities in the country for allergies, so I guess it's not a big surprise.

We went to the Austin Children's Museum last weekend which is where the photos of him in his overalls were taken. He sought out things to spin and that is what we did the entire time... spin things. He is not walking yet (except with a walker or holding our hands) but he is garnering a nice collection of footwear including sport sandals and baby crocs.

Hard to believe we have only 80 days until the baby's due date. This entire pregnancy has flown by. We visited Dr. Polon this morning and things are right on target. She is growing steadily and I am still having an identical pregnancy to Elliot's. I do think my belly grew more quickly this time around, but I guess that is what happens when you are six months postpartum with one baby and get pregnant with the next. Dr. P did another ultrasound to confirm that we can start decorating the nursery for a girl, but she was uncooperative in her positioning. For now we are almost sure it is a girl, but we'll check again in two weeks which is how often I have my regular appointments now. I had my gestational diabetes test today which is not a big deal other than it adds an extra hour onto my appointment time. Not very convenient but necessary and hopefully yields a normal result.

Elliot's First Birthday Party in Colorado

Here are some photos of Elliot's birthday party in Colorado with our family... Nana & Grandpa Bradshaw (Cat's mom), Buzza & YaYa Bauer (Cat's dad) and Grandee & Hoppa Mayer (Drew's parents). We also got to see quite a handful of other characters including: Uncle John, Uncle Matt & Aunt Christina, cousins Sophia & baby Alexander, Great Aunt Nancy, Great Uncle Brian & Great Aunt Cindy, second cousin Samantha, and many friends and neighbors. Even our good friends from Glenwood Springs Jamie & Angie and their blondies Ryan & Bergen made the trip to GJ for Elliot's big first birthday. What a treat!

Elliot did great with all the traveling despite 3 days with only 30+ minutes of naptime, usually in the car or on the airplane. He made his separation anxiety known this weekend and there were many times he glared at his family members and cried for Mama. This was most likely due to tiredness, but also due to being a year old. We are told this phase will last a few more months.

He loved the cake, and now that we are home is enjoying the plethora of presents he received. His funniest gift came from Buzza & YaYa... a pair of blue scrubs with "Dr. Elliot Mayer" neatly embroidered on the chest. This is funny because his Hoppa is a surgeon. We would have liked to get a photo of the two docs together in their professional attire, but maybe next time.

In addition to birthday festivities, Elliot got to attend his first day of preschool at Nana's. The preschoolers liked him, but he wasn't too sure about them. His obsession with wheels and things that roll continues, and this last picture is of him making Nana help him push the luggage cart all over the airport before we left.

Elliot is a blessed little boy to have so many people who care so much for him. It warms our hearts as his parents.

Elliot's First Birthday

Today Elliot turns one year old. A year ago today we were at the hospital becoming parents. It really doesn't seem like a year has passed, but was there ever a time when Elliot was not around? We can't remember it.

Today Elliot put on his new birthday clothes and went to his 12-month well check. He now weighs 23 pounds and is 30-1/2 inches tall. He is in the 75-90% for his height and head circumference, and 50% for his weight. He is in great health although his iron is just slightly on the lower side so we're giving him a multivitamin. He had three shots today and didn't cry too much. Dr. Hargrave said he wants to keep him on formula for a few more months, but he can start drinking whole milk now too. Just in time for birthday ice cream. After his appointment, his nanny Stacey took him to the Austin Children's Museum downtown. Tonight when dad gets home we are having dragon cupcakes and opening a few presents to celebrate Elliot's big day.

Because he had the stomach flu all of last week, he did not get to have his party in Austin. But this weekend we fly to Colorado to celebrate with his grandparents and family, so he will get his party and his own birthday cake. Photos of that to come next week.

At one year, Elliot:

• Waves hello
• Says "mama" and "dada"
• Laughs when we say "zipper!" (zippers are funny)
• Has separation anxiety, especially when mama leaves the room
  
• Pulls up to standing, has great balance and stands alone, and sometimes walks with a walker if we encourage him
  
• Crawls very fast
• Likes to ride in the car
• Likes to go to the store but would prefer to face the way we're moving or be held
• Loves to watch Noggin and Baby Einstein videos
• Has favorite toys: crawl-along, animal train, CD-player and electronic books
• His favorite non-toys: telephone, cell phones and car keys
• Is obsessed with spinning things, especially the wheels on his toys
  

Sick

Elliot has been sick since yesterday afternoon. He seems to be getting better today. He had his first case of a stomach bug. There hasn't been much vomiting, but the diarrhea has made up for that. I discovered he was sick yesterday when I went in to get him after a very long 3-1/2 hour nap. To spare you the details, let's just say that all his bedding required washing and he went straight into the tub. He was of course crying which made me so sad. When all was said and done he was running a fever of 101.6 and it was hard to get him to eat or drink. He did manage some sweet potatoes, apple sauce, cereal bar and pear for dinner. He woke a few times in the night and he was able to get some formula down. Mostly he was just feverish (despite Motrin) and needed soothing.

This morning his diapers were looking a little more normal, but he still has a fever and is a little uncomfy. He wanted to be in my lap at all times so I guess this is how we are going to do it today. Poor baby just needs some extra comfort. I got him to eat some more watery foods, a cereal bar and 3oz of formula and now he is sleeping in his crib. Hopefully this afternoon he will be feeling a lot better.

I hear that kids getting sick is good for them and builds their immune systems. And kids with dogs in the family usually get sick more often. That may all be true and good but it is still hard to see my little one feeling so miserable!

Wednesday... a quick update: I took Elliot to the doctor this afternoon. He has a virus and will probably have diarrhea for the next week or so. He also has a cough which will probably bring along a sore throat. Poor kid, there is really nothing to be done. He has to drink lactose-free formula for now and sleep with the humidifier in his room. A big bummer is we were going to have a birthday party for him on Saturday with his Austin cronies. Now the Austin party will have to be canceled. At least he is too young to be disappointed about it, and will still get to have a party in Colorado next weekend with his grandparents.

Brother or sister for Elliot?

Today was the big day. Well, not THE big day but a big one nonetheless. Today Dr. Polon did the baby's anatomical ultrasound and we are happy to report good news all the way around! First, the baby is healthy and growing normally. All the parts are in there and they are all the right size for the gestational age. What a relief to hear Dr. Polon say those words. Every parent prays to hear them and not every child is healthy so we feel very fortunate.

Unlike with Elliot, we also decided to learn the baby's sex. Dr. Polon didn't see a peenie so it looks like we are having a girl! Actually, his exact words were, "I don't see a weenie, and this sure as heck looks like a coochie to me!" (He tells it like it is which is why we love him.) The baby's legs were together so we aren't 100% certain, but he said he was almost sure and will check again at the next appointment. We are excited about the experience of raising a girl. So far we only know boys so this will be something new and different. And, if we decide to have more children after this at least it won't be because we are "trying for a girl."

As for the rest of the family... Elliot is growing. I have a feeling at his 12-month well check Dr. Hargrave is going to put the kabosh on the formula. I'm guessing he is about 23 pounds. He is a very good eater and a good formula drinker, but mastering the sippy cup is still a challenge. He is not interested in walking although Buzza & YaYa got him a Radio Flyer wagon walker for his birthday in a few weeks. Maybe it will inspire him. He likes Gymboree class so I think we will renew our membership and start going to the open play gym on Monday nights. He is just about the biggest kid in his 10-16-month-olds class. He also has a new regular playdate with his friend Hayden, he comes along to a working moms group in my neighborhood about once a month, and through that group I am helping to organize a playgroup for little ones. He is still at the independent play age, but he's becoming more social.

Drew got contacts this week after deciding glasses are a pain with a baby constantly pulling them off. Actually, his glasses were wearing out and he had to decide on replacing them or getting contacts. So far he's still adjusting but likes the convenience. One day he will get lasik, but I'm first in line for that! Things are moving along great with the pregnancy. My belly seems to grow by the day, but I'm the same weight and size as I was with Elliot at this stage in the game. I have 108 days to go until the due date. I am feeling good and have energy.

Elliot's 1-year birthday is March 15th. We are excited to celebrate!