Lots of firsts

Eli is now 6 months old and has had lots of firsts since our last post. He's had his first cereal: rice at first but that really backed him up...you know...so that led to his first juice. Apple juice from a sippy cup (another first) but he wasn't quite ready for the sippy cup. We switched to oatmeal cereal which he absolutely loves and also to prune juice. Apparently apple juice can loose it's effectiveness? Anyway, he LOVES his juice and his cereal.

Today we started his first veggies. I made him some acorn squash and, true to form, he loved that too. Eli just loves to eat. Though you can't tell that from looking at him. At his 6 month check up he weighed in at a whopping 14 lbs 10 oz and 25 inches long. Still in the 10th percentile for both weight and length. At least he's proportional :) He loves sitting up, though he needs some help to avoid tipping over. And he also loves the cats. He stares at them whenever they walk by and he likes to "pet" them. They're surprisingly patient with him as he grabs fists full of fur and pats them a little too hard... We're trying to teach him to be gentle. He's also rolling over now but usually only from front to back. A few times we've seen him roll to his tummy but he usually needs help to get all the way over.

Sadly Eli also has his first cold. It started on Tuesday and is showing no signs of going away. He doesn't have a fever just lots and lots of congestion and a little coughing and sneezing. It's so pitiful :( He's also trying to get his first teeth. We can see some white spots and he's drooling like crazy and putting everything in his mouth but I think it'll be a while before they poke through.

The best news is that he's finally napping!!! He'd actually been sleeping too much at night (13 hours) so we're keeping him up a little later and he's taking 3 naps/day now for about an hour each. It's absolutely wonderful!!! Here are some pictures of him eating his first veggies. He loved it at first then started making a really funny face. He also loves when Daddy feeds him and makes airplane noises (last picture)

Merry Christmas

Well, I'm finally making time to add a post of my own. It's been a busy but wonderful Christmas and we hope all our friends and family had a merry Christmas too:) I think Ryan and I and Eli's grandparents and aunt and uncle had more fun than he did but next year he'll understand a little more. Or at least be able to rip the paper off by himself. I know it's a little extreme but you can't say the picture of him with all his loot on/under the tree isn't adorable! Sometimes I get a little carried away with the camera but what first time mom doesn't?

Here's a family picture we took Christmas Eve. And yes, for those of you who live out of town, I chopped off my hair. It was supposed to be below the chin but you know how that goes sometimes. At least I won't be throwing it up in a pony tail every day anymore...because it won't fit! Anyway, Merry Christmas to you all!

p.s. Can someone tell me how I can change the color of my title???

Elias Christmas pictures

Sharon took about 50 pictures for our Christmas cards. Here are just a few.

Peek a boo

Our music man

Eli has really started to love his changing table. He will often chill on it for as long as you let him coooing and agooooing his little heart out. He has really started enjoying music as well. His favorite is when mom sings to him. Here's a picture of mommy singing to one excited babe.

Halloween!

Since Sharon has been slacking on the updates (it's like she has other stuff to take care or something)...here goes nothing from Dad. Elias had his first trick or treating...well not alot of tricks or treats but he got dressed up anyway. He was a little pirate and had a great time visiting Grandma and Grandpa Ford then surprising Grandma and Grandpa Hitz and family on their doorstep. Who wouldn't love this little guy!

A New Tradition

I know Eli will enjoy this much more as he gets bigger but I really had my heart set on going to a pumpkin patch this year to start a new tradition. We had so much fun!!! The place was huge and had tons of fun stuff that Eli will get to play with next year like a big hay pile that little kids were playing on, a huge inflatable caterpillar to crawl through, a little "pumpkin train" to ride on, and a huge sling shot where you can fling baby pumpkins into a pond aiming for a canoe. Plus they had elephant ears and lemon shake ups, you know why I'm going back next year! Here are some pictures we took. I dressed Eli up in a little outfit with pumpkins on it and made him wear pumpkin socks too, lucky for him the pumpkin hat was to small...