Fall Foto Frenzy

It's Fall…meaning football season. 

This little boy supports the DHS Panthers!

It was homecoming this week- complete with Eli's first parade

 Where he paid very little attention to the parade- and a LOT of attention to sticking out his tongue.

 See?

Later, we went to the game.

We got to visit with his aunt/uncle/cousins, great aunt, great uncle, three great grandparents, and those relatives that are relatives even though technically you aren't related…you have those too, right?

He slept through the fight song, national anthem, cheers, touchdowns, and all sorts of yelling for the first quarter.

But First…we had to go on our morning run…and fall means I can bust out his new hat!

 Ok, so it didn't stay on wonderfully, but it is still adorable.

It is supposed to be worn more like this.

 Then there's this.

 I've also learned that if he is tired enough, he can fall asleep anywhere.

Look how manly he looks.

 I took a 5 month photo (mainly because his suspenders were so cute) that paralleled my niece's Easter photo when she was around the same age

 While we were at it (re-making old photos), I thought I might do an update of one of our maternity photo shoots.

Here are some with his head too. He was distracted at first- he loves the feeling of grass under his feet.

 Eventually Nana made enough crazy noises that he looked up.

 Other happenings: now that he sits up so well, we've been experimenting with high chairs when we go out. It never goes well. Don't get me wrong, he hasn't fallen out or anything, but it is WAAAAY more work than it seems like it would be.

 I also "installed" the swing his grandma bought him. 

He loves it. 

Yes, he swings in PJ's. 

Don't judge.

 We play with blocks and send pictures of our creations to Rico at work

 and we try on mom's glasses

 ..and we have more family lunch dates

 It was game day- he had to wear his jersey.

 This time we had our picnic in Old Town. These are actually the fountains that Rico and I ran through after our wedding. 

 See

Our next lunch date was in Delano- at Monarch. 

Obviously this is at night- I am not wasting my time taking pictures if I can google them…so this is what I get. Here's one I really did take.

Here's a random photo- forgive my wet hair, I had a good week where his naps just didn't quite last long enough for that step.

 But look how much Max loves Eli.

 Lest you think Eli is always Mr. Happy, here he is at a lunch date at Panera with his Nana and Papa.

and his reaction to the freezing grocery store after missing a nap while I stopped to make him pose with the mini bananas I found.

Not amused.

 Other adventures include discovering THIS at our weekly trip to the library to get our bedtime books for the week. 

 That's the water tower you see when you come into town. 

Wow, that sounds SUPER small town-y

 He also discovered that the blinds behind our bed open to a WINDOW. 

To OUTSIDE. 

And that the window opens and WIND comes in.

 He was mesmerized for about 20 minutes.

….and to end: his 5 month photos

 I couldn't pick just 1

 because I think he is so darn cute.

That he ONCE AGAIN ended by jumping out of his chair. 

Oh, this kid.

You've Gotta Read This

You know those days: when you are reminded of how amazing your friends are. When you think- "Gosh, I wish I had more of her (insert trait here). 

Today is ANOTHER one of those days.

I have lots of friends who impress me daily, in fact, I plan to go on a rant about another "Katy" friend who has been choosing love. 

Choosing joy. 

Choosing patience. 

Choosing faith. 

Choosing ALL of these things when no one would blame her is she chose bitterness and anger...

Oh gosh, don't get me started. 

Back to THIS Katie.

My friend Katie wrote a blog for Kansas City Mom's Blog about being aware of how your words (as a stranger) impact her family. 

She could have written YET ANOTHER "15 things not to say to (insert a group of people here" blog.

No one would have blamed her.

Instead, she chose grace.

She used phrases like "I know you are just curious" when she spoke about ignorant strangers.

See what happened there,

 I wrote "ignorant" and you read it as an insult. I think we've used the word ignorant negatively for SO long, that we've all forgotten what it means.

Uneducated.

Is it really fair to be ANGRY at someone for their ignorance (if it really is ignorance). 

Ok, maybe it is FAIR to be angry, but let's expect more of ourselves than "fair".

Katie took what I would assume to be her first guttural reaction to these situations (defensiveness, bitterness, and anger) and instead showed kindness, empathy, forgiveness, and a willingness to educate rather than blaming and attacking.

She chose love.

Seriously, my friends are awesome.

Not to mention how she helps the reader to realize that it isn't about hurting HER feelings, it is about her kids.

" I also want you to know that my children have ears and brilliant little minds. I’d like to tell you that they hear what you say, and with each time a well-meaning bystander comments on our transracial family, they hear their mama yet again have to ‘explain’ them and us as a family. Those little ears and little minds think about these questions for hours – days."

Seriously, you should read this. 

Read Her Article By Clicking HERE

You'll learn more than just "What you should say to a family touched by adoption", 

you'll also be impressed by a mom who chose thoughtfulness to address sometimes thoughtless (again, not an insult, we all often say things without thinking them through) comments.

I've been working on fruits of the spirit lately, and I decided that "gentleness" was the my most rotten fruit. 

Maybe that is why this speaks to me so much. 

What an AMAZING example of showing God's GENTLENESS. 

4 month skills

Seriously, this has been a busy week.

I am supposed to be subbing, but have gotten zero calls.

I could worry about it, but for now I am enjoying it! 

Eli has been developing SO quickly these past few weeks!

Perfect example, here's a video from just a week or two ago of Eli trying to learn to sit.

And then tonight

I mean, that's pretty amazing stuff right there.

He learned how to catch a ball.  (Not like this, that would be mean)

He learned to turn pages…kind of. It is clear that he has learned which way pages turn, and he can bat at them to get them to go, but he can't literally turn them. I just got so excited at his very first little pre-reading skill that I had to document it.

Of course when I went to film it he refused to do it.

Then we went to the library and he did it for my mom immediately. 

So I snuck up and filmed some

 He swang by himself for the first time…and LOVED it

Rico also took him down the slide. It seemed pretty silly to go all the way to the park

(ok, 2 parks because the first one didn't have baby swings) for 3 minutes of swinging and then leave.

Lest you think he actually cared about this slide adventure:

He's developed a new way to communicate a new message. A high scream when he wants something and it has been taken away. It's kind of cool to see him learning to create language for a specific need, even though it isn't words and it isn't a pleasant noise. (It DID save me from losing his taggie on the sidewalk three different times on our run the other day- so there's that) 

He made that noise when he decided that my glorious Bubba Mug (a breast feeding mom's constant sidekick) needed to be his. He seemed to know pretty quickly that the straw was meant to go in his mouth.

I know, I know, EVERYTHING goes in his mouth, but I swear this was purposeful. He didn't try to put the cup in his mouth, he specifically reached for the straw.  

This is what I am choosing to believe.

We also went to his first music class! Obviously he wore his guitar shirt. All the other babies were 10 or 11 months old, but he still giggled and watched intently as I sang and danced over him, under him, and yes, even in a circle around him. I left a little sweaty.

 He almost got stepped on and sat on within 30 seconds. 

No big deal, he's resilient.

That's bound to happen when you play with the big kids.

 We followed that up with our weekly lunch with Rico, this time we went into a restaurant  sandwich bar and the seating was SO crowded that I was too overwhelmed to get a picture. It was yummy, but sensory overload (for me, not Eli, he slept)

Here's what google images has to offer- please note that is not a table for a large party, no, that is where you sit, elbow to elbow with strangers. Obviously it is a dive bar.

After that, Eli and I made a pit stop at the Doughnut Whole, where we picked up some girl scout cookie themed doughnuts (I had made the mistake of looking at their facebook page the night before and then had a craving that wasn't going to go away). 

Eli LOVED looking at all the different kinds of doughnuts. 

Just kidding, Eli loved looking at the fan.

Eli always likes looking at the fan.

I would have spent longer attempting to get him to look at the camera, but I felt a tiny bit bad about having his butt on the table (the FACS teacher in me) AND making annoying "look at me" noises while hipsters studied around me.

I also got to babysit my niece. That's right, 2 kids, 1 adult. 

I was intimidated to say the least.

It actually went WAAAY better than I could have expected.

She'll be a great big sister.

This wasn't when I babysat, it is just to show off how cute she is.

Yes, yes she STILL calls him "baby Alli" instead of Eli. 

I get called "Allison", but Eli may learn to say "Lizzie" before she ever comes around to calling him his real name. 

She threw away diapers, shared toys, and was easily tricked into doing just about anything just by the phrase, "Now show Eli how a BIG GIRL ______" (puts on pajamas, uses the potty, cleans up…you get the picture)

She also hosted Eli's first tea party!

I maaay have encouraged this out of a subconscious feeling of loss that I may never get to play tea party with him. 

Ok, maybe not Subconscious. 

 I was very aware of what I was doing.

"Here you go, here's some cake"….see I told you she was sharing well!

Yes, "Deeee- licious" indeed

Eli also went on his first cold weather run. He wore this hat.

My mom INSISTED that I take a picture because he "looks so cute"

I disagree.

I think he looks like a thug.

A criminal.

A baby ready for a mugshot.

It's not a good look. 

I know it, you know it, I bet Eli even knows it.

But Nana and grandma think he's pretty cute. I believe this is the perfect example of "grandma blinders"

*insert some sort of "love is blind" comment here*

Sorry dude, fitted stocking caps just aren't in your giant headed future.

In emotional development news: he also seems to be developing a nice healthy attachment. Independent enough to try new things, but still looking to me to be re-assured when there is new stimuli.

A lot of my parenting choices revolve around hoping to foster this attachment, so this is a REALLY big  proud mama moment for me.
of note: I cleaned off the toothbrush both before and after

Things Eli is still working on: object permanence. I took this video for the teacher who took over my Child Development classes to show when she teaches it. 

Poor guy. Oh well, it makes peek-a-boo THAT much more fun!

Not that pretty much everything isn't fun. 

I came home tonight and jumped on the bed and it started an hour of giggles. 

Now, he SHOULD have been sleeping that hour, but I should be sleeping right now and I am blogging, so I'll forgive him…and blame Starbucks.

A Time for Everything

There's a time for everything around here.
Like a time for bed…it's a process

Bath time. Ok, this is drying off time, but he looks so stinkin cute! And Tigger isn't even my favorite (I like Piglet, or even Eeyore)

Then, time for PJ's, a diaper change, and his "goodnight tour" where he goes around the house to say goodnight to his grandparents. (I know, pretty cool that he gets to do that. I can't think about it too much or I cry because when the house is done that won't happen anymore)

Then it is story time! This week's bedtime stories. I am documenting his books- pretty sure I missed a week or two, that's ok.

Sometimes daddy has a sno-cone sickness so grandma steps in to save the good-night routine.

Then there's family time

 Niece time: I decided I wanted to let Lizzie bake with me, so we made healthy pumpkin muffins.  WE liked them. Everyone else in the world thought they were horrible. Whatever, she had fun.

My sister sharing her lap with her daughter and Eli…she's practicing because she is PREGNANT again!

Eli was a little grabby. Lizzie was shockingly patient about it.

...And playdate time

Zoo time with one of my oldest friends and her son Sam.  Sometimes you go to the zoo and the fans and people you are with are way more fascinating than the exotic animals. Especially when you aren't even 1 yet.

Oh, and tee-pees. Sam LOVES a good tent. (I thought she was exaggerating when she said this, but no, he really does light up.

Still set up at the zoo after Zoobilee (an awesome night where they open the zoo for a fancy event with free food and open bar (I think). I've never been but I want to go SO BADLY. Pardon my bust in this…apparently this saloon girl was nursing too!

That's more appropriate

...And time for routines and traditions

Weekly lunch time…with daddy. This week we met him over his lunch hour at the Waterfront for 9 layer hummus.  

A time for morning runs…look at Eli sitting in the stroller without his car seat!  I felt SO accomplished after this run because I peeked in at him and saw him with his glasses nearly off his face, hair SUPER windblown, and yes, flipping me off. I didn't run nearly fast or long enough for him to look like this, but it sure made me feel good!

...Or mommy time while Rico works on making us a house

We went to the Rally to Improve Birth- there were lots of tables where I got lots of hope for my future labor, names of groups I would like to join, and maybe even career information.
There were also lots of baby wearing, breastfeeding, and cloth diapers around me.
It was awesome.
We also enjoyed the farmer's market outside after we left (I didn't buy anything, but Eli had fallen asleep in his Tula carrier and I didn't want to wake him up to be trapped in a carseat.
Plus it was amazingly pretty outside.
Plus there was live music.
Plus I drove 30 minutes to get there so I was atleast going to stay for over an hour.

I did NOT take this, but Eli, my mom and I all went for a walk here after the rally

 And finally, we can't forget church time. 

Eli was really bringing the cuteness again this week.

We also had a picnic there that afternoon, but I haven't seen any of the pictures I saw being taken.
Or the drone video…which may or may not have gotten some arial shots that are basically going to be cleavage city since I was bending over playing with Eli.

And then we start again. New books to start out the new week of adventures.

This coming week looks to be jam packed with fun…hopefully I remember to take pictures along the way.

Starting this next week with Eric Carle books. We also got a book for Daddy about being grumpy…to try to make his bad days better. 

Wrapping up Labor Day Weekend

I woke up Sunday to something I hadn't experienced in weeks- a FULL NIGHT'S SLEEP.

Eli was so tired from his torturous trip home that he slept from 11-6:30. 

Thank you baby!

We got up and had some time playing with the three dogs at Jess's parents house as well as her parents, who, might I say, are naturals.

forgive his hair…Jess wanted to change it up a bit

Off we went to Lee's Summit so meet Rico, my friend Kathie, and her husband in Lee's Summit.

(Yes, remember that Rico had an adult man slumber party over there consisting of video games and final fantasy drafting) 

We ate at the mom-and pop style diner they have right in the old "downtown".

I ordered something called "the trash can", that had pretty much every unhealthy thing in one big pile. 

And it was delicious.

AND I ordered an extra cinnamon roll (you get one free)- 

because I am an adult and I can, that's why.

After breakfast we took a trip over to Rico and I's old favorite thrift store. 

Thrift stores in our new area SUCK.

We met one of my old students there so she could see how much Eli had grown- and I shopped.

I was right- this is the BEST thrift shop. 

Eli got a bag of stuff- AND it all happened to be half off that day.

We took the long way back to the highway to go home (through our old neighborhood and past our old house)

Rico told me I wasn't allowed to leave the garage door opener (I had forgotten to leave when we moved out) on the doorstep because apparently "That would be creepy"

I think it is creepier that I can probably get in their house!

The drive home did not go well.

Eli was awake AND fussy, the entire drive home.

We made more stops than usual because of his mood, so our 3.5 hour drive ended up being closer to 6 hours…Rico and I both fighting off sleep the entire time.

It wasn't all bad though! At one point Eli was being SUPER fussy and we were trying to decide when/where to take our next break. 

He told me that he had a plan.

"Remember that orchard you ALWAYS want to stop at and I ALWAYS say no? I thought today might be the day"

What a thoughtful husband! 

It turns out, this place is a winery too- so it was a DOUBLE win because I was just telling him the other day that I wanted to go to a vineyard.

It is called Pome on the Range. 

Cute huh?

They had AMAZINGLY tasty peaches 

and interesting wine flavors.

And DUCKS! Eli loved the ducks.

 We got back on the road with a basket of peaches, a bottle of raspberry apple wine, some adorable pictures, and a little bit more energy to finish out our trip.

We were all in better moods- including Eli who was pretty darn entertaining.

KC in 24 hours

Rico had his fantasy football draft back in KC this weekend, so I tagged along so we wouldn't miss out on family time AND so I could show Eli some of my favorite KC people and places.

The trip there was good- thanks to Mr. Owl who seems to be able to make Eli feel better about being restrained to a stupid seat for hours at a time. 

 We met my friend Jess at my favorite BBQ place, Oklahoma Joe's (now Joe's Kansas City) and it was everything I remembered.
We went to her house and Eli met her dog Hope.
There was a little growling and Rico got nervous.
We dropped Rico off in Lee's Summit to play some video games before the draft (I can't make fun of him too much- the last time he played was literally the night I went into labor when he had nervous energy he was trying to harness)
Jess and I went straight for the plaza to visit the children's section of H&M- which I had heard was amazing.
(and by amazing I mean cheap and without cartoons on everything)

It was pretty good, certainly many more options for clothes that looked like small adult clothes (my favorite), but still lots of cartoons and surprisingly still expensive.
I found the CUTEST gray sweater, but had to put it back.
This mama is not paying $24 for a sweater than my child will wear twice and probably get poop on.
Sorry.
When we went back to the house to get ready for church (and for me to pump), Jess re-tried the Hope thing.
I wasn't there, but when I came out from pumping, she had this adorable evidence that it went better this time around.

Off we went to church. Jess's church is downtown. It is basically in the parking lot to the KC Star and down the street from the Sprint Center. It is in a cool old brick building turned hipster awesome.
More important than any of that- it is able to be cool AND still remain focused on biblical truth and not get lost in trying too hard to be cool.
Many churches have a hard time balancing those things.

Where do you go to dinner after church- well, KC's favorite drag bar of course!
Hamburger Mary's is just a block or two over, and Jess (and Eli) had never been, so of course we had to go!
That's what totally normal people do after church, right?
Eat at a drag bar?
Sitting on stage?
With a 4 month old baby?

He slept until the show started- and then he giggled, danced (ok HE didn't dance but I made him dance), and truly enjoyed the show as much as we did.

What's not to love?
Bright colors.
Animated voices.
Singing.
Dancing.
It is everything a kid's concert would be, except entertaining to us as well.

Eli was a hit. One of the first things the headliner said when she came out was: "Oh look, baby's first drag show! Awww, and he even got dressed up in a bow-tie!"
She had me tell the audience how old he was and introduce him.
She dedicated songs to him and referenced him between almost every song. It was amazing.

He stayed awake AND in a good mood for the entire 90 minute show.
We paid for it on the car ride home as he screamed and cried (real tears, the kind that make me cry too because I can't pick him up and fix it so I feel helpless. I think I hate the carseat as much as he does).
It didn't get better when we got out of the car either.
I was SO full, I knew I couldn't feed him or he would choke and I would squirt milk all over him, me, and any surface within a few feet (sorry, but it is true. I was packing milk-guns), so I had to pump in one room and listen to him scream in the next.
It was so sad.
Oh I HATE that feeling.
Thankfully, once I was able to give him the bottle he was his normal happy self and he made a better impression on Jess's mom who had been lucky enough to be holding him while he was screaming his head off minutes earlier.
Thankfully she'd been there with 3 kids herself, so she was gracious about it and so VERY sweet and loving to Eli.
We BOTH slept like logs.