14 months old

Well since I posted so late the last time, I don't have much new to report from the last couple weeks. We've been busy but nothing really special for Elijah specifically.

This past weekend we rode the Christmas train with Grandma and Grandpa Steiner. It was very snowy but not overly cold so it was a very nice ride. I'm overly protective of the baby of course so all you can see are his eyes but he still seemed to have a good time. Other than that, we've put up Christmas decorations around the house and getting ready for Christmas.


As for milestones, I can't really say we have anything new. We don't visit the doctor again until next month so no new numbers. He is cruising more and will walk holding on to our fingers but really doesn't seem very interested in walking alone. I don't foresee it happening anytime real soon but we'll see. He has, in the last couple weeks, figured out to how get on and off of his ride on toys and bouncy zebra all by himself. He even today was pushing himself on the ride on toy a few inches. He still takes 2 solid naps and sleeps about 12 hours a night. No complaints here! He is certainly pickier about his food than Isaiah was and more vocal with his opinions in general but for the most part he eats good. He absolutely LOVES green beans and yogurt. He's maybe been talking more in the last few weeks - baby talk, but talking none the less.

 

More exciting things to come for this little bug in the new year for sure. We hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year!

13 Months Old

Elijah is still growing like a weed. We don’t visit the doctor this month so no updated numbers but you don’t need a measure to feel him getting heavier! After a fun birthday party things have really started to slow down a bit, the lull before the holiday storm. We did get out for trick-or-treat night and visited a few neighbors who love to spoil the boys. Also as brother has more time off here and there for various holidays we’ll have plenty of new experiences.

We did try painting with both boys this past month. I think Elijah enjoyed watching his brother more than actually painting himself. He also didn’t like being strapped in his high chair, so he wasn’t in there long enough to really get going.

Elijah has been doing well now with the sippy cup. He’s also doing great with all the new foods we have been introducing. He pretty much eats whatever we’re having now with minor adjustments to ensure he isn’t getting too much salt or sugar. He has an opinion and is not afraid to express it. If he doesn’t want something, watch the left hook. If he doesn’t like anything, he’ll give you the signal for “I’m all done” from the first couple bits. If he wants you to switch up what you’re offering him, he’ll reach for the other option on the table. And if brother get’s his food first and Elijah is not in his seat yet, Elijah has no problem helping himself to Isaiah’s food!

This busy guy has a lot to see and do and is on the move. He is an expert crawler and climber. His new favorite place to hangout is on Isaiah’s mini trampoline. He will sit on his knees to bounce and giggle the whole time. He’s also doing more cruising and a few times has let go and stood a few split seconds before getting down. He's not an expert sleeper but we work around the missed naps and early mornings. He's such a happy guy, we just can't complain!

Isaiah’s biggest fan is definitely his little brother. Elijah will sit right next to Isaiah and try to imitate everything he is doing. He will watch him run and then go around the room doing whatever he was doing. Isaiah doesn’t seem to mind him so long as Elijah’s not taking whatever it is he is playing with. I look forward to them playing together more.

Well that’s about it for now. Have a great Thanksgiving and holiday season!

 

The Big One!

One year old! As we’ve been to different parties and events over the last month, I’ve tried to remember Elijah at those events and then I have to remind myself he wasn’t here yet (just along for the ride). J

This month has sure been a busy one. Shortly after Elijah turned 11 months old, we went on vacation to Myrtle Beach. What a fun time. Grandma and Grandpa Steiner came along. We went to the beach, played at the pool, rode the SkyWheel, went to the Aquarium, ate lots of good food, and relaxed. Elijah also decided it was a good time to switch to a sippy cup while we were there. After we returned from vacation, daddy was off work for a few more days so we even had some post vacation relaxing time at home. We went car shopping and eventually bought mommy a new car. We went to a Barn Dance and celebrated Jenna’s 8^th birthday before daddy’s vacation was up. Isaiah returned to preschool and daddy to work but that didn’t stop the busy activities. We celebrated on Elijah’s actual birthday with a family dinner. Mommy and Isaiah went to the pumpkin patch for Isaiah’s first field trip, Elijah went to get photos taken and then the next day to see Dr. Ware, and a busy week concluded with a 1^st year Birthday party, the Huffman’s Fall party, and outdoor family photos this past weekend.

First birthday parties are always fun times, with cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents around to enjoy the moments. Some weren’t able to make it so we have to include a link to the smashing of the cake! Warning it is about 12 minutes long - http://youtu.be/_AGI3m7cWE0

We waited for weigh and measure until we went to see Dr. Ware on Friday. Elijah weighed in at 23lbs, 13oz and measured 31 1/2 inches long. Now that’s almost exactly what we measured him last time but of course we’re using a different scale and measure system so it’s all relative! Needless to say we don’t need numbers to see him growing like a weed!

This month Elijah’s new developments included 5 new teeth poking thru, leaving just one more cuspid and his last 4 molars. He’s definitely enjoying his teeth as he adventures into new tastes and textures like spaghetti and meatballs, baked chicken, and bar-b-que pulled pork. He still loves some good ol’ mashed squash or sweet potatoes. Also this month, he is “cruising” the furniture to get around. Unless he really wants to go, then he’ll just drop down and zoom crawl to get there. He isn’t showing a lot of interest in walking yet. He did learn to climb stairs while on vacation and now makes a bee-line for the stairs whenever we’re not looking. I don’t know what he thinks is so interesting at the top but he’s determined to go find out as often as possible! Next step, learn to get back down the stairs gracefully.

While vacation was fun, Elijah definitely preferred his bed at home. He slept okay so long as he had a room to himself. He’s still today taking a good 1 1/2 morning nap and 1 1/2-2 hour afternoon nap, going to bed around 6:30 and waking around 6:45. You could just about set your watch to his wake up time! Like I said before, Elijah decided he was ready to wean while on vacation and has now completely mastered the sippy cups daddy found. He’ll down a full one before bed each night. We’re back to the fun of multiple “kinds” of milk. J


Elijah is one happy baby and we just love soaking up all the smiles, giggles, and snuggles we can get. Its so fun to watch him explore and experience new things. He defiantly prefers to experience them with mom and dad right at his side and has no problem letting you know when he thinks you might be missing something, or he’s missing you! We look forward to another exciting year watching him grown and develop. We love you Elijah!

11 months!

It can’t be true! My baby boy will be a year old in less than a month!! He is changing and growing so quickly. No doctor visit this month so we weighed and measured him at home.  He is up to 23lbs 12oz and 31 1/2 inches long.

He has become quite a little speedy guy when it comes to crawling. And, new this month, he has learned to pull up to standing to get a better view of his surroundings, or to see out of his crib! This initially created some challenges since he couldn’t figure out how to get back down until someone came to lay him down but now he’s up and down as he wishes. Isaiah playing with the tablet on the couch, no problem, let me see that too! Elijah is a huge fan of whatever Isaiah is doing. You can see his little wheels turning whenever brother is drinking from a cup, eating with utensils, playing with a toy, running around in circles. Elijah will be right there after him on foot in no time.  Elijah also had perfected his waving skills this month. He sees trips to the store as opportunities to practice the wave and make lots of old ladies smile as he waves to them on cue! He is such a little social bug and loves to talk, giggle and wave to just about anyone.



Elijah has had a little trouble sleeping through the night again this month but we think we found the root cause – He is teething! One new tooth popped through just a few days before his 11^th month birthday and two to three more are clearly thinking about it. As of 11 months, he has 10 teeth! Now mom and dad feel a little bit sheepish because we didn’t realize, but now that we’re giving him a little relief he is sleeping better. (In our defense, Isaiah popped all his through with almost no issues so we’re not conditioned to teething actually needing “treated”.)  



Dropping Isaiah off for
1st day of Preschool

It has been a busy month around our house. Elijah has been incredibly tolerant of all the run-around needed. Luckily Dad was able to take some time off to help out. Mom worked a bunch of hours at the fair so Dad brought Elijah to visit for his feedings. And now that Isaiah is in preschool, Elijah tags along each morning for drop-off. We also celebrated Isaiah’s 4^th birthday with an Elmo/Sesame Street party, went to Isaiah’s first dentist appointment with Dr. Doty, and Elijah went for an InfantSee appointment to have his eye’s checked. He did great and received a good report for the eye doctor.

With lots of exciting things planned for this last month before someone turns one, we look forward to the adventures! We love you Elijah!

10 Months Old!

Elijah is another month closer to the BIG one. Yikes, he is growing up way to fast! No doctor's visit this month so we weighed and measured him at home. He weighed in at 23lbs and 10oz and 31 1/4 inches long.

It was a month full of excitement. Elijah took his first sitting bath on July 21st. Isaiah joined him and they both loved it! On July 26th, Elijah figured out he could crawl to get what he wants. Here is a video of his first moments crawling - http://youtu.be/1HMZZ5GsSAA. It was a little slow to start off but now he can cross the room in what seems like 2.5 seconds! And he will sit up on his knees and grab at things on the couch or table. Surely won't be long now before he is pulling himself up to standing.

On August 10, Elijah went to his first Balloonfest. Since the Balloonfest is held just a short walk from the house, it's a free family event that we trek to each year. We even let both boys stay up WAY late (10PM) so we could watch the balloons glow in the dark. Elijah slept through it though, snuggled in daddy's lap. Lastly, on his 10 month birthday, Elijah's first molar came through. And I'm certain we are only a few days away from more with the way this kid is drooling.

We just love this bug and all the joy he brings to our family. Much more fun to come I'm sure!

9 Months Old!

Elijah is 9 months old! He is growing so fast and is so much fun. He weighed in at the doctor's office at 22lbs and 2 oz and was 30 inches long. (They measure him differently so he shrunk according to my numbers but grew an inch since he was there last. We don't need a measure tape to know he's growing though!) That puts him at 75% for his weight and 95% for his length. Mommy says he’s long and lean; Daddy says that’s defensive tackle material. Either way he is figuring out how to get around. He hasn’t quite started “crawling” but he will roll both ways and do an elbow crawl to move forward and back.

Elijah now has 8 teeth. And the way this kid drools, we are always wondering when the next one will pop through. He loves using his teeth to bite anything – including people, but we’re working on that. He loves to eat and seems to be less picky as the days go by. He seems to really like corn casserole, sweet potatoes, any squash, and most fruits. He’s also started eating puffs, but mostly to keep him busy. He still doesn’t have the coordination to get them in him month so most of the time, they are a play thing while we get his other food around.

Elijah is a fun little boy. He loves to laugh and take in all that goes on around him. He absolutely loves his big brother. We’ve been busy with Isaiah’s activities this summer, and Elijah has tagged along nicely with all the run around. He even hung out at Vacation Bible School over this last week.

This month Elijah took his last baby bath and first sitting bath, graduated to the all-in-one booster (still rear facing) and out of the infant carrier, and started clapping. He'll even clap on request - "Yay"! Also this month Mommy started working on-site for the fair some so Elijah and Isaiah now have wonderful sitters who come over to keep them busy. They both seem to really enjoy the undivided attention. An exciting month of exciting changes. Looking forward to more! Love you Elijah!

 

8 months old

We're 2/3 of the way to a year old already. Yikes! We didn't have a doctors appointment this month so we weighed and measured Elijah at home. He weighed in at 21 lbs, 5 oz and 30 1/4 inches long.

Elijah was baptized this past month on June 2nd. His god-parents Uncle Aaron and Aunt Shannon were there along with his cousins and the other aunts and uncles and Grandma and Grandpa Moyer. We had a nice lunch with the Pastor and his wife following to celebrate.

Elijah's personality has really started to shine in the last month. He has officially been rolling both ways now for a couple weeks and he's learned this is his way to get around. He also is doing much better with sitting, more stable. He loves to be sitting or laid in a way he can watch Isaiah run around. It's really funny when Isaiah "plays" with him by looking at him and laughing. They will sit and laugh back and forth for several minutes! Elijah just might be the best therapy there is for Isaiah. Elijah has also started vocalizing more. Most often I hear him trying out new sounds when he thinks no one is listening. No Ma-Ma yet but we've heart Da-Da a couple times now.

Elijah now has 7 teeth. He's loving using his teeth to try out lots of new foods. Spinach, mango, mixed grain cereal, apricots, green beans, and carrots are just a few of the new flavors on the menu. He seems to prefer single items instead of combos - defiantly not a fan of green beans with carrots or peas with carrots. Fruit combos seem to be more acceptable.



Elijah has just started to catch on to "give me five". When you hold out a hand, he will slap at it and then look at you for approval. So fun. He also will sometimes "give kisses" at night before bed, which is a big sloppy open month on the check but so worth the mess. We also saw him try a wave for the first time a few days back. His little hand was a going but we're not 100% he was certain of what he was doing. So exciting to see him trying new things and we look forward to new adventures to come.

7 months old

It's hard to believe this little bug has been hanging out with us for 7 months. We didn't have a doctors visit this month so we weighed him in at home at 20lbs, 4oz. He's 30 inches long.

This little guy loves to eat but, unlike his brother, has selective taste buds. He originally would eat peas no problem but apparently they are not good, gag-worthy now. Just makes me laugh to think about his reaction! He really enjoys all the fruits and starchy veggies such as squash and sweet potatoes. We're really looking forward to the start of our CSAs so we can introduce him to some new tastes.

At 7 months he is not yet rolling around or sitting unsupported on a consistent basis but he is close. He's doing better with hanging out on his belly so that's certainly is helping. He will use his arms and legs to get around though so nothing is really out of reach on the floor. He is babbling more and more. He will "talk" your ear off if you give him audience and he's in a good mood, which is most of the time.

Most of Elijah's day is spent sleeping; he is on a very nice 2 nap schedule and is back to sleeping 12 hours straight at night. When he is not sleeping or eating, most of his other activities are centered around his brother. He's been to Isaiah's last day of preschool, he watches brother play on the swing set, he went to watch Isaiah shaving cream skate at church. Otherwise, he does enjoy the front seat in the double stroller for a nice walk or playing with his camera, turtle car, and Sophie the giraffe on the living room floor. His favorite thing to do by far though is watch Isaiah with whatever he is doing.

We love seeing him become more and more apart of our world each day and look forward to more exciting things in the future! We love you Elijah!