Eli's First Movie!

Today we took Eli to his first movie in the theater! We went to see The Croods!

He picked out some candy and paid for his movie (read: handed the box office worker our Visa), then had his ticket ripped all on his own!

The movie was about 2 hours long and for the most part he did great. When the previews started he had his hands over his ears for about 15 minutes straight because it was loud (and I think it kind of scared him), but he eventually warmed up to it.

He ended up bringing one of his "friends" to the theater with us, so when the movie really got going he ended up settling back with "Lorax".

Throughout the movie he was up and down out of his seat watching. In his seat eating candy, standing up dancing, in his seat asking questions, standing up in awe... it was such a fun experience!

By the time the movie was over I think he was ready to get out of there and play, but overall it was another fun first for Eli.

Update on Jude: 4 months

Jude is 4 months old!
At our four month well-check (March 6th) he was 13 and a half pounds and 25 inches.

This little charmer has got to be one of THE most laid back babies that ever lazed around this world. Chances are if you were to randomly pop into my house Jude would be laying on a blanket gnawing on his hands and as soon as you start smiling at him he would smile back with drool slobbering out the sides of his mouth.

This child has endured cheek pinching, too-tight hugs, and even another person "supermanning" on top of his chest... all compliments of a crazy toddler we seem to claim as one of our own ;) His patience and sweet nature just amaze me sometimes.

Jude is still a man of few words. You don't often hear him talk, but when you do it is the cutest little raspy voice and a gushing smile quickly follows. There is no way you could not love this little boy!

He is starting to play with his hanging toys a lot more and he finally gave the jumperoo a try (in which he did not jump), but mostly he is just content to grab onto his feet and sometimes get a little taste of toe jam.

He has yet to roll, but often goes side to side. Like I said, he is just one content little guy... oh, and he loves to snuggle!

One recent milestone (as of last weekend) is that Jude has started taking formula. I seem to be treading an accelerated path in my nursing journey with Jude than the one I did with Eli. My milk is just not enough for him and after a few good weeks of denial I finally took the plunge with supplementing. I'm not happy about it and it makes me feel like a failure of a mother, but I know that he will be just fine and it's a necessary thing to help his little body grow and thrive. I can already tell a difference with his weight and activity level, so I just need to remind myself that this is a good thing.

Another big milestone is that Jude had his first airplane ride! He flew with me to Texas for Lindsay's wedding and he was a champ! He slept the whole way on the plane, although he was a bit overstimulated in the airport (read: a screaming mess). He did a lot better on the way home (not a peep) and I think I can attribute that to the formula and a full belly!

Phew... still can't believe I am making a 4 month update on my baby! We love you Jude!

Two and a half

Finally finding a moment (and who knows how long this moment will last?!) to sit down and write a blog post! These past few months have been nothing short of a whirlwind! Juggling a newborn, the crazy holidays, moving into a house, and now two BIG weddings this month.... I am barely keeping afloat, but here I am riding out the waves and enjoying every moment!

This past weekend my best friend got married. It was beautiful... she was beautiful. That's all I can say about that before I start crying again ;)

Next weekend my brother gets married, I can't believe the day is so quickly approaching! I am just thrilled for him and Sarah, but that is another post for another time.

I came here to talk about my main squeeze... my two and a half year old!!? What?! Somehow in the mix of everything else going on time decided not to slow down (surprise, surprise) and Eli stepped a little bit closer to being three!

My crazy, awesome Eli,

You are getting SO big! You are 3 feet tall and 30 pounds full of amazingness. Your hair is still wavy, your eyes are still big and blue, your fingers are still chubby, your booty is still the cutest I've ever seen, but somehow you are different. You are a big boy whether I like it or not.

Let me tell you how smart you are... when your daddy tells you to go to sleep over the monitor, you respond back "you're silly daddy, that's funny"; when I tell you we are going to get your haircut you say "NO! Never! I'm big!" and somehow weasel 1,000 M&Ms out of me; when your brother starts crying you tell him "it's okay baby, I'm here, it's me... Eli!".

Yeah yeah... you know your colors and shapes, you can count to 20, say your alphabet, and you can complete a puzzle like no one's business. But is that what really counts?
I think what really counts is the way you get your brother's pacifier for him when he's crying, the way you want to kiss MY boo-boos for me, the way you like to make people happy and the concern you show when someone is sad. Of course, you have your moments of not wanting to share or throwing fits... but those glimpses of empathy and intuition are really what makes me so proud to be your mom. And hey, don't tell anyone, but I am proud of that stubborn spirit you have too!

It is so fun to see your interests at this age. You still love animals and dinosaurs. I bought a HUGE giraffe for your room that's taller than you are and you think it's the greatest thing ever. In fact, you have a little giraffe that you carry around everywhere with you now!

You also love to "wrap" toys in blankets and give them to whoever is playing with you... you sit there and wait for a reaction, I think you still have Christmas on the brain! You love holding your brother, feeding him bottles, and making sure EVERYONE knows that he is YOUR brother Jude, not theirs!

 
You really love the show Blues Clues and surprisingly you learn a lot from that annoying little dog! Tarzan is your favorite movie, you are always asking to see the "rillas" and you adore the scene where all the monkeys invade the camp and start making music!

You also LOVE to dance; it's always your first instinct when any type of music comes on! And let me tell you, you have gotten a little too good at shaking that cute little booty of yours! These days you are also trying to sing along to any song you hear, when I catch you singing along you have the cutest little grin!

Anywhere we go you are always meeting "friends". In fact, you never seem to meet a stranger which is something I love about you! Everyone is someone worthy of having a conversation with. You always open with, "Hi! I'm Eli! Whatcha doin?" and people get a kick out of it!

Eli, I love you so much! You are a little light in this world, it's a better place with you in it! I so look forward to watching grow into a boy, but I am loving this age so much!

I know I will look back on these days fondly! Take your time turning three there buddy!

Love always,
Mama