Einstein Again

So, as I've said before, we let Elliot watch Baby Einstein (or “Baby Crack” as Chris calls it). I know some people are anti-Einstein, but we’re not those people. I just thought I’d get that out of the way upfront.

Anyway, Elliot had a pretty rough day today (another doctor’s appointment and more blood drawn), so I thought I’d let him relax a little with his favorite Einstein, Old MacDonald’s Farm. Now he loves this one because of one particular scene. In this scene, a cow puppet (who we call Harold) is picking apples from an apple tree. Poor Harold is innocently going about his business when all of a sudden an apple falls from the tree and HITS HIM IN THE HEAD. Now I know you didn't see that coming, right? Well, guess what? Then it happens AGAIN! Unreal, I know. Anyway, for some reason, Elliot finds this HILARIOUS. The kid who will barely crack a smile in the face of our best efforts, cracks up at this! Check it out in the video below. The *boink* noise you hear here is, of course, the apples falling on Harold's head.

Cheerios

We think we have finally figured out what is causing all of Elliot's troubles: CHEERIOS. Well, probably something in the Cheerios--but we'll have to do some more investigation to figure that part of it out

Anyway, after Elliot woke up crying for the 4th time last night Chris looked at me and said, "Cheerios? They should be called Death-o's."

I'm inclined to agree.

Picky, Picky, Picky

I think I have mentioned before that Elliot has very discriminating tastes when it comes to books. The truth is, he's downright picky. I have to be honest, though--I find the whole thing pretty amusing. And what I find especially humorous is that his preferences seem to be tied to authors rather than specific titles. For instance: he'll read pretty much anything by Sandra Boyton, Doreen Cronin, and Mo Willems, but practically has a fit when we pull out something by, say, Dr. Suess or Mercer Mayer.

Now I know you're thinking, "yeah, right" and rolling your eyes (or at least I would be)--which is why we've attached the video to prove it.



Silly kid, eh?

Our Son, The Bully

This morning Elliot and I went with a friend and her 1-year-old son, Christopher, on an errand. It all started out pleasantly enough. We got the boys buckled into their carseats, got the radio turned on and even managed to head in the right direction. That, however, is where the fun ended. Suddenly, Christopher was screaming and I turned around to find him clutching a bloody, tooth-marked finger and staring at Elliot--my teeny, tiny 7th percentile baby--with nothing less than a look of utter terror. That's right. Elliot bit Christopher. In fact, bit is probably too mild a term. He chomped Christopher. He gnawed Christopher. He tried to eat Christopher.

And what was Elliot's response to the whole thing? He just stuck his thumb in his mouth and turned his big, innocent eyes toward me and gave me a look that said clear as day, "I didn't do it."

Can you believe this kid is a bully?

Air and Space

Jared and Jill came down from NY for the weekend and we had a great time touring and eating. Here are some pictures from the Air and Space museum near Dulles.

Pep - We took a picture of a Huey for you.

Scary doll in mini-astronaut suit. Not quite sure what that was all about.

Standing

Elliot has learned to stand up. Yay for him. Boo for us. He is now under the mistaken impression that nap time is actually standing time. So rather than sleeping when I put him in his crib, he happily spends his time refining his new skill. He stands, then he sits. Stands, again. Sits down once more. Wash, rinse, repeat. This goes on for about 45 minutes, at which point I generally go in to find him fast asleep in a corner, mouth agape, arms askew--and hand still clutching the crib rail.

And Chris wonders why I think our son is silly.

Personality

I thought for a long time that we had a pretty serious kid on our hands with Elliot. He's always been cautious with strangers and we practically had to stand on our heads to coax a laugh out of him. Lately, however, he's developed quite a sense of humor. In fact, I'd say he's downright silly.

Christmas in Utah

Despite being sick, we had a great time with friends and family in Utah for Christmas.

Dressed for snow - there was tons!

Christmas Eve Nativity - Elliot kept trying to chew on baby Jesus

What? This isn't what I'm supposed to do with this?

Todd, Kyle, Chris and I with the REAL Santa Claus (also known as Pep)

Yummy.

Today I spent nearly a half hour with a plastic spoon trying to scoop enough green, smelly, runny poop from my son's diaper to fill three stool sample canisters. The worst part? I didn't even get enough for one! Stupid absorbent diapers. Now I have to repeat the whole process again tomorrow.

I think this had definitely been my grossest mom moment thus far.