Eli catches his first cold ...

Eli's second week of daycare yielded his first cold, which soon became J and I's first cold from Eli. We've all spent the past week sniffling around not feeling our best ~ we're all on the upswing now, though. :) J went mountain biking this week and hunting this weekend, and I've been getting us ready for next week, which is my first trip away for work. I'll be in Las Vegas for three days, and have been working hard to make sure that everything is ready for me to leave. Luckily, J's parents, Dave and Song, are coming into town and their trip will almost entirely overlap mine, so the boys won't really be left by themselves this time ... The day after I get back will be Eli's 100 day party ~ we're really looking forward to seeing some of our good friends, having Dave and Song come visit, eating some yummy Korean food, and seeing which objects Eli chooses, which will indicate his future path. Eli is 14 weeks old now, and he has definitely figured out that he has hands, and that hands and mouth seem to go together. He also finally caught on that the pacifier is a pretty fun way to pass the time and that it helps him fall asleep.

#1 ~ Eli at the height of his cold ~ we both stayed home that day
#2 ~ Eli demonstrating his new skill ~ facing outward in his carrier. He seems to really like looking all around from this position
#3 ~ As you can see, getting stronger, able to sit up on his own for short periods (when properly propped that is ...)
#4 ~ We went on a visit to the new dogpark near our house. Phoebe taking full advantage of the social opportunities ...
#5 ~ Family photo at the dog park. As you can see, rainy and chilly. Definitely fall weather.

Hope everyone has a good week, things are getting quite busy for those of us working in academia, I hope the rest of you are able to enjoy your autumn! ~V

Eli goes to daycare ...

So this was my first week back to work, and Eli's first week at daycare. Leading up to our first day, Jason and I both felt sad and apprehensive. Now, with the first week behind us, we can say that everything went okay, but it was a little rough for us at first. Not for Eli though ~ he apparently weathered the change very well. They send him home every day with very detailed reports, and said that he interacts and smiles a lot, eats well from the bottle. When we drop him off, other babies come right over to say hi, and when we pick him up, it's fun to find him amongst the tribe of babies. They were glad to see me back at work, and everything is already moving very quickly there. I miss Eli a lot during the day though and when I get back home I just want to snuggle down with him. Time really seemed to slow down for us during maternity leave, and now I'm afraid that, because we're busy, he'll start to grow up very fast!

#1 ~ The smiler

#2 ~ Eli demonstrates his new skill -- thumbsucking!

#3 ~ Me (feeling sad) and Eli (feeling sleepy) about to leave for the first day at daycare. Jason and I both went so we could see him off together.

#4 ~ Eli arrives for his first day "at school", sound asleep

#5 ~ This is what the baby room looks like. As you can see, it's not very big, and they don't have room for many babies. Right now there are only five full timers, including Eli, so it's a pretty good ratio and environment, we think.

More camping photos ...

More camping photos:

#1 ~ The boys at John Day National Park on the drive home. This trip, we were really impressed by all of the different environments Oregon has to offer. We camped in a big forest and drove through this on the way back home.

#2 ~ The boys fooling around in the car at the rest stop. Eli was terrific for such a long drive, he just slept a lot.

#3 ~ All of us together at the campsite. Yay for timed self portraits!

#4 ~ Me and Eli and Phoebe, who was a great dog on this trip.

Eli camps in Eastern Oregon

So, it's been a busy week and we're a little backed up on our blog! Last weekend was our last few days of maternity leave, and we chose to spend it on a camping trip. We went all the way on the eastern side of the state, about a seven hour drive. We met up with Jason's friend Everett and his family, and had a great time! Jason and Everett went elk hunting and Eli and I hung out in the camp with Everett's daughter and grandkids. Eli did a great job camping, just like last time. It was hot during the day and cold at night.

#1 ~ Eli sleeping in the tent. We decided to keep him in his car seat so he wouldn't get squished and would stay warm up off the ground.

#2 ~ The boys by the creek in their camo

#3 ~ Another sweet picture of the boys

#4 & #5 ~ happy and sad pictures in the tent. For the last picture, it was 26 degrees!

J catches a deer

Okay, sorry to those of you not prepared to see a decapitated head ... Jason went hunting last night and caught a deer ~ a three point buck at fifty yards with a compound bow. He had to process it in the field and hike the meat to the truck, it turned out to be around sixty pounds! It took him almost six hours to put everything right, get home, and clean up. Deer jerky for the next six months ... we're proud of Jason for finally getting his deer. On to elk season ...

Eli, eleven weeks, he grows and grows ...

This weeks pictures are all from around the house. Eli continues to grow tremendously ~ now he moves his arms and legs with a bit more coordination, not as spastic. He has started "talking" to us, trying out all of his sounds, growing his repertoire. He continues to be very mellow, easy and fun to be with. My maternity leave is up next week and we are feeling sad about upcoming daycare ... hoping we'll get used to the situation, and that it will be a smooth transition for him. We've had visitors this week ~ our friends Matt and Monica from Seattle, and our friends Lynne and John from Colorado. What a treat! We plan to go camping on the coast this weekend, if the weather cooperates ~ if so, I'm sure we'll get some great pics.

#1 -- Belly time! He's also recently learned to suck his thumb and fingers when he needs a little soothing.

#2 -- The boys reading about guns

#3 -- Eli was feeling a little high maintenance, and I was wearing him around in the carrier. So sad! Notice: real tears.

#4 -- Eli, practicing standing and showing off his new chubby leg look. I especially like how he puts all of his weight on his big toes.

#5 -- Jason and Eli, more practice standing. He is getting better at balancing and seems to enjoy it.

#6 -- Peaceful moments. Eli's wearing the outfit that Chip and Sue sent him, which was for 3-6 months. All his newborn clothes are getting pretty tight ...

#7 -- Clear eyed boy.

more outdoor adventures ...

This week Eli saw his first lake, and the ocean! Our outing to Hagg Lake was not very successful as it was too cold and windy. Jason got the kayak on the water for a little bit, but we soon packed up and headed back home. Yesterday's outing to the ocean was much more successful. We went whale watching on the central Oregon Coast and saw a whale spouting and surfacing just a few minutes after arriving. It was warm and sunny, a perfect Labor Day weekend.
#1 -- Jason taking the kayak off the car
#2 -- Eli in his carrier, trying to stay warm!
#3 -- still trying to stay warm, showing off his new camo hat
#4 -- a picture of our house, due to popular demand
#5 -- my favorite. Elijah smiles at the beach.

Hope you are all having a terrific weekend!