Aug 18-25: 2 Months old

We have had a few changes in our lives this past week - Erik changed rooms at his daycare, Elin turned 2 months old and I made a major career decision.

This past week I made the decision to not return to work at the end of my maternity leave (though, I will probably be part-time for awhile to train my replacement).  Being a stay-at-home Mom is something that I've always wanted to do, but things didn't work out when we had Erik.  Everything seemed to "line up" this time and so I get to stay home with my kids!!  It was very difficult to leave Erik at daycare, even knowing that he enjoyed himself and was learning a lot.  Kent and I have also been struggling to keep up with all the demands at work and home, so it will be good to have someone managing the home front, so to speak.  It was harder to made the final decision than I was anticipating and so, being a procrastinator, I delayed as long as I could before having to decide.  I will definitely miss the work environment and all my co-workers.  But I'm very excited about staying at home and spending lots of time with my babies!

Erik goes to daycare at the local Jewish Community Center and they function their daycare program in the same manner as a school.  The daycare calendar is the same as the school year and the babies & toddlers in the daycare program change rooms in August when the new school year starts.  Erik moved to a new daycare room on August 19 for 2-years-old.  Since I'm now staying at home, we switched him to the part-time program, so he only goes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.  He really enjoys the range of activities that the JCC offers.

Erik's latest accomplishment is counting and singing.  He will pull items out of a box or bag while counting and then put them back in, counting them again. He generally does pretty good with his numbers up to 12, but prefers to have someone count with him.  He will also often skip 1 and 2 and start his counting with "free, four, five, etc".  He will also skip nine at times.  Kent normally does the night time routine with Erik of bath time, pajamas, prayer and milk.  I try to get there for the prayer and final goodnights.  Then Kent will cuddle with Erik on his chair while Erik drinks his milk before putting him into his bed.  We play a music CD of instrumental hymns and Kent began singing the words to the "Jesus Loves Me" song.  Erik can now sing the song almost entirely through; but he usually will just sing the last word of each line!  It is so cute to hear him singing the song.  I've tried to sing with him during the day, but he has decided that singing means bedtime, so when I start to sing, he will wave his arm at me and say "Mama, no singing"!  I hope that it's not because he hates my singing!!!

Erik with one of his teachers, Ms. Abreu

Elin turned 2 months old this week; at her monthly doctor appointment, she weighed in at 11 pounds, 4 ounces and is now 22 inches long.  Both measurements are on the 50th percentile line of the growth charts.  Elin's latest accomplishments are increased arm movements and cooing.  She has captured the toys on her carseat on a couple different occasions and been able to drag them closer to her.  She has always been vocal and, in the past week, she has started to coo, gurgle and "talk".  She loves it when someone will get close and talk to her.  She will smile and coo to them.  She and I have carried on several "conversations".  She has told me that her favorite things are eating, sleeping and getting hugs from Big Brother Erik!

Elin at 2 Months Old

Erik, Daddy and Elin

Our 2 kiddos: Erik 2 yrs old, Elin 2 months old.  I love the expression on her face!

We were able to visit with some of our favorite people, Katelyn & Karli Pettijohn, before they head back up to Southern for another school year.  Katelyn & Karli used to babysit Erik before they left us for Southern, so it was fun to introduce them to Elin.  We couldn't manage a picture with both kids, so the below photo is only with Erik.

Katelyn and Karli Pettijohn

Random Photos of the Week:

Kent & Erik at Sabbath School

My Little Man!

Aug 4-17: Auntie Kirsti and Swimming Lessons

Uh oh, seems like I'm falling back into bad habits again!  Two weeks between posts - not great for me.  The past 2 weeks have been very busy with my sister, Kirstin Elliott, coming for a visit and Erik starting swimming lessons in addition to all our regular activities.  Some other highlights of the past 2 weeks is that Erik has started playing "Pretend" games lately like "Nap Time" and "Frog" (this consists of Erik saying ribbit and jumping like a frog), Kent had a thrilling shopping experience with Erik (see story below) and Erik peed in the potty for the very first time on August 6!  Erik will ask to sit on the potty every night before his bath and occasionally at random times throughout the day.  I try to let him sit on it since he is showing interest in the potty.  Nothing has happened yet, so when he started to tinkle, he and I were both very surprised!  There hasn't been any activity since but Erik is getting a little better at telling us when he has pooped.  We hope that he'll soon start to tell us before he goes poo-poo!

Elin has developed a rash on her face and upper chest, so there aren't any super recent pictures of her for this post.  I'm pretty sure that it is heat related as it flairs up after she's been outside or when she cries for awhile.  The rash also is concentrated in the areas where her face rests against my arm when I hold her.  Apparently, Elin has inherited my intolerance of heat.  She has always been a "warm" baby - I can't put her in the sleeper pajamas anymore because she would be so hot during the night.  Elin has her next doctor's appointment in the next few days; I hope that I can get an official diagnosis and treatment.

Auntie Kirsti came to visit us and to meet Baby Elin from Friday, August 2 through Monday, August 5.     It was a quick weekend visit, but it was super fun to see her.  Elin was such a sweet little girl that she almost convinced Kirstin to have another little baby - Kirstin said that sanity prevailed though.  I think that if Kirstin had stayed just one more day we would have fully convinced her to give Erik and Elin another cousin!!!  While Kirstin was here, she was able to go with me and the kids to a Children's Storytime at the local Leu Gardens.  The storytime is held once a month; it was a madhouse!  I couldn't believe how many people showed up for it.  I decided it had to be because it was the last event before the new school year starting.   I'm not sure if I'll attempt another one for awhile.

In other Erik news, we finally decided to enroll Erik in swimming lessons.  He hadn't really wanted to get in the pool earlier this year but thankfully developed an interest in swimming when we had all the grandparents here in July.  I enrolled Erik in a course of 8 swim lessons at the Jewish Community Center where he goes to daycare.  He cried the entire 30 minutes of the first lesson; I was in an adjacent building where I could watch the lesson and I could hear him even inside the building!  The 2nd day was better in that he only cried for the first 5 minutes or so.  I was worried that he would throw a tantrum when he realized where we were going, but he walked to the pool willingly enough but then wanted me to hold him when we into the pool area.  Each day was better until I was actually able to stay by the pool for the last few lessons.  Kent took Erik to his 8th and last lesson and Erik cried throughout the entire lesson again!  Oops.  Erik's teacher, Miss Lacey, thought that Erik did a great job; he was floating on his back by himself during Lesson #7.  However, he could certainly benefit from more lessons, so we will try to keep up with the lessons.  The JCC may actually add a pool heater this year which would allow them to keep their pool open year-round.  That would be great & convenient since Erik is there already!

As mentioned above, Kent took Erik shopping for new shoes a few weeks ago.  He had quite the experience and learned a few lessons!  I can't wait to see what happens when he takes 2 kids out by himself!!  Here is Kent's story, in his words:

Shoe shopping with Erik

Erik needed some bigger shoes a few weeks ago, so I volunteered to take him shopping on Sunday morning since Kelli and Elin had planned to attend a baby shower.  So Erik and I headed down to the outlets at about 10:15 to check out a couple shoe stores.  The plan was to park close to the store and zip in and get back to the car in short order to get back in time for lunch and nap.

I couldn't remember exactly where the store was, but I remembered that the last time I came we parked in the back so that must be an okay option I thought.  I also decided that due to the speed at which I would be performing this errand and my strategic parking that I could skip the stroller.  Upon arriving I also decided that I didn't want to be burdened by the diaper bag since I didn't have the stroller.  So I got Erik out of the car, threw in a little snack and we were on our way.

Fortunately, there was a mall directory right away to help me know which way to go.  It took me a bit to locate the shoe store I came for, mostly because it was on the opposite side of the mall!  Well, perhaps I should have spent a couple minutes scouting the parking lot at home! This outdoor outlet mall is sizeable.  The criss cross route I would need to take would be the equivalent of 3-4 city blocks.  Erik weighs about thirty pounds, but having him walk that far wasn't an option.  So after an unscheduled stop to check out a hat, we finally arrived at the shoe store, with me having worked up a decent sweat and Erik feeling like he'd just been carried half way back home.  

Inside the shore store now...there is no one to help me measure Erik's foot so I decide I'll try on my own...in between trying to get him to keep his foot still, I tried to decipher the ridiculously busy measuring capabilities of this device.  I'm sure I knew his shoe size in 3 foreign countries before I decided which set of numbers I should be using.  The shoes Erik's size are located within a couple rows in the back of the store.  While I was mostly disappointed with the initial selections that appeared to be available, Erik seemed to have a few favorites, which consisted of anything in a box!  

I quickly scanned the boxes looking for anything in Erik's size, but it seemed like I was in the wrong area, so after dissuading Erik out of trying on some blinking lightning McQueen shoes, we moved over a row and started investigating some more promising territory where I hit paydirt!  I quickly started checking out what styles they had in Erik's size, which required me to open several boxes as things were very disorganized.  After becoming a little self absorbed, I happened to look over at Erik and noticed that he had successfully tried on some more blinking shoes!  Good job, but he had about 5 or 6 boxes pulled off the shelf with shoes scattered all over!  Oh no, I thought, I'll have to figure out which go in which boxes!  Now I knew why I couldn't find anything in the proper place in this section...some other parents hadn't properly restricted their children from shopping either. As I started reassembling the boxes, I became aware of an unpleasant aroma that I quickly identified as emanating from Erik's diaper!  Ugh...This was a very unfortunate turn of events since I had left all his gear back at the car!  This wasn't a totally cavalier move since he had already pooped in the morning and typically doesn't go twice...but so much for typical.

So after keeping closer tabs on him while I tried to find some kind of option, he started fussing and crying because I wasn't letting him clear the shelves anymore!  I finally decided to give him the snack I brought, which seemed to pacify him while I sorted through some more options.  The rice cookie in one hand seemed to temper his constant desire to rip boxes off the shelf, but unfortunately he decided that he would play "keep away" from me and not stay close to where I was!  So after what seemed like an eternity of trying to keep track of him and looking for the right size, I finally decided on a pair (as I wasn't leaving without something).  Then to top it off, we had to wait in line for about 10 minutes to check out.

I was feeling bad for Erik having to have a poopy diaper for the remainder of the shopping and the long walk back to the car so on the way to the next store where I was hoping to buy him a pair of crocs, I happened to see a restroom.  I decided that I would relieve him of his dirty diaper and chance him wetting before we got back to the car.  So after I did a diaper change without wipes that would have made McGyver proud, we hurried to the croc store, which was fortunately nearby and on the way back to the car.  I told Erik there was no peeing or popping until we got back to the car.  :-)

At the croc store Erik seemed to like pretty much everything that he saw there too!! I decided to keep holding him in this store, so I had only one hand to shop and put back everything that he took off the shelves.  Yes...definitely take the stroller next time!!  Crocs aren't in boxes but various types of holders on display racks.  For every croc I looked at he had pulled off two.  Once I identified his size he picked a nice blue color that I liked for him.  I also wanted a pair so had to put him down to try things on...which resulted in at least a half dozen that Erik tried on.  It was a great relief to decide on a pair for myself and head to the checkout, where again I waited for 10 min, wondering if my arm would suddenly become very warm and wet.  Needless to say, I had the same thoughts on the way back to the car.  

After the high-speed dodge-and-walk around the numerous shoppers, we finally arrived back at the car.  Erik had decided to have a bladder of steel at the right time...and at least made me feel good about one decision I had made that morning!  It was way past lunch time now and I was just leaving the mall.  So while Erik ate some chips that I threw into the car at the last minute on the way out the door, I reflected on the way home that perhaps I had learned several lessons in shopping with toddlers that I could use going forward, with the most important being let Kelli do it.

Random Pictures:

Erik with a construction hat, which was the party favor at his birthday party 

Erik & Elin playing "Nap Time" - one of Erik's favorite games right now

Erik loving on poor little Elin.  Erik has decided that he doesn't like clothes lately

Jul 28-Aug 3: Erik is 2 Years Old!

We have achieved several major milestones this week with both of our kiddos - Erik turned 2 years old (wow, where did the time go?!) and Elin gifted us with her first smile AND her first full night's sleep!!

Erik had multiple celebrations that spanned the month of July to commemorate his 2nd birthday.  The celebrations began when both sets of grandparents were here at the beginning of the month and they ended this weekend with a pool party that was shared with our good friend, Kieran Cochran, who turned 5 this year.  In between these 2 celebrations, Erik has had a small, intimate family-only dinner & presents, a cupcake party for his friends at daycare and a public acknowledgement at Sabbath School!  By the time we were done with all the partying, Erik seems to have grasped that birthdays are special and that they include singing, presents and cake!  He now asks for cake for his afternoon snack and I have caught him softly singing Happy Birthday to himself a few times!!  We are working on holding up 2 fingers and saying "I'm Two!" when he is asked how old he is.   Here are a few pictures from Sabbath School and the pool party.

Erik refused to sit in the Birthday chair and then was scared of the candles.  Glad we won't have a pyromaniac to deal with at home!

Kent & Erik posing with the Construction Cake at the pool party

Erik got a lot of sports equipment for his birthday this year, including a soccer ball, a soccer goal & net and a t-ball stand.  I've included a few pictures of Erik playing with his new toys and testing out a possible new sport.  Another new development for Erik that happened in the last week or so is that he appears to be showing some interest in potty-training.  He asks to sit on the potty most nights prior to his bath and will occasionally make a "potty" face while he sits there (I think that is due more to the laughter he gets out of Kent or I than anything else).  No activity yet, but I'm pleased that he is starting to think through the process.

Soccer Ball

Soccer ball and a bat - a new sport?!

Cute Sayings:
1. Watert - he just recently started adding the extra T on the end of the word Water; we aren't sure why, but it is awfully cute.
2. Oh, Sorry! - this one pops out whenever he thinks that he is underfoot and getting in the way.  He seems to use this when, really, he shouldn't be the one apologizing and then is stubbornly silent when we ask him to say "Sorry" for being bad.
3. Dear Jesus...I wub you. Amen! - Erik's bedtime and mealtime prayers are becoming more of a habit for him.  He will usually repeat the last word or two of each sentence, but almost always will say these words each time.  He also checks during the prayer to be sure that everyone else has stopped what they are doing, folded their hands and closed their eyes.  If he finds a wayward soul, he will put a stop to t the entire proceedings until everyone is praying together.
4. Hello Baby Sister - there are several variations on this phrase with "E-lin" replacing sister or he will point to his chest and say "Erik's Baby" or "Erik's baby sister".  He will repeat his chosen phrase, over and over, until someone takes pity and acknowledges his statement and repeated it back to him!  He surely does love his baby sister!


The World of Elin is changing by leaps and bounds recently.  Elin still spends most of her day sleeping (preferably while someone is holding her), but she is also starting to track movements around her while she is awake.  She will turn her head side to side to watch someone or something and she can also turn her head to the opposite side when she hears something interesting that isn't right in front of her.  She loves to snuggle and be cuddled and is beginning to hang on when being held - whether it is a fist grabbing onto my hair or her arm or hand draped over my shoulder and squeezing to stay close.  I realize these actions are unconscious ones on her part, but they warm my heart nonetheless (even the hair pulling)!  Elin holds her hands in tightly closed fists less and less - she will spread out her little fingers and knead them on whatever object is nearby (which is where I get the hanging onto my shoulder claim).  

One of Elin's two major accomplishments this week is that she smiled at me for the 1st smile on Sunday, July 28.  I leaned over her to pick her up from her crib and got a smile in response.  I did get witnesses later in the morning when I attended the baby shower for Corey Grodack and Elin smiled at me as I was taking her out of the carseat!  Since then, she has smiled more often and Kent was skilled enough to get a picture of one of her first smiles (I tried, but was completely unsuccessful).  The second major accomplishment is that Elin has officially slept through the night - at 6 weeks old!  She has given me a few nights where she would sleep for 5 and a half hours, but then on Friday, Aug 2, she slept for a full 7 hours.  I was actually able to give her a dream feed half way through this time period, but she never woke up, so I'm calling it!  I am not expecting 7 plus hours of sleep every night yet, but I'm very hopeful that it will come soon!

Elin's happy smiles!