Dancing

Almost Elliot's First Christmas!

Ahhhhhh...a 10 month old! What a joyful little person. He is the best gift I have ever received or given (to the family).
The videos below are from the last few weeks. They don't capture what he is doing as well as I would like--but they give you an idea. I am always too late with the camera. It's always turned on AFTER the steps are taken, AFTER the skill is no longer fun for Elliot to do anymore.
The one that I took of us laughing together is my favorite. I was holding the camera and trying to do the same thing that was making him laugh. Well, as you can see from the footage, I did a TERRIBLE job. SOoooo, it's more for the ears than the eyes. Is there anything better than a glee filled baby laugh?
Right now Elliot (or as I referred to him today, Ambassador Giggle Buttons) is standing at his favorite window sill holding an empty jar of my face lotion. He is babbling up a storm and periodically licking and moving his lips across the cold windows. It must feel good on his swollen gums that I think might be in the midst of producing a tooth or two.
Tomorrow we will head to see family--first to Richmond Texas and then to the Woodlands. Elliot has many eager Grandparents waiting to squeeze his little cheeks (probably both sets :).
I hope the trip isn't too traumatic for him as he HATES the car and does not think it a suitable place for sleep...but when you're Elliot, is any place suitable for anything other than play?
I'm sure we'll be fine and it will all be worth it. I can't wait to see him with everyone--it's impossible to wipe off a smile when he's around.

Sharing

Naked Time

Bad camera/Great laughter

Clapping and waving

Cute

Is that the picture of love or what!?

Fun with Grandpa

Elliot 9.5 months

Seems as though I have a little comedian on my hands! Elliot makes me laugh everyday--real laughter, sometimes from the belly. He knows he is funny. I am really enjoying this age. He is quite independent though there are times when he really takes to mommy--especially in the evenings or when he's tired. He has been such a social butterfly lately--he really enjoys new people and the games they make up!
I have been feeling truly blessed to be able to experience life through the eyes of a child. The simple things. Dogs. The wind. Apple Slices (to suck on). Soft blankets. Kisses. Clapping. Standing. Dancing. Peek-a-boo. Outside. Sticks. Pebbles. Toes. Fingers. Lights. Being held.
I hope someday soon I'll be able to write that I am getting lots of sleep--and maybe a nap or two--but until that day, I am enjoying the wakeful moments. :)
Things Elliot likes to do:
Wash hands and feet
be tossed
stand
play with Mr. Blue
watch the dogs
pick grass
eat mushy cheerios
be upsidedown
watch mommy brush teeth
be on Daddy's shoulders
crawl very fast

Things Elliot says:

mamamamamamama
bababababababababa
dadadadadadadadada
tatatatatatatatatatata
nanananananananana
dot/that ?? still can't tell exactly (dat)
mot
maba
dana
bama
nanama
aaaammmaaa

etc--you get the point.

He also says whole sentences of things I can't even repeat. It's baby language that us old fogies can't understand.

He fills my heart.

P.S. Elliot "clucks" and high fives! I've got to get a video. He actually puts his tongue on the roof of his mouth and creates suction, removes it, and CLUCK! It's too funny. He is turning the pages of all his books--which means we better read fast--cause that page has GOT to be turned!