Eli ~ 15 Months

Life with Eli at 15 months...

Starting to balance for 1-2 second intervals.

Walking on Bambi legs while holding onto Mom, Dad or Lucas' hands.

Climbing up and then sliding down the stairs.

Growing teeth (at least one on top and one on the bottom) and drooling.

Climbing on the couch and chairs and coach again.

Drinking a bottle before bed and in the morning (soon we will have to break this habit, but for now it is a calming routine).

Pulling leaves from the trees.

Crawling around the driveway and trying to escape into the road.

Looking and pointing at airplanes.

Hitting when angry (the boy has good aim).

Swinging at the park.

Turning the light switch on and off and on and off and on and off and on and off (and throwing a tantrum when we call it quits).

Starting to use more words (or what we think are the start of words)…potentially hi and thank you.

Waving.

Chasing, giggling, hugging and cuddling.

Boys and Their Trucks

It looks like the youngest Loxtercamp is also going to be a fan of the dump truck.

Stair Climber

Since moving into our new home, Eli has become a master stair climber. Thanks to wider stairwells and baby gates that weren't quite long enough, it took a little time before our staircases were baby-proofed. Eli loved to make a game of racing to the stairs, glancing back to make sure we were watching, and then start climbing (all while laughing a little maniacally). Thankfully, the stairs are now blocked with baby gates (rather than moving boxes), and I can breathe a little easier. At the same time, I am impressed with how quickly our little guy learned how to climb up and down the stairs. Well done, Eli!

"Mama"

This one intentionally said "Mama" for the first time this weekend. And if he could have said, "please rescue me," I'm pretty sure those would have been the next words out of his mouth. He was already a bit feisty after waking for the day earlier than normal, and William, in typical William style, was not giving him much space. That's when I heard, "Mama," and then he crawled into my lap (and away from William's grasp). Needless to say, I loved it, and will rescue this boy from his big brothers whenever rescuing is needed!

Bubbles

Eli ~ 11 Months

We continue to creep closer and closer to the first year mark. It has been so much fun with you, Eli. You are becoming more verbal. "Uh oh" will go down as your first word, and you practice saying it for us a lot. I think it is all the reading of the Baby Faces book that has taught you this word. You also love dancing. Whenever we turn on the music, you get a big smile on your face and start moving to the beat. Your appetite is expanding - hamburger, chicken, sausage, strawberries, and blueberries are all on the list of foods you now enjoy eating. The only setback this month has been with your sleeping. I'm blaming the nasty virus you had weeks ago because your sleep hasn't been the same since. One of these days we will get there!

Eli ~ 10 Months

You're now ten months old, Eli. Today I'm going to share ten facts about you.

1. You love to pull the books off of the bookshelf. We pick them up, and then you pull them off the shelf again. It has become a fun game for you!

2. You're a mischievous one and love to make a dash for Lily's dog food. When we say, "Eli, what are you doing?" you get a big grin on your face and attempt to move even faster.  Poor Lily does not appreciate this behavior!

3. Mealtime has become a messy endeavor. You're not quite sure about "people food," but you don't really enjoy having us feed you anymore. Graham crackers and dry toast are ALWAYS a hit; everything else is debatable. 

4. "I'm going to get you!" is sure to get giggles and laughter out of you. Based on your reaction, I think we're going to have another wrestler on our hands. 

5. Stroller rides to the park have become an almost nightly occurrence since spring arrived, and so far you are enjoying this outdoor activity.  

6. The bucket swing at the park is another story, though. Some days it is a win, and other days it does nothing but cause tears. 

7. There is no sitting still anymore. These days you are army crawling all over this house.

8. You love a good game of "Pew! Stinky feet!" 

9. Baby Faces and Perfect Pets are your two favorite books. You aren't very patient when I read them, though and prefer to turn the pages yourself.

10. You've been busy growing teeth and are now sporting two teeth on the bottom and two teeth on top.

Eli ~ 9 Months

Here we are at nine months, Eli, and you have become mobile! You're not crawling (on hands and knees) yet, but that isn't slowing you down any. You have perfected the army crawl and slowly but surely make your way around this house, looking for library books to rip the pages out of and crumbs to eat off of the kitchen floor. You are sleeping very well these days. It is pretty rare for you to get up during the night, but when you do, you are content to eat and go right back to sleep. Now if only we could get William to sleep through the night! You prefer an early bedtime. As soon as 7:00 hits, you start showing signs of being tired. At this point, you are an early riser, usually squawking around 6:00. You are loving your finger foods…Puffs, baby rice cakes, mum mums, and you do an excellent job getting the food into your mouth. We did learn that you aren't a fan of pickle juice this month, though. After a few slurps of the juice and some extreme lip puckering, you turned your head away, refusing any more. You enjoy clapping your hands and putting EVERYTHING in your mouth. You weighed in at 19 lbs at your 9-month Dr. appointment, putting you in the 23%. You are my smallest boy at 9 months! You were 28.5 inches tall and in the 56%. That is more along the lines of your brothers at this age. You are still the happiest baby boy. Even Pati says you are one of the happiest baby boys she has ever taken care of!

Eli ~ 8 Months

You kicked off the month with a nasty virus that caused a five-day fever with wheezing and congestion. From this, we learned that you are not a fan of the neb, and you are a fighter when it comes to getting that mask off your face. The bonus to being sick was getting to spend extra one-on-one time with Mom and Dad. Thankfully that passed and your appetite returned so you could continue to practice self-feeding. You have become quite the expert at stuffing Puffs into your mouth! The mere sight and shake of the bottle puts a smile on your face. Gramma and Grampa spent some time in the cities this month to watch the big boys at their sporting events. You and your brothers got some special G&G bonding time while Dad and I had a rare night out. You spent the evening entertaining them with your clapping. I'm not quite sure when you learned this trick! From the sounds of it, you were clapping non-stop that night but only when it suits your fancy these days. We've done another wardrobe shift as you are starting to fit into 9-month clothes. You are wearing size 3 diapers. You love to take your socks off during the day. You have moved into the crib and have so much more space. Sleeping is going much better, and we are starting to have more sleep-through-the-night nights these days. Dance parties with your brothers are the best. Your vocabulary is expanding and now includes dadadada. You love to eat but especially seem to enjoy the squeezable pouches of baby food that come in a lot of fun flavors. You are such a joy, baby boy.  

Eli ~ Month 7

Oh, Eli…you have been busy this month. Busy growing teeth and busy growing thighs. The teeth were pretty much a non-event for you, but I sure got excited when each one poked through. They have been getting a lot of practice chewing on the puffs you love to eat. You also mastered sitting this month and are loving life from your new view. As long as there are a few toys within reach, you are content to sit for long stretches of time. Just look at you…such a delight you are.

Eli ~ Month Six

You are now six months old, Eli, and the happiest little person I have ever met. There are so many things I want to remember about you at this fun age.

I want to remember your first taste of real food. After weeks of closely watching us, you were more than ready to give this food thing a try. We started you out with a bit of rice cereal mixed with applesauce. Your lips pursed up and you made an adorable grimace when the food hit your mouth, but then you swallowed, decided it was pretty good, and opened your mouth for more. And so began your love for all things food.

I want to remember your easy smiles. The biggest difference between you and your big brothers at this age is the perma-smile on your face. I only need to glance your way and am rewarded with the biggest grin. It totally makes my day.

I want to remember your slouch sit. The first time I propped you up, you got the biggest grin on your face (of course). I think you were proud of your newfound skill. And now that those stomach muscles are getting stronger, you are making it clear that the view from your bouncy chair isn't going to cut it much longer.

I want to remember our middle-of-the-night snuggles. You are still getting up (at least once) during the night to nurse, and usually you fall right back to sleep. I'm still guilty of falling asleep with you in my arms more often than not. We both enjoy this quiet one-on-one time at night.

I want to remember your push-ups. Those arm muscles of yours get quite the workout these days as you push your chest off the floor. And then suddenly those arms and legs will shoot out as if you were flying an airplane.

I want to remember your big, gummy kisses. You love to latch on to a cheek and suck away, and then look at us with a silly grin on your face. With the number of kisses lavished on you daily, it is no surprise you have picked up this little trick.

I love you so much, Eli and look forward to what the next six months bring.

Eli ~ Month Five

Five months welcomed you with a stomach bug, Eli, and you spent the day at  home with me. Now I know why you slept through the night for me this week…it was a warning that sickness was about to come! In the 30 minutes that you perked up during the day, I was able to get a few pictures of you celebrating the 5-month mark.

You are so much fun, Eli. I love,  love, love your little personality. I only need to glance your way and am rewarded with a big, gummy grin. I love your laugh, and I love your smile, and I am so glad that you bless me with both of these freely.

You have started your journey toward becoming mobile. The rolls aren't happening too frequently (yet), but I have witnessed you going from stomach to back and back to stomach.

You are busy, busy, busy grabbing for things within your reach. Most often, it is a clump of my hair, and it hurts when you don't let go!

We have a shrieker on our hands with you. I think you love to emit those high-pitched shrills just to see how loud and how high your voice can get.

You might possibly be the happiest baby boy.

Halloween 2013

My superheroes

The boys loved dressing up as superheroes this year, and I loved finding each of them a superhero costume. I wonder how many years I will be able to keep up a theme for my three boys?!? We all ventured out for a little trick-or-treating, but Eli and I were ready to head home long before the other two. When they finally called it quits, their treat bags were bulging with candy, and they were eager to dive in. 

Playtime

Eli ~ Month Four

The biggest difference between month three and month four can be described in one word...sturdy. You are so much sturdier, Eli. Your body has lost some of the floppiness of months past. You are starting to hold on to me (and grab on to toys or my hair) when we walk around the house, and your head isn't bobbing back and forth nearly as much.

Your little personality has really come out this month. We have had a fun time reading Baby Faces by Margaret Miller to you. This book puts a smile on your face, especially the last page when I say, "Yippee!"

You have great taste in music! Your favorite song right now seems to be Katy Perry's Roar. When you are not happy (which doesn't happen very often), this song has a tendency to calm you down.

Food has become interesting to you. I see you watching very intently as food travels from my hand to my mouth.

You are not sleeping as well as you used to. Gone are the days of sleeping through the night or only getting up once to eat.

You continue to roll on to your side and get stuck on your arm. One of these days you are going to make it all the way over.

You have really found your voice...that laugh is infectious. And honestly, your smile...love, love, love.

My Boys

Eli ~ Month Three

Here we are at month three. It's been a good one, Eli. Full of so many things.

Giggling ~ You mastered the giggle! And I found a certain spot under your neck that gets you going every time. I love it! Dad loves it! Your brothers love it! It is one of the best sounds.

Learning ~ You learned how to lift your head. It popped off the floor one day like you had been doing it all along. I was so proud of you.

Sleeping ~ You have been sleeping through the night on an occasional basis. It certainly isn't a nightly occurrence, but I will take the couple nights a week that you are giving me right now. Keep it up!

Growing ~ You are growing and wearing six month clothes. It probably looks a little funny when you wear your thick and fleecy winter pajamas to bed during some of these 90 degree days, but it is all we have that fights right now.

Talking ~ You love to talk. We spend so much time gurgling at each other. You are so alert and aware and want to be part of these conversations. It's only the start of so many good conversations we are going to have, baby boy.

Rolling ~ You seem to like rolling on to your left side. Once there, that left arms always seems to hold you up.

Smiling ~ Your smiles are contagious and you give them willingly.

The Pout

Look what Eli has perfected.

Head Holding

I'm so proud of what Eli accomplished today! After weeks of tummy time with little to no attempt to lift his head, he surprised me with this today. Go, Eli!

Ready to Roll

If only that arm wouldn't get in the way!