Eli Pitches a Fit

 Lest anyone think that Eli is all sunshine and giggles, here is a photographic essay of Eli at his grumpiest.  This happens pretty frequently, without warning and without obvious explanation.  Mike and I sort of scratch our heads at it.  When Sully was a baby, he only fussed when he needed something, and it was usually obvious what it was he needed- fill the need, stop the crying- no big deal.  Eli--- well, he's a different creature entirely.  

All Hands On Deck

Clean 'em till they shine Eli.

SITTING UP AND WISHING YOU A HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

This week was a doosey.  It was so hectic and traumatic that I'm ending it tonight and declaring tomorrow a day of relaxation, a full day early.  (Who am I kidding?  I'll be busy tomorrow too).  Both of the boys had colds this week,  actually Sully had it last week, he's mostly gotten over it now.  But Eli had it full force this week so there was a lot of sucking snot out of his nose with the bulb sucker thing- accompanied by plenty of screaming.  He's also had a terrible time sleeping at night which means that I have had a terrible time sleeping.  This all coincided with my first college algebra midterm.  I studied my butt off for it and I think I did ok, but I know I didn't nail it which is very difficult for me because I like to hit things out of the ball park when it comes to school. Its a tough reality that I just don't have as much time to devote to studying as I would like. Plus its a night class, which is fine for the whipper snappers but by the end of the day I'm a zombie and its pretty hard to focus effectively. I've just got to get through this semester, then re-assess my plan.  It will likely become easier in the fall when Sully starts kindergarten (yikes) and is gone 5 days a week, and hopefully Eli will decide that afternoon naps aren't so bad (please dear lord!) or maybe we will think about getting a mother's helper a few days a week?  It will all work out, (so I keep repeating to myself).

That's enough for now.  Enjoy the pictures!

 This is how Sully choose to celebrate Valentines Day

Sully had seen a commercial on TV for chocolate covered strawberries that you could have delivered to your valentine.  Sully started yelling that we should "go online and buy those!" which we thought was pretty funny, because how the hell does he know what going "online" means?  Anyway, we made the chocolate covered strawberries ourselves and Sully got to lick the bowl.  The strawberries were amazing!  I should have taken pictures of them, but they did not last long enough to do so.

 

Eli at Sully's school's Valentine's day party.  He's got a few fans amongst Sully's friends.

 I thought it was weird when Sully begged us relentlessly for this awful, gross looking monster toy.  But now, sweet innocent little Eli is obsessed with it too.  Boys!

WE HAVE SITTING!!!

 

He's been working on this tirelessly for a while and this past week he's gotten really really good at it.  He's able to correct when he tips to one side and he's even pretty close to sitting up from laying down. 

 Still getting the hang of it

 No harm no foul!

 Doesn't he look so grown up in this picture?

Another week and we're all still alive

This is why all of humanity should be grateful that A) Jen did not have a girl who needs her hair done.  and B) Sully has a good sense of humor.  He called this his "Hair mountain"  Not to worry though, Mike saved the day.

 "A little help here?"

 This is what Sully picked out to wear for Fro Yo and a trip to the Wildlife Museum.

Fro-Yo Fancy Pants

 Eli has been cultivating his 4th chin this week

 Amongst the critters at the Museum

 Sleeping Indian, keeping an eye on the elk.

 Bow tie wearing member of the explorer's club.

There was a room full of kids (some of whom he knew) next to this room-  he started to run in there, until I informed him that they were doing Arts and Crafts in there.  When he heard that he bee lined it out of there.  The kid just is not fond of craft projects. 

Eli is working very hard at making his swing as obsolete as his bumbo.  He grabs onto the side of it and pulls himself up,  its just a matter of time until he goes head first out of that thing. 

A Week (and a half -ish) in the Life of the Solis Boys and Girl

We survived another week!

 Sully playing at the Children's Museum

 The blue eyed monsters

 Eli hates late afternoons.  He doesn't nap then (if only he would!) and I think he needs to, so he gets super grouchy around 3:30.  On this particular day,  after trying every conceivable thing to make him happy, I decided to stick him in the Bean Boat Tote and swing him around.  It worked.  This was the calm cuteness after his tote ride.

 Eli of many facial expressions

 Solis Boy goofiness and cuteness

 Eli's high chair arrived recently!  The Bumbo is gono-o- back from wence it came (Ebay that is).  We've recently gotten the green light to start solid foods, and although we're not rushing into just yet he does enjoy a spot of barley mush in the evening. 

I posted this picture on Facebook, and just wanted it preserved here too. Its just Eli wearing Sully's hat,  but doesn't his expression look just like Grammie Cushman?

The Week In Review:

Certainly another busy week around these parts,  all though not as bad as last week and not as bad as this upcoming week appears to be shaping up.  Third week of college algebra and I am surprised at my ability to do this goofy stuff successfully.  Mike has been left to fend for himself with the boys two nights a week while I am off at class.  Evenings are a challenge when all hands are on deck, so he's a brave man taking it all on.  By the time I get home the house is blissfully quiet-  if you know Mike- you know he doesn't really do quiet-there is always music and or news blaring- so that he is in need of some silence speaks volumes.

I quit Facebook this week,  it was a decision a long time coming.  I'm just too easily distracted and the concept of Facebook started to alarm me. (the timeline shows when I was born, moved, worked married, had children and will no doubt make note of when I die)  The news about the IPO this week sort of finalized my distaste in it.  I confess though, my mind is still wired define my experiences in witty status updates.  So it goes, weird times we live in.

Hopefully my Facebook free existence enables me to update this thing more regularly and in a more meaningful way.  Someday when the boys are old and trolling the internet to see our presence there, I think I'd rather them see this account, then the jumbled ADD world of my facebook page.  

over and out.

Jen