Fast Friends!

Last weekend Elliott was able to meet the littlest member of the Shaull/Russell/Brunmeier/Linenberg/Reed crew, Joseph Dean. He lived up to the hype, he is so cute! This means I am an aunt-cousin and Josh is an uncle-cousin. The definition of aunt-cousin or uncle-cousin is a cousin who is close enough and cool enough to be considered an aunt or an uncle.

The initial meeting.

I think it's going well.

Momentary distraction.

Sizing up his big cousin. Probably wondering why he can't find a pair of matching socks.

Baby feet.

"I like your shirt dude"

Elliott was really into Uncle Jim.

Griffin put on some holiday pounds but that didnt stop him from supporting his team. GO GREEN!

Why do they keep taking our picture?

"Momma, can we take him home with us?"

"This here is my new cousin Joe."

"Joe, don't you worry I know just how to handle this guy."

The most precious moment of the whole weekend... they were holding hands.

I can't wait to watch these two grow up together! There will be so many adventures!

My momma is so funny

Elliott's 6th Month!

February 14 - March 13, 2013

Elliott turned six months old on Thursday! It is hard to believe how fast its all going.  In the last month he has really enjoyed:

• jumping in his jumper
• sucking his thumb
• playing with his feet
• day care and Miss Amber (his teacher)
• bath time
• swim lessons
• Mondays with Grandma Marnita
• Fridays with Grandma Pam
• tummy time
• rolling over
• trying solid foods - avocado is his favorite right now. He has tried carrots and sweet potatoes too
• laughing when daddy surprises him
• watching Griffin play
• reading books

He had his six month check up on Friday and he is doing great! He is maintaining his course around the 30th percentile for size. He weighs 15lbs 15oz and is 26 inches tall.  He wears size 3 (size 4 as soon as the 3s run out) diapers and size 6 month clothes. I am still nursing him so he has had no formula yet. Since he is 6 months old now and his digestive system is more developed I can start to work dairy back into my system if I want to which is perfect timing because mom said the Dairy Queen in Rochester is open! And it is Shamrock Shake season... Otherwise the only other thing I have missed is pizza!

Some days this is the only solution

We watched the Olympics. This is the 2034 US mens boblsed team in training!

My first day of school!

I like jumping so much that mom can't even get a picture

We dug some new toys out of the closet that hadn't been used yet. He loved it!

Elliott and his big cousin Mason.

Swimming!

I think he likes the water.

I can almost sit up on my own but after a few seconds I fall over. This was at my six month check up.

He is a very sweet little boy and we are so proud of him and how he is growing and developing. We are amazed and fascinated by him every day!

In other news, Josh and I are both happy and healthy. Work is going really well for both of us. Josh has had a very busy 2014 with many different clients and projects coming his way. My new position at National Heritage Academies has been great. I am a part of a great team and a really exciting project!

Things I like: Jumping in my jumper

The sweetest sound

Kick, Kick, Kick, Splash, Splash, Splash!

We started swim lessons last weekend and Elliott loved it! Well... he did not love it at first. I think it was a bit overwhelming taking in all the new sights and sounds. I was a little surprised because he loves splashing in the bath so I figured he would love swimming immediately. I guess a giant reservoir of water filled with screaming children could make anyone a little gun shy. Once he warmed up he was kicking and splashing and dipping his own face in the water! We are going to Goldfish Swim School in Grand Rapids. We were referred by a friend and I will say, it is as great as everybody says. The staff is very friendly, the facility is very clean, they provide showers with baby soap, changing rooms, hair dryers, and the pool deck area is kept at 90 degrees. I have heard it is a bit more expensive than other options but I think you get what you pay for: clean, friendly, a staff of swimmers (instead of personal trainers, camp counselors, or otherwise extremely fit individuals with a broader range of skills). And what I really like is that even in the Mini 1 (aka tiny little people) class they are teaching how to climb out of the pool (elbow, elbow, belly, knee). Safety first, I like it.

Meeting our new friends.

Learning our grasping techniques. 

Riding in a cool new boat!

We stopped at Tim Hortons after for a breakfast sandwich and some Timbits. Let's just say they weren't winning any awards for speed or accuracy. It was good for a laugh. Next week daddy gets to get in the water!