Scarface

Scarface is Josh's new nickname for Eli. It seemed appropriate in light of Eli's new propensity to violently scratch himself all over his face, evidence below in the videos. But the videos are really to show how talkative he has become! This doesn't do justice to just how expressive and vocal he is, and how long he will talk to someone paying attention to him. The iPod distracts him a little. :)  I love his little voice and the serious looks he has on his face when he talks!

He is also starting to chew on things, mostly his fingers because he hasn't figured out how to get a hold of other things, but he'll chew on anything that happens to be by his mouth or his hands!

Reading the Jesus Storybook Bible with Dad before bed.

Jump, jump!

Eli kicks and likes to 'stand' with someone's help, so I thought he would like this jumper! He hasn't quite figured it out yet, but he still likes it. I can't wait to see what he does with it in the future!

I love his faces!

Close...Closer...Closest!

Close...

Closer...

Closest!

 He has started noticing things around him more, including my iPod when I'm trying to take pictures! He could have been doing something really cute, but the minute he sees the iPod I get this face... blank, staring, no smile... but still cute with his pudgy cheeks and big eyes! This is his "I see something, so I just stare at it" face. The eyebrows get me every time. 

I let him look at pictures on the iPod this morning (mostly of himself!), he just stared for a while, but then gave a big smile (at a picture of himself)! He also loves the ceiling fan, amazing, shiny, and spinny that it is. You would think it's his best friend they way he stares at it and smiles!

I started back to work last week and he is staying with a close friend just while Josh is at work (since I leave so early and get back so late). I am back to work full time, but for me that means 3 12-hour shifts a week, so I'm only gone 3 days! I miss him when I'm gone, but work has been so crazy I barely have time to think about it (until I see a cute little baby, then I think "my baby is way cuter than this adorable baby").

He is 12 weeks old now! His 0-3 month clothes are getting tight around the tummy, but the next size is still a little baggy, so we're still in this size for maybe another week or so before we move up. 

Friends...

...not friends!

Ha, ha! Just kidding!

Playing with Mr Monkey!

He's watching Daddy.... then he looks over towards me... 

Oh! He sees the iPod!

Another one of his new things is to hold his hands over his tummy... and sometimes he tries to put both fists in his mouth. At the same time.

That's right, he sees the iPod

Playing on his tummy

It's all fun and games until it's nap time

First Snow!

Honestly, Eli really didn't care one way or another about the snow, but it was fun anyway!

Yeah, it's cool I guess...

'wassup?

Yuck! Daddy, what are you doing?!
This is not milk!

For those who might think we can't dress our child warm enough (!), I know we didn't put a coat on him, but we were only outside for a minute or two, tops. And he had a hat! :)

This last week I finally finished painting this for Eli's room. I had painted the owls before he was born, but, for obvious reasons, had to wait to paint the rest! Josh made me the frame for it, so now we just need to hang it up.

My First Christmas

Mom and Dad are worn out from all the holiday fun, so I'm covering this one. Bear with me and we'll get through all the pictures!!

Sunday before Christmas, we left to spend a little time in Pittsburg with some friends, than headed over to Joplin/Webb City to see Uncle Vance and Aunt Rachel and Scout. I was ready to go way before Mom and Dad got all their stuff together, so I hung out in my bumbo seat and watched them finish getting ready.

Hurry up Mom, I'm ready to go!

Uncle Vance makes the best faces
 and talks to me! Sometimes I even
 talk back to him.

Aunt Rachel thinks it's fun to take
pictures of everyone, especially me and
Cousin Scout.

Opening presents was fun, I was in charge of the wrapping paper, but it got a little overwhelming.

Thanks for my bunny Aunt Carrie
and Uncle Alan!

We gave Scout some cow shoes! I think he liked them.

 Scout tried to be my friend, even when I was mad. He does a good job being nice to me. Most of the time. :)

 Hanging out with Dad on Christmas morning at Gram and Gramps' house. Thanks for the Christmas outfit Aunt Rachel, it was cozy and warm!

Nap time with Gramps. It's how we roll. 

Playing with one of my Christmas toys,
a monkey rattle!

Saturday after Christmas we went to Great-Grandma and Grandpa's house. They think I'm pretty awesome. 

Great-Grandma thinks I've gotten really big!

Hey Mom! Is it time to eat yet?

We all played cards after the big dinner, even me!

I was with (great) Aunt Jan.

Hey, I'm pretty sure this is the one we want.

Where'd they all go?!?

I don't know about this Uncle Luke...

He's just not squishy enough.

Did someone say "presents"?!

Chillin' with Aunt Christine

That's my first Christmas! I had a great time with everyone and got some pretty awesome gifts, thanks everybody!

P.S. Sorry if I was cranky with anyone while they were around me, I'm still trying to get Mom and Dad trained. It's a lot harder than it looks...