E at 3 wks

I am realizing by uploading my pictures that I need to take more of Elliot... otherwise he will end up with that "second child syndrome" (half the pictures, etc).  I guess it is because every time we go out and do something he is usually sleeping in the stroller! Not a bad thing, I like it when he sleeps when we are out, though he doesn't seem to do it when it is just me with both kids!  So, Elliot is growing by pounds it seems like!  All of a sudden he just seems heavier and bigger and much more alert! He loves to eat. Has MAJOR gas issues, I am trying to see what I can do to help out in that area... right now I am attempting to cut out dairy from my diet to see if that helps him. More pictures to come, I promise!

Two of a kind

Clayton and Gabrielle are a wonderful pair.  They are more alike than I realize sometimes, and sometimes so much alike they clash (both want to have the power).  It is so fun to see them in action together, and puts a smile on my face that mirrors the smiles on their faces.  Since Elliot is pretty much attached to me these days (due to the whole maker of milk thing I have going) Clay and Gabby are together frequently.  Just a few pictures of the two smarty pants in action. Yes, I think Gabrielle is going to take after her father in the snide comment area, but her intelligence and brain for remembering random facts also comes from him too! * the pictures come from our visit to the Hunt Club Petting Farm (they both have a major love for animals) and a HOT day at the Pungo Strawberry Festival

G

Besides being a new big sister, Gabby is loving being a Grandpa's girl! The two of them have so much fun together, they play on the balcony even when it is raining out.  They take their daily walks to the store, share some 7-up, read lots of stories, stretch like cats in the morning and talk.  My dad has told me a few times how constant Gabby talks! Yes, I know she is GABBY!  One day this past week we tried to go to the beach, it ended up being too hot (92*) and way too windy (the sand is no fun in the wind).  While we were there it was fun, Grandpa and Gabby walked in the Atlantic Ocean and she wasn't afraid at all, but it was cold!  I got a quiet day at home with just me and Elliot while Clay, Grandpa and Gabby ventured to the beach again.  Clay fished, and caught his first fish here- make that 6 little ones that he used to catch 6 "big" ones.  He also got bit by one of them.  Gabby and Grandpa walked the beach and played in the water.  I lounged at home in a quiet house!  

   We have been trying to show my dad some of Virginia Beach.  We took him to one of our favorite parks, Mt Trashmore on Mother's Day and had fun flying the kite and playing on the toys.  We went back one day and walked the almost 2 mile loop around the park and lake.  Norfolk Zoo was our destination on Thursday.  Besides the million class field trips there with us it was fun.  Elliot slept the entire time!  This weekend we are dealing with rain storms and thunder, so will be sticking close to inside.

2 weeks

Elliot is now two weeks old.  We had his two week check up yesterday, at our civilian Dr (who is a wee little man and wears cowboy boots).  Elliot gained back his birth weight- plus two ounces! Yes that means he is one ounce shy of 9 lbs.  We have a good little eater on our hands, it couldn't have anything to do with him wanting to eat EVERY hour and a half for three days straight!  Sleeping is good some days, other days not so much.  He really is a pretty good sleeper, not too much fussing and crying.  Clay and I do call him our little dinosaur due to the sound effects he makes when he is half asleep in his bassinet.  Still have the umbilical cord stump, ready for that to come off!  Elliot is pretty spoiled with all the attention and kisses he gets between Clayton, Grandpa, Big Sister Gabrielle, and I.   We are finally starting to see him more alert, with his eyes wide open.  I swear he looks like a different kid with his eyes open!  I have been looking back at pictures of Gabby as a newborn and I must say they look very much alike!  Side by side a few pictures you can get the two of them confused.

1 week

Elliot is now 1 week old (well last night technically).  Things are going great!  We took him for his weight check up today, still a big boy but not quite back up to birth weight (expected).  Nursing is going pretty well, although I am sore and he gets gassy (one end always has something to say!).  I am excited to let him sleep longer than 3 hours during the night starting next week... the first two weeks he needs to eat every 2-3 hours, after that he can go longer.  That means the past few nights I have HAD to wake him up to eat! So different than his big sister!  Clay thinks Elliot is starting to look more like Gabby,  I agree. You will for sure be able to tell they are siblings!  Gabrielle is loving having her Grandpa here, they walk to the store daily to get a newspaper and play out on the balcony most of the day!  

In Love!

I must say, we are all very much in love with Elliot!  Grandpa aka "the baby hog" is here (his name when my nephew Josh was born) and would let Elliot sleep on his chest all the time if I let him.  Grandpa and Gabby are also doing some major bonding.  I am not allowed to read some of her books, ONLY Grandpa can!  The two of them sit out on the balcony all day long, my dad trying to adjust to the "heat" and Gabby playing.  Right now as I type this I hear them singing and playing on the keyboard!  

   Gabrielle is  very much into being a BIG sister!  She gives Elliot Kisses whenever possible, and is very gentle with him.  Today she held him on her lap all by herself, then didn't want to give him back! She has been finding toys to show him and share with him.

   *As of right now both my sweet babies are asleep in their room! Elliot nursed and fell asleep, I put him in his crib, then I read Gabby two stories and now she is in her bed asleep! WOW! I am not counting on this being an everyday thing, but I can always hope! In addition to them sleeping, I think it is time for me to take a nap too (especially considering Elliot likes to be cranky for a good 3 hour stretch in the middle of the night). 

   Oh and on the note of love, Clayton and I are more in love with these two wonderful children than is even imaginable! What a wonderful life!

Elliot James