Gag me!

So, Eli did something extremely weird and gross last night. He was being goofy and discovered that he could gag himself with his fingers. I was horrified when I saw what he was doing and of course tried to stop him (which made him laugh even harder). No such luck. He threw up (luckily just fluids). He thought this was hilarious as well. Brandon then saw what was going on and tried to get him to stop and he would laugh and keep doing it. After throwing up TWO more times he finally stopped. Seriously. We were totally mad. It was just a moment of discovery and luckily he's never tried to pull that stunt again. Sheesh! Horrific parenting moment :-)

We've had a wonderful day today. We went to our favorite local Riverside restaurant The Copper Oven and got scones early this morning (best scones in the whole world might I add), picked up some bird seed (we go through several bags a month), and groceries. Later, we hit Sprint and I got a new phone for free. My screen has been out for like a month, which has been so annoying, and I finally found out that I've been eligible for a new phone for two years...woops. The workers laughed so hard at Brandon's ghetto phone (still has an antennae which they don't even make anymore). He could have gotten a new one for free, but we decided to wait until it starts to die before getting one. Brandon started reading The Shack while Eli slept today. Unlike me, he didn't sob the whole time but is loving it all the same! Here is our first harvest from our garden...one strawberry. We all shared it at supper (Eli wanted more, so I was glad I had bought a pack today at the store). Tart, but delicious!

This has been a packed couple of days. They started tiling the basement yesterday. I wish I would have thought about the fact that I wouldn't be able to get to my laundry machines while they are working on it. There is going to be one MASSIVE pile of laundry to wash next week. The tile is a pretty close match, and I can already tell it's going to look great. Our microwave blew up, so the repairman was here today (luckily under warranty). The disaster insurance guy came to look at the damage from the rains we've had and the leaks in the roof, AND the roofer came as well. Craziness! Eli has enjoyed all the people. Today he kept throwing the ball at the insurance guy trying to get him to play with him (he was nice and did throw it back once) and always said "Bye Bye" and waved when they left. So adorable! I'm really looking forward to the weekend after all the craziness this week. Time for some relaxation!

Park fun!

Today, Eli and I met my friend Tanya and her two boys Seth and baby Jesse at the park by our house to play. Before they arrived, I hung out with our old neighbor who happened to be there with her two boys! It was great to get some friend time! Eli loved climbing from the very bottom of the play equipment clear up to the top (after climbing several sets of stairs) and then ending at the really tall slides, which we'd go down and start all over again! Last night Tanya's husband Chris, who used to be Brandon's roommate, called and they went to see the new Star Trek. They both really liked it and Brandon had fun with the guys! I was miserable all night and half of today because I had a clogged duct. I could hardly sleep. I've had quite a few since Eli was born, but nothing like this before. It was SO painful. I tried pumping, nursing etc. but I couldn't clear it. Finally, when Eli was nursing before his nap I had instant relief. Ah. It definitely set a new tone for the day. Eli loves beets. I'm growing some in our garden just for him. Last night we couldn't stop laughing because he was scarfing down some beets with his meal and I called him "Little Mose". If you've ever seen the t.v. show The Office, you'll know who I'm talking about. He has a beet farm and is rather strange. Poor kid...he didn't even know his mother was making fun of him ;-) ;-) Eli's been going through clothes, shoes, and socks like crazy during the day. I really believe kids should be raised outdoors without t.v. and video games, and luckily Eli has joined in on the outside adventure and LOVES to be outdoors exploring and getting dirty. The only problem is we go through a lot of clothes. By the times he's played in the sandbox, dirt, water, flowers, rocks, grass etc. (with all of it sticking to his sunscreen) he's a mess! Today we went through three outfits. I know what times the front or back will be shaded so he doesn't get too hot or too much sun. He's not going to be a city slicker if we have our way! Brandon was horrified when he saw the white jumper that Eli was in when he came home from work (hey, I was on outfit number 3). I think he may have called it a dress ;-) ;-) Teaching and reminding Eli to say "Please" has really helped with his demanding everything. I was laughing earlier because he demanded Rica to drink out of the watering can. He even was bossing her around! Love this kid!

DONE!

Last night we took Eli to the River Festival to get some food and play on the kid stuff. Eli and I shared a vegetarian platter with Veggie Lo Mein and Veggie rice. We both loved it! After eating, we took Eli over to the kids area. There really wasn't much for his age but a couple blow up jumping things. Brandon went with him in one. All I could hear from the outside was Eli saying, "Done! Done! DONE!" I was cracking up. He hated it. Thinking that one was just a little too intense we took him over to this little tiny kids one. He stood in there one second then started in with "Done! Done! DONE!" Brandon and I couldn't stop laughing. He did NOT like the kid stuff. He did enjoy running around, dancing, and going up and down this ramp while we listened to some gospel music. Hopefully next year the weather will be better and we can catch some puppet shows or other kids programs that he would like. It's supposed to rain every day this week, so that was our only chance to go.

Today I about had a heart attack. Eli has learned to climb up and go down backwards on the steps outside the house or other places, but still has never even attempted the wooden stairs inside the house. They are too slippery. I turned my back for one second to put some dishes in the dishwasher and looked back and he was standing on the first step smiling like he'd won the lottery. Scared me to death. Of course after that all he wanted was to go up and down the stairs. I had to put some chairs in front of it until Brandon can come home and put up the baby gate. It helped me remember that we need to carpet those stairs. Crap! Another house project. I was making out the list today of everything we need to do this summer while Brandon is furloughed. No excuses for not getting them done, since we'll have the time. I've got the color picked out for Eli's upstairs room. Speaking of colors...Eli is doing great at his colors. He has this color mat that I practice with him. He can now go and point to and help me put toys on red, blue, yellow, green, orange, and purple. He's a genius ;-)

River Fest Rockin!

We played at the Wichita River Festival for around 2 1/2 hours last night. It was FREEZING! I'm surprised that anyone was even there, but a lot of people came to support us and we sold quite a few cds. It was a lot of fun, even though we froze. We celebrated Mother's Day with my parents and brother here at our house. Eli loved having the family here. My mom babysat for us while we were gone. Here's a couple pictures of Eli and my dad wrestling and snuggling on the bed. Eli is so affectionate!

Parade...

We went and got gelato and enjoyed the Wichita River Festival parade this evening! Eli loved the flags and balloons. He really liked the costumed characters as well. I read the book The Shack today during Eli's nap. Wow, what an amazing book! All of my friends have been raving about it, and it definitely was very moving and very spiritually uplifting!

Disasterous morning...

This morning was...well interesting to say the least. First of all, as I was getting ready Eli decided to throw his doggy in the toilet (he lifted the lid before I could stop it). This is the doggy he sleeps with every night and carries around half the day. It barely got wet, but still. I scrubbed and scrubbed it with this babyganics cleaner and hung it outside to dry. Next, my brother and I went shopping at my favorite flower center for my mom's mother's day present. When we went to load everything back in the car I realized I'd locked the keys, both of our cell phones, etc. in the car. Sheesh. I had to use the store's phone to call Brandon at work, although he wouldn't pick up because he didn't recognize the number. Grrrr. Finally I called the front line phones and after waiting on hold for what seemed like forever I had someone go get him. He came and rescued us, but in the meantime Eli found one of about a million puddles and was soaked and muddy from head to toe. At least he had a blast! We had to strip Eli's clothes off before we put him in the car (it's hot today, so we didn't bother putting a new outfit on his muddy self) and I had to throw him in the tub the second we got home. Oh, I forgot the other horrible thing that happened. As I was driving home a bird swooped down in front of the car. I thought I'd missed it, but Will so kindly had to tell me that I'd KILLED it, which was confirmed when I looked back in my mirror. I felt horrible, of course. Luckily, the rest of the day has been great so far! Eli LOVES playing in the watering cans. I always leave some water in them so I can easily water all the newly planted plants while we're outside playing. He loves to throw leaves/dandilions/balls inside and then fish them out. Yesterday, he got completely soaked splashing and such. He just loves water! We've been going through like three outfits on these warm days where we're outside playing all day. We got his sandbox set up last night. He was excited to see it! He noticed his doggy hanging outside, and wasn't too happy when I wouldn't get it for him! I just put him down for a nap without it. I just stuck another stuffed animal in there. He looked at me kind of funny and then just went to sleep no problem.