Like mother like son...

Well, we were planning on heading home this morning, BUT considering all of us are puking our brains out I don't think we're going anywhere. So far, Eli is fine so we think it's food poisoning probably. We ate a community chili supper last night so Eli could sit on Santa's lap. He was so cranky by the time we got through the line that he wasn't too thrilled, but while we were waiting he laughed his head off at the fake Santa. Luckily, my parents aren't sick so they've been able to help with Eli. Hopefully we'll all feel better soon.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!!!

We're having a fun time up at my parents house with all of my family! Eli was great for the car ride up here and slept most of the way, which was a nice break for us. Yesterday, it was wonderful having Thanksgiving with all of my relatives and Eli did really well, considering we were there for over six hours. It was cute to see him and his cousin Jadyn explore together. Jadyn kept trying to give Eli kisses and Eli didn't like it very much. Everyone got a big kick out of Eli walking around with his short little legs and we all laughed at how he closes his eyes if he thinks he's going to fall. Today, we went to Salina so all six of us "kids" could go to a movie while my parents walked Eli around the mall. There definitely was a lot to look at, since the mall was packed. Eli liked watching the giant fish aquarium and playing in the spongy kids area. I laughed my head off at the movie "Four Christmas" and enjoyed the break from the little wild man. This morning, much to our surprise, it started snowing and didn't stop for a few hours! We took Eli outside to experience his first snow and he definitely was checking it out carefully and looking around. He also experienced his first kitten. He kind of laughed at it, reached for it one time and was off to something new. Believe it or not Eli has actually slept better here than he has in months at our house. Maybe because it is so quiet compared to the city and there is no dog barking next door. Although it could be because he's just extremely tired at the end of the day from all the stimulation. He sure loves all the family! Many cute pictures to come!

The Turkey ran away....upon Thanksgiving Day!

Happy early Thanksgiving everyone! We are heading up to Minneapolis today, and I can hardly wait. Our Corman Thanksgivings are a blast, and I'm looking forward to spending time with more than 30 of my relatives. Eli will have lots of people to chase and his cousin to beat up on I mean play with, so all will be good. Last night we got to listen to the "almost final" copy of our cd. I know it's taking a long time to finish, but we wanted to do it on the side and wanted it to be amazing. Trust me...it is! I hadn't heard any of the recent production, so it was so great to get to hear it and enjoy all the work our producer/guitarist/friend has done. It is ready to be sent off to be mastered. Eli enjoyed seeing his friends Ethan and Lillie and ran around the studio like a wild man. Yesterday, I said "Where's Momma's nose/ears/teeth?" and he could point to them all. It's pretty hit or miss whether he'll point to them or just look at them, but it's still impressive :-) We play the "Where's the...." game a lot. He will usually just look to whatever I say, but I'm hoping he'll start pointing at them soon. He likes to "find" the couch, lamp, pictures, plants, coffee table, swing, fan, lights, Rica, Momma, Dada, and jumper. He has fun with it. Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

Walking photos

So thankful!

It has been a few days since I've been on here because we've been dealing with a lot around here. I've been exhausted dealing with Eli who has completely given up his pacifier (don't worry I'm still trying) and is giving up naps left and right. Yesterday, he only took a half hour nap in the morning and a half hour nap in the afternoon. I thought I was going to die :-) It's amazing to me that one little cold could change our whole lives...ha ha. Now I get to start sleep training again and somehow get him to sleep more than a freaking hour without having a pacifier to stick in his mouth. God have mercy on my soul! Okay, enough whining, I realize it's getting old, but I have to vent somewhere! Eli is singing. It's the cutest thing I've ever seen. We say, "Eli let's sing" and I go "Ah ah ah" in a really high voice and he copies it in this sweet little quiet high voice. Sometimes he does it exactly the same pitch that I've given him. Maybe he's already a musical genius :-) Eli is also starting to let go of chairs and will walk to another chair or between the couches without holding on to anything or anyone. More and more confidence in his walking. A little scary I must say but exciting as well. He also is pointing more. He points at stuff in his books and will feel the textures with his little finger. Precious. He still loves his Santa book especially when I say "Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas". He's obsessed with my Dad's mustache. It cracks us up. When he saw my sister's very blond hair this week he thought it was amazing. I just realized we don't have a single blond person in our lives but her. All of our friends and family here are dark headed. We gave Eli his first whole grain Graham cracker last night (without honey in them). He loved it and did very well with it. We're in serious Christmas mode around here. I'm decorating this weekend and Brandon finally broke out the Christmas music. I've been listening to one of my favorite songs of all time. River by Joni Mitchell or the remake by Sarah McLachlan. If you don't have her Christmas CD, it's worth buying. I'm extra thankful this year for our amazing family and extended family.

Mama mama mama..

Eli is finally saying "Mama"! Actually, he has completely replaced "Dada" with "Mama". I guess the sickness has brought out the desperation. He always says it in a whining, come pick me up, kind of voice. I'll take it however he decides to say it :-) It has been a rough couple of days. He has an extremely runny nose, a little bit of a cough, and congestion. It's really only affected his sleeping. He's only taking 2 naps a day and I basically have to wait until he is about to die from exhaustion before he'll go down peacefully. I feel pretty good for not having slept in 4 nights :-) Most of the time he's happy as usual...just has some issues nursing because he's so stuffed up. I feel like a giant snot rag. For the past couple of days I have just been covered in snot. A shower never felt so good! Luckily, I already have a sore throat so I got it quickly and hopefully we'll be sick and miserable together and over it by Thanksgiving. I made this chocolate cream cheese pie for our church's big Thanksgiving meal last Sunday (that we didn't get to go to because Eli was sick). It definitely did not go to waste. It's gone. I've eaten the entire pie. It's very sad I do realize, but when you need comfort food you need comfort food! One good thing about him being sick is he is a lot more affectionate. He actually sat still and rested his head on my shoulder several times today...miracle of miracles! Last night Brandon encouraged me to go meet my brother and cousins at the Friends basketball game to watch my cousin's boyfriend play. I really needed to get out of this sick house. I was only gone for a little over an hour, but it sure made me feel better. Brandon and I were just laughing about how when Eli toots he always smiles and looks up to see if you heard. Then we'll always say something like, "did you toot?" and he just thinks it's so funny! Cracks me up! I'm trying to find more and more foods I can offer for him to feed himself for practice. So far it consists of banana pieces, avocado, puffs, and baby biscuits. Everything else is too hard for him to get. I found these rice sticks that dissolve quickly, so he's been enjoying those lately too. He really is careful about making sure he's chewed everything really well. Hopefully, he'll be better soon and things will get back to normal around here! Sometimes when Eli gets bored in the high chair he throws his head clear back as far as he can. It usually makes his hair lay flat from static, but it looks kind of painful to me. He usually laughs and laughs. One of his many games!