All in a Day's Work

On Friday, we got to go in and see Cooper!  He is growing like a weed, just like his big brother.  The ultrasound tech took some measurements, of his thigh bone, chest, and head circumference, to get a prediction of approximate weight.  At just under 28 weeks, they're predicting he's 2.7 pounds.  Which could be close, however, if Cooper is anything like Eli, he has a big head which means this weight could be off.  Big heads run in our family.  Eli was born in the 95th percentile for head circumference and since birth he's varied anywhere between the 93rd and 97th percentile.  He's a smart little cookie!

Here's our littlest dude hanging out practicing his yoga moves.  You can see his face (right side, looking up and to the left), his body to the left, his bum in the upperish left, leg going back down toward his nose - actually, his knee is right above his nose, and his feet are above his head.

A good profile shot of our littlest man.  

While we were in there, she explained how he was laying too.  He was laying across me, from side to side.  His head was situated on my left side, bum on my right, with his legs up above his body and head. His knees were just about even with his nose with his feet sticking up above his head.  Which really explains those movements!

We took Eli with us to see his little brother, which he was very excited about.  While we were waiting he said "When do we get to see Cooper?!"  He was getting a little antsy about getting in and seeing him.  On the other hand, we were eager to find out the results and determine if we had vasa previa or not, the real reason for the ultrasound in the first place.  The tech was late, which was kind of annoying, but she was amazing.  She talked us through everything and printed six pictures of our little man to take home with us.  Then we found out that we do NOT have vasa previa which is great!  Coopers growing just like he should be!  

After a quick trip through Ikea, we ventured to take Eli on his first surprise of the day.  We've been reading a book that has people bowling in it and he keeps asking if we would take him bowling, so that's just what we did.  He had a great time and was even beating both of us for a while!

When bowling was over, we decided to take him to see a movie and make it a full on Eli day.  During the previews, however, the power went out in the theater so the movie was a bust.  At least we ended up getting some free passes out of the deal.  Now we can go see two movies, any type of showing, any time!  I suppose that's not such a bad deal, now is it?!

A trip to Spokane!

To ring in August, we made a trip to Spokane.  Yes, I do realize this was a while ago, things have been busy around here and I actually haven't had the time or extra waking moments needed to update.

At any rate, Eli and I spent a total of 10 days visiting family and friends on the other side of the state.  It was extremely relaxing and it was great spending time with everyone and watching Eli play with his cousins.

Uncle Robbie and Cam took Eli fishing out on the Spokane River.  Eli caught his first two fish, ever, on this outing!  He reeled in, with help from his cousin, a Small Mouth Bass and a Rainbow Trout.  Both were released.

The weather was AMAZING while we were in town.  We finally found sunshine and heat by driving across the state.  Uncle Ryan pulled out a Slip n' Slide for the kids and boy did they have a GREAT time.

Me and my darling sister-in-law, Danielle.  In this picture she is 35 weeks along and I am 24.  She is now ready to pop and we've just hit the 3rd trimester!

Two darling cousins, Eli and Kendra.  It is clear they are related.  Both have the same brown eyes and many of the same facial expressions.  I think Eli's learned them from KG.

Another day we walked down the river to try to reel in some fish.  They were not cooperating this time, but we all had fun playing along the river.  In the inlet that Eli is looking at were thousands upon thousands of little minnows.  I have never seen them in those quantities, it was unbelievable.

The kids wanted to make their own Slip n' Slide later in the week at their house.  Unfortunately, without the bags, it just didn't work very well.  Cam had it all figured out, but Eli just couldn't quite get it.  He was frustrated and downright mad at the fact that it wouldn't work for him.  Here he is getting pointers from his big buddy.  For being 13 years old, Cam is incredible with the kids.  He played with Eli the whole time we were there and never complained about having a four-year-old around.  This kid never ceases to amaze me. 

Out with Cam and Uncle Robbie.

The cousins at this point.  Give it three more months and there will be two more in the mix!  

Cameron, Eli, Kendra, and Brooklynn

My little monkey hanging out on the back porch.

Thought Process of a Four Year Old

As Eli was getting ready to sleep tonight, we had the funniest conversation.  I'm really good at sharing these with Jess and a few people, but really need to start capturing them for future reference.  Our conversation went something like this:

Me:  We really need to start sleeping with your door closed.
E (after leaning in close):  I don't EVER want to start that.
Me: After *your brother* comes, when he cries at night, you're going to want to have your door closed so you don't have to hear him.
E (matter-of-factly): I will just tell him "ENOUGH of that! There is no need to cry."
Me (chuckling):  Oh.....

Eli's Perspective

We've been talking a lot lately about what to name Eli's little brother.  Some of his suggestions include:

• Little Big Jack
• Twinkie
• Cars Three

He has come up with more, but for the life of me, I can't remember them right now.   Shoot.  They were good.  We thought we had actually come up with one for the new little guy, then remembered that one of our cousins has already chosen that name.  Oops!  Back to the drawing board we go!

Summer...Finally

Today is the second day in a row that we've actually had some sun and warm weather.  

Eli loves it.  

Jess loves it.  

I love it.

We have been waiting what seems like AGES to have nice weather to set up the pool and do some of those outdoor things that are always there to do.  OK, we could have done more of those outdoor things, but who wants to do that in the rain? Not me.  

This morning actually started with a quick trip to Urgent Care as Eli was complaining about an ear ache for the last   couple days.  Last night was exceptionally bad and he was actually crying when he woke up at midnight because of his ear hurting.  Upon inspection, Dr. B. said that he has an outer ear infection in his left ear and his right was a little swollen.  Nothing big but can cause some serious discomfort.  We asked what impact this might have on his swimming lessons this week and he said NONE!  Since there wasn't anything wrong with his inner ear or eardrum, he was good to go.  Other than the coldness of putting the drops in, he is his typical self.  Running, eating, playing, being our usual four-year-old.  

So....after clearing it was Dr. B., we let Eli set up his pool today since it is in the mid-eighties, but did tell him we didn't want him to get his head wet - just because.  

We took a break from the afternoon sun and made a trip to Home Depot.  Who would have EVER thought that would have been MY store of choice?  I know Mom, it's a miracle isn't it?!?!?  While we were there, we made the BEST $50 purchase yet.  We got a Black and Decker Hedge Trimmer.  Oh.  My.  Gosh.  AMAZING!  

I have HATED the bushes in our backyard for quite some time now.  They are were ugly, overgrown, and just plain awful to look at.  After spending 10 minutes on them myself, and Jess another 15-20 (while I type this), they look simply amazing.  I can't believe they're the same bushes!  Now comes the fun part and cleaning up all the branches and leaves that are all over the ground around them.  Still, what a difference already.  Now it's my turn to go back and finish 'sculpting.'    YAY!

Here is Jess playing with my new toy.  

Seriously? What is with this weather?

Today has been off and on with the weather.  It's like having the little jokester hiding behind the door frame and every time you turn your back, they either flip the switch on or off.  Sun and rain being the result of our switch.  Summer.  Hello.  Summer should be filled with sunshine, blue skies, and warm weather.  Apparently Mother Nature missed the memo.  Consider this your memo.

After today's swimming lesson (which was grade day and we got to register Eli for the next class!  Preschool 2 here we come....on Monday) we headed to the Museum of Flight.  Again, this is one of Eli's favorite places.  Woodland Park Zoo and the Museum of Flight, what more is there?!?!  If we went every day, I think we would have the happiest boy on the planet.  They were working on some new exhibits so we're excited to see what's to come!

Space walking astronaut

Learning about the types of wood used to build different parts of airplanes.

 Pilot Winkey in his Blackbird - watch out, he was all about the little red button...

....still wondering what that button was all about.  Missiles?  Ejection?  Radio?

Megan and Eric flying the Blackbird

Eli and I ventured to Alki Beach for the first time.  After a yummy lunch next to the water we ventured on to the beach.  We ventured, and ventured, and ventured.  We had to have been walking for at least an hour before we got there.  I thought it was going to be a quick little jaunt up the road, it ended up being a 1.9 mile walk - one way!  Yes, I googled it later to see just how far we walked.  We went with our good friends so we chatted the whole way, the boys got to play in the sand while Jeanne and I chatted and Melissa and Leigh-Ann walked back to get the cars.

Overlooking the Puget Sound and downtown Seattle

 Our good friends, Eric, Leigh-Ann, and Megan.
Poor Scott and Jess had to slave away at work while we played.

 Posing in a kayak.

Another wonderful friend, Melissa.

Walking along the beach.

After the walk to get to Alki Beach, we all felt like laying down and taking a little snooze.