Happy Seven Month Birthday Ellis!

(This post is a month and a half past due....the 8 month post is right behind this one...)

Yep, we are having fun around here.

This month was all about sitting up boot camp.  I was ready for Ellis to sit up on his own.  And, frankly, so was he.  So we worked and worked but his center of gravity is just a little higher than the normal 7 month old. That, coupled with his weight, meant it was going to take a little more work.  So instead he grew teeth!  His 4 one came in this month with the 5th one on the way.  No one in this house is happy with the 5th tooth.  We blame it for many sleepless nights and a big purple swollen spot on baby's gum that did not look pretty but did look painful. 

Ellis is all about the consonants though!  In the most exciting news this month (well, to me) he started saying "mamamama", proving he is physically able to call my name.  Now for him to do it on purpose (before he says "dada").  He loves to scream "gaga" too which I just love!  Ellis also likes to do funny things with his face, like crinkle his nose and breath in and out really fast...then giggle.

I cannot explain why...I just love this picture.  Maybe it is the look he's giving daddy.

Oh! And Ellis has been initiated into the official San Francisco bayarian club.  That is, he experienced his very first earthquake!  It was a magnitude 3.6 that happened at 11:36pm on August 23, 2011.  He and I were up just hanging out and cursing that 5th tooth.

Cavin thought it was funny to imitate baby and make fun of him for not being able to sit up on his own.  So here he is modeling cute Ellis...

And here's him modeling falling over Ellis...

Sooo hilarious Cavin.

Since we didn't have a pediatrician appointment this month I don't have stats but I can assure you, this kid is growing.

Happy 7 months big guy!

Well, hello there.

So apparently I've taken some time off of the blog.  I didn't quite realize this and I didn't plan it...it just happened.  I guess life got in the way and I needed to refocus on some things. The last quarter has brought about many changes...some unexpected and sad while others promising and comforting.  There's been bad news, grief, too much loss, heart break, and questioning.  But sprinkled in there has been some fun, laughter (like Cavin screaming that he doesn't like my singing), relaxing, and successes.  So instead I've been mentally documenting life.  The ups.  The downs.  And the turns.  And trying to make sense of it all but realizing that sometimes life just doesn't make sense.   

But that's about to change b/c my little brain can only hold on to so many stories before I need to start spilling them out.  And my dear friend the memory card...well she's got some good ones for you too.

So it's time to hunker down and move forward right?  Strap on your seat belts!

A new perspective!

Since Ellis was super young, I've always said I don't care if he can crawl, stand, or walk as early as Cavin did.  I  just want him to be able to sit-up.  I thought it would make life a little bit easier on myself and on Ellis.  For one, it allows the boys to play with one another a little easier.  And two, it allows Ellis to 'defend' himself from his big brother a bit more!

Another added benefit?  Staring at brother, daddy, mommy, the cat, the dog, the other dog, the kitchen, and the blocks on the floor is much more interesting than staring at our white ceiling.

So I present to you....upright Ellis!

Now that's he's vertical, he's moving on to bigger and better things...like spelling.

Move over Uncle Tod

...there's a new firefighter in town!

This one's for the non-believers

Keely and Jen - I'm talking to you.  That's right...Katie sold you out and told me you were skeptical as to if I actually had two kids since they look identical.  I told her I'd prove it to you ladies by posting pictures of them together and call y'all out on the blog. :)

The bags under my eyes, excess baby weight, and dwindling patience (don't worry we laugh a lot these days too) is here to tell you that TWO Spruiell boys exist!  There is no undercover operation.

Ellis 'hanging out' with his big brother...

Yes, that's Christmas pajamas in August.

Cavin tired from the travels. Mommy happy and relieved we made it back in one piece. And Ellis still in shock from the plane ride.

Brothers who eat together, stay together.

Happy Six Month Birthday Ellis!

(Yet another Elmo post that is way late!  I promise to stick to the updates that only apply to this month though.)

This kid.  He's a happy one.  He just has the time of his life!!

Ellis has proven to be a rather laid-back kid...probably b/c he's required to 'go with the flow' since our his schedule revolves around Cavin many times.  He's had to learn to nap on the go when needed, to go to sleep at bed time while Cavin's idea of "being quiet" is talking at a louder-than-normal volume, and to be patient while said brother makes comments about "Ellis drinking milk" and "Ellis is sleeping" and "Ellis is brother".  And when Cavin doesn't get his way, Ellis takes the fall in the way of a slap or kick...Cavin knows that will get mommy and daddy's attention more than anything else!  So I'd say Ellis is shaping up to be a pretty tough guy.  And if he continues to grow at the rate he is, he'll end up bigger than Cavin. And what do they say 'paybacks' are??

This month Ellis started day care at Pari's and we all know how that went.  He and Pari get along very well.  In fact, this morning I dropped him off and in true Ellis style the minute he saw Pari he flashed a big grin and started kicking his feet and arching his back - his way of saying 'get me outta this car seat mom!'.  Ellis also sprouted two more teeth this month bringing that to a total of 3 teeth.  And that 4th one...well we can see it through his gums so it is maybe a couple days away.

He has also learned that he enjoys sleeping on his tummy; however, he forgets how to flip back over in the middle of the night so we've been spending many sleepless nights running in there, turning him over, and going back to sleep.  It's not so bad b/c I know he'll figure it out soon enough and the nights will get better. 

Ellis also spent his first nights away from mommy and daddy.  Well, I guess I should say we spent our first nights away from him in the hands of someone else....nana and pa!  Mike and I had to go out of state for a couple days so Ellis hung back and was spoiled rotten by his grandparents.  Such a tough life this kid leads...

Tough life indeed!

Now for the stats:
Weight: 18 pounds, 4 ounces (75th - 80th percentile)
Height: 29 inches (100th percentile and "the tallest boy in American" according to his pediatrician)
Head: 45 centimeters (85th percentile)

Happy 6 month birthday Ellis!

One half year

You see this kid?

(picture taken by Janessa, who also knitted the adorable green cap)

He's 6 months old now.  That's half way done with his first year.  The first year.  Whenever we attend a first year birthday party or a run into a fellow mom who states that her baby just turned a year old, do you know what I say to them?  "Congratulations!"  And why?  Because the first year is HARD.  There's no getting around it.  The 'what ifs', the decisions, the guilt thinking 'what if I made the wrong decision??', the pressure, the worry, oh and that lack of sleep!  Don't get me wrong, it is way worth it. But once that baby turns 1, things got easier.  However, at that point, he's not a "baby" anymore.  So, well, the whole thing is bitter sweet.

But you know what?  I'm enjoying this first year. Sure it is challenging, and difficult, trying, and I could stand to get more sleep.  But I've got THIS.

And THIS has taught me some things - to relax, take things in stride, make time for a little extra love and cuddles, laugh a little bit more, and not worry so much about the dishes or laundry - but to soak in the baby time.  Because big brother taught me a while back that it goes by way too fast.  And you just cannot get that time back.

So happy 6 month birthday my sweet baby boy Ellis.  You have a mommy, daddy, and brother who love you way too much.