My Growing Boys

Eli was three months old this past week! And Drake will be 18 months on Monday! Can someone please tell me how this happened?

Eli's personality is really shining through. I can't tell you how much Eric and I just swoon when he smiles and coos at us. And on the days he giggles when we clean his neck rolls? Well, we are just beside ourselves on those days. It's like an orchestra playing, or angels singing. Just absolute beauty. We are three months strong on breastfeeding, and I mean STRONG. This kid hates the bottle. He'll deal with it when I'm at work, but only after holding out a while. He has to be super hungry to eat from a bottle. I'm hoping his aversion to bottles, and my supply (which is better than with Drake), means we'll make it to at least a year breastfeeding. Yes, at LEAST. I'd totally go longer if my kids want to. I believe in self weaning.

Eli is enjoying his swing a lot, but has started spending lots more time on his activity mat. Drake lived on his activity mat at this age, but it's harder with Eli. We simply can't put him on it and turn our heads for one second, b/c there is no telling what Drake will do. Like offer him a goldfish cracker. I couldn't make this crap up if I tried folks. Drake is getting better though, so Eli has been joining him on the activity mat with toys. He loves the light up singing star. He loves to roll up on his side, but his chunky lil' arms stop him from rolling over. I think he's gonna be my lazy baby. He's so content just chilling out, that I don't think he'll crawl or walk early like Drake. Eli gives new meaning to the word mellow. I love my stinker.

Now, Drake. How on earth is my baby a year and a half old??? And how is it that he's my big boy, instead of my baby? I truly don't know. Other parents try to warn you how fast they grow up, and it really is true. It seems to happen overnight. Drake's obsession is being outside. It's all he wants, and he will throw a fit until you take him out. There is nothing in particular out there that he wants; he just likes to walk around and explore. He loves to head out on our neighborhood greenway and go to the park. He's a climbin', slidin', swingin' fool. He is in love with airplanes and birds. He talks and jabbers away, and is really intense sometimes in trying to relay something. He gets so mad and frustrated when he doesn't know how to express something. I'll be thrilled when he can talk in sentences and phrases, b/c I think his frustration level will decrease.

Drake's kisses are to die for. He has started making the "smooch" sound when he gives them, and I'm in love. There isn't much in this world I enjoy more than a big kiss from my big boy.

We start swim lessons week after next. It's only 4 lessons, for a month on Tuesday mornings. It's more of a time for us to spend together, and play in the waterpark afterwards. And we can take what they show us, and practice later when we go swimming with Daddy. He starts his preschool (AKA "playschool") the day after Labor Day, and I'm excited for him. I know it's definitely going to be an adjustment. No morning nap is gonna make him a bear in the evenings. I'm excited for him to make little friends, and have a few hours a week that are structured and planned out. We've started time out here, using the pack and play....and it WORKS! Hallelujah!

Well, the boy are beckoning to tell me nap time is over, so I g/g!