SOLIDS!!!!!

That's right folks, it's that time. Our sweet little guy is turning six months old Thursday. Did you hear that? SIX MONTHS OLD. I'm not sure how it happened. But somehow, six months has passed. We started rice cereal today, and I'm hoping and praying it helps him sleep better. He's still waking up once or twice a night. I'm so ready for some sleep again. Drake has me spoiled sleeping 12-13 hours.

On a positive note, since it's almost Thursday, it's safe to say that WE'VE MADE IT TO SIX MONTHS OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING. Sorry to yell at you, but that's really big news around here. I surpassed my time with Drake, b/c we had to supplement him starting at 5.5 months. I still remember the sheer devastation when I had to give him formula. Yes, breastfeeding is that important to me. I HATED giving Drake formula. It made me feel like a failure. Or rather, that my boobs were failing. My supply is much better this go round, and I'm feeling like I've got this all figured out this time. From here on out, I'm taking it month by month. My ultimate goal is to make it to at least a year. And then my ultimate ultimate goal is to let Eli self wean when he's ready. Part of the reason we've been more successful this time is b/c of his poor sleeping. I've encouraged his waking by always immediately feeding him when he wimpers. But he's eating around the clock, and Momma's milk is plentiful.

In other updates:

-Drake is still loving preschool. And I love my alone time with Eli while he's there. It's an all around good thing for our family.

-Eli rolls everywhere, baby talks constantly, and loves to eat his toes. He sits in the Bumbo, but is not sitting independently yet. He occasionally gets into the crawling position, but just rocks.

- I taught Drake to fist pump. It may be the cutest thing ever.

-Drake also roars like a dinosaur. It's his favorite animal noise. LOL. I'm not sure when I'll have the heart to tell him it's not real animal anymore.

-Eric, Eli, and myself head to San Francisco/Sonoma later in the week for a wedding. Drake's going to the grandparents, but Eli has to come along. Fran is also coming, and she's thrilled about seeing California. She was perplexed when I told her to pack a light jacket. She thinks California is all palm trees and hot weather.

Here are some pictures from it all.

Not exactly thrilled with the first bite.

"Maybe this isn't so bad"
"Hey lady- Can I have some more of that stuff?"


It looks like he was gagging, but this was actually 0.0000003 seconds before a big sneeze.
This little stinker is always trying to get the camera.
Pretty big blue eyes. With those llooooonnnngggg eyelashes.
Can y'all believe this????? BOTH boys looked at Mommy! ...... Sitting! ........Together!
Our photo session was interrupted by Linus. Both boys were laughing.

Greenville Zoo

So there is this most adorable little zoo in Greenville, and we went a couple of weeks ago to meet some friends. I went to grad school with Katie and Paula, and Paula lives down in Greenville. We have not one, but FOUR boys between us, ranging from 2 months to 3 years. Here is a glimpse of our day!

This our amazing au pair Fran!

PRESCHOOL!!!!

Here it is ladies and gentlemen, the post you've all been waiting for. Behold, today was Drake's first day of preschool. Let's just get right to that, and the other (six) posts I have to write can wait. I've been wavering between crazy excitement and utter dread. I'm excited for him, I just wanted him to be excited. And I had very low hopes of that happening. You see, my biggest little has been showing some signs of separation anxiety lately. Primarily at the nursery when we go to church. Which is *precisely* where he goes to preschool. So, I was dreading today b/c I knew I wouldn't handle it well if I left him while he was crying and screaming. So, wanna know how it went? Well, let the pictures tell the story. Let's start with last Thursday, which was orientation day.


This is his preschool/our church. The area shown is strictly the preschool part/nursery.
The door to his room!
Of course, I had to take a picture of his leaf. So unbelievably cute!


Here we are, all ready to go to orientation. I couldn't wait to meet his teachers. He cried that day, but settled down after they bribed him with animal crackers.
They stacked up the supplies I'd brought it, and Drake went right over to ask for some snack. Stinker!
Sandwich, cheese cubes, blueberries, and cantelope for his first day lunch.
I love these stretchy bands to label his cups.




Can I tell you how much I love his little book bag and lunch box? I had a great time picking them out.
One big ball of cuteness. I hate that I didn't get a better picture of just how darn cute his outfit was. His little red shirt had whales on it that matched the blue of his outfit.
"Don't worry Mom, I've got this."
The bookbag was as big as he was. And his sweet little lunchbox was heavy! But he was doing his best.

He was looking a little unsure for a moment.
First day of 1k. I'm such a proud Momma bear.
"I'm ready!"
All buckled in. Let's do this!
Bye Fran! Bye Eli! (Next year Eli will be in the 1K class, and Drake will be in the 2K class)
We're here!
He looks like I'm taking him to a torture chamber.
A bunch of parents and students getting ready to walk in down the halls, after the doors opened at 9:25.
The last shot I had of him before handing him over to Mrs. Alicia....He went right to her, and in they went. I jumped behind the door frame so he couldn't see me.....and.......
And him in his room!!! NO TEARS!!! Can you believe it? I gave my camera to Mrs. Stephanie, b/c I was already "out of sight, out of mind". I was standing where he couldn't see me, and I knew he was doing just fine. No wailing! I didn't know at the time how on earth these two angel teachers accomplished it. Ah ha! Goldfish! Should've figured that they once again made friends with my big guy via his stomach.

So, I don't have any pictures from when I picked him up, but let me just tell you. It was NOT what I was expecting. He ran over to me, just grinning. And do you want to know what he did next? That little stinker turned around, and RAN BACK IN. O. M. G. If I wasn't insulted before, I certainly was then.

In all, I'm simply thrilled. We try to follow more attachment parenting philosophies than traditional parenting. And contrary to what the titles of those sound like, AP kids appear on the surface to be "less attached". So, I guess we are doing a good job with what we've tried to accomplish. My little man is growing up.

See any resemblance?

So, one is Drake and one is Eli. As Eli gets older, they are looking a *little* less alike.

Hint: the top one is Eli, bottom is Drake. Drake was SO ROUND. Like, I mean, really......round.

Summer fun

Again, these are from back in June. Whatev. At least I'm blogging. They are from my parents house and garden. I was digging potatoes. (It had rained the night before, so the garden was super duper muddy.) Drake learned to drink from a straw. And the little monkey climbed some more furniture. Shocking, I know.

Visits to Sissys pool

Well Hi Drake! He was apparently attacking the camera. Drake took a couple of trips to his great grandparents pool this summer. Big fun for the big guy. The little guy stayed inside for some rocking and snuggling with Sissy.






"Thanks Grandma, I love my float!"
I'm sure he was pointing at a bird.
Grandpa despises cold water, but he'll do anything for his grandchildren. Even get in the cold pool.
Splashing around.
A rare shot of the parental units

Not appreciating the cold water