Week One of Foods... Sweet Potatoes!

We decided sweet potatoes would be Eli's first taste of 'real food', though he's still getting breastmilk. Dr. Cerron said to give him one food once a day for the first few days of the week (to test for allergies), then twice a day for the last few days of the week, then start a new food the following week. Once no allergies have been confirmed, we can mix foods.

We cooked a sweet potatoe in the microwave for a bit to soften it up, then stored it overnight in the refrigerator. Saturday morning, the skin came off and the sweet potatoe went into the food processor to become sweet potatoe mash for Eli.

I'm not so sure sweet potatoe was what he thought it would be, and I'm not sure if it was the texture or the actual taste, but it didn't take too much of it for him to crinkle up his nose. Jordan happily finished what was left and is looking forward to his new somewhat symbiotic relationship with Eli and food.


We're thinking next week may be apples or bananas... stayed tuned for week two of Eli's forays into food!

Eli's Six Month Well Baby Check

Eli had his 6 month well baby check on Friday with Dr. Cerron. He's 17lbs, 9oz (50th percentile), 27 in long (75th percentile) and his head is 44 1/2 in around (75th percentile).

He also got the go ahead to start foods... yum!

Here's a shot of him before he stayed with Odessa on Thursday evening, so mom and dad could go see Emmylou Harris.

He started out a little shy... he wasn't sure that turquoise went with the yellow all so very well.


Then started digging it a bit, it looks pretty good and I make it look that much better!

Then the pressure set in (Seriously! When's the last time you wore a sweat band around your head... they can hurt!)
Then he decided he was done with it. This wasn't the right look for him at all.

It's Eli's Birthday!

Six month birthday that is, and boy was it a blowout! Dad can speak from experience on this one, since it was his turn to change the dirty diaper this evening.

Eli's day started off wonderfully.... who doesn't like to sleep in a little late on their birthday?



It ended with a long walk to dinner and home.... which Eli loves because he got to spend it with his two favorite people... Happy Birthday, Eli!

Here are a few pictures from Eli's low key weekend. He's ramping up for this coming one, after his 6month checkup on Friday. Now that he's six months old and all, there's so much more mischief to get into...

The Super Stupendous Father's Day Weekend

Eli is so excited, his first Father's Day Weekend!

We spent part of the weekend doing serious research. We're going to get chickens, well, after we clear it with the neighbors, so Eli got to visit Jim Draper's this weekend to meet his girls and was pretty intrigued as you can see.

Jim's are Ameraucanas and their eggs come in shades of blue, green and brown. See http://www.mypetchicken.com/Ameraucana-B5.aspx. Jim also recommended the following site if you're considering chickens - http://www.fowlvisions.com/

Eli went to see his grandpa in Interlachen early Sunday morning to take a dip in his new pool. When Eli got in, the water was a little too cold for his liking, no matter how Granpa tried to spin it. He even tried bribing mom with a kiss to get out of the cold water.... it worked.

Granpa is his new hero though.... he killed a pygmy rattlesnake on the carport near the pool just before Eli go to Interlachen.

Eli packed up and headed back to Jacksonville with mom, dad, Jordan and Bonzo in tow for dessert with Gampy and granma. Eli loved wearing seersucker for his gampy! Now if he could just get Gampy to make him a mint julep with that Evan Willams he got from mom and dad, he'd be set!

Dad got in on the photographic fun and posed with Eli and gampy for this 'multi-generational' shot.

Happy Birthday Uncle Shawn and Roser!

Granpa got a little quality time with Eli.... until he got fussy that is. Notice Eli (not Granpa) is wearing a big boy button up shirt!

Eli got to enjoy the heat of the Japanese hibachi and shrill noises from sharp knives.

Eli's Weekend Full of Wild and Crazy Women!

OK, there were four women, one of which is technically 10 months older than him (Harper still counts as an older woman, right?!), one of which was his granma and one of which was his mom....

Eli got to spend some quality time with Lisa on Saturday after a visit to the Beach's Farmer's Market so dad could check it all out. We're pretty sure the feeling was mutual... Lisa commented it had been a while since she had had that much action!

Sunday night, Eli got a little smooch time with Harper:

We've saved the one where he actually turned to her and latched on.... it might come in handy later in his life as bribery! Everyone enjoyed great company and food (thanks Brian and Gayle!)... especially the blueberries Harper picked!

Eli's A Superstar!

Here are a few photographs of Eli courtesy of Molly, Eli's nanny, who does photography professionally (and will be doing a family portrait soon!) .... check out Molly's website at http://www.suitcaseinhand.ifp3.com/

Eli 4 months

Eli 3 months

Eli's Super Fantastic Weekend!

Eli had a Super Fantastic Weekend this weekend!

It all started out with a little naked tummy time in the front yard on a super fantastic quilt that Brynne made for him! He really enjoys the patterns and wanted to give her a shout out to say thank you!

Eli's also started drinking out of a glass. Mom and dad were both pretty surprised that he's showed interest, I mean, considering where his food typically comes from and all, but he seems to have mastered it well enough.

Saturday morning he tried to sleep in, but mom wouldn't leave his crack alone... it really is pretty funny that he's growing out of his prefolds so quickly.

He, mom and dad headed out to run errands. First stop was to visit volunteers cleaning up at the Haskell Company. Eli got to hang out on the yacht and nap for a bit. Next stop was to visit Bertha.... it had been a while since she had seen him and she was surprised at how big he had grown!

Next stops were to buy clothes since he's quickly growing out of those he has.... he wanted to model the shirt Aunt Sandi had bought for him when he was still in utero. It seemed awfully small when she gave it to mom and dad.... now seems awfully small since he's quickly growing out of it! Eli's already wearing 6-9 month clothes!

Gampy and grandma came over Saturday night to hang out with Eli. Mom and dad headed out to see the First Coast Chorus 2008 Spring Concert - The River Runs Through Us where mom won a raffled zoo membership for the family! Eli was so excited so we decided the next day to head to the zoo!

What a morning it was! Eli had seen animals before.... he has his own zoo of kitties, doggies, fish and squirrels at home, but a ray petting bay and actual giraffes?! He really was beside himself.

Now if he could just figure out how to get the real giraffe into his mouth....