Home

Today was a quiet Saturday at home. Elliott woke up around 6:30 this morning and played on the bed for about 20 minutes, stretching his way over to Beta, playing with his bunny, and playing his feet. I lay there watching him trying to remember to enjoy this special time with him despite feeling like I could sleep for several more hours. The weather was beautiful today, so I opened all of the windows and put on some music. We spent the day together at home, playing, laughing, just being together...in our home. We sat on the porch swing, Elliott sped around in his walker, we read books on the floor and I carried Elliott in the wrap while I folded laundry and cleaned. Elliott is eating more and more solid foods and I decided to make some homemade sweet potato fries. We both ate them for lunch together sitting at our kitchen table. This evening as I was nursing him before bed and reflecting on the day, I realized how nicely we have fallen into a routine together and how comfortable it is and how special it is to just be at home with him. We have our routines, our daily habits, our things we do....and it's nice. Really nice.

Orlando

On Tuesday, me, my mom, and Elliott made our first long drive to Orlando. I had to work at a conference and while I worked, my mom hung out with Elliott at the hotel. The car ride was great. Elliott slept most of the way there (and the whole way back). We brought his pack and play for him to sleep in and I set it up right next to my bed. On the first morning, as we were just getting ready to wake up, there was a small scratching sound coming from Elliott's crib. My mom and I both lay there laughing. Elliott likes to touch everything and feel different textures with his fingers. He was touching the side of the crib and making a scratching sound. It was the first thing we heard..no crying...no whimpering...just Elliott scritch scratching touching his bed. Figuring things out. It was a nice way to wake up...laughing with my mom. The trip was a success. Elliott loved looking at all the people in the hotel and around the conference center. He stares people down until they give him a smile and then he flashes them his big mouth smile. His sweet eyes are unavoidable and he makes everyone smile. He brings joy wherever he goes and to whoever he meets. But most importantly he brings joy to me and my family.

Swinging

Today Elliott went on a swing for the first time. First he giggled at a dog that was in the park and then he gave his big open mouth smile as we pushed him on the swing. How fun to be so little and so happy. And how special to watch.

6 Months

January has flown by. Elliott Henry is 6 months old today!! I cannot, cannot, cannot believe it. At six months old Elliott loves to play the keyboard at grandma and grandpa's house, sit up and play with his toys, try to crawl, and sing along to songs. He is a pro at getting around in his walker and spends a lot of time chasing Otis and checking out the kitchen drawers at grandma and grandpa's house and following Beta down the hall at home. He loves to have books read to him and reads along. Tobi and Adam let us borrow their high chair and now Elliott and I love to sit together for meals. He's been trying all kinds of new foods...some goes in, but mostly it just gets all over him and the high chair. He has tried avocado, steamed broccoli and carrots, sweet potato, bananas, and sucked on a piece of pita. Every time we eat, he watches so carefully trying to learn how to get the food into his mouth and so excited to try new foods. He has started to show more emotion about things, like crying when I take something away or leave the room for a moment. His smile is contagious and whenever we go to the store people are always coming up to talk to him. Six months seems like such a short time, yet here is this amazing little boy who has gone from tiny newborn to expressive baby. From lying silently in my arms to sitting up alone on the floor giggling at himself in the mirror. He is truly a miracle. A masterpiece.