Almost

....this crazy travel schedule is almost over! Keith is still away in Connecticut for the rest of the week, and I just got back from three very very long days in New Orleans (I don't want to see another shrimp for a very long time). In our absence my mom, our nanny, and neighbors all had to pull together to take care of the G kiddos (Eli, dogs and cat). I was impressed and very thankful for their help.

Also, I went ahead and took off work on this coming Monday, just to celebrate being home for the next week. How to spend the day? Well, of course Eli and I are going to have some mommy-son time. But, I am also going to tour some day cares around our house. Yep, that's right...Keith and I are starting to entertain the idea of putting Eli in a daycare. I will keep you updated on the progress.

Here is a cute picture from Sunday, just before I left town. I love the way he puts his pacifier in his mouth like a cigar. :)

Perspective

Words can not explain the thoughts, pain, sympathy, empathy, and shock that my brain has been trying to comprehend over the last few days. I am so beside myself, and yet, I feel like I am just a distant person that has been observing all of this from afar. However, even at a distance, it has had a deep deep impact in my life and heart. And, even at a 'distance', it is closer than I would ever imagine or want to be for any of my friends and family.

Unfortunately, I have to say, that a very sweet and precious little boy, that is a son to a sorority sister of mine, has gone to be with our Father. He was only a year and a half, and was taken much too soon, in a tragic accident. However, his life and impact have touched many and will continue to do so.

It just reminds me to appreciate every moment we have with your little babies and families. Take an extra moment to kiss them goodnight or give them an extra tight hug. Don't ever take a moment for granted.

Whirl Wind

Oh my goodness...our world is swirling right now. September has been such a crazy month for our lil' family, and continuing to be crazy.

So? Eli is/was sick..."what's up with that"? Well, we took him to the doctor last week. They said that it was a 'stomach bug', and it too shall pass. He started making strides mid week to recovery. In fact, we thought we were almost out of the woods, and then Saturday morning he had another fever spike. That continued onto Sunday...or was it Monday? So, now we are still dealing with a lingering, something. Additionally, he has started having some other small, and off beat symptoms. We are going to keep an eye on it, but another doctors appointment may be in our near future.

On top of this, I just got back from a trip to Denver for the Great American Beer Festival and Denver Oktoberfest. I would be lying if I didn't say that it was one of the better work trips that I have taken. However, that trip was just one was among several trips for the G family. Next week I will be off to New Orleans, and Keith will be heading to Connecticut for training. So, 'yes' that means this will be Keith and I's first time away from Eli for more than a night. In fact, it is going to total 3 nights...basically 4, without either of us. I am really sad thinking about it and stressed. I am really ready for October to be here, because it is a far less hectic month. And, well, it is October...my favorite month of the year and best Texas weather!

So, that is really the only update that I have for you. Eli is not totally better and I am beyond stressed right now. Exciting post, huh? Sorry to disappoint...but hopefully I will have something better for you after next week.

Here are some pictures from this last week.

Here is my ticket for the Great American Beer Festival. Just looked like fun.

Love this! A huge bear trying to break into the Denver Convention Center...clearly the bear wants beer. This sculpture was huge!

Once Eli started feeling better this weekend, we snapped some cute pictures of Mr. Messy eating. :)

This is him taking control of the situation. He has to grab the spoon and put it in his mouth himself. He is quite the controlling type. In this picture, he also has his hands in/on the food container, too....multi-tasking.

My Poor Sick Baby!

Eli is sick...and it is breaking my heart. So, during this time I have had a few revelations. 1st: I have so much respect and pride and unbelievable astonishment towards my friends that have had children's with severe illnesses or diseases. I know several people who had infants with major heart problems that required surgery. Or, a friend with a daughter diagnosed with Cancer. I always knew these women were amazing, but now I am blown away with their strength. I have been a gooey mess with Eli's first illness, which I know, is not anything in comparison. 2nd: I am thankful that we at least made it to the 7 month mark before we had to deal with this. Erin, hats off to you and your 3 1/2 month old baby girl who went through this same thing. 3rd: I am going to really be thinking twice at all future 'sick visits' that I schedule at the doctor. I get it....I understand what 'sick' is....and some of my other quick impulse bookings haven't warranted the treatment.

So...what is this awful virus, or where did it come from? No answer to either, but if it were a real tangible living thing, you can guess that I would punch it in the face right now for hurting my poor Eli.

Sunday afternoon (Eli's 7 month birthday!) he began to have an uncharacteristic amount of BM's....that slowly turned worse and worse throughout the day. Not to 'go graphic', but they are as unpleasant as you would imagine a stomach bug to produce in a baby. So, we got savvy right around the time the fever showed up. After a few calls to the 24hr nurse line, luke warm bath, baby medicine, and a fussy baby...we were full on in 'sick mode'. Luckily for us, my mom was on schedule to watch Eli yesterday, and she did a great job taking care of him. He had a standard sick day like most kiddos. Lounging around, aching, sleeping, and watching an uncharacteristically high amount of TV (hey, what can I say...you have to spoil the kid, and 'um'...distract him from his pain). Yes, I am not proud of his TV consumption, but he hasn't been up for playing or doing anything else that would distract him from is alignment.

It sucks, to see your poor lil' baby acting unlike their happy selves. You can see the pain and the hurt all over his face. About 48 hours have past, and we are moving into day 3. His attitude and fever this morning were night and day. He is certainly acting a little better today, but has actually started showing more symptoms (does this mean he is getting better?). We are heading to the doctor in a few hours to hopefully get some resolution. Up to this point the docs and nurses have said to monitor things from home. However, like a tornado, things have changed course today, and we are trying to stay in front of it.

I will make this observation. I haven't felt more helpless, except the day that Eli was born, than during this time. I remember a moment last night when I was trying to give him a bath to lower his temperature, and I remembered just what a small and helpless little baby he was. Holding him in my arms watching him scream out of pure vulnerability to take away the pain and hurt. It took me back to the first moment I held him in my arms right after he was born. I don't remember ever feeling more responsibility, helplessness, fear, or love than that very moment.

I will be sure to keep everyone updated on things. I will also need to post about his first meeting with part of Keith's side of the family, this past weekend.. It was certainly an interesting introduction. He wasn't in the best mood. To which we are trying to determine if he was already starting to get sick or becoming aware of the 'stranger danger' concept that they learn around this time. Regardless, Eli has been around a lot of new people since about Thursday (from a bday party that he and I crashed) and the family gathering. So, no telling where this ugly bug came from. :(

Here is a picture of my sweet sleeping angel with his new best friend and confidant...his blankie. I knew that he was attached to this thing, but it is amazing what a clear lead this blanket took in the race for Eli's favorite thing, during his sick time. He has to have it to fall asleep or feel better. :)

Oh my gosh! I have to add one 'footnote'. I have been thinking about this, and was just so 'kindly reminded'. Can I tell you how hard it is to watch a sick baby while being a parent to a dog with 'gas' issues? For those of you that know Dottie, you know what I am talking about. Countless moments of "does Eli have a poopie diaper....or wait, that was just Dottie."

Vacation in our future....?

Ok, I'll kill the suspense, 'No'...no family vacation in the near future. ha ha. I just felt the need to post that, as I just had the pleasure of reading two good friends blogs who just posted up some great vacation photos. Where did the two go....Florida and New Mexico, not too shabby! Great photos of the families and babies.....glad you guys had fun!

The G family has still got a little bit more time before we take off on a family vac-cay...and I something tells me that is probably the best thing for us, at this time. Me? I am off to Denver, CO next week to experience 'The Great American Beer Festival'. This will be might first time to attend, so I will be sure to let you guys know about the experiences. But, I imagine that it is probably not the best 'family friendly' environment.

I can say that Eli will be turning '7 months old' on Sunday. Thankfully for us it is not marked with a doctors appointment or vaccinations! What is our little guy up to? Well, still teething, still pulling up on things, a lot. Also, his likes have become dislikes and dislikes have become likes. It amazes me just how much he changes every day. Physically he is gynormous, and doesn't resemble is former self. Additionally, his personality is more vibrant than ever, as he so helpfully lets you know when he is unhappy, wants to be picked up, or could enjoy a good laugh at the dogs. I can see that we are approaching the 'one year' mark faster than I could have imagined.

What shall I leave you with today? A lovely video of our little guy laughing at his brother and sister.

Fall is in the air!

Oh, fall is in the air! Ok, so September 1st doesn't exactly scream 'fall!', but it does in my book. Anyone that knows me, knows that I love everything about the year after August. The temperatures FINALLY start to get a little cooler and allows us Texans to appreicate the outdoors a bit more. Also, Halloween is right around the corner. Keith and I have got Eli's costume narrowed down to one of two things. Part of me would love to do both, but that doesn't make since to have 'two first costumes' in your life (but, if your my child...it kind of makes since). Keith and I are busy planning our annual Halloween bash and thinking up fun Fall/Halloween-Eli activities! Yes, I will hopefully be posting pumpkin patch pictures in a month!

So, what all has been going on? Well, I took two more trips last week (Galveston/Houston, Las Vegas). And, I am home for another week before I have to go anywhere. We have a busy schedule planned for this Labor Day weekend, full of weddings, friends, and a bible study group social.

What does Eli have going on? Well, while I was in Vegas, he was particularly fussy for our nanny, so she and my mom took him to the doctor. It was confirmed that he is teething again, and getting his top two teeth! Oh, and his bottom two are more prominent than ever. In fact, I dreamt last night that Eli has an entire mouth full of teeth...won't be long. ha ha.

We also discovered that Eli is in LOVE with Sesame Street! He is infatuated, and I have never seen him more engaged with a show before. He is getting really good at eating his baby food, and really enjoys grabbing the spoon to assist in feeding himself. He really likes to be involved and in control of the process. Oh, my gosh...he is also pulling himself up on things ALL THE TIME. He has a few toys that he knows that he can get himself up on, and gets in 'go mode' the minute he sees them. Once up, he will sometimes try to walk forward, but often will just stand there and enjoy his new height advantaged surroundings. Naturally, we have to be close by, in order to keep him and the toy stable. I will be sure to post a video, soon.

Needless to say, every day is a new adventure and gets better and better. He is so funny and engaging, and I couldn't be happier with life right now. I have been looking back on his 'pre 6 month' baby pictures, and I just can't get over the changes. On the one hand I feel like he looks like a totally different baby, but still resembles himself, of course. I just can't believe how big he has gotten and how much he has grown. I am starting to realize how fast time is flying, and aware of all of the advice those other moms have for you about, "enjoying this time, because time flies."

Here are some more cute pictures from Eli's photo shoot that we just got.