The Great Pumpkin Patch

Yep, we did it! We visited our first pumpkin patch with Eli. Was it everything that I had imagined? Not exactly. I guess that it because I always imagine everything playing out like a Martha Stewart magazine spread...seriously, who hasn't imagined their life in a magazine at some point? The reality? Crazy packed, burning up, crowded pumpkin patch. LOL. I had been wanting to go to the Flower Mound pumpkin patch for the last 6 years, and decided this would be the year. Well, 1pm on a Saturday isn't an ideal time. However, we did end up having a lot of fun. But, I would be lying if I didn't say that we (cough, cough...I) are already planning another pumpkin patch trip to somewhere local on a week night in cooler weather.

We arrived with our friends the Joneses and their family. After devouring a lot of high calorie, fried food (corny dogs, fries, burritos, flautas, and funnel cake...ugh, I feel sick), we moved on to the photo opportunities and pumpkins. We moved from location to location snapping a ton of pictures along the way. The boys were obsessed with eating whatever hay they could grab and enjoying looking around.

Keith took Eli over a cute red tractor, which Eli fell in love with, and didn't want to leave. We also lost track of him for a little bit, and realized that he had wondered into the pumpkin patch to browse through their selection(j/k). We also felt that a midday outfit change might be necessary because the little guy was probably getting hot in his jeans (thank you Shelley for lending us one of Gavin's outfits!) Then, finally, we concluded the day with discovering Eli's new preference of travel...standing up. Keith propped him up in the stroller and closely supervised his stroll.

Well, that concludes the pumpkin patch trip, enjoy the pictures. :) I will be sure to continue to post future pumpkin patch trips. Also, be sure to check out the video that I included, I couldn't resist...I snapped it during one of Eli and Keith's nightly playtime routines. Eli LOVES playing with his dad!

Eli's commemorative 'First Pumpkin Patch' photo.

Ahh...family shot.

Eli falling in love with the big red tractor

Eli refusing to let go of his big red tractor.

'Where's Eli?'

Oh, there he is, browsing the pumpkin selection.

Hanging out with his new friends, the peanut gang.

Mid-day outfit change to avoid heat exhaustion. Thanks Shelley!

Eli's new way to 'roll'.

Hear that....?

......ahhh...., a sigh of relief! Yes, Keith and I are home at last! Together again, and back with Eli. :) I would like to say that the week was all kinds of crazy and hectic, but the reality was that neither Keith or I were really here to experience it. So, it was most likely crazy for my mom, the nanny, and our neighbors (and crazy stressful anticipating and planning for the week). The crew was doing the Eli shuffle around town with transportation, day shift, night shift, and doggie shift.

Keith and I both had very good and productive business trips. Keith's trip up to Connecticut just reminded him of how much he really loves his new job and loves the Travelers organization. We both realize that his position was meant to be, and he couldn't be happier. My trip to New Orleans was good, but just reminded me of how much I hate New Orleans.

While our house is in need of some tender loving care (cough, cough..I mean cleaning), so was our little family. So, we put off the house work and went about our agenda for some fun. Friday night was spent grocery shopping and hanging out. Today was a fun adventure with the Joneses on a picnic and a great evening with the Mysers for dinner and some shopping. Tomorrow will be spent with Keith's dad for his bday and our church group. "Oh, whats that?...what am I doing Monday?" I am going to enjoy a day off! Yes, I took a much needed day off to enjoy spending time with Eli and putzing around town or the house..whatever. then, back to work on Tuesday, ho hum.

Here are some cute shots that Keith got from today.

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.