Eliot has been the craziest ball of energy ever since he rolled over. He always wants to be jumping, rolling, kicking, or swimming through the air. It is also getting more difficult to encourage him to "nap" when he is tired. I put nap in quotations because he is such a cat napper. He will (or would) get tired, sleep for about ten minutes, and then be up and ready to play--and no longer cranky. Now, though, the cranks come a little, but he just will not sleep for a while.

We meant to go swim at the Y today. Eliot loves to splash in the pool. However, he was in and out of nap world when Chris got home. Then when he seemed ready to play, I pointed out that he hadn't pooped all day. I worried about him going in the pool. Well, here we are at 8:00 pm and still no poop. I'm not worried or anything--some breastfed babies only poop once a week at this age. Anyway, it might have been a good thing that we stayed back because we had a few thunderstorms come and go. I think we had a tornado warning at one point....

This weekend, I am really looking forward to relaxing some. Just some. :) We spent pretty much all last week with family, so it will be nice to have some "us" time.

We had another great weekend with family for Easter. Eliot did beautifully in the car (one stop to feed and no tears or fussing aside from that one time when he told us he was hungry). It was nice to see everyone again.

Eliot has been getting closer and closer to rolling over, so when we got home, we bought a rug for the den. I kept saying that he'd do it in a week, but he did it within two days! I couldn't believe how fast he progressed. This morning, Eliot and I were playing in bed while Chris got ready for work. I said, "Chris! He's doing it! Oh wait. He's not. Oh! He did!" Fortunately, Chris ran in just in time to see him.

Every time I walk by the drawer in the kitchen that holds my birth control, I worry. I worry if I have taken it. And I always have. I never miss a pill and always take it on time. Even after reassuring myself, I still worry. It's not that having another baby now would be bad, just more convenient later. And some paper work from the insurance company looked like my maternity rider won't kick in for another three months since there is a six-month waiting period--even though I have been paying for it consistently for almost four years and never canceled it. If that were the case, I think we could fight it. But still. I worry. If by chance I do become pregnant before we plan another baby, I would consider it to be a tremendous blessing and would be so very happy and thankful. So why do I worry so much?

This was Eliot and I after trying to get everything done on that list in the previous entry on the day Chris's parents came in. Gotta grab every second of potential sleep!

Chris's parents' visit was great. His mom finally got to see Eliot (it had been almost two months!), we got to meet Elizabeth's boyfriend, and Elizabeth was able to spend some time with her future roommates at Liberty. I'm actually kind of jealous that Elizabeth already has established some great friendships in college and she hasn't even started! I never really "fit in" at Longwood. Something about not being into drinking or field parties...

Here is Eliot and grandma Robinson

During their visit, they helped us load up a new bench into the Caddy to set outside. Chris and I have been looking at outside benches for almost two years, but we couldn't fit one in the Jeep because of the carseat. So now we have a place to sit outside! I must say that our front yard is looking better and better. We might get some matching chairs for the other side of the front stoop. Eliot loves to sit outside and stare up at the cherry tree. Either his jaw simply drops or he looks so serious the whole time. It's so funny. I'm so glad that he loves the outdoors.

We have another busy weekend coming up! We're heading to Chesapeake TODAY. I should be doing laundry. I should be eating lunch (forget breakfast!). But I just need a breather. And Eliot just woke up from his twenty-minute nap. I love that baby! I'm so happy to see him. :)

So, here is what I need to do today before we leave:
Pack my and Chris's bag.
Pack Eliot's bag.
Set up the cat and rabbit food.
Fold Eliot's laundry.
Dry and fold our darks.
Gas up the Jeep.

Not too bad! I have four hours.

I knew kids tend to fight sleep, but I never realized how much a baby could try to stay awake so hard and so early! Eliot may be rubbing both heavy eyes, but he'll do all he can to keep kicking and stay awake. This baby hatesss to nap and rarely does.

We had a fun day yesterday. I took Eliot and Abed-nego for a long walk down Rivermont--maybe the longest walk I've been on in a while. When we got back, Eliot had dozed off for a few minutes, so I called Liberty to sign up for my doctoral comprehensive exam this summer. Once completed, that will put me in the dissertation stage and officially a "doctoral candidate." I'm pretty excited. :) Eliot woke up half-way through the phone call (I told you he doesn't nap!), but a paci was able to keep him from crying until I got off the phone--and I was only on the phone for 8 minutes and 41 seconds.

Afterward, I grabbed a bottled IBC cherry limeade from the fridge and sat on the front stoop with Eliot. He loves to look up at the trees and I love cherry limeades. Haha! It was too pretty of a day to stay inside. Eliot wanted to eat, so we went inside and I called my mom when he was finished.

It doesn't sounds like a lot, but all of that with also eating lunch (always a challenge) got me through the day until Chris came home. I have more things on my "to do" list, so today needs to be a little more productive, a little less fun, but at least I signed up for the comps and went for a walk, right?

Before Chris's parents come on Sunday I need to:
Grade Engl 100C and submit final grades.
Grade Engl 100A and my two Engl 100Ds as well.
Create my Educ 758 group discussion board.
Create and reply to my Educ 758 whole class discussion board.
Write my text chapter summaries for Educ 758.
Write my project for Educ 758.
Organize all the dang mail on the dining room table.
Sweep sweep sweep all the time.
Wash some sheets.
Go to--I mean send Chris--to the grocery store.
Probably do some laundry.
Hopefully plant some flowers.
Mow--I mean have Chris mow--the lawn.
Call insurance company and ask why they aren't covering any of Eliot's pediatrician bills.

Eh. Not so much fun. I need to get to some serious work today and tonight. It's just hard to do schoolwork with Eliot around.

Eliot did great with his shots yesterday. He took a couple of naps and then was up and ready to play by the time Chris got home from work. I'm so thankful that Chris has been able to go with me to every single OB appointment and also all of Eliot's pediatrician appointments.

Eliot is sleeping in some. He wakes up with the sun, babbling. Then it changes to whining. He wants some company. Then he'll fall back to sleep and sleep until 9:00 or 10:00 am. Right now, he is laying in bed next to me, sucking on a phantom paci. Ah. It's so funny to watch his mouth move when nothing is there.

I'm still tired. Ha. Maybe I should go back to sleep with Eliot too.

Today is either going to be awesomely easy or very difficult. Eliot got his second round of vaccines today. Last time, he slept all day, but these are different vaccines, so who knows how he'll react. As I sat in the room reading over the handout noting all of his possible reactions, I just wanted to get out of there. The risk with vaccines is so so low, especially when compared to what they are preventing, but it is scary to see what could happen.

He screamed and cried, of course, but only for a minute. Then he was all smiles. Fell asleep in the car... and now an hour later, he is babbling in the bassinet with his legs in the air. He's such a special little guy.

We joined the Y yesterday and thought of taking him to the pool today. After remembering that he'd be getting vaccines, we're putting it off until tomorrow. I can't wait to see how he reacts. He enjoys bathtime, so maybe he won't hate it. Haha! Gotta start early. Yesterday I assured him that he already knew how to swim instinctively, so if we just keep practicing, he'll never forget. The Y here has a big, indoor family pool, so I'm excited to swim year-round.

Also this past weekend, Eliot completely figured out the jumparoo. I suppose the growth spurt paid off (and he is sleeping like normal again, getting up about three times a night), and he can touch the ground with his feet to jump jump jump. He really gets into it. It's just hilarious.

On Sunday, we really needed some fun. I had a horrible headache allll Saturday and did nothing. Usually Sundays are filled with grading and schoolwork, but we put it off some. We went shopping where I used the sling for the first time outside of the house. Eliot did well. Just drooled a lot. Ha. But it worked. That car carrier is getting too heavy to tote around everywhere, even if it does go on the cart. Anyway, we went to Old Navy to buy some shorts for myself, but they didn't have my size. Instead, we bought a couple of outfits for Eliot because they were all 40% off to make room for their new summer line, I suppose.

Then over to Target where I DID get shorts. These were the first two pairs of shorts I have gotten since middle school. Yep, middle school. I have always worn these long shorts that cut off right before my knee since I was 13. The same ones. For 11 years. I feel weird in shorts. I also got some Mederma stretch mark cream. I wouldn't have got it on my own because it was kind of expensive, but Chris said I should just get it if I wanted it. I only got stretch marks on my upper thighs and refuse to wear a regular bathing suit because of it. Instead, I ordered a pair of board shorts. Which is fine. But if I can get the marks to fade some, that'd be awesome. They're still red. ...I still don't understand why I got them THERE and no where else, but if I had to get them, I'd rather them be there than my tummy.

Speaking of vanity, I'm slightly below my pre-pregnancy weight, but just not feeling the same. I didn't expect to all the way. I know the weight is placed differently now. And I felt like I looked great for having a baby a month ago and then two months ago and maybe even three months ago, but I worry that this standard won't be good enough in the coming months. I worry that this extra around my waist is too much to be "good for x months"--you fill in the blank. So, I've done some crunches and some squats and yadda yadda. I just don't know what works. I've never really been happy with my stomach, so how do I tone up? The number on the scale isn't enough. Simply losing weight is too vague. I need to work specific areas, but I'm not sure how. I guess joining the Y will help with that.

Eliot has been doing all right in the sleep world. He generally falls asleep around 8:30 pm or 9:00 pm. Up somewhere between 1:30 am and 2:30 am for a feeding. From there, he has been good about only getting up four times-ish the past two nights. I guess "good" is a relative term.

He ate tonight at 1:30 am. So why am I still sitting here at 2:13 am feeling so incredibly lonely?

Life has been busy busy busy. Christopher's grandmother spent some time in the hospital due to a broken hip. Now she is back doing rehab at her senior living community, but it has been rough for her--and I don't think she is too happy with most things right now. So, that has been hard. Chris's dad and sister have been in town the past few days too to visit his grandmother. The company has been nice, but a little less time for yard work and such.

Eliot's suspected growth spurt seems to continue. He hit an all-time sleep insanity on Sunday night (I think it was Sunday night). He had been waking up on the hour just starving. That night he woke up on the HALF hour--which means no one really slept at all. Chris was pushed as far as he could go and mentioned possibly giving Eliot formula. However, I pointed out that we're probably on the tail end of the growth spurt (if that is what it is) and so the worst should be over. Why give up now? Anyway, ever since, he has only gotten up about five times a night. As I type "only," I am reminded that we had him down to just two snacks a night. Oi. He'll be 12 weeks tomorrow. Will he ever sleep through the night? I mean, it's fine that he isn't, but five times is still a lot.

Maybe it isn't. Oh well. At least Chris has gotten back to being able to sleep through it all. I don't mind being the one to get up with Eliot every time. I mean, what would be the point in waking Chris up? He can't nurse. And he has to work in the morning: I don't. So, it really isn't a big deal.

Yesterday after lunch, we took a trip to Target to pick up a few things. And just because I hadn't gotten out in a while. We decided to get Eliot some new jeans since his 0-3 month jeans are beyond too small. I went ahead and got him 6 month jeans, which are just ever so slightly too large. I think he thinned out a little because he grew longer, so the jeans are just a little big in the waist now. He is also wearing a 6 month shirt right now, which looks great. So cute. Man. As I said, he'll be 12 weeks tomorrow and getting into those 6 month clothes. What a big boy!

It is funny... On Tuesday, Elizabeth and I watched Eliot in his jumparoo. He wasn't too, too into it and his tippy toes barely touched. The NEXT DAY, he was so much more into it, jumping by himself, and his toes touched the ground much easier. Whaaat? These babies really do grow over night.

A year ago today, I didn't take my Sunday pill. The next day, I didn't take my Monday pill. Or Tuesday. I hadn't gotten my prescription re-filled because we decided to start trying for a baby. Honestly, we were thinking of waiting another month, but we didn't. We were too impatient. We had been planning out Baby since the previous Thanksgiving. Seventeen days later (I'm pretty sure), Eliot was conceived. And now he is chewing on his hand, making all kinds of cute faces and noises. I couldn't be more thankful for such a sweet boy. I'm excited to go through it all over again in a couple of years or so. I wonder all the time if Eliot will have a brother or sister, if they will look similar, and how they will interact. But for now I'll concentrate on my little boy as an only child. :) He has so much to teach me.

Night five in a row of scattered sleep. If it is a growth spurt, hopefully it will be ending soon. His three month clothes sure are getting tighter. It feels like he just got into them! My mom got him some 6-9 month outfits for Easter. I wouldn't be surprised if they fit by then.

I really wish I had some "mom" friends here. Not just for me, but for Eliot as he grows older. I'm not feeling so social these days. I'm not sure if that is a good thing.