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.

Chris is back to work today. I almost forgot things like that happen after our first super long weekend together. Man, it is great! We get to have fun on Friday, get down to business with school work and grading on Saturday and Sunday, and then do whatever on Monday.

Yesterday we had one of the best days together in a while. It was bright and sunny, but not that warm yet. I slept in because Eliot kept me up all night. Chris went on a run while I showered and got ready for the day. Then we had lunch at Panera followed by a trip to Target to pick up a few things. On the way home, Chris bought me a frap because my salad and mac'n'cheese just didn't fill me up--I had skipped breakfast and we didn't get to Panera until 2pm.

We stopped by the house real quick so Chris could run in and grab my running shoes and the dog. Then off to Blackwater Creek for a thirty minute walk! Man, I am so very out of shape because I'm all sore just from that. I guess I was pushing a stroller too, but come onnn! I stopped exercising about the third trimester and it has been so cold lately--too cold for baby walks. So, time to get back in shape for all of those hikes this summer.

Here I am pushing the stroller and walking Abed-nego. He's a silly walker and has to be up front. Usually he walks a little more normal, but he didn't like that Chris ran ahead to take our picture.

Then we went home and I took some photos of Chris and Eliot by the cherry tree. I love it when it blossoms. I actually caught a shot of Eliot smiling. We haven't been able to get that before! I just love this picture of the two of them and will probably spend all day staring at it.

I edited photos in bed and then around 7:30 pm, Chris went to get sushi with his friends, Dallas and Andrew. Eliot fell asleep around 8:00 pm, so I had no clue what to do with myself. I answered some student emails, played on the computer, and then just sat around. Chris came home around 11:00 pm since they had dessert at Dallas's apartment. Then off to bed. And then Eliot woke up five times throughout that night. Oh man! I had hoped that he'd be getting closer to sleeping through the night, not further away, but I think it i because he is falling asleep so early. He used to stay up until at least 10:00 pm. Oh well. At least he will sleep in bed with me until around 9:30 am.

My legs hurt "like they do sometimes." That's the description I've been giving for fourteen years. Ever since I was at least ten, my legs will occasionally ache horribly. Nothing makes it better and I just say that they hurt "like they do sometimes" and everyone in my family knows what I'm referring to. I'm a medical mystery. I've been to multiple doctors, had x rays, and so on. No one knows why, but it seems to go with the weather--and it rained yesterday. At the same time, it seems to be a muscle issue. I don't know. But they hurt horribly today, so I'm staying home from work.

We had a really awesome weekend in Chesapeake. Eliot finally met three of my friends (Truly, Kimmy, and Sara). We took him to the beach. We hung out with family. And then we came home to a night of Chris finishing up his grading.

Sometimes you take a photo and you know it will be a family classic. You know that you and others will look back on it years and years later fondly. "Remember the first time we took him to the beach?" That is going to be wrapped up in this photo. And I've taken a lot of photos that I have been proud of over the years--ones that are better than this--but for some reason the fact that there are now three of us instead of two seems to make a big difference. Everything was special before, but now it is more special, more important. I guess with Eliot I feel like I'm building family history. I guess I feel like I'm laying the ground work for later Robinsons. Like one day Eliot will point to this picture when he is older and tell his kids, "That is me and my dad." And I hope he is filled with a sense of love, appreciation, and nostaglia because that Chris is the proudest, most loving dad that I could have ever imagined for my baby.

Another week of work done! Chris suggested that I break my 10 hours up into two days (Mondays and Fridays) if it is getting to be too much, but I'd rather just put my head down and get it all in at once so I can keep our three-day weekends together. We seem to be noticing a pattern with Eliot on my work days. He goes through three bottles while I am away since I am able to feed him at lunch and dinner. Establishing these routines really helps me to relax concerning the whole situation. It is hard when you're trying to prepare for something when you don't know what to expect. I'm feeling better and better as we go along. Maybe part of that is just because another Monday is over. Haha!

As I was putting Eliot in bed last night, he was making all sorts of cute faces, noises, and kicking up a storm. Although I didn't want to tick him off with the flash (he is mostly OK with the flash during the day, but doesn't like it when it is dark), I got some nice shots using just the light coming from our bedside lamp. I'm sure everyone thinks their kids are the cutest, but, man, I really think he is!

I have all sorts of plans for today, most of which probably won't happen. We're heading to Chesapeake on Thursday night, so I'd like to do a lot of laundry to get ready.

Yesterday, we headed over Chris's aunt and uncle's house. His cousin was in town from college and hadn't met Eliot. Also, they had his grandmother over visiting. A big part of me still feels guilty for not having Eliot earlier so his grandfather could meet him. And I feel bad for his grandmother. She has Alzheimer's and seems sad sometimes. And I would be too. But, for some reason, she just loves Eliot. They say she has never been a "baby person," but she always wants to hold him, offers to babysit, and lights up when we bring him around. I'm glad we can give her some of that.

Last night, I got everything ready. I loaded the changing stations with diapers. I set out a bib downstairs and also one upstairs. I filled Eliot's bottles with my milk. I had more than I thought! Five bottles, each with three ounces. That is fifteen ounces! Chris doesn't need me to get everything ready for him--he could do it himself--but it makes me feel better about leaving. Seeing those bottles full puts my mind at ease.

Chris and I have come up with a plan of sorts. I would like to stay home all the time with Eliot--what mom wouldn't?--but one day a week isn't so bad. And I do think this is important bonding time for Eliot and Chris without me around. Anyway, it might not be as difficult if he weren't so young. But we came up with a plan to help ease some of the stress and anxiety that I feel throughout the week about the coming of Monday. Soon we'll start giving Eliot a bottle of formula with his vitamins before bed. Not only will this help his sleep (he woke up four times last night, which is extra difficult for a night before an early morning for work!), but then I can save that extra pumped milk for Mondays. We'll aim to continue to just give him my pumped milk on Mondays, but at least I won't have to stress out as much since he will have already been introduced to formula in case Chris needs an extra bottle for some reason.

I feel so weird about it all. Most of me feels like it is not a big deal. Most of our parents (and Chris) were "formula babies," and so many babies are mostly just formula-fed. And I'm just supplementing. The doctors weren't alarmed when we mentioned considering it. In fact, our one pediatrician recommended it due to his sleep. And he went for two months exclusively breastfed. This will be one bottle a night. And then if I go home to visit my parents and my mom is willing to watch Eliot for a couple of hours for Chris and I to do something, I don't have to fret about bringing extra milk down in a cooler or something. I think all that has me cautious almost is this worry of self-righteousness. I know the hardcore breastfeeding people would tell me to suck it up and get over my selfishness. But, you know, one bottle is not a big deal, and I'm doing it so I'll have the strength to keep giving him my milk during the work day. And maybe I'll be a better mom during the day since I'll be well rested.

By the way, check out my two-month-old GIANT in three-month clothes.

We took Eliot to Panther Falls today. The weather was finally a bit warm and since Eliot is almost two months old (two more days!), we figured it was time to take him off road, find the secret parking lot, and enjoy the water fall. He slept through the entire thing and finally woke up as we were hiking back, but fell back asleep in the car again. Haha! Of course, I didn't expect him to appreciate the trip or even realize what was going on, but I love sharing moments like these with him and Christopher. We're laying the foundation of the childhood of an adventurer. :D

The water was so high! Panther Falls is in between Amherst and Lexington. A couple of days ago, Amherst public schools had a two hour delay due to rain. I can't believe we used to sit in that waterfall. I know it doesn't look that big in the photos because it is so wide, but, man, it is probably fifteen feet tall. Or something. I don't know. People jump from the top rocks into the pool and let's just say that it is so high that I will never be brave enough to take the plunge.

Christopher and Eliot totally match. He always tries to get me to match with him. Now he can force Eliot to match with him and Eliot kind of has no say in it. Haha!

More photos

I'm trying to figure out sleep. Eliot sleeps in a bed-side bassinet that attaches to our bed. However, the way I have to get him out in the night is kind of weird and awkward. I tell Chris that it is like taking an eleven pound turkey out of the oven over and over. When do you move a baby into his own crib? I mean, he is eight weeks old, but I feel like we should wait until he is sleeping more consistently for convenience. Maybe if he were only waking up once? Although, he has been doing a good job of just getting up two, maybe three, times a night. And some people co-sleep foreverrr, it seems. Meh. I don't think I'd get more sleep if he were in his bedroom. I'm sure I'd listen to the monitor all perky-eared and not sleep hardly at all. Plus, going into the nursery to feed and change him will obviously be more tedious. I guess I'll just wait until he is closer to sleeping through the night.

It's 1:51 am. I was hungry. :) We had an early dinner and I haven't eaten since, so midnight snack, I guess.

I have about forty minutes until Eliot will probably wake up to eat. Sooo, here are some photos from today just because.

Eliot's bumbo came in the mail. After a little uncertainty at first, he seems to really like it. See, Eliot loves to look all around and see everything that is going on. Around two weeks, he wouldn't take the laying in your arms, baby position anymore. We usually set him on what we call his "throne," which is propped up on our legs (our knees bent, feet resting on the coffee table or bed or whatever) facing us. That way he can sit up. I think the bumbo will help give him that feeling other places too so he won't always have to stare at our faces--although, they say babies like to look at your face. Anyway, he certainly is plumping up big time, huh? He looks like such a little... MAN here. And look at that sleeper! Much more comfortable looking than his old ones.

Here is Bendy giving Eliot some puppy-baby kisses. Chris is always trying to shoo Abed-nego away from Eliot's face, but sometimes you just have to give in for a photo. That dog loves his baby; he's very protective. And I'm so glad that Abed-nego accepted Eliot so well. You hear so many stories where things go wrong and owners have to give their dogs away. Bendy has always been good with kids that he knows--he just really doesn't like strangers. And Eliot is no stranger!

And lastly, Eliot just looking cute. Doesn't it look like he has an elf ear here? Haha! I feel kind of bad because so many of his photos lately make his face look serious chubs, but it because he's always leaning back a little. Oh well. He's a baby. He doesn't care--for now. I wish I could give some good shots of me holding him up normal, but, alas, I'm usually the one taking the pictures. :)

I washed all of Eliot's 3-6 month clothes and tucked them away in his drawer. I was going to leave the 0-3 clothes that still fit; however, I'm realizing just how small they had all gotten. According to the size charts, he was right at the maximum length. Goodness. I might as well just pack it all up.

Eliot reacted beautifully to his vaccines. No fever. No fussing. He just slept during the day and I was able to get so much done. I cleaned the kitchen, ate lunch, did a load of laundry, took a shower, talked to Chris on a messenger for about an hour, and rested on the couch--I can't nap during the day. Man!

Eliot stoked about his diaper change after his doctor's appointment

Then Chris got home and came down with a migraine. I don't just mean that he got a headache. He started seeing spots and losing his vision. All that. Sooo, we spent the evening in our bedroom in the dark. Eliot was happy to sleep, though, so it all went the best that it could. Today, Chris felt more or less normal.

Eliot and Daddy today

Eliot-baby just keeps on growing! I couldn't believe that he was 11.2 pounds according to our scale when I weighed him the other day. As he keeps on growing, it is time for round two of clothes shopping. When you have a baby, everyone is excited to give you newborn and 0-3 month outfits. Everything onward seems mostly forgotten--and I understand. Who knows how fast they will grow? I could assume Eliot would be in summer-y clothes at six months, but there is no way to know. From the looks of it, I think he is slightly ahead with clothes (though my mom said we were a little "ahead" too, so maybe he's just right on track).

Anyway, he was out of the newborn onesies after four weeks. Now at seven weeks, his 0-3 Gerber sleepers look very uncomfortable. Gerber seems to run a little small, but his Carter's and Target sleepers are fitting just perfect, which means he only has about a week or so left before they also begin to look ridiculous.

Sooo, clothes shopping it is! Diapers.com has their Carter's clothes at half off. I'm trying not to go overboard because I know he'll grow fast. And if I like something, I can wait until he fits into 6 month clothes too--he doesn't have to have it ALL in 3 month clothes.

Also, Eliot is about ready to step up to the next diaper size! Wow! I wanted to try cloth diapering and was looking at GroVia, but in the end decided to go with a more environmentally-friendly disposable. We order Nature Babycare diapers in bulk from Diapers.com. They're just a few cents more, yet are made with corn instead of plastic and claim to be 80% biodegradable. Whether or not they meet these promises, I don't know, but I'm trying. And they're Swedish, like me!

Eliot in his cute "natural" diaper

While on my Diapers.com rampage, I did order one medium-sized Gdiaper to use as a diaper cover because Eliot loves being naked. I figure he'll spend a lot of time outside this summer just in that diaper cover. At least it will make six month clothes shopping easier!