Yummy Foods

Elliot has been getting more and more excited about eating "real" food. All of his foods so far are things I've cooked and pureed, then frozen in ice cube trays in 1T servings.

I've started mixing some of the flavors. This week he has had pear with banana and sweet potato with apple. Both of which he devoured. He now reaches for the spoon and shoves it in his mouth himself. With the sweet potato/apple today, I couldn't get a new scoop fast enough for him. He wanted it NOW. Probably half of what goes towards his mouth ends up on his chin or bib, but he's definitely getting a taste of these yummy treats.

Other foods he has had and liked:
avocado
yam
hummus (yes, he liked that too)
yogurt
butternut squash
and he loves water in his sippy cup

I'll try peas sometime soon, and carrots again (he didn't like them the first time I tried).

Gnome

Very adorable sweater from Chris's cousins. But it needed something . . .
Now it's perfect!

Jumping!

Our dear Aunt Cheryl got Elliot a jumping chair recently, and it's a HUGE hit with the babe. He will jump for 30 minutes without a break in form. Often, he's laughing hysterically the whole time. When he gets tired of just jumping, I can turn on the music (which is activated when he bounces) and the fun starts all over.

New Year Whine or Wine?

New Year's Day was spent, as always, with good friends, food, music and merriment.

Elliot received his first New Year's fortune (little charms that serve as a "fortune" for the upcoming year): a wine bottle with grapes.

What can it mean for his 2012?

Someone suggested that he will whine a lot. Likely.

He is starting to do just that this week. I think it's teething. We'll see how that goes. He certainly doesn't need teeth yet. He is not very interested in the solids I've started offering him. He's definitely on his own schedule.

A Visit to California, part 3

And into the New Year.

Crafting with Abigail. Elliot ate his paper star instead of adding it to the garland.

First piano lesson.

And then a recital!

Tired out from all the fun.

A Visit to California, part 2

We headed to a very dry, snow-free Tahoe for lots of hiking and a lovely week with the whole family (both Marks and Clark).
Where Elliot charmed everyone with his super-huge and prolific smiles. Here he is with Grandad.
And Mom.
And Grandma.
And Nana.
And by himself.

A Visit to California, part 1

We spent most of December visiting family and friends in California. It all started with Elliot's first plane ride. He did very well with no complaints (from him or the other passengers!). On the return flight, he even got a couple of compliments of what a good traveler he was! I think it helped that he beamed his smiley face at everyone around, throughout the flights.
Elliot met Britt, Bryce and Kai for the first time. We all look forward to many many fun times together in the upcoming years!
Nana and Papa were very excited to see how big Elliot has gotten since they last saw him.
Dad took Elliot bird watching and hiking in the Berkeley Hills. (though Dad saw more birds than E).
Kai got some practice playing with a baby (though he learned a little of what NOT to do as well as what to do. ie. Don't step on the baby, he doesn't like it very much.)