It seems like forever since I posted to the blog and I'm sorry. Brad and I experienced two nights of pretty good sleep and then the past couple have been pretty tough. I've had lots of grading to do for my on-line class and haven't had much leisure time on the computer to do the blog.
The picture above is from a visit to Ann Marie Gardens last weekend. It was a great day and we spent the afternoon walking around. The picture above is Brad being one of the statue's and Aiden being scared of all of them. The picture below is Aiden playing with his new Mr. Potatoehead Spiderman version. Grandma Hagan sent this in the mail to him and loves playing with and putting the body parts on.
Also last weekend we went for a walk down by the water. It was so beautiful out and we took the whole family (Bronco included) down the street to the water. Aiden tried walking up this hill for the first time by himself. He did pretty good but needed help in some of the spots. The picture below was a box that Brad opened up and Aiden was playing in. We got a cute video and some more pictures but I can easily see how empty big boxes will be one if his favorite toys and will entertain him for hours.
Now an update about Eli. He's doing much better. All his boils have dried up and he still has a bit of a rash. We did found out it was a staph infection!! Last Wednesday Eli weighed in at 6 lbs, 1 oz. On Thursday of this week, he weighed in at 7lbs, 1 oz. He's weight gain is awesome although he's gonna be a huge fat baby if he keeps gaining a pound a week!!! He is starting to fill out his skin and look more like a normal baby.
He only has 2 premie outfits that still fit although his newborn clothes are huge on him. With the way he is growing though, he'll be into newborn clothes soon and then moving on the 0-3 months which look huge right now when we hold them up to him.
On Thursday this week I got to go to a consignment sale and bought a bunch of stuff. I bought some 0-3 month long-sleeve outfits for Eli and a bunch of long-sleeve 18 month tops for Aiden along with 2 jackets for him. We also got some 12 month jeans for Aiden (he has such short legs). He also got some new toys. His favorite is the toy below. They have something similar at church and lives on it.
Today we went to an art festival that is downtown on Solomon's Island and Aiden was playing in a lighthouse they had in the museum. Aiden loved it and had tons of fun. See his jersey!!! I love it. My friend Jessica sent it to us. She sent Eli and outfit too but he has to grow in to his.
We've worked with Aiden on signing for months and he hasn't been interested at all. He suddenly decided he'd give it a try. He can now sign "more" although he thinks it means food in general so we are working on when to use that. He can also do "bath." He's babbling a lot more and we are encouraging him to talk. Some of the things he says sound like words but he can't pronounce them clearly yet.
The video above is Grandma Hoyt pushing Aiden around in his dump truck and stopping to wave hi to Eli. He's doing pretty good with Eli. He likes to throw things when he gets frustrated and that makes us nervous but he tries to bring Eli toys. Overall, things are going well although Brad and I could definitely use some more sleep. Grandma Hoyt leaves next Saturday and we will be very sad. She's a lifesaver right now and the only way I can take a nap in the morning to try and makeup all the sleep I didn't get at night.
The picture above is Aiden at 2 weeks and below is Eli at 2 weeks. They look so similar in the face.
The pictures below were at 4 weeks (white card - Aiden; yellow card - Eli). They are both about the same weight at 4 weeks too.
On Wednesday we went to a farm. Aiden, although he was pretty sick, had lots of fun. He got to pick out a pumpkin to take home.
Aiden got to see goats and was so scared at first. He finally saw that it was okay and ended up trying to pet them a few times.
It was pretty cold out ... in the high 40's/low 50's. We got all dressed up in our warm clothes and I put Eli in the front carrier and carried him around so he stayed nice and warm.
The video below is Aiden going down the slide. He walked up this really steep ramp all by himself and then sat down to go down the slide. He is getting so independent (which has pros and cons).
The picture above was from last night in the bath when daddy gave Aiden a new hairdo. The picture below is Eli chillin out in the boppy. Eli did really well for 2 nights and then went on a feeding frenzy for a few days. We are back on track although Aiden has had a few rough nights since he's been so sick and can't breathe.
We went for a walk last week to a nearby nature park that I love. They have this whole section of bamboo that is so cool. Aiden loved playing with it and walking around (when we let him).
The picture above is too cute. I love Aiden looking in over his little brother. He does such a good job and helps out whenever we ask him. Yesterday I had to take my van in for an oil change and Aiden and dad were hanging out together. Brad sent the picture below on his phone. They were outside playing in 48 degree drizzling weather. Aiden needs to get outside once a day and it's been raining for almost 4 days straight.
The picture above is Eli not wanting the paparozzi to take pictures. The picture below is Aiden seeing the ducks on Eli's outfit and going to get a duck for Eli. You can see Aiden has a good heart by getting Eli a duck but you can also see it air born leaving Aiden's hand to land on Eli. It cracks me up.
Above is Aiden sitting in Eli's chair. He was playing around in there tonight. Eli had his one month well baby appointment on Friday and is doing great. He weighed in at 8lbs and that puts him in the 10th percentile. He was 22 in long which places him in the 75th percentile. What a tall boy so far!!
Finally, this is Aiden helping daddy cleaning up by putting his toys back in his bins. He is getting to be such a good helper. The video below is Aiden vaccuming tonight. He's so darn cute. He's starting to try and talk and can say 'more,' 'teeth,' 'truck' and 'duck.'
