Today was tiring, but productive.

The house is way too warm right now, Eli skipped his nap ( I made him have "quiet time" that wasn't very quiet so I could have some mama time), and dinner needs to be cooked. At least I was able to get all the shopping done this morning.  Little man and I went to Safeway, Fred Meyer (rings needed to be redone), Petco, Becu, Costco, and got gas.  The two tiring house were made possible by the Ergo and the wonderful cart cover from you Becca!  Eli napped on my back the 45 min that we were at costco.  

Speaking of shopping I pretty much never go anymore.  We were out of pretty much everything, including bread, peanut butter, milk, half and half, milk to make yogurt (I make it with whole milk), fruit, and the only veggies we had was lettuce.  It was getting back because I usually get a bountiful basket weekly but we were out of town or I was working the last 2 weeks so I have been missing out! I save so much money getting the baskets.  I get a little of everything fruit and vegetable related and it keeps me out of the grocery store, and therefore I make meals of fruits and veggies instead of other crap.  I have started making our own bread but had to take a break because of this heat.  There is no way I am turning my oven on or spending that long in my kitchen in this heat, I just can 't do it.  Also Eli has gotten insanely more mobile and has been skipping a majority of his naps, so thats fun. ;)  He has two teeth about to pop through through so hopefully things get better soon.  I have to give him credit though, he sleeps 10-11 hours a night with an exception this last week when we were on vacation and the teething got super bad. We are getting back on schedule with the self soothing though.  He has been wanting to nurse all the time with this teething, do you remember that Becca with your kids? Some may be related to the heat but it seems more correlated with teeth. 

A few weekends ago Eli and I went up to Carnation for "Celebrate life with your midwife".  It was so fun to hang out with Roxanne at her gorgeous lakehouse home on Lake Joy.  So many mamas and so many babies were there too! It was worth the hour drive. :) 

I am finally using the sling I wanted so badly before Eli was born.  This sling works perfect for having him on my hip or slightly on my back and hip (arm in front of him) so he can watch me get everything done. I still love having the sling you gave me in the diaper bag for quick trips as well Becca.  Eli is the squirmiest baby and just holding him is way harder if I don't have the sling, only quickkkkkk trips get done without any carrier, they are so easy to pop on it's not worth going anywhere without one of my four, yes four, and I love them all! 

We bought Eli a blow up pool off amazon and he loves it!  I need to fill it up again so he can splash around in this hot week that is coming up.  I just leave the water in it on the deck and put some warm water in each time he gets in, so that it isnt frigid!

Eli is crawling so fast these days and loves standing and holding onto everything!  He can't be contained which means I need to be more creative with my time in order to get things done.  I still wear  him while I mow or vacuum but he doesn't like to be worn while I cook or clean up unless he is sleepy and clingy because he refused his nap (yet still won't go down for one). Babies are so silly. 

I started french braiding my hair again and I love it! My messy bun or pony tail gets annoying when in the car or laying on the couch because I hate the bump it makes, it's uncomfortable.  I just tuck the tail of my french braid under and wear a headband, it's my new favorite summer hair do! 

Eli has always loved Paul, but now that he is mobile and understands more he gets soooo excited when Paul gets home! Tonight he didn't want to go to bed even though he was tired because he hadn't played with Paul (Paul got home we ate dinner, I bathed Eli, and then tried to nurse him down).  So he ended up going to bed 45 minutes later (still at 8pm) and playing with daddy a bit.  

Eli also loves the cats!  He has this excited wheeze that he does when he crawls to some thing he either isn't supposed to get or he has never seen before. It's adorable.  The cat's let him get pretty close  before darting off. 

We went to Orcas Island with my parents this last week for 4 nights.  It was so awesome to have 4 adults to 1 baby ratio for caretaking, I know I enjoyed it!  We stayed at a place that overlooked the water and was so gorgeous.  We explored Mt. Constitution, pottery shops, downtown, and the water. The only bummer is Eli slept like crap, waking 2-3 times a night due to either teeth or just knowing he was in the same room as me, not sure which one.  I can see two little teeth buds so anyday this kid should have some teethers break through!  Poor guy.  Sometimes you can just tell he wants to be happy but all the nap skipping and teeth pain catches up to him and he fusses, then smiles, and fusses, then collapses in your arms. 

The first night we were there some deer came to visit, and I took a selfie. Best selfie I have ever taken :). 

The picture of Eli in the dark below was the day he woke up at 3:50 am.  Nobody gave him the memo that you are supposed to sleep at that hour.  

Feet in the water (it was cold and he didn't really like it), Ergo with mama- my little happy boy, family picture on our last day, and at the top of Mt. Constitution.  Hiking is a lot more work with a baby on  your back! 

Here is how I like to wear Eli while in the kitchen. I get both hands free and he can see wayyyyy more than if he was on my back in the ergo. Happy baby= happy mama.  

We are having to re sleep train Eli so the sight of a sleeping baby is oh so glorious.  He woke up twice last night but Paul was able to get him back down both times, so he went back to not nursing at night pretty well after vacation. 

We missed our first ferry on the way to orcas and the picture of my mom with Eli is us praying we make the one on the way home, we made it by 3 cars, too close for comfort! We got to the ferry over an hour early both times and went out on a tuesday and saturday. 

Eli has been wanting to nurse a lot and for long periods of time.  The hand holding picture was when I tried to unlatch him to take him to his crib, he grabbed on so sweetly and wouldn't let go. :)

I just cleared over 400 pictures off my phone before doing this blog post. I thought I took a lot of pictures pre baby, but post baby is no joke!  They were all from July too. :) 

Hope all is well, hope I get to see you on Saturday Becca!