Thanksgiving in Texas

For Thanksgiving this year, we decided to escape the clutches of Lawton and go down to Grandma and Grandpa's house in Georgetown, Texas. It's so wonderful having them so close (only 5 1/2 hours drive) that we can just pick up and shoot on down there for a weekend, or week in this case. Uncle Andy was there also, so Elijah really had tons of attention and played constantly!

While we were there, minus the regular Thanksgiving activities, Elijah had the pleasure of finally taking a ride in Grandpa's golf cart! Per Matt and Grandpa, he loved it! Elijah also had the displeasure of trying acorn squash. Despite his initial excitement with the rice cereal, Elijah seems to be rejecting all foods other than the breast now. Hmm. 

Anyhow, it was a wonderful visit with the immediate family and Elijah even met Uncle Mike and Aunt Pam from Buffalo, NY, crazy Uncle Tom and Aunt Joan from Lake Austin and second cousins Brad and Lindsey from Fort Worth, TX. And, to top it off, Elijah even got to touch and talk to his future cousin, Austin, who enjoyed Thanksgiving from mommy Lisa's belly! 

Thank God this Thanksgiving for family. A great, BIG family!

Enjoying weather in the 70's on Thanksgiving.

A long walk on the golf course with Abby dog and the family

Our 'Little Gobbler' trying acorn squash

Golf cart ride on the course with Daddy and Grandpa!

Peas Please?

Being that Elijah will be 6 months old at the end of the month, we decided to go ahead with implementing new foods. Per the doctors recommendation of starting with greens, then oranges and last fruit, we decided to go with peas! Hey, they're kind of sweet, tasty little green things, right?

Elijah, unsuspectingly opens his mouth for the bite 

WHAT WAS THAT?!

I'm pretty sure this is his "EWWW" face

I think he got most of it out

Grandma and Grandpa's Visit

Grandma and Grandpa Bowerman came to visit yesterday for Daddy's award ceremony, but we know they really came to visit me! We had so much fun playing on the floor, doing sit-ups, walking on Grandpa and just laying around together. They can't believe how big I'm getting, weighing in at over 18 lbs and 26 inches! I'm already wearing 6-12 month clothes, even though I'm only 5 1/2 months. Yeah, I work out.

Checking out Grandpa's haircut....looks like mine! 

Practicing my walking skills

Trying to crush Grandpa by sitting on him!

Me and my Grandpa

Me and my Grandma

Go Army, Beat Rutgers!

Today, we had Jay and Chelsea over to watch the Army vs Rutgers game. Elijah was sporting an Army Knights tee, as was Daddy! He really enjoyed holding the football with Daddy and studying new faces. He actually stared at Jay for a large percentage of the game. Elijah also enjoyed a fun game of peek-a-boo and showed off his sitting up skills.

Daddy and Elijah showing off their matching Army Black Knights t-shirts 

Elijah and Jay having a staring contest

Helping Mommy cook and bake

In the sit-up ready position

Who looks cool?!

Elijah is dressing for our outing to OKC today. It is starting to resemble fall more here, with weather in the 50s. We're going to go walking around Bricktown and to visit our friends, The Jacksons. Maybe Owen, their newborn, will be awake to snap a picture with his best bud! More to come!

Kisses

Elijah has started giving kisses!!! It's pretty consistent where he grabs my face, pulls it in and kisses my lips. He can't quite figure out how to do it with his mouth closed, so they're pretty spitty, but mommy's don't care.

Closet Fun

Last night, we were trying to keep Elijah entertained as we're adjusting to the time change and I was throwing dinner together. As I darted into the pantry to grab an ingredient, Elijah started cracking up. As we do, I ran back in and out to see if it produced the same result. It did and Matt caught it as usual!!!

Mommy's Drill Weekend

Mommy had her first weekend of Army Reserve Drill at Fort Sill, so it was just Elijah and Daddy. We had such a fun time together, watching sports, playing with the kitty and sending Mommy pictures so she didn't get too sad missing us.

Daddy and I sporting our OU gear! 

Hanging out, watching football with Daddy and Dugal

We really missed Mommy a lot and loved when she came home for lunch and at the end of the day! Daddy did such a great job though and we even got some work done, checking our e-trade stocks and eating rice cereal!

Checking out our stocks on the iPad 

Success with an entire bowl of rice cereal!

Daddy and Me

Baby Eye Appointment

Elijah had his first eye appointment today up in Norman, OK. When Elijah was 2 months old, I noticed a difference in his pupils and immediately began researching this condition, called Anisocoria. In infants, it often disappears by 4 months of age, when the brain and eyes are more developed. When this didn't resolve in Elijah, I requested a referral, as it can be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition. We made our appointment and Dr. Scott evaluated Elijah. I never imagined how one would examine the eyes of an infant, so thankfully, Matt documented the process.

Elijah being examined after having his eyes dilated:(

Thankfully, the doctor found his abnormality to be his norm and not a symptom of any other condition. Elijah is a very special 20% of the population with different pupil sizes:) We always knew he was special!

Highchair time

We decided it was time to break out the highchair for mealtime! Elijah is really enjoying eating his rice cereal and being a part of mealtime at the table. He's able to see so much more in the highchair and with the reclining back, he's able to just kick back and relax in it as well. We're going to stick with just rice cereal for a few more weeks, but then I'll start making his baby foods (whenever possible) and we're really looking forward to this exciting time!

Elijah telling us he's ready for the next bite!

1st Halloween!

Elijah had a wonderful 1st Halloween as a lil monkey! He didn't fuss once and actually seemed quite content being pushed around in the stroller in his monkey outfit. We ran into our friend down the street, Julie, and her daughter Ellie and she tried to show Elijah how to trick or treat. It was so much fun watching all the kids run around in their costumes!

Mommy and the Lil Monkey

Daddy and the Lil Monkey

BANANAS!!!!

Trick or Treat

Ellie and Elijah

Elijah's pumpkin

Matt's ghost and my bat kitty pumpkin

Halloween Fun

We enjoyed getting Halloween things done today, like wearing our BOO shirt and picking out our pumpkins!!! Hopefully we'll be able to carve them tomorrow and play with the insides! In Oklahoma, because it's still decently warm in October, you have to wait to the last minute to carve your pumpkin or it will rot before Halloween:(

Looking good with our Mummy Snoopy Dog

Elijah is getting so big! He can sit up in his summer seat alone for short periods of time.  I can't believe it's been 5 months since he was a little tiny baby!

Sporting our Grandma's Lil Pumpkin bib while enjoying our rice cereal!

Playing on the floor with daddy, listening to music together. Criss cross will make you...what?!

New Laughter

Last night, Matt and I were struggling to get Elijah to bed. While Matt held him to give me a break, I decided to put away some dishes and such. Apparently, this was hilarious! After a few minutes of laughter, Matt insisted I get the camera to record some of these precious giggles. At least we know what to get Elijah for Christmas this year! Teaspoons and measuring cups!

First Foods

Elijah tried his first taste at solid foods today! We started with rice cereal mixed with breast milk. Initially, he gave us the funny face and pushed it all out with his tongue, but after a few minutes he really got into it.

Elijah guiding my hand into his mouth!

He's not terribly sure what to do once it's in there...

Mr. Messy Mouth

After the first few minutes, Elijah started really enjoying eating. It was so funny, we had to catch a video!

Hanging with Daddy

Elijah got his 4 month shots (at 5 months of age...oops) and did really well. Just like last time, he was tough as nails and then snuggled the rest of the day. The fever and yucky feeling lasted two days this time, but Matt and I enjoyed the snuggling.

Snuggling with Daddy

Rosie cheeks feeling yucky 

We love reading

Elijah has been showing more interest in reading lately. The other day, he was a bit fussy, so we pulled a few books out to read together and he was silent. Elijah really enjoys the colorful pictures and reaching out for them. His favorite books, from what we can tell, are Goodnight Moon, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and My Mommy Hung the Moon.

Reading My Mommy Hung the Moon

Elijah reaching for the pictures

New Play

Since our return from Virginia, Elijah has just been growing like a weed! He's finally tall enough to play in his activity jumper and he's sitting up well enough also. Elijah is also reaching out more for toys in the sitting position and staying upright in his seats (with a bit of support). We're amazed by his development and amused by his random giggles! We are truly blessed!

Our Return to OK

We had a really great visit in Virginia, celebrating three birthdays (Justin, Nonna and Papa) and just enjoying one another's company. Seven days worth of visiting and traveling around VA. Elijah was a trooper and during our visit, he learned to roll over...over and over and over again. Now if we could only get him to roll back over to his back:) We're very excited that he's on the move, but a little weary as this obviously carries a certain level of increased activity and therefore counter activity by us. It's just the beginning!

Excitement about traveling home to see the kitties 

Passed out for the first leg of the flight

Sitting with daddy for the second leg of the flight

Final Days of VA

On Sunday afternoon, Matt and I left Elijah with Nonna and Papa and we went back to our old stomping grounds. Alexandria, VA was where Matt and I spent the majority of our dating days together. We drove to Old Town Alexandria and checked into Hotel Monaco. That evening we walked around Old Town and met up with our good friend, Kevin Ward. Afterwards, we enjoyed a phenomenal meal at the Chart House restaurant. The Chart House was also where we dined after we were married:) Following our meal, we once again walked through Old Town and even snapped a picture in front of the Alexandria Court House, where we had our pre-marriage/Engagement photos taken. So many wonderful memories and sentimental moments made for an amazing night out for the two of us.

Kevin and Matt in front of Hotel Monaco on King Street 

The happy couple at Alexandria Court House after dinner

The next morning, we went walking through Old Town (once again), grabbed Starbucks and enjoyed the sunrise on the pier looking out on the Potomac, followed by and AMAZING breakfast at Bread and Chocolate.

A beautiful Virginia morning

Salmon benedict and Berry Pfannkuchen

Before returning home, we grabbed lunch at Matt's favorite restaurant, Typhoon. It's a Thai restaurant located in Arlington, VA across the bridge from the Pentagon.