Quick Update

*We just got back from a Spring Break trip to Utah. Not a recommended drive with a 6-month-old. But we had a blast seeing Ben's family, even though it was not enough time. It was our first time meeting Elias' two new cousins, Kai (3 months) and Gabe (6 months- only 2 days older than Eli!), who are adorable. We were lucky to stay with Ben's brother and his wife (along with their three kids), and it was terrific seeing his parents and two of his sisters and their families. Ben and I got to go to the Mount Timpanogas temple while we were there, which is beautiful. On the way to and from Utah, it was fun staying in Colorado with my aunt and uncle and seeing my cousins.
*I played guitar at two Eagle Courts of Honor- one for a young man in my ward, and one for my *little* (over 6-foot-tall) brother. I am so proud of them for their many accomplishments! And I love playing la guitarra!

*Elias got his first tooth! Also, he is crazy busy. He decided that four days in the car is way too much and has been making up for it by wriggling all over. He can't quite crawl yet, so he rolls all over. It takes him just a few minutes to span our living room, so we decided it's definitely time to baby-proof the house. I think he will keep me on my toes once he can crawl.

*Ben just got called to Webelo's in our ward. Lucky guy. There are nine boys and they seem very, um, energetic!

*I was released today from the Young Women's presidency. The first counselor in the bishopric told me he lost because he drew the short straw, so he had to come tell me (I guess they figured out I would not be pleased to be released, but at least I didn't shoot the messenger). I am so sad to leave my girls, but I am still going to see as much of them as I can. I was so blessed to work with an amazing president and other members of the presidency, as well as terrific advisers.

*As a conciliatory calling, they asked me to be the ward chorister. This is my first time in this calling, so I rather wonder how many people will laugh at me as I stand up there waving my hands around? Guess we'll see. I am, however, excited to do it.

Eli's Trip to the Hospital

Elias had been sick for a few weeks, but on Wednesday, his breathing suddenly became much more labored, congested and wheezy. So we took him to the ER, where they put him on oxygen and tried for a long time to get an IV into him, with no success. They told us he would have to be admitted into the children's hospital. So, Eli and I rode there in the ambulance, with Ben following behind. By this time, Eli was very weak, exhausted, and dehydrated. Before we could all go to sleep they tried again to give him an IV, but they could not get his vein. We lost count of the times they poked him. It was the saddest thing. Eli was too weak to cry, so he just whimpered.

The amazing thing is, even though he was being tortured, and felt horrible, Eli still smiled at us. A weak smile, but a smile nonetheless. His strong spirit really impressed me. The nurses even gave him a blanket that says "Daddy's Champ" on it, for being such a strong little guy.

They were finally able to get the IV in his ankle the next morning. After that first traumatic night, the rest of the hospital stay was just a cycle of respiratory therapy, hydration, and sleep. Eli steadily recovered and by Saturday he was smiling and playing. The nurses and respiratory therapists were impressed with how quickly he recovered. They also told us he was the strongest little 5-month-old they'd ever met.

Saturday evening, we finally got to go home. His doctor did not give him a clean bill of health, however. We are doing CPT (chest percussion therapy), breathing treatments, and giving him several prescriptions. But we are incredibly grateful that he is well enough to come home. Truly, we felt the prayers of our families and friends helping Eli and us. We also received many, many visits and phone calls from friends and family. Thank you for the support! It meant so much to us.

Those open hospital gowns are sure cute... but only on babies and definitely not on grown-ups.

Clips of Eli

Here are a few clips of Eli taken during January.
Clip 1: We discovered Eli is ticklish.
Clip 2: The snow kept us in Friday through Sunday. We took Eli out to play in the snow.
Clip 3: He is still laughing his head off mostly because of Mom.
Clip 4: Eli started eating from a spoon- yum! rice cereal.

Little River Zoo

(Ben here, I hijacked the blog to tell you about our trip to the Little River Zoo)
The week before I went back to school I decided to take Merrilee and Eli to the local zoo. Well I didn't expect our own personal tour of the zoo. The lady in the picture below took us around to each animal enclosure and told us about each one. We almost got to pet some small Egyptian foxes (except for the fact that she couldn't catch them). We howled with some coyotes; Eli tried, but the best he could do was cry.

That sign is for real. Look below! I quickly realized that these were powerful animals, and they were not afraid of humans either. I can't believe we brought Eli into the enclosure. Oh, and yes, we got to feed and pet kangaroos- how cool!

I wasn't really hurt. I strained my face in surprise and Merrilee happened to catch this on camera.

Eli was really interested in everything BUT the kangaroos.

Cute monkeys too. Most of the monkeys were greedy little brats, though. This zoo definitely provides a unique experience. When it was all over, we were glad we came to this little ghetto zoo.

January Update

Eli has become such a mama's boy. He LOVES it when I laugh- he'll start cracking up if I just look at him and laugh. He grabs my hair, snuggles with me, gives me"kisses" (my entire face gets slobbered), and stares at me, no matter who's holding him. Well, the feeling is mutual!

I just took Eli in for his 4-month checkup (and shots- blech!) this past Monday. He is 17 pounds (88th %ile!) and almost 27 inches long (95th %ile!)- he is one big dude.

Elias really has bouts where he just develops like crazy. He is SO interactive. He's constantly looking around at everyone and everything. He turns pages in books while I'm reading to him. In his "Farm" book, he smiles every time I turn to the page with the sheepdog and starts fussing if I turn the page too soon. Isn't that crazy? Four months old and that kid already likes dogs (too bad, he doesn't get one!). He can almost sit up entirely on his own now. He laughs every single day and plays with me and Ben.

Elias loves his dad. And Ben loves his Eli.

Cute Eli Pics in December

I don't think anyone questions whether or not Eli is a healthy baby.
Sometimes, I rub his belly for good luck.

Eli loves hanging out in his sling.
He gets to see the world and hang out with Mom all at the same time.

I hear the OU fans can get a little crazy sometimes.

Eli was fascinated with the snowstorm.

December in a Nutshell

We enjoyed going down to sunny San Diego for Bryce and Brittany's wedding.


Eli gazes out the window to watch his first snow storm.


Our parking lot after getting 14 inches of snow on Christmas Eve.


The abandoned cars of crazy Oklahomans who tried to drive Christmas Eve. There were cars EVERYWHERE! On the side of the freeway... on the freeway... in the middle of intersections... everywhere.



Eli gets a big surprise from his Mom on Christmas Day.