Our Little Pumpkin

Eli had his first pumpkin patch photo shoot the other day.  It was interesting!  We had to wake him up from a nap when we got there, so he wasn't the happiest model . . . and he had a diaper blowout in the car, so his clothes were dirty . . . and balancing an infant on top of a pile of pumpkins isn't the easiest task . . . and the sun was high, casting shadows and blinding the baby.  But considering that not much was working in our favor that day, I think we still managed to get a few cute pictures.  Hopefully we'll have better luck next year! 

Whew!  Climbing that big pumpkin was hard work! 

First Golf Tournament

Last weekend the Johnson family traveled to The Woodlands, Texas for the Administaff Classic, a golf tournament on the Champions Tour.  Jeff was hired to be the sole chiropractor for the tournament -- I am SO proud of him!  He had a lot of fun, worked with many big-name golfers, and got some great experience. 

I think this kid knows more about sports at 2 months old than most adults do.  On top of all his other sports experience, he's already been to a professional golf tournament.  What a little athlete!  In honor of the winner of this tournament, we might have to start calling him Eli Couples.

This was Eli's first time to stay in a hotel.  We were there for 3 nights, and he did really well!  He was as happy as a clam, and a great sleeper in a new environment.  I was a little nervous about any crying disturbing our neighbors, but fortunately, he didn't cry more than about 5 minutes the entire weekend.  He is such a good baby!

Newborn Photo Shoot

When Eli was just 10 days old, his granddaddy (my dad) took some amazing photographs of our newly expanded family.  Looking back on these now, he looks so tiny!

Here are a few of my favorites.  Thanks Dad!

Changes

I'm afraid Eli has entered a new phase . . . finger sucking and drooling!  Oh my. 

Two Months Old

Yesterday, Eli turned two months old! 

Looking back to 1 month . . . you can see he's gotten longer and has better head control now!

We had a fun day together -- went on a long walk, smiled at each other a lot, did some shopping, got my car inspected, watched the Rangers game and had dinner with Julie and Danny (thanks guys!).  Jeff carried Eli around in the Moby Wrap after work, which they both loved! 

So hard to believe how quickly time is passing, but I think "time flies" is going to be the story of our lives from here on out. 

All three of us went to the pediatrician today for Eli's two-month check up.  And shots.  Talk about painful -- for us much more than for the baby.  E actually handled it surprisingly well, and only cried for about 30 seconds.  He is growing like a weed, and is already 12 pounds, 15 ounces (80th percentile) and 23.75 inches long (79th percentile).  And everything seems to be right on track developmentally.  I'm so proud of my little boy! 

Happy camper!  He doesn't seem to mind the doctor's office too much.

Poor little guy.  I was crying at this point, but he seemed to be just fine. 

We brushed off the rough morning by having a delicious lunch with Granny T and Poppy, cupcakes, and an afternoon full of snuggle time. 

Tireless Fan

This weekend was more of the same for little Eli.  He went to another TCU football game, but this time he actually went into the stadium and watched the game.  What a good fan!  

Can you tell how excited he is?

People watching from his post on Daddy's shoulder.

Exhausted!  He wasn't bothered one bit by the noise at the game.

Eli enjoyed cheering for the Rangers in their first ever ALCS game on Friday night.  He watched the game with 4 grandparents (lucky guy!). 

He also went to his first Chili Cookoff this weekend, but I'm not sure how much he loved all the spicy chili!  He was a trooper, though, and slept the entire time. 

Sittin' in a Tree

. . . or, in their carseats!  Eli had a lunch date with one of his girlfriends, Lucy, the other day.  They've both grown a lot since they met a month and a half ago (here)! 

10:10 on 10/10/10

Eli was caught up in the excitement of the moment.

TCU Game

Eli (Horned Frog Quarterback-in-Training, Class of 2032) made his TCU football debut on Saturday.  Well, he didn't quite make it into the stadium, but he had fun tailgating and met lots of new friends!  It helped that TCU beat Wyoming 45-0.  Go Frogs!  Hopefully next Saturday he will be able to see some of the BYU game.

Thanks for the adorable onesie, Alecia and Mitch!  It was perfect for Game Day!

With Maddie Riggs, who is 5 days younger than Eli.

And, he's out.  Guess the heat finally got to him!

Big Tex, Little Tex

On Friday, we ventured to Dallas to go to the State Fair of Texas!  I must admit that the idea of taking a newborn to the Fair was much better on paper . . . Ninety degrees, a large crowd, parking, taking a tram, and waiting in line did not exactly make for an ideal experience for Eli.  Jeff, you were right.  There, I said it!  :)  But, E didn't complain too much.  We went in, grabbed a couple beers, walked a lap, took a few pictures, ate corny dogs, looked at some cars, did some quality people watching, and left.  We might not take him back to the Fair until he's 5, but we did it, and we survived.  And Eli sure looked cute in his pearl snaps!

Once we made it back to Fort Worth, mexican food and beer were a must!  We met the Brites for dinner and the babies flirted a little. 

We were exhausted at the end of this day, but it was fun!

Ready for the Fair!

Bailey and Eli

 

So sleepy at the end of the day.  Cuddling like this is my very favorite thing!



It's Official!

I'm a little reluctant to say it out loud, but we've reached a major milestone in the Johnson house.  Our baby is sleeping through the night!!  He did it for the first time at 4 weeks old (pretty sure that was a fluke), and then a few more times when he was 5 weeks old.  Eli is now 7.5 weeks, and he's slept until at least 6 am for the last TEN nights IN A ROW! 

We have been following the Baby Wise book.  While it's been very difficult at times to keep Eli on the recommended routine, it has been well worth any frustration.  I know all babies (and parents) are different, and BW doesn't work for everyone, but I would recommend that anyone with a newborn at least give this sleep method a shot.  We certainly have broken some of the rules from time to time . . . sometimes he won't stay awake when he is supposed to, and sometimes we can't resist rocking our baby to sleep in our arms . . . but it worked! 

It is amazing how good it feels to get a good night's sleep! 

When I woke up this morning.  Still no peep from the little man!

And this is how I found Eli.  I had to wake him up!  Notice his swaddle.  He's started squirming out of it every night, so it might be time to try something else! 



A Few of My Favorite Things

In one afternoon, we ALL experienced so many of our favorite things! 

Eli loves his changing table, being outside, golfing, and his daddy. 

Jeff and I love our son, his beautiful bright eyes, his smiles and smirks, and enjoying time together as a family. 

Eli is 7 weeks old, and this is his 7th trip to the golf course.  Spoiled?

A Nap in the Grass

On a beautiful day like today, what could be better than an afternoon siesta in the backyard?  To make it even better, he's sleeping in a vibrating chair!  He looks pretty happy, if you ask me. 

Sunday Morning with Daddy

My boys spent the other morning hanging out in bed together.  Eli is always in the best mood in the mornings.  Apparently Jeff thought this particular morning was a good opportunity to teach the baby a thing or two . . . And turns out he's a fast learner!  They're very impressionable at this age.

Cutie pie

Like father, like son!