8 Months

8 months!!!  This past month Eli has hit some physical milestones -- I can only imagine what this will lead to in the months to come.  We love everyday with this little boy, and cannot wait to see how he grows this next month.

- Sitting up on his own, but would prefer to stand
- Getting on all 4 fours and rocks back and forth.  I imagine crawling should be any day now.
- He gets around by rolling and doing his version of scooting back with a back bend/crab walk
- Not 1 but 2 teeth came in the same week (8 Month, 1 week)
- Very vocal.  Starting his "BAs".
- Clicks his tongue, still Buzzes his lips, and now blows his tongue.  He thinks this is hilarious!
- Has 2 very distinct laughs, and he is ticklish on his tummy and ribs.  Will also laugh when you blow on his belly.
- Sleeping 12 hours from 6:30p-6:30a at least.
- Takes 2 naps, normally a short morning nap, and a longer 1.5 hour nap in the afternoon.  However, sometimes at daycare he does not like to nap and just wants to be a part of action.
- 3 solid meals a day, with an afternoon snack sometimes.
- This boy loves to nurse.  During the week we are on a 3 hour schedule, but during the weekend I really just let him nurse when he wants.  He loves it, and I feel like it helps my supply as well.
- Sitting up in his bath.  At first he did not like it, but now he can splash around more freely and is back to loving baths!
- Wearing anywhere from 3,6 or 9month clothes depending of the brand
- Took his second flight to New Orleans
- Always a happy baby (except when it comes to teething)

 In honor of our New Orleans trip, we decided on a Mardi Gras theme for his 8 month photo shoot.

It was very hard getting him to look at the camera with all of the beads and toy around him.

 This picture makes me laugh.  He looks HUGE!!  I want to send this picture to our doctors :)

 

 This is one of the Hudson's hand me downs given from the Halamudas.  I thought this was appropriate for Eli's first tooth, as it says "I can't wait for teeth".  You can barely tell in the picture, but his bottom 2 teeth are coming in.

"Just a Swingin' " - Eli's first time on the swings this weekend. He loved it!

 Fun Bath time and his lion towel

 My boys!

It takes Eli a little longer to go down now, I'm assuming because of the teething.  He always looks so sweet on the monitor, and it takes all that I have to not want to go in there an get him.  Eli rolls to the very corner of the crib and just stares at the door hoping we will come through. Eli does win about 50% of the time :)

So thankful for Poppi on Wednesdays!!  Poor poppi probably got the brunt of Eli's teething.  There were some fun moments, and then there were some terrible ones.  We all made it, but I really appreciated my dad's help.   Come back Poppi - we really do love you :)

Happy 31st Birthday Derek!!

We celebrated Derek's 31st birthday this Saturday.  The big birthday bash was a couple of weeks ago at Jack White, but Saturday was his actual birthday.  We ended up getting one of Eli's teachers to babysit for us at the last minute so we could go enjoy a little day drink on a patio in 70 degree weather.  What an amazing day!

Happy Birthday babe!  You are a great husband and father, and we love celebrating everything about you.  Love you!!

 Birthday breakfasts look a little different this year, but the soccer game in the back ground stays the same!!

Birthday cards and presents!!!

 Jason and Derek went to college together.  Another life long friend.  Always a good time with this

 Jenni, Brian, and baby Jackson came out for a little bit.

This time last year we found out we were having a boy on Derek's birthday.  I love that this happened on Derek's birthday.  What a difference a year makes!

Brooke and Micah are back in town!!

We met Brooke and Micah a few years ago when we signed up for the Newly Married class at our church.  This was one best decisions we made, because that group eventually turned out to be our Missional Community group and some of our best friends now.  When we first started the class, Brooke and Micah were our leaders, but then they moved to Texarcana about a year later.  They are back in town to have their second baby any day now, and we were so lucky to hangout with them at the park for the afternoon.  We love them and we are so excited for their second little addition!!

Love this family!

 Ellis was so sweet with Eli.  She will be a great big sister!   She even politely put up with Eli grabbing her arm and shirt trying to play with her.  He was so excited for his first "play date" that wasn't family :)

Family Time

After New Orleans, we spent a few days relaxing at home.  It was great to hang out without a schedule after a long trip.

 Using a big boy high chair!

 Fun time with Cousins

 This picture progrression cracks me up.  Looks like Ryder now has the ability to take a toy away from somebody smaller then her -- too funny!

 Mimi Cuddle time!

 We even made it to Granny's house - woohoo!!

 It was fun seeing the whole family.  My Aunt Melinda, and my cousins Julia and Lydia were able to hang out as well at Granny's.  Always good to see everybody - love Family!

 Kyle and Granny having the traditional Shiner Beer together.

 Julia and Lydia

New Orleans

We had our annual sales kickoff meeting in New Orleans this year.  I knew I could not miss this event. I missed two other major meetings while pregnant or on maternity leave, so this one had to happen.  However, I was not ready for my first trip being 3 days away from Eli.  So, we got mom a plane ticket and headed out there together.  We stayed at the Westin right on Canal Street by the River Walk, and we were in walking distance to the convention center, aquarium, and other fun activities -- well, at least for Eli and mom.  Everything worked out great, and I could not of done it without mom.  Thanks Mimi for all of your help - Eli had so much fun hanging out with you and exploring New Orleans!

 

 Eli's second Flight to New Orleans!  No better way to arrive than in his "Who Dat" onesie.

 

 Celebrating Mardi Gras a little early :)

My Team at VMware

 Love some New Oreleans musicians that just come around to your table.  So much fun!

 Some of Eli and Mimi Adventures.  Wish I was there with them instead of a conference room.

 

 

Hanging with Mimi

 VMware entertainment.  And yes, I will be that one who stops in the middle of the road for a picture.

Kathy Griffin was our entertainment one night.  It was fun to see her and try to make fun of the executives/company.

 We love Alex, and we missed Rachel!!  Alex and Rachel are long time Austin friends.  We all started together at Dell, Charles married them, and now Alex and I work together at VMware. They recently moved to Kansas, so it was fun to catch up with him in the airport.

 Finally on our way home.  Eli was a champ both plane rides.  On the way home we had "Captain Selfie" as our pilot.  He literally goes around and takes selfies with everyone and then posts them on his instagram.  We took full advantage :)