Mini-me

My sister, Amy, is moving. To help them out I volunteered to watch her 2.5 year old, Cameron, for most of the day. Cameron is a bit of a wild man, though he does have some very sweet moments mixed in with the tornado he creates. He was actually really good today, I was happily surprised. Elliott took a major liking to Cameron today. Basically anything Cameron did, Elliott would do too.

I stashed them both in Elliott crib as I went upstairs to get my camera because they were being so funny. This is what I came back to:


Here's a video to show the full extent of the fun in the crib. (Sorry for the shaky camera):



"Cameron, I'll help you play the piano"


"I like this book too!"


"oh yeah, my laptop is really fun"


"let's go swimming, we can match..."

I have a temper!

Elliott may appear sweet and cute. But, let me assure you he has a bit of a temper on him. Today I was loading the few dishes from breakfast into the dishwasher. E races over as fast as he can to pull himself up on the dishwasher (this has been forbidden because the dishwasher was just recently fixed and doesn't rock anymore). I let him for about 20 seconds (too nice) then I pulled him away and said that we were closing it. I close it and the storm ensues! Elliott threw a MAJOR tantrum and was crying like he had just been tortured. Geesh, it's just a dishwasher.

Here are some other recent pics. He is taking after Dan already and loves all things electronic, especially our netbook.


In this one you can just see his two bottom teeth.

Another Try

We've tried again with swimming and this time it was much more successful! Probably had something to do with it being 90+ outside and the water in the baby pool had been warming up for 2 days! :) The pool is set up in our backyard and is on a bit of a slope. So, the water was deeper down by the frog head and nothing up where I'm sitting. Elliott was very brave and crawled all around and splashed. I think he thought he could put his face in at one point...or...maybe he was just trying to take a drink??





Hope you are all enjoying this beautiful summer!

8 Months & July 4th

Happy 8 Months to Elliott & 4th of July to all!!

On Friday we met my sister Amy, my mom and Amy's 3 boys down at Jamison Square to play in the fountain. Portland has had some seriously HOT weather (90's in early July?!). All of the city fountains are filled with kids - and adults - when the weather is so hot. This fountain is great for kids because it is shallow and you can enter it like a wading pool. Elliott wasn't too sure about the water. He was okay when no one was near him and he wasn't being splashed. That lasted all of 3 seconds as it was super crowded and kids were running everywhere.



He was happier to sit in the shade with Grandma and Caleb:


Dan was quite popular with the kids:


July 4th Family Picture:


For the 4th Dan and I went to a BBQ at a friends' floating home on the Columbia Slough. We then boated to downtown Portland and watched the big firework show from his boat. It was truly amazing to see them from that vantage point. My parents volunteered to watch Elliott for us so we could boat without a baby. They took him to Amy's house where the rest of my family had gathered to watch some illegal fireworks bought by Jake. (In Oregon I believe it's illegal to have any that shoot from the ground....they are all lame! Everyone drives up to Vancouver, WA to get the good stuff). The report was that Elliott did great. He loved being with all his cousins and watching the fireworks.

Here is Dan pointing out a rail road bridge from Brad's boat. Then one of Dan and I before we left Brad's house:




Dan's parents came over today to steal Elliott for the afternoon so we can bark dust our yard. Lucky us... Here is a picture of Elliott is his 4th of July present from them:

I'm helpful

Elliott is very helpful around the house now that he can pull himself into a standing position...




(please ignore my horrible laundry floor...there are plans to put down tile but that is still a ways off.)

Camping Pictures

I forgot to put up the pictures from camping with Elliott. He did really well (slept through the night) and the port-a-crib made it easy.

Ready, Set, Swim!!

Elliott went for his first real swim today. He wasn't too sure about the pool...

"Umm...I'm suppose to go in there?? It looks cold!"


He did great. Only cried when he got splashed in the face by accident.