Diaper Bags

I keep trying to scale down what I bring along in Eli's diaper bag but it just doesn't seem to work. (Note: Above is not my diaper bag) When I bring only what we need for a quick trip out we end up somewhere else and without something or having to run back home to grab something. So my question is what's in your diaper bag?

9 Months

I know I start every monthly post about Eli with "I just can't believe it's been x months!" Well I can't believe it's been 9 months! Eli is doing great. He has two teeth, weighs 20 pounds, and has moved to a big boy car seat. We are taking his 9 month pictures next week. He has shown quite a personality and a bit of an attitude lately. Today when bath time was over he pitched a bit of a fit when I took him out. I showed him the handsome baby in the mirror and he turned to smiles.

In just a few short months David will graduate from law school! Yay for David!!! He has worked his booty off the past two years, I am so proud of him! I could use exclamation points through this part of my post! I am starting to plan his graduation party. I have a few ideas but can't nail anything down. I should have something booked soon because his graduation is the same weekend as the high schools. His brother's high school graduation is the same day just two hours before his. So any suggestions for a venue for his party will be greatly appreciated!

On another note David and I have start to look into trading my car in. I like it but we really need something with more room and rear air conditioning. I've conditioned Eli to be hot natured like me and he gets hot back there an it's not even summer yet. I've been looking on the internet but we haven't looked at anything in person.

That's it for tonight, maybe I will pick up the posting pace this week, I've been slacking!

With Love,
Mrs. Jones

Babies, Bonfires and Pizza

David thinks Pizza Hut's stuff pizza is the best, I think Jet's square deep dish is the best. So last night what did we do? We ordered both! Mom was awesome and ordered Jet's for us to share with Rachel and Liz and David picked up his stuffed crust.

I worked a few hours yesterday but the afternoon and evening turned out wonderful. Rachel and Liz stopped by to see Eli and on their way over they saw Kristin and the babies. So we all make the long trek across the street to visit. We sat on Allie's front porch and had a baby party. Miss Ruby broke Liz in by spitting up and Wyatt was the sweet little chill baby he usually is. Eli hung out and fell asleep but once the sun started to set a chill set in too. We headed back across the street to bundle up and get ready for

the fire. For Eli's dinner I finally found a green veggie he seems to like, spinach. So he ate some spinach and potatoes. Kind of a weird combination but he likes it. When we got back to Mom's Grandaddy T (Tom) was on a run and stopped by to see Eli, Eli was so sweet and reached out for him! Once David started the fire Eli was absolutely entranced! He played and watched the fire in his excersaucer for almost and hour. All the while making sure his Aunt Kitty (Rachel) was still paying him lots of attention. Lauren and Justin went out for her birthday (March 23) so we all kept Abigail. She is still just a tiny little thing! Eli is in love with her already. He likes to sit next to her and pat her tiny legs.

Last night was a great time with great friends! Thats all I have time for now.

With Love,

Mrs. Jones

Things I Love

RayBan Aviator Sunglasses

Almost three summers ago I was packing to take a trip with David's family to the beach. We had been dating awhile but this was a big deal! The day before we left I realized I just HAD to have a new pair of sunglasses and they just HAD to be these! So my wonderful Momma bought them for me. When David got off work he said he needed a new pair of sunglasses too so we went back to the mall and picked him up some very James Bond Ray Bans. (He looks pretty darn hot in them!) My Ray Bans are by far my favorite sunglasses I've had. So, thank you Mom for one of my favorite things!

With Love,
Mrs. Jones

Sleepy Time #2

So last night didn't work out as planned. Eli was playing and threw up just a tiny bit so we decided not to push the sleeping in his own bed. As of now he is in his crib, yay! He should wake up one more time around 11:30 to nurse and then hopefully wake up in the morning....in his crib! Wish us luck!

With Love,

Mrs. Jones

Bed Time...I Think?!

It's 8:09 and tonight is the first night we are going to try and 'get' Eli to sleep in his crib all night. This little boy just keeps finding his way into our bed at night! I can tell you every excuse I have but I think it's time he sleeps on his own. I must admit I am sad but no one is getting sleep....expect Eli! Overall he is such a super baby. He hardly ever cries and he is great when we go out to eat. So wish us luck! I will update tomorrow, if I'm not napping all day from being up!

With Love,

Mrs. Jones

6 Month Photos

http://www.dpiercephoto.com/

Click on Session Proofing
Password: Eli6Mths

Yummy Baby Smoothie

Granny has been asking to make Eli a smoothie for a while. Last night we finally got around to doing it. We used a frozen banana, steamed a strawberry in the BabyCook and added baby yogurt. It turned out pretty yummy! Eli ate a big helping for dinner. I steamed the strawberry because they are in the top for foods babies are allergic to, by steaming you reduce the chance. This morning he had some more for breakfast mixed with some organic oatmeal. It doesn't look that great but it was pretty yummy!




The video above was sent by Tom today. Eli is spending the day at his Grandmommy and Grandad's while I work. He is ALMOST crawling!!

With Love,
Mrs. Jones

Willow Balm

Check out Willow Balm's website!

http://www.iwokeupwell.com/?sourceCode=nicolejones

Mondays

Even though I don't have a full time job Mondays are still Mondays. Eli and I usually end up having a PJ day. Today was no different! We hung around the house cleaning and doing laundry. I think Eli is trying to get a new tooth through so he has been a bit on the fussy that. In addition to learning how to pitch a fit! He is so funny, if he is ready to be picked up, he can turn on the pitiful fake crying in a second! I have been thinking about what to do for his first birthday a lot lately. I know it's far away but I'm excited. I am thinking we will have an outdoor party at Kathy and Tom's. They have a great house for entertaining and a great back yard. As for the theme, I'm not sure yet. I have a few things in mind but who knows what he will like by then. His personality is growing by the day. Everyday he shows us something new and I can't imagine our life without him.

I have been becoming a bit inpatient about us moving. In reality I know we have to wait until David graduates and takes the bar but I feel like the walls are closing in sometimes! I am trying to keep the clutter to a minimum (which is easier said than done) We want to stay in Franklin, no compromise on that. But we are open to either a house or a condo. I keep reading my very favorite Bible verse: “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 I have begun to pray for patience and for God to help me understand that he does have a plan for us and in it will be reviled in time.

Dad is doing well. He had a stint placed Thursday and was back at work today. The doctor said at some point they will have to do another one. Thank you for all your prayers for him.

When I first started the blog wrote a post about how I am an awful writer. So if you haven't read that post please know that I know I am an awful write, use run on sentences, misspell, etc etc etc!

With Love,

Mrs. Jones

7 Stages of My New Butt

Taken from the April 2010 Parent's magazine:

7 Stages of My New Butt
By Kari Anne Roy

Stage 1: DENIAL This isn't a new butt. It's the same awesome butt you had the day you got married.

Stage 2: SHOCK Well, technically it is the same butt, but for some reason it doesn't fit into the pants you wore last year-before you got pregnant. But there's no way your butt could be so drastically altered by having a baby. Could it? OMG!

Stage 3: ANGER Fine. It's not the same butt. It has curves and divots and new places sweat. It follows you wherever you go. Stupid, annoying but and it's stupid, annoying cellulite! Is it possible to get a restraining order to prevent it from stalking you?

Stage 4: DEPRESSION No dice. It turns out you can't get a restraining order against your own body. And if you inquire about it people laugh at you. And that make syou cry. As do the elastic-waist pants you just bought, even tough you are nine months postpartum. Those lying liars who said "nine months on, nine months off" must have gotten to keep their original cute butt.

Stage 5: GUILT You are a grown woman. You have a degree. You know that women should be-and are-more than just hot bodies. You know objectification is cruel. You've read the magazine articles that tell you how awesome you are. You created life! And yet...this butt. It's won't go away!

Stage 6: FEAR You probably have Flesh Expanding Butt Disease. It's very rare, but if you get FEBD your butt will eventually consume your entire body, preventing you from leading a normal life. There is no cure for this horrible ailment. Best to just go buy a bunch of sweatpants.

Stage 7: ACCEPTANCE Right. So it isn't that bad, really. Your new butt does come with some features. It's easier to close the car door now. Your kids have something to hang on to in the grocery store. And your husband likes it. A lot. In fact, your new butt is kind of growing on you...

Cloth Diapers

Here is Eli playing with in a Thristies Duo Wrap and insert. I must admit I have been lazy in the cloth diapering department but starting this week we are back to every other day in cloth! It's really not hard I've just been on an almost laundry strike the past few months. When we were using cloth every other day (because we don't have enough to do every day) A package of diapers would last almost twice as long! That adds up to a lot of money! So here is a summer of cloth diapers hanging on the laundry line drying in the sun! (Inspiration goes to Corinne for her picture of O's diapers in the sun!)

My Dad

Thursday Dad is having surgery. They are going in to see if they need to place a stint in his heart or arteries. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

With Love,

Mrs. Jones

Eli's Eye, Abigail and a Birthday

I posted awhile back about how Eli had a blocked tear duct and he would probably have to have surgery at a year old. It looks like the cold he had a week ago opened his duct!! That runny nose really worked out for him. His right eye has not been much of a problem but was a little gunky with the cold. It looks like it's cleared up now. For about two weeks before he got the cold his eye was horrible. It was swollen, red and always stuck together. We were considering seeing the eye doctor again, then he got a cold and I thought "Here we go, this is going to be awful for him". Little did I know that would clear it up!

On another note, Abigail is going great. She is up to 7lbs and cute as can be. Lauren is doing well and falling into the roll of motherhood like a champ. They received the results from the genetic test. Abigail does have one gene that carries VLCAD but doesn't have both. So hopefully she will not have to super restrictive diet.

I'd like to wish an early birthday to the best mother in law, Kathy Jones!! Happy Birthday!!

With Love,

Mrs. Jones

Things I Love

Dapple Cleaner

I first heard of the dapple brand from the website Healthy Child Healthy World. I received a sample of dish soap in a package I ordered from them. It worked great and had none of the bad stuff in it. So when I was looking for something to clean Eli's toys I first looked at Dapple. They have this great Toy Spray Cleaner that you "spray, wipe and play!" I can sit in the floor with Eli, dump out the toys and clean as we play!

http://www.dapplebaby.com/

Things I Love

RaZ-Berry Silicone Teether

I had been looking at this teether at Once Upon a Child for a while but wouldn't spend the $4.....until Eli actually starting teething. This has been one of his favorites! He likes to chew on the leaf sides and can hold on to it very well.

Creation of Things I Love

I have been meaning to post about (mostly) baby items I love. Problem is there are so many I don't have time to write it as one post. So I've decided to break it down into several. For the next few weeks I will be working on posting about products that make life easier and that, again, I love!

With Love,

Mrs. Jones

Blogging with Baby

Eli has been sick and having a hard time sleeping so we decided to snuggle on couch until David got home. He fell asleep but as soon as he heard his Daddy's voice he was up! So now it is 10:15 and all three of us are watching James Bond Live and Let Die. So there won't be an update tonight, maybe tomorrow. Speaking of tomorrow, we are going to look at Eli's 6 month pictures and hopefully pick up his My First Year book!

With Love,

Mrs. Jones

8 months

The above are pictures from my phone hints the not so great quality. On a side note the camera on my old LG Envy was way better than my current LG Chocolate Touch. Moving on, the pictures are my finds from Little Sprouts!

Everyone in the Jones house has had a touch of something. David has had a headache off and on since Thursday. Eli has had a runny nose and a tummy ache off and on for two days. I have had a few sneezes and a sore throat but overall pretty good. Eli seemes much better today and David's headache is gone.

Yesterday was Eli's 8 month birthday! Time is flying by. It seems like just yesterday we were bringing a tiny bundle home. We are so blessed to have a network of amazing family and friends that have helped get us to where we are today and continue to support us!

With Love,

Mrs. Jones