Month 4

Elijah's 4th month was full of new things! Of course new things will keep coming, but as parents we love experiencing everything with Elijah. We love this little man so much and have so much fun with him. He just keeps getting more fun every day!

Dad loves to put his shirts on like this. Not sure why..but that's just Tyler. It's caused Elijah to LOVE Peek-A-Boo.



He loves his monkeys. His favorite pastime is tearing down his toys from his bouncer.



We put Elijah in his Johnny Jump Up for the first time. He didn't quite get it at first, but quickly found out that it's used to suck on.



He went skating for the first time. Our little family and Dakota met up with Evan and Abby at Classic Skating. You better believe Tyler took Elijah around the rink. I would have freaked out, except I know no one is better than Tyler at rollerblading!




The blank look on his face was from over stimulation. Taking a 3 month old to Classic with the disco lights...probably not the best idea. We spent a lot of time with my hands over his eyes.

Probably the most fun thing...Elijah found his toes. He pretty much is in love them. Everything except the taste. He hates the taste. He's a smart boy. I haven't been able to get it on camera, but I will.



His sitter Dawn made a little boppy-like pillow for him to help him sit up. He practiced sitting up a lot more to play with his toys. He liked sitting up for a while...then got a little lazy.

He takes his play time serious, as you can tell from the video below.



He's using that sitting practice to look like a big boy in his crib.



His Daddy makes him laugh so much. He get's soooo excited to see him every day.



More practice sitting up and playing. Toys are so fun now!



All that playing tires a boy out.



His most cuddly outfit. We can't stop snuggling him in this sleeper.



His pirate binkie. This was just a gag gift from my friend Holly. However Elijah surprised us and really liked it. I'm sure this is just the beginning of styles he'll have that we won't like.



We haven't started solids yet, we hope to wait until 6 months. That doesn't stop Tyler from tempting Elijah with cookies.



We went on a baby/friend date with the Ashley and Jake and the Crows. He has a lot of friends his age!



He's so ticklish and loves laughing. It's addicting.

Grandma Lulu's Sugar Cookies

I'm not a recipe blogger, however this is a family recipe and I thought our blog book would be a good place to store this so once I get old and senile-my kids will find it and hopefully continue the tradition. Maybe I'll eventually blog family recipes, but I don't want to promise anything.

Tyler grew up with these sugar cookies every Christmas. His Grandma Olsen (Lulu) would make them every Christmas, and store large zip-lock bags full of them in the freezer. She passed on the recipe at my bridal shower and I've made them every Christmas since. I, like her, store them in our freezer-because Tyler won't eat them fresh. They must be frozen. Surprisingly, they're really good frozen, and as long as they're thick enough, they're still really soft! They also have this yummy 'tinge'. You can't quite put your finger on it, but it gives it such a good taste. What is it? The vinegar. Sounds odd, but so yummy.

Makes 2 dozen. Preheat oven to 400.

3 1/4 c flour
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c shortening
1 tsp baking powder
1 c sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 can evaporated milk
1 tbsp vinegar



Mix together and refrigerate about 30 min-1 hour. Take out half of dough, roll, and cut into cookie shapes. Lather, rinse, repeat. Cook until very light golden brown-usually around 8 minutes.





Best Cookie Frosting
Powered sugar, butter, little bit of milk, & a dash of vanilla.

3 months and going

So this post is a little late, but Elijah turned 3 months in January! He's 4 months and 1 week as I type this. Here's a look at his 3 month.

He started sucking his thumb when he can find it specifically. A finger will do though too.



He's getting so big! Loves to jailbreak right out of our swaddles.



He always has to have something in his mouth. Preferably his fingers. Also, check out those blue eyes.





Rubbing his head is also a favorite pastime.



The camera brings out the bug eyes.



He learned how to reach and play this month. It's so fun now.





He's also gotten better at laughing. A lot of it is still squeals, but still as cute!

Edumacation

Bama earned her Associates Degree! Congrats girlie. We went to the O.G. to celebrate. Great family times.

This is going to be a great year!

2011 was a fantastic year. I pretty much wrapped it up here.

For New Years Eve, we had a chill night at home. Our friends the Crow's came over with their little girls and we all just hung out, talked, played with the kids, fed the kids, put the kids to sleep-you know the drill. It was a great start to the new year with our new little family!







2012 is going to be amazing.