This week has been great, Eli is starting to be a little more independent. He's letting me put him down on a blanket for a few minutes a couple of times a day. He's still working on controlling his arms, but as you can see he's trying to reach for toys. I think his interest in the world is just starting to overpower his desire to be held my Mommy all day.

Eli discovered his hand yesterday, since then he has spent many a minute staring at this new wonder.

We bought the Moby Sling for Eli yesterday. He loves it and I think it's so much more comfortable than our Baby Bjorn. The material is wide, so it disperses the weight better than a narrow strap, and this really saves my shoulders and back. It's also fun to tie it in different ways, he can face towards me, away from me or ride on my back.

I've finally reconciled myself to the fact that I'll be carrying him around a lot, so comfort is key.

Check it out at: www.mobywrap.com

Chubb Chubb in the Tub Tub.

Eli likes the bath more an more everyday. Now he just lounges in the tub.

Eli is staying busy on the kitchen table while I make breakfast.

Eli looks like such a big boy in his overalls.

We finally found something Eli likes, the Rainforest Swing. He likes to swing, nap and look at the bright mobile. It also makes animal noises and when the monkey hoots Eli makes little baby noises back at it.

I have discovered that my Baby has a snooze button. When he starts to wake up he grunts and groans, and if I catch it early enough I can stave him off. I just give him a few pats and he'll go back to sleep for about 5 minutes. This only works 2 or 3 times, and gives me just enough time to really wake up. I didn't know we signed up for this feature, but I love it.

Before we had Eli we had all of these great ideas about parenting, we thought we knew it all. I've had some experience with children from helping my Mom with her daycare and I knew I never wanted to start patting my child to sleep, give him a pacifier or let him sleep in my bed. I thought it was a mark of good parenting if a child would go to bed on their own, unassisted.

Well, after almost 7 weeks of not sleeping you can see what we've resorted to. I should've learned by now not to judge people, sometimes you end up doing just what you thought was all wrong and then you have to eat your words. It's a good thing words are calorie free, or I'd be having a tough time loosing this pregnancy weight!

Last night Eli slept for 6 hours straight, same as the night before. I love the Binki and he loves our bed!

Yesterday was Eli's first trip to the park. He ate and then slept while Sterling had some fun on the slide.

I couldn't help myself, even though I know outfits with ears are embarrassing.

It seems like every time I nurse Eli he's a little bit longer and a little bit heavier. Yesterday I decided to weigh and measure him and even I was surprised. He's 24 1/2 inches long and 14 lbs. I guess we're going to have a big boy!

Sometimes he just likes to hang out on the changing table.

I bought Eli this chair thinking he'd love it, but as you can see he thinks it's a torture device. Now I'm selling it on Craigs List.

Eli loves his tub from Uncle Chris. Well, he loves it until we wash his hair!

Elijah Benjamin Rowe

Date: Jan 22nd 2007

Time: 12:43pm

Weight: 8lbs 15oz

Height: 20in

We got 3 inches of snow today. Since it doesn't snow very often it's quite the novelty. We got to stay home from work and hang out in our PJs all day. The snow still hasn't melted, so tomorrow could be another snow day.

Only 4 weeks to go

25 Weeks and counting!!