Pictures with Jennifer Casey

Right before New Years, Andrew was on Facebook and he saw an ad posted by a local Annapolis Photographer.  She was doing a Fresh Face Casting Call it was for babies up to a year.  We inquired to see what it was about.  She emailed us back asking a few questions about Elisha and then she said she would love to see him for a free session!  She wanted a few pictures to advertise her new business adventure, renting/selling some of her props and backdrops to new photographers.  Not only would we get a free session but a set of proofs, an 8x10 print framed, and if we were interested in buying any of the other prints/digital rights they would be 40% off!  It was an amazing deal so we jumped on it and the pictures are amazing! 

Side note: the day after Elisha took these pictures he woke up with a fever... his first real fever that was not shot induced.  The doctor said he had his first nasty ear infection, although you would have never guessed from these pictures!

Thank you Jennifer Casey for capturing my precious little boy! 

This is the box that we got with all our goodies! And so many extra things!

I loved all of her personal touches, the sticker has Elisha's name, she gave us extra prints, and there were bubbles, lollipops, and a camera rattle that she made in the box as well. 

Nana made the sweater that Elisha has worn many times and Grandma Kassouf made this quilt for him.  He loves sleeping with it every night.

I saved the best for last! Seriously, he is so cute!

Elisha's First Car

A car that he drives, or Daddy drives .... 

Elisha's Great Aunt Julie and Uncle Karl sent him this amazing Christmas present.  Uncle Karl loves to play with remote control cars, boats, and helicopters so when he saw this toddler sized remote control car, he thought directly of Elisha.  So the car came for Christmas and Andrew was super stoked (because really its his toy that Elisha will ride in as Andrew controls it at first).  On Christmas Eve, after church Andrew said "We need to build Elisha's car tonight so he can see it in the morning."  When we went to open the box at 11:30 and saw it in a million pieces we decided that was to big of a project for us to complete on our own.  We were going to need some back up support to help us put it together; because with our child riding in it we figured we should make sure that it was put together correctly.  

So a few weeks ago Mr. Tim and Brandon came over to help Andrew build this car.  Let me tell you this is a luxury car!!  Not only is it a life size remote control car but when Elisha gets bigger he can drive it on his own.  There is also a horn and headlights that actually work!  It has a radio!  The car has 5 songs that are pre-programed into the system and their is also a hook up for an mp3 player so you could play any music you want.

Building the Car

Elisha wanted in on the action.  We let him work on the engine.

Elisha was super excited when we put him in the car.  He loved pushing the button for the horn and he kept jumping up and down in excitement.  Andrew now has lots and lots of practice to do, because he won't be driving Elisha until he has it mastered.  

Elisha is Playing!

Thank you Uncle Karl and Aunt Julie!  I am sure that this toy is going to bring us hours and hours of enjoyment!     

Kassouf Valentine's!

Valentine's is a holiday that Andrew and I have done every year but it has never been a big deal. With the exception of our first Valentine's because that was my first Valentine's ever with a significant other; so Andrew made that one a big deal.  This year though is a very very close second because this year I had 2 valentine's! 

Andrew and Elisha made me a special project, that is hanging on the wall in my living room! 

Daddy painted his feet... 

I got this adorable sign!!

This picture is worth more than words can express.

 Seriously, I love it!! My big man is an amazing dad and husband. I am so glad I get to spend everyday with him.  My little man is just so adorable and the last 10 months have been a whirlwind. I can't even begin to fathom what the future will hold for him.  

Andrew and I also exchanged gifts.  I made Andrew this deck of cards. 

52 Reason's I Love You

Andrew got me this Beauty and the Beast figure.  It is my favorite princess movie! Isn't it super cute? 

So even if you don't like this holiday say "I love you" to the people you care about! I love you, Andrew! I love you, Elisha! Happy Valentine's Day.  

Up Up and Away

Up Up and Away!  As you saw in the last post Elisha has been into everything and now you can add stairs to the list.  Two weeks ago we were at a friends house and Elisha was sitting on the floor playing with the bottom step; and one of the mom's said, "Elisha is at the stairs do we need to move him?"  I responded saying, "No, he won't go up the steps he's fine.  He just likes to play on the bottom step."  Well lo and behold, within 10 minutes I looked over and he was standing on the first step trying to figure out how to move up to the second!  I really think he listens to every adult conversation and then sets out to prove us wrong!  So the fun has begun.  He loves climbing our mountain of stairs just for fun!  I think he also likes it because everytime he gets to them we run after him and who doesn't want that kind of attention.  My little man is completely mobile.  

He is ready to show you what he can do! 
... He's off ...

 Time for a break, this is hard work.

 Now to finish

He can climb the entire staircase...oh we are in for some major trouble now!

Don't Turn Around

Everyone said, "Enjoy this 'Immobile' time because once he starts moving everything is over." Well my friends, not only is he moving everywhere, he is pulling himself up onto any and everything! When I say everything I mean EVERYTHING! When things are quiet it is no longer a good thing because that means he's concentrating on something and 9.5 out of 10 times he is getting into the things he shouldn't be.  

He started with the drawers in the kitchen. 

Yes, Elisha those belong all over mommy's floor.

Then he moved to the pots and pans. 

Thankfully they all stayed stacked up!

Then the pantry.  

All kinds of yummy stuff!

And finally drawers all over the house.

Today I would like to wear these pants.

So now he plays inside a box while I try to get something accomplished .    

It worked for like 5 minutes!

Elisha's first Antibiotic :-(

Well it was perfect timing to have off school today for ice ... because my little man woke up with a fever :-( Besides a small cough here or there Elisha thankfully has not been sick, until this morning.  He had gotten up twice last night which is no normal! And he was super fussy this morning and lethargic.  I though maybe it was his teeth bothering him because he had a very low fever so I gave him 1/2 a dose of Tylenol.  He took a great nap and when he got up he was still really lethargic and his fever was climbing.  

At the height of his fever :-(

After some Tylenol

So we called the doctor and long behold my little man has an ear infection:-( 

After his second dose of Tylenol and two doses of antibiotics he is back to his normal self! He is crawling all over and as curious as ever.  Thankfully ear infections are not contagious, because Andrew and I get enough germs at school!

After one dose of antibiotics he was more lively!

Then by bedtime my little man was back!

Elisha's First Snow Day!

When the buzz around school yesterday was snow, I refused to believe it or get my hopes up until it actually happened.  I really don't like snow because I don't like cold weather.  But as a teacher it can have its perks.  So I love snow, sometimes.  Snow in Maryland is so unpredictable though...one day they could say we are suppose to get a dusting and we'll get 7-8 inches and another day the radar could be showing the worst storm in a decade and well get a few flakes.  Can you tell I don't have much faith in the weather forecast.

So this morning when I heard Andrew's phone vibrating before the alarms had gone off I was like yes!  I shook him quickly to answer the phone and see it we were delayed or closed.  The call said we were delayed 2 hours and that they would continue to monitor the weather.  I happily reset my alarm and went back to sleep!  Then about two hours later we got another call stating we were closed!  This time I turned off the alarms and went back to sleep!!  Andrew took care of Elisha when he woke up just before 8 am (he slept in too!).  It was an amazing morning of sleep and relaxation.  When I got up Elisha and I took a look outside to see what had happened. 

Elisha was not sure what to think about this white stuff. 

Later after Elisha's morning nap we decided to adventure outside for a few minutes.  I had bought snow bibs for Elisha on Black Friday but Andrew then asked this morning, "What are we going to put on his feet?"  I replied, "Uh, I had not thought about that."  So we improvised and put socks on his feet, then footie PJ's, baggies, and then regular cloth boots.  Andrew and I also realized that we did not have snow clothes for ourselves.  I guess at the end of this season that is something I will need to get for us. 

We are ready to play!

He is still trying to figure out what this white stuff is.

He tried touching it but he did not like it very much.
When it stuck to his fingers he would start fussing.

My Snow Baby!

He had so many layers on he just kinda fell over :-) 

He would try to get up but that did not work very well.  

Playing with Daddy!

Snow Angles!  Although he really did not like it. :-(

After playing outside we came back in and ate lunch.  My little man feel asleep in my arms rewarding me with quality snuggle time!  This was by far the best part of the snow day!  I'm also looking forward to a few more this year!

My snuggle bug!