Here are the pictures from Elias' 11th Month. Eli's world is expanding and this month he is certainly figuring everything out.

We've figured out how to open cupboards and drawers. Even the magnetic cabinet under the TV has been no match for Eli this month. The toilet paper roll is a lot of fun to unravel and fishing around in the toilet bowl is a good idea. Eli is amazingly good at turning the pages of the little cardboard books when you read to him and he actually seems to understand the words "turn the page". He has also learned that closing doors can be fun. He shut the glass door to the kitchen on Oscar and I and then stood up and leaned on the door so I couldn't open it. It's great fun trying to coax a little boy who has no idea what you are saying. In desperation, I sat down on the floor with hopes he would copy me but I just got a sly little smile in return. Some days I think it would be hilarious to be a fly on the wall in this house.

Elias doesn't really have any repeatable words yet. Still a lot of babble and mama dada. Might be time to get some flash cards out! hehe... nah, I'm not that crazy. He is showing early signs of a potential preacher or politician though. He has started putting a hand in the air and just shouting out babble to his hand. He is very spirited about it. When he is in the mood, he'll do it for long periods of time. One day when we were shopping and we got to the checkout the clerk said to Eli "Oh, you were the one making all that noise". Let's say he likes to be noticed. But he's also extremely shy in groups which is an odd combination. I realized this week that I might have to work on some jealousy problems because as soon as I am holding another baby, Eli becomes the most clingy snuggly thing ever. However, I secretly loved it since he seems to be turning into more of a go-boy instead of a cuddle-boy.

I think that is about it from this house. I'm starting to feel a little more stable as I exit the first trimester and I have a lot more energy. We're loving the warmer weather (I think its here now) and looking forward to a fun summer with an awesome little boy.

Congrats to our friends Michael and Jill Maysmith who had a baby girl Isabella on April 12. Head over to Jill's Blog to see some adorable pictures!

Spring is here and it's not only the bunnies at UVic that are reproducing. Travis and I are expecting another baby! The due date is November 3rd-ish. To save you from doing the math, that will put Elias and his little bro or sis about 18 months apart. It is going to be a challenge for a few months to have two so close together but we have always wanted our kids to be close in age so here we are fulfilling our plan.

The picture shows Eli and I wearing the t-shirts we used to announce our good news to the family. Eli's shirt has Version 1.0 printed on it and my shirt has Version 2.0 over my soon-to-be-large-again belly. We thought the theme was cute but a few family members needed a little help to get the message.

I have been feeling a more ill than I remember with Eli. Maybe that's because of the selective memory I have of my first pregnancy. I've also been incredibly exhausted and generally uninspired. I think it is much harder that I have been off work because I am not hesitating to take advantage of afternoon naps. I also have more time to think about how unstable I am. I'm really looking forward to the second trimester.