Mommy, RD, CD

Today was my first day back to work--for those of you who don't know, I'm a clinical dietitian at a hospital here in town. It was a little odd at first since I'd been gone so long. My friend Raina (who is expecting her first in a couple of weeks) asked me if it was kind of like coming back to school after summer break. I had to laugh because that's pretty much exactly what it was like. For the first half of the day it was like I was moving in slow motion.

Spencer and Eliot had their first full day together, and it sounds like it went really well. Eliot got in some good naps and ate and pooped and did all those things that babies do. He's doing just fine, it's me I'm worried about :). However, as I met with patients and their families--helping a man understand his honey-thickened liquid diet here, calculating someone's intravenous feeding there--I realized that as long as I have to be away from Eliot for a time I'm glad that I get to do something that will hopefully make a positive difference in someone else's life. After all, these people were once someone's little Eliot, so to speak. But when all is said and done, I sure am glad to be home.

Tummy Time!

Eliot is getting stronger each day. We have a little spot with a mirror set up in the living room for him to admire himself, and of course Daddy has been enjoying helping Eliot develop those neck muscles.

Daddy tells the funniest stories!

Visiting the Schows

This past week Eliot and I took a trip to Maine to visit my sister Janet and her family. It was Eliot's first flight and he handled it like a pro!

Saying goodbye to Daddy in the airport, and sleeping all the way to Maine.

The three cousins, Madeline, Eliot, and James, were instant pals.

James and Eliot working out their neck muscles together.




Madeline was a great big sister/cousin. She played gently with the babies, helped hold their carseats in place and got to "hold" Eliot. She had practiced her cousin's trisyllabic name before his arrival and it ended up sounding more like "Ah-lit". Turns out Eliot is a tough name for tiny tongues to master. We got a video of her saying it and will try to get it onto a future post (I didn't have much success posting this time).

With the arrival of Eliot and myself, and the departure of Cameron on a work trip, the Schow home was transformed into Babyland. Janet and I agreed that we have a new and profound appreciation for the parents of multiples. It's amazing how two infant carseats in a small home can seem like 20. We did manage to get out and see some of the sights. Before Cameron left we all went to see the lighthouse on the Point and Janet and I braved a trip to Longfellow's home with two infants and a very hands-on two year-old. We mostly just had a great time hanging out and catching up.

It's a little difficult to read the writing on the sign above but it mentions that Longfellow often walked up to the lighthouse. The bit of poetry quoted is from his poem "The Lighthouse" and says, "Sail on, Sail on ye stately ships, And with your floating bridge the ocean span. Be mine to guard this light from all eclipse. Be yours to bring man near unto man."

Blessing day

On the first Sunday in May Eliot received his baby blessing, from Daddy, in church. He was sleeping sweetly through most of it and it was a special moment for us all. He got a little weary of the clothes after a while (he much preferred going barefoot) but sure looked cute in the mean time.

Later that day Eliot had the opportunity to make the acquaintance of Noni's cousins Barb (far left) and Charlie (far right) and their respective spouses, Mike and Karen.

We sure do love our little Eliot Arthur!

Visit with the Bennetts

This past week the Bennetts (save Doug) came to town for a visit. Eliot enjoyed the time very much.

Enjoying a nice brunch with Grandma, Grandpa, and Auntie Ange.

Eliot is getting so big, Grandma is starting to run out of lap!

Sharing some sleepy-snuggle time

with Auntie Ange.

Saying, not "Au revoir", but rather, "A bientôt"!