Team Blue

While taking a break from grading yesterday, we headed out to buy a few Christmas presents.  I put Eliot's blue Oxford button down on, and Chris thought it was so cute that he decided to wear his.  Oh goodness.  I think matching is silly, but Chris absolutely loves it.  I don't know why I let these two out of the house like this, but it made Chris really happy.

Eliot wanted all of the footballs.

On the way home, we went by the grocery store.  The bell guy told us how cute he thought Chris and Eliot's matching outfits were.  Oh man.  Then he said I was doing a great job.  If only he knew!  I was pretty embarrassed, but I think it only fueled Chris's love for matching.  "Everyone probably thinks I'm really nice or really whipped," he said.  It's the latter assumption that worries me.  Ha!  I guess I don't want everyone to think I forced him into it.

Afterward, I picked up Stephanie and we made bread with my breadmachine (thanks, Mom and Dad!) while watching Tree of Life.  I had bought the movie for Chris for Christmas, but he guessed it and took it early.  Whatever.  I don't think a year has gone by when I haven't given Chris at least one present (if not all) early.  The bread turned out great, warm, and soft.  I made grilled cheese (and grapes and carrots) for Eliot for lunch.

Last night (or this morning), Eliot woke up screaming inconsolably.  He was laying in my arms, so I know he didn't get hurt.  I thought he was hungry.  Nope.  Maybe he was hot?  Not really.  It took about 20 minutes to get him to calm down and go back to sleep.  I have no clue what got him going.  Could have been as simple as a bad dream....  But moments like that get me worrying.  How will I some day balance his needs and a hypothetical little brother or sister?  We're not there yet, but I always jump to that thought when Eliot needs my full-on attention.  This really doesn't happen that often, though, so I try to assure myself that we will all adjust one day when the time comes.

Pepparkakers to Cure a Sick Baby

I really felt like taking pictures at the park today.  The weather was warm.  The skies were overcast enough to make for soft lighting.  It has been a busy few days.  However, we could tell something was wrong with Eliot.  He kept seeming like he needed a nap, wouldn't eat, and felt warm.  Sure enough, he had a fever of 100.7.  He isn't stuffy or anything else, so I'm hoping it is a small bug that will go away quickly.  My heart is so desperately begging for it to not be croup again, but he isn't showing any signs of that at all.  Just restless and obviously not feeling the best.

Chris and I did have a bit of stir craziness going on and needed to get out just for a little bit.  When Eliot seemed to be doing a bit better, Chris took this photo of us out front.  Then we went to buy a bread knife and a couple of new books for Eliot.  Did I mention that my parents bought me an awesome bread machine for Christmas?  Stokeddd!  While we were out, we had dinner at Panera to hopefully convince Eliot to eat some of his favorite soup.  No such luck.

Don't you love Eliot's new jeans?  They're size 12 month [skinny] jeans from Old Navy!  I'm amazed by how well all of these 12 month clothes fit him.  I mean, I knowww he is eleven months old now, but it's odd to wrap my head around.

We headed home at just the right time.  Eliot napped in the car and then we split a pepparkaker when we got home.  I made these Swedish cookies from scratch last night for a viewing of It's a Wonderful Life with two of my friends.  Ah, pepparkakers.  I always looked forward to my Aunt Elise mailing us a batch each Christmas.  I hope to make them every year for Eliot.  And with Chris combining them with a pumpkin spice coffee and exclaiming, "They're sooo good," how can I not?

They're kind of like gingersnaps, but not as intense.

Eliot is napping [again] and I am enjoying our cuddle time.  Chris and I are planning for this to be a quiet night of movies and reading.