Bonding with Bleeders...

This past weekend all us monkeys went to the Hemophilia of Indiana's Annual Meeting. This event is both educational and social. We got to learn about all the many facets of hemophilia and what to expect as new parents including insurance issues, factor choices, home infusions, being prepared for disasters, physical therapy and much more. Plus it was a chance for us to meet other parents and babies/children who have the disorder and for Mama other women who are low-level carriers.

Now hemophilia is not a new diagnosis to this barrel. Uncle T also has it and has thrived. So much in fact that he is riding his bike from San Francisco to San Diego as we speak for hemophilia and is the only hemophiliac. Rumor has it that he is in the pack ahead of the rest. We are so proud of him! We also want to do our part in getting support to our community. We can't ride our bikes close to the 674 miles, so we are gonna walk 2.5 instead. Wanna help us out? Click here to support Team Flora. Our goal is to raise $500 for the foundation so that they can continue to have events like the annual meeting and provided educational opportunities and resources to families like us. Our way of giving back and getting the word out about the disorder.

Finger Lickin' Good Times

MMM...MMM...good. Fun times here in the barrel!

Got got to go out and watch some Crew fussball....

Go on a 4 hour car trip to Ohio/WV border for Elias' first wedding. He was really good in church. Loved the music and was a ham on the dance floor. Didn't really want to stop for pictures with his new friend Ms. J who came in all the way from Washington State.


Got to rock the first bathtime Mohawk. It's nothing like Uncle Tim's, but the aspirations are there...

Found his hands in midline (for all Mama's PT friends). Elias is also fond of sticking between one and three fingers at a time in his little mouth.

Week 12 statistics:
After visiting the hematologist for his check up, Elias weighs in at 13.6# and is 23.5 inches long! Such a big boy.

Rockin' and Rollin'

We posted too soon here in the barrel. Elias showed off yet another new skill this afternoon by rolling over! He did it once, then Mama and Daddy ran for the camera, put him back on his stomach, and wa-la the result:

These Boot(ies) are made for Walkin'

Not that we don't think Elias is the most talented and gifted monkey-boy (look at his breeding...), but we wanted to share in some of his physical developments:

Although this may look like he is most brilliant at two months, it is really a reflex babies are born with. Our little monkey's just has not integrated quite yet. He will loose this skill any day now. Until then we do baby tricks Mama learned in physical therapy school. Elias also loves his tummytime and can prop himself up onto his elbows as well as "swim."


He is getting to be such a strong little man. The other group of muscles that have been getting quite the workout are Elias' mouth. We think he will be quite the talker (more video of that to come)..."Holla!"

Two Months and Counting...

Elias turned two months old this week. So off to the friendly Pediatrician we went. He weighed in at 12 lbs and 12 ounces, and 24 inches long. He is in the 75% for weight and head, but only average (50%) for height. We think he's finally slowed down (although his appetite has not!)
The two month visit also signaled for his immunizations. He did really well including no bleeds! Mama and Daddy had to hold pressure and ice on his little thighs for 10 minutes each. There was of course the most angry cry we have heard yet which lasted only moments. But we figure, he needs to get use to the ol' needle prick. Elias has been battleing his first cold this week as well, so he was feeling plain horrible after the shots.

Daddy finally took the Indiana Bar Exam (to be an attorney). We are very proud that he survived the test. Now he can sit back and relax while waiting for the results (not until October). Until then, he's gonna relax with the little monkey and watch Phish on You Tube or through live streams on the internet. Elias is enjoying the shows from Red Rocks here with Daddy.

We went to the pool today. Mama and Daddy woke Elias up from napping in the car, and into a not-so-warm pool we went. He didn't like it at first or at all for the most part. MUCH different than the warm waters of bathtime.


Elias also got to spend lots of time with his grandparents this week. Mama and Daddy had their third wedding anniversary and went out for a sushi dinner and Granddad and Gram stayed with Elias. They also came down to watch him during his post-shots watch. Some great pictures from Granddad--a most fabulous photographer: