The Life of Eli

I wish it was an April Fool's joke

2010-04-01T16:31:00.000-07:00

Back from nowhere

2010-03-09T11:44:00.001-08:00

I don't know why I haven't kept this thing up the last 6 months...except we've been so busy watching Eli grow and grow. But I am back. With a NEW camera...so there will be much posting from here on in. I guess now as good a time as any to have a resolution...doesn't have to be a "new year"...

So...stay tuned...

And I'm getting this camera bag for my new NIKON D90 that I can't even believe is mine!

http://www.epiphaniebags.com/#/details-green/

They are also giving away a CANON 5D...which is totally crazy...but don't think I don't want it cuz I DOOOOOOO!!!!

Life's Lessons

2009-09-25T12:06:00.001-07:00

I hope you...

I hope you learn... to love life
I hope you aren't afraid... to be yourself
I hope you love... giving people a chance
I hope you get... your mom's laugh
I hope you laugh... at your mistakes
I hope you never forget... we all love you
I hope you ignore... mean people
I hope you become... whatever you want to be
I hope you respect... all living things
I hope you grow... old and happy

I stole this from a blog I occasionally read (www.thelilbee.com). These were from note cards filled in by her friends and family to her baby at her shower. Maybe I should add I hope you always...give credit where credit is due.

E

show me your heart

2009-08-18T14:23:00.000-07:00

does it get any better?

videos...

2009-08-18T11:28:00.000-07:00

If a picture speaks 1000 words...

Summertime...and the livin's easy...

2009-07-16T13:32:00.000-07:00

A happy Saturday afternoon in Malibu...

Daddy climbing the cliffs...

Monkey see...

Monkey do...

Auntie Jen's first appearance on the blog!

Oh summer, how we love thee...

A Picture Show

2009-06-29T15:12:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was chock full of good times. Most notably, Ryan and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary on the same day our good friends Terry and Julie got married. Eli spent the weekend with Nana & Papa. We picked him up and took him to the park...

We also spent some time watching a few of Michael Jackson's old videos. Putting aside the last 10-12 years of his life in favor of the first 35, no one can argue the talent that boy had. Eli was moved to dance...

It's June?

2009-06-05T20:44:00.001-07:00

How on EARTH is it June? Seriously. Well, since another month has whizzed past, here's what's new...Eli's vocabulary is EXPLODING!! Not that anyone but Ryan or I understand much of what he's saying, but it's certainly coming. Among this month's favorites are Oliver and Penny (Oli-wah & Pepi), outside (SIIIIIDE!!!), more (mo!), flower, water, pool, swim...he learned those last few on our weekend trip to our dear friends (Michael & Wayne) hom in Palm Springs....

We had an amazing time...

Mother's Day pictures

2009-05-18T15:14:00.000-07:00

Not pictures of Mother's Day..those are coming. I hired a photographer to take some pictures for Nana, Grammy and Gigi! I didn't post until now because it was a surprise.

These are just a few. We had a great time and I think they were a big hit!

School Dayz

2009-04-20T16:50:00.000-07:00

The first of many...

Happy Easter Bunny!!

2009-04-12T11:26:00.000-07:00

Hope you're having a happy weekend!

Get your motor runnin'...

2009-04-09T15:45:00.001-07:00

Head out on the highway...

Trims and Temps

2009-03-24T14:20:00.001-07:00

We finally got our schedules together and brought Eli to see Uncle Zito for his first haircut (Mommy also got a DESPERATELY needed one, too). Eli was a real trooper and, as you can probably see from the glazed over look on his face, we left the appointment with his first temperature.

Good news is that he's feeling much better now. And his hair looks great!

Oh, yeah. I have a blog...

2009-02-25T15:49:00.000-08:00

I've really been meaning to write here. I mean it. REALLY. Time seems to have slipped on past me as it has been a non-stop party at Casa Gentry. First, we celebrated Eli's birthday. Then MLK day and Obama's inauguration. Who can forget Superbowl Sunday and Valentines Day. And Presidents Day. Then Ryan and I went to Cabo for our friend Chelsea's birthday. With no Eli (he had a party with Nana and Papa). And we had FUN. Now all the parties are done. And I feel guilty for having fun. Not guilty for having the fun, per se. I just think Eli is jealous I had fun without him and he's not pleased. Daddy can have fun without him and it's fine. Not mommy. How, you may ask, do I know this? Because he refuses to say "Mama". He was all about Mama before we left. Now, it's a constant barrage of "Dada", "Nana" and "Papa". Oh, don't start him on "Papa" - it's his favorite. My feelings would probably be hurt if it weren't so damn cute. So for now, it's just mommy guilt. So you know, the guilt is the best part of motherhood, in case anyone hadn't told you.

Anyway, in Eli news...there are 2 new teeth, which makes 11 total. Number 12 should be popping up shortly. And he's really starting to learn. Quickly. He's gets it. Go ahead...ask him where his nose is and he'll poke at his face in the general vicinity of his nasal area. He's not very accurate, which makes me slightly concerned for when he learns where his eye is. He may lose one. I can't worry about it now. That's what I've learned. Only worry about what body part they might lose today. What happens tomorrow, who knows. His best trick, so far, is asking him where his belly button is. Lifts his shirt up, practically over his head, for all the world to see. He's quite the little exhibitionist. So today, I'm thankful he's not a girl.

Happy Birthday, my sweet little boy

2009-01-09T16:21:00.000-08:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We love you very much, it's been an amazing year!

Getting in the spirit

2008-12-24T11:01:00.001-08:00

Eli is anxiously awaiting his very first Christmukkah... Decorating the tree

Playing before bedtime...

Making sure it's still there in the morning...

Oliver can't believe we let Eli get away with it!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Bostonista: BOSTONISTA & CPR GEAR TRIVIA GIVE-A-WAY!#links

2008-12-18T08:55:00.000-08:00

Bostonista: BOSTONISTA & CPR GEAR TRIVIA GIVE-A-WAY!#links

This is sooooo exciting!! Ryan's other baby, CPR Gear, was featured on www.thebostonista.com!!! Check it out!!!

In case you were wondering

2008-12-08T11:44:00.000-08:00

Ryan and I are constantly asked which one of us Eli looks like most. Take a look for yourself:

I think it's pretty safe to say Eli is Ryan's mini-me although my gene pool wasn't left out completely...

Eleven Months

2008-12-08T11:36:00.001-08:00

I, for one, cannot believe Eli will be a year old in a few weeks! Here are a couple of photos to mark the occasion.

Mr. Bojangles

2008-12-07T17:42:00.000-08:00

Like Father, Like Son

2008-12-03T11:29:00.000-08:00

* Camera phone isn't the greatest quality. Sorry!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2008-11-28T11:52:00.001-08:00

The Gentry's had a lovely Thanksgiving yesterday. Nana, Papa, Gigi, Sam and Scott (Kuhagen) all came over to help us devour a huge turkey and all that goes with it! We also came up with a list of (most) everything we are thankful for, in no particular order:

Each other.
Our health.
Our family.
Our friends.
Our friends didn't abandon us because we had a baby.
We have plenty to eat.
We have plenty to drink.
We have a warm house to live in.
We will have gifts for Eli this holiday season.

We have a new president in a few weeks.

Cheers!

The boy loves turkey.

Papa & Nana

Sam, Scott & Gigi

Hope you all had a fabulous day too!!!

nudey

2008-11-11T20:10:00.000-08:00

Houston, We Have A Walker

2008-11-11T19:03:00.000-08:00

We're so dead.

Dear Eli

2008-11-05T19:51:00.000-08:00

Dear Eli,
Yesterday morning, I stood in line for 45 minutes to vote. Voting. Something that in past elections I always thought of as an obligation. Yesterday I realized what a privilege it is. When I grew up, it was never an issue. Everyone had the right. Men, women, black, white. But as I stood in the line and stood with the ballot in my hand, I was overcome with emotion. I was no longer voting just for myself. I was voting for you. Voting for your future. Voting for a world I want you to live in. A world with no limitations on you, or on anyone. I chose a black man for president. I chose to confirm that everyone has the right marry the person they love.
Today, the gravity of it all hit me and I became overwhelmed with emotion. The way people can be treated so injustly and be dehumanized and how sometimes, on very special days, we are able to overcome, forgive and be restored. I wish the elation we feel today could happen without the injustice. But there is no yin without the yang, I suppose.
So, as disappointed and disheartened as I feel that the majority of people in the state of California took away a fundamental right of their fellow citizens, I believe someday soon it will overturned. Because I know I will teach you what your daddy and I belive: everyone is equal, no matter what they believe, no matter what the look like and no matter who they love. I have faith that someday soon everyone will believe those things, too. Because I know you will, and you are the future. Your heart is open and I promise do everything in my power to keep it that way.
The world isn't perfect. That was clear last night. But it is certainly getting closer.
I love you,
Mama

Yes We Did

2008-11-05T16:34:00.000-08:00

Ryan and I cannot wait to be able to share with Eli the stories of where we were the night Obama was elected president. What an inspiring time to be alive...here's to all of our future!

Our Little Pumpkin

2008-10-28T13:16:00.000-07:00

We went to the pumpkin patch last weekend (complete with valet parking, welcome to Beverly Hills). Eli was sleepy so we didn't get many good pictures, so here are the best 2:

Photography credit to Bryan Ricci!!!!

We're super lucky

2008-10-15T13:53:00.000-07:00

Before: After:

The Gentry's in the 60s

2008-10-14T12:26:00.000-07:00

Seriously. YearbookYourself.com ROCKS!

More pictures

2008-10-13T14:47:00.001-07:00

Here are some more picture from this past weekend. Auntie Amber had a party for her dad who is in remission from cancer (YAY!!). The party was great and Eli was his usual charming self...

Auntie Henri, Mama & Auntie Amber

Auntie Ani! Daddy
Chelsea
Lady Killer!

Wow!! It has been too long

2008-10-13T14:27:00.000-07:00

I have been TERRIBLE updating this blog. It must be that 9 month old boy keeping me busy. That, and we have a virus on our home computer so we've been reluctant to download any more pictures or videos...

Enough with my excuses and on to ELI! He's fantastic. Active. Perfect. Happy. Active. Smart. Active. Did I mention active? He's crawling all over the place, cruising on the furniture, walking a bit holding onto the Tonka truck push toy and starting to stand for several seconds without holding on to anything. I'm sure walking is not far off. Last stats from the pediatrician at his 8 month check: 28 1/2 inchs, 25 lbs.

Here are a bunch of pictures from the last couple of months:

8 Months

8 1/2 months

9 months (at the park)

on the move

2008-08-02T17:21:00.001-07:00

I swear, vacation photos and video are still coming...maybe this will help explain why I haven't had much time. Eli is MOVING...

We're back with a quick update

2008-07-21T15:48:00.001-07:00

I haven't quite gotten around to writing about our wonderful, fabulous, relaxing caribbean vacation but I promise I will soon. To tide you over, I thought I'd post some pictures I had taken over the weekend. These are the official "Eli is 6 month's old" photos. Oh, he weighs 21.7 pounds and is still 27.5 inches long. And yes, he has a tooth!

We're leavin' on a jet plane...

2008-07-01T16:54:00.000-07:00

for St. John!!! Woo hoo! 10 whole days of caribbean blue water and hopefully minimal mosquito bites! We'll be back with plenty of pictures and video in a couple of weeks!

Stay tuned...

Our First Trip to Boston

2008-06-25T16:24:00.000-07:00

Ryan, Eli & I headed back to Boston over the weekend to see Grammy, Grampy & the rest of the family one last time before they move to South Carolina next month. We had a very full schedule of visitors and restaurants but Eli was a terrific traveler. He slept the whole way there on the redeye and for a few hours on the way back. Here are some pictures of the weekend:

30-32 Exeter Street

Bella & Eli
Eli & the Bald Eagle
Not happy with the menu optionsEli's first lobster friend
Eli, Grandpa Mike & Ryan
Declan, Eli & Bella Ryan & KevinVictoria & EliDebbie & Elizabeth & the babies

Eli, the Bald Eagle & RyanAll the residents of 30-32 Exeter Street

Time is flying

2008-06-17T21:46:00.000-07:00

It's been another month and Eli has grown more. He's off the charts - 20.2 pounds and 27 3/4 inches. And "very advanced" (per the pediatrician). Some of the things he is doing:* Rolling all over town!* pushes himself up* can sit unsupported for a few minutes at a time, & can sometimes "right" himself if he starts to tip* will rise to standing from lying down if you pull him up* grabbing toes and putting them in his mouth* grabs things with both hands, pulls on toys, holds his bottle for short periods occasionally* rocking back and forth on knees* making new sounds, vocalizing - changing pitch* Eating solids: Rice cereal & oatmeal. Veggies: sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, green beans, peas. Fruit: Applesauce & pears. Starting peaches or bananas later this week and * sleeping 8:30-6:30 most days!

Thursday night we take our first plane ride as a family to say "adios" to Ryan's childhood home in Massachusettes. Grammy sold her house and is moving to South Carolina!! It will be a quick trip but Eli will finally get to meet all of his cousins! We can't wait. Wish us luck on the plane and that Eli sleeps as good there as he does at home!!

Penny, Oliver and Eli: A Love Affair

2008-06-08T14:04:00.000-07:00

Eli's Latest Favorite Activity

2008-05-31T21:00:00.000-07:00

He likes Ryan's singing too. Go figure.

A Boy Called Biggums

2008-05-20T16:48:00.000-07:00

I don't know why every month I'm surprised that Eli is huge. It's been that way from the beginning. I guess we expect his rate of growth to slow down at some point. Well, not my kid. Not yet anyway. So, here you go...18.2 pounds (95th percentile) 27.5 inches long (98th percentile). Huge. No wonder my back is sore from lifting him up. Not that I care. He's too damn cute!

Sleep is GLORIOUS!!!

2008-05-19T10:18:00.000-07:00

Eli is now sleeping in his own room. We moved him into his crib on Friday night and, as sure as night, the boy slept. And slept. And slept! From 8:30 pm to 7 am!! And it wasn't just fluke. He did it Saturday night and Sunday night too! *Fingers crossed* it won't end now.

In food news, we added sweet potatos to the solid food repertoire. They were a big hit.

Tomorrow we go back to the pediatrician for his monthly well visit. I'll update with his four month stats!

Hallelujah!!

2008-05-14T14:54:00.001-07:00

He's not quite sure what to make of it, but we got the ok to start rice cereal yesterday...

Maybe now we'll get some uninterrupted sleep. Fingers crossed!

Party Animal

2008-04-29T10:01:00.000-07:00

This weekend Eli celebrated 3 birthdays...Jen Barry's & Mindy Beardsley's at the Belmont (the scene of the infamous first happy hour) on Saturday night and his GiGi Goldie's 95th!! on Sunday. I must admit, he was quite the party animal. Here are a couple of pictures:

With Julie:
Do you think he's starting to get some teeth?
Passed out at the end of it all.

Also, on Friday Ryan took him to his 3 month pediatrician appointment. He weighs 16 lbs 4 ounces and is 26 inches long. 90th percentile in height & weight. Such a big boy!!

Just Livin' Life

2008-04-22T16:55:00.000-07:00

Not a whole lot of stuff happening. We're finding our groove in our new Eli-centered life. We survived Ryan's weekend in Boston and Eli's second road trip, this one to Monterey to meet with the contractor on the house that will soon (fingers crossed) be off our hands!

In developmental milestone news, Eli is rolling over from belly to back! And it appears that back to belly will soon follow. He's also started "talking". Mostly vowel sounds that sound like bird squawks. It's so cute I can hardly stand it!

Mommy's back at work

2008-04-08T15:59:00.000-07:00

And so far so good! We actually started Eli at daycare last week for a few half days and he brought home wonderous praise (which we TOTALLY expected!) as well as a cold complete with a very stuffy nose. Poor kid can hardly breathe in the middle of the night. So my last weekend of "freedom" was spent nursing the baby's stuffy nose, Ryan's food poisioning/stomach flu and the cold/fever my son gave me. Ahhh parenthood! Next hurdle, Ryan's trip to Boston this weekend my first weekend alone with Eli!

A Day at the Park

2008-04-03T19:12:00.001-07:00

Eli's Nana & Papa took him to the park and the La Brea Tar Pits this afternoon and came back with these pics. I couldn't resit posting them!

Eli's First Red Sox Game

2008-03-30T16:38:00.000-07:00

Ryan & I took Eli to his first Red Sox game today at Dodger Stadium!! We had a great day. It was beautiful out and Eli really enjoyed himself. The Sox were so taken with Eli they got completely distracted and forgot to play. They lost 8-0.

Here are a few pictures:

He's officially huge

2008-03-22T12:58:00.000-07:00

At Eli's 2 month check up (2 months and 11 days, to be exact), the big bruiser weighed in at 14 lbs 6.5 oz and measured 25.5 inches. He's the size I was at 4 months!! Unfortunately, he also got 3 shots which didn't make him happy at all. So we thought we'd cheer him up and take him to his first happy hour. This is how it started:

And, this is how it ended:

Takes after his father.

Holy Crap!!

2008-03-21T09:10:00.000-07:00

Eli slept almost 8 hours last night!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Must have been a Happy Anniversary gift (of the night we met) to Ryan & I :)

Our first trip to Mammoth

2008-03-18T16:58:00.001-07:00

We made it to Mammoth for a week of snowboarding (for Ryan & Zito) and returned unscathed!! Eli was great on the road - sleeping 4 hour stretchs in the car; and at night - he slept a minimum of 5 hours (once he slept 7!!!!) Here are a few pics:

Everyone at the Charthouse for dinner our last night

at the condo chillin and droolin

We had a good time, but it's nice to be home too!

Gratuitous Naked Baby Shot

2008-03-07T14:13:00.001-08:00

He'll love this when he's in high school!

Westside!

2008-03-07T14:10:00.000-08:00

He's Here!!!

2008-03-06T09:10:00.000-08:00

Eli Samuel Gentry

01.10.08