**No fingers, toes, or mouths were amputated due to the baby gate we currently have. Eli is safe at all times. This baby gate is a safe baby gate. Since, apparently, this baby gate is too dangerous for Eli to be around, I would like to add the above disclaimer. **
Get out of Jail Free card!
**No fingers, toes, or mouths were amputated due to the baby gate we currently have. Eli is safe at all times. This baby gate is a safe baby gate. Since, apparently, this baby gate is too dangerous for Eli to be around, I would like to add the above disclaimer. **
Don't look away for a second!
Sea World with the Gammy!
Next we spent the entire day at Sea World. I have never been before and let me say, that when Eli gets bigger, he will make that place so much fun! He loved the fishtanks and the Penguins!
However, the Polar Bear redeemed himself when we walked into the gift shop and Eli just couldn't believe his luck!
The Sea Lions were so funny! They traveled in a pack and back and forth. Basically, they were going where the food could potentially be!
At the end of the day, chillin with Daddy on the stoop was perfect!
All in all it was a beautiful weekend with amazing company!
0 comments Posted by Cortney at 10:38 PM
Oh Sweet Santa Barbara

We started out our mini two day vacation with a ride up the coast. We wanted to spend the day walking around Venice Beach, then follow that up with an evening in Santa Monica with a very dear friend for dinner.
Eli loved Venice Beach. He totally and completely missed his afternoon nap. He spent the entire afternoon gawking at everything. He was adorable in his hat and sunglasses (Sunglasses courtesy of his great Auntie Cathy, and the hat is a Goorin hat from the Village Hat Shop in San Diego - Yes that was a plug for work).

We spent the afternoon going from shop to shop, eating gelato, and looking for the perfect pair of sunglasses for Shay. It was a fabulous day spent together as a family. Aside from every other shop being a Pot House, and the scent of Weed having an overwhelming presence in the air, we had a great time.
This is by far one of my favorite pics of the two boys who are the center of my world:

We spent the night at the Courtyard Marriott. I have to say, that I was thoroughly impressed. We had not been in the room 5 minutes, when there was a knock on the door, and it was the night manager bringing us a crib. Eli loved hanging out in the King size bed, and slept wonderfully in his new bed. We spent the morning cuddling, watching Handy Manny, and just having fun.
We spent Sunday in Santa Barbara walking down State street, and shopping. Highlights from the day include:
- Eli losing Soft Sophie in Urban Outfitters and Daddy running the 3 blocks to see if he could find where we lost it. Sophie was sitting on the counter waiting for him.
- Eli was so tired from all of the sightseeing that he passed out mid shopping

-Driving up through the mountains and taking some beautiful pictures.
These are two of my favorite picks taken. I love the one of Shay and Eli in black in white. It was such a perfect picture.

The last picture of the trip is of Eli sitting solo for the very first time. I was so proud of him! He is growing up so fast!

I loved Santa Barbara and the memories that it brought. Shay and I have decided that we DEFINITELY need to get away more often... and not just to Detroit. We need to start making time for our family. This trip proved to us that nothing is as important as the time we get to spend with each other. 0 comments Posted by Cortney at 11:20 PM
Sprocket learned a lesson....
Sprocket's latest mug shot:
Today a 14lb baby put Sprocket into a new situation. This afternoon I gave Sprocket a Frosty Paw - the best doggie treat on the planet! Sprocket loves Frosty Paws. He guards them, licks them lovingly, carries it from room to room, all the while the damn thing is melting.
I put Eli onto the floor to crawl around while I went and made him his afternoon bottle. I come back and see my child head first in the cup of puppy icecream... going to town! Sprocket is hoovering over him not sure what he should do! He looked up with me with his big brown eyes (Sprocket that is) and practically begged me to please get him his ice cream back!
I told him to go ahead and get it back. He gently put his head in between Eli and the ice cream and gently pulled the ice cream out of reach of Eli. Eli was not to be thwarted. He scooted his little hiney closer to where the ice cream was. Sprocket expertly picked up the ice cream and moved it to another location.
I wasn't sure exactly what to do at this point. I mean, my kid just ate puppy ice cream. Then I remembered yesterday when Eli crawled over to Sprockets bone and went to town on that.... What can I say, my kid loves the doggie treats! I just wish that I could have gotten a picture of it! Lucky for you, I do have a video of Eli going for Sprocket's bone.... Gotta love it! Enjoy!
0 comments Posted by Cortney at 5:02 PM
OOPS!
I am so sorry that I have been neglectful of my blog for the last 3 weeks. Things have been a little crazy around here. Let me get you back up to speed!
- Saturday April 3, 2010: Eli turned 6 months old! I cannot believe it! Where has the time gone!? I feel like just the other day I was pregnant, and getting ready for him to arrive. Today I have a baby who has learned how to army crawl around my living room! He looks like an inch worm when he does that. ADORABLE! I need to get it on video so I can treasure the preciousness of it!
- Sunday April 4, 2010: Eli, Shay, and I experiences our very first major earthquake. 7.2! We have come to an agreement that we did not enjoy it. Shay had left for work about an hour before, and I was sitting in the rocking chair with Eli. He had just fallen asleep 10 minutes before after an hour of rocking and singing. Sprocket was sprawled out, passed out dead, to the world. I was sitting in the rocking chair reading and cuddling with my little man, when I realized that rocking chair was shaking side to side. Sprocket instantly jumped up totally on alert and we ran for the doorway before the major swaying took place.
Let me tell you, the movies do not portray earthquakes accurately. It's not a shaking feeling. It's more like a rolling motion, with some swaying. It feels like you are incredibly drunk and unable to catch your balance.
Thank goodness for Saved By The Bell... Or else both Shay and I would have had no idea that we were supposed to get in the doorway. C'mon, you remember that episode: The gang had just had a babyshower for Mrs. Belding and were in the elevator with her. AC Slater in a towel and Lisa's jacket? (Side note: Shay and I referenced this episode in the middle of my labor and delivery.. every time Shay tried to breath with me, we would crack up because of this show.)
Back to the earthquake. I was pretty shaken after the initial event. Eli went back to sleep about an hour later. Shay had come home to check on us, and Sprocket was totally on edge. We had no damage, but lots of aftershocks. After the earthquake, I went to check my china cabinet. I wanted to make sure that nothing had shifted. I haven't dusted the cabinet in a while, so I picked up one of the wine glasses and saw that the dust was still in tact (pathetic, I know). The only thing that fell, was the laundry basket of clean laundry that I had placed in our closet.
- Monday April 5, 2010: Eli had his 6 month check up. He is healthy as a horse. He weighs 14lbs (talk about a peanut) and is 26 inches long. Dr. Gerber was a little worried about his weight which is in the 3rd percentile. We have upped his intake of oatmeal, veggies, and fruit. We hope that he will be around 17lbs by his next appointment in July. At the doctors, Eli decided that this was going to be the day that he was going to get up on all fours and try crawling... he did this however, on the scale table. He lost his balance and then proceeded to face plant into the side of the scale. He screamed, we consoled. As we consoled, the nurse gave him 6 shots. He was not a happy camper the rest of the day. I was able to put him down for a super long nap in the morning, and another one in the afternoon.
- Shay and I took Eli to the MSU alumni meet up for the Final Four game against Butler. We lost but it was a great game to watch with Eli. One of my favorite pics from that day:
Shay and I will be taking Eli to Santa Barbara next weekend for a mini family vacation. We both have a 4 day weekend planed, so we will are taking the family and visiting Hearst Castle. We are really excited to get a way for a bit and just be the 3 of us. When we are home in Detroit, we never get the chance to breathe. We are constantly running from one house to the next, and from one restaurant to the next. It's more exhausting going to the D then it is anywhere else.
Well, I think for the most part, I am all caught up with what is going on around here.I promise to post pics of our Santa Barbara trip as soon as we get back. Until then, LOVE YOU! 1 comments Posted by Cortney at 9:06 AM
Secrets Secrets Are No Fun....
I have a hard time keeping secrets. I admit, I am a gossip. I obviously am not malicious, but it's just SO hard! Especially if it's juicy gossip/secret.
I write this post because I am trying to turn over a new leaf. Secrets have NEVER been my strong suit, but I am working REALLY hard to rectify that.
That being said....I have tons of secrets... and eventually, they will be shared. Until then I will leave you yearning to know more!
On to NCAA Men's College Basketball..... GO GREEN! (MSU a 5 seed....should be interesting) 0 comments Posted by Cortney at 10:44 PM
Uniterested...
I hate going in and leaving Eli in the morning. I hate the fact that at least 3/4 of my paycheck goes to the babysitter. I hate the fact that I feel like I am only working for insurance reasons. I wish that I could be the stay at home mom that I always thought I would be. It's so hard to accept that I can't stay home with Eli.
I wake up Tuesday - Friday and dread getting out of bed, because I know that the minutes are quickly fading and that at 7:45am, I have to start that dreaded walk to work.
I never expected to go back to work. It is not something that Shay and I have taken lightly. However, we just can't figure out a way to make me staying at home, work.
Maybe in the future I will get my wish and be able to stay home with my ever changing baby. If I miss his first crawl because I am work, I will freak out. I am over leaving him everyday. Ugh. What a rant. 1 comments Posted by Cortney at 11:49 PM
Crap
Speaking of hobbies, I have been asked to join a book club! I might actually meet some really great ladies and start making some friends outside of work. San Diego is not the easiest place to make friends. I miss everyone back in Michigan :( This moving far away stuff has its sucky parts! Anyway, I digress. The book for this month which meets on Thursday is "The Help". I am only on chapter 2....and yes, I said it meets on Thursday.... anyone got cliff notes? 0 comments Posted by Cortney at 12:15 PM
5 Months Old!
Holy Crap this kid is growing too fast! It seems like last week that I found out I was pregnant and yesterday that I gave birth. We have now embarked on the joys of toes in our mouth, touching Momma's face and sending her smiles, riding on Daddy's shoulders and yanking on his hair (hysterical! A few weeks ago, Shay was so happy and smug that he had Eli on his shoulders... until he had to walk into the bathroom where I was getting ready, and beg me to help get Eli's fingers untangled from his hair. The poor guy had tears in his eyes due to Eli yanking!), and most importantly singing.
Please note the beautiful song that Eli sang to his Momma (the only woman in his life worth singing too) caught on video below!
Eli has brought so much love and laughter to our lives. To think that 13lbs of smelly poop, goofy grins, screeches of delight, and morning babble could mean the world to us is an understatement. I am so excited to see what kind of man he will grow into! 0 comments Posted by Cortney at 12:07 PM
Zoolander has Blue Steel.... Eli has.....
Ladies and Gents, my son the model!
http://www.villagehatshop.com/sand-cassel-lil-rascal-beanie.html
Yes, we look a little crossed eye (Kneeko at the hatshop was a little close with the camera), but I think we are an excellent future model.
Hot Abercrombi and Fitch guy, eat your heart out! 0 comments Posted by Cortney at 8:49 PM
Eli's Birth Story
Eli’s Birth Story
On October 2, 2009, We had our 38 week doctors appointment , and our fabulous doctor; Dr. Van Den Heuvel, informed us that they would not be inducing me and that we would let nature run its course.
I had the Non Stress Test (NST) done and the baby was moving around, kicking the microphone. It was so great to hear his heart beating. It’s such a beautiful sound. After the NST, I had a growth ultrasound to check my amniotic fluid and the baby’s weight. Amniotic fluid was measuring perfect, and the baby was weighing 6lbs 12 oz – Give or take a pound.
Shay and I left the doctor’s office and I went back to work and so did he. After work, Shay picked me up to bring me home and we started talking about ways to induce labor. We were interested in getting things going the next weekend, so we were looking into options. Shay had been holding the sex card for the past few weeks, as in not wanting to have any, for fear of inducing me early. We decided that since we were now in the clear to deliver a healthy, full term baby, then we would give it a shot. The plan was to spend Saturday morning in bed with a little football watching thrown in!
At 2:30am on October 3, 2009, Shay finally got into bed for the night. I felt him crawl under the covers and I rolled over to my left side since that is the side that was easiest for me to sleep on. At 2:46am, I felt like I was about to pee myself, so I catapulted myself out of bed and made it to the bathroom where I peed…. And then never stopped. I sat on the toilet for about 10 minutes contemplating what the hell was going on. I finally called out to Shay who was still awake.
I told him that I thought my water just broke, and then I started laughing hysterically. Shay got out of bed and came into the bathroom where he had the What to Expect When Expecting book in his hand. We looked at the chapter that had to do with labor, and it basically told us to call our doctor… Duh.
We called the after hours line and the woman who answered the phone told us that Dr. Schonbrun was the doctor on call, and that he would call us in the next 10 minutes. During this time, I stayed on the toilet for fear of leaking whatever it was I was leaking all over the bathroom/house. As Dr. Schonbrun called us back, he asked if I was having any contractions. I was not. He told us to go ahead and head to the hospital and have the nurses check us out. I could have very well, just had a lot of pee in my bladder, but better to be safe than sorry.
Shay and I decided to take this time to shower, clean up the house, and take Sprocket potty, and feed him. I had most of my hospital bag put together already, so we grabbed what we needed and headed out the door for our 5 minute car ride to the hospital.
We arrived to labor and delivery at 4:30am and were ushered into an exam room. I was hooked up to the monitor to see baby’s heartbeat, and if I was having any contractions. Our fabulous labor and delivery nurse pushed on my stomach to see if I was still leaking, and I gushed. She was pretty convinced that it was my water breaking and did a quick test to confirm that it was positive for amniotic fluid. She did a quick internal and I was dilated 2.5 cm and was 75% effaced. I was being admitted to the hospital to deliver!! Yay!
I was put into the birthing suite next door in preparation for the big moment. All the rooms had flat panel TV’s, and Shay and I decided to watch some ESPN. Yes, I am an awesome wife. We watched football all morning.
I started having contractions that were manageable, albeit a little strong. The labor and delivery nurse told me that I could have my epidural at anytime, that it was a slow night, and the anesthesiologist was on the floor for when I wanted it. I labored through maybe 5 hard core contractions, and then told Shay that I wanted the Epi. He went and got the nurse who in turn came in with the anesthesiologist. I got the epi (AMAZING!), and instantly started to feel no pain.
Shay and I watched the monitor that showed the contractions that I never felt. Some were huge! It was great that I was able to lay there and not feel them. I have no pain tolerance. Shay and I both fell asleep for a while. About an hour an half later, the nurse came in to do an internal to see if I was progressing. They were pretty positive that they would have to administer Pitocin to help move me along. I did not want Pitocin. The use of Pitocin raises your chances of having to have a c-section, which I did not want. The nurse checked me and I was at 7cm! NO Pitocin for me!!! I was doing this all by myself!
Shay and I hung out for about another hour, watching football and texting updates to our family. Shay was so excited he never sat down from that point on. He had this goofy grin on his face and you could just tell that he was filling with excitement.
At this point, I was starting to feel some pressure so I asked Shay to get the nurse so she could check me. The labor nurse came in again to check my progress and I had gone from 7cm to 9.5cm. They called Dr. Schonbrun who was 10 minutes from the hospital, and told me that when she came back in the room we were going to start practicing pushing. At this point, I looked at Shay and started to cry. He asked me why I was crying, and I told him that this was the part that I was scared of! Mind you, I couldn’t feel anything from the waist down.
The actual delivery was quick. I was put on oxygen because the baby’s heart rate had dipped a few times to 60bpm and that was too low. They wanted the baby out. I did about 9 practice pushes through 3 contractions and then Dr. Schonbrun entered the room as well as about 5-6 other doctors. I was told that we were going to be using the vacuum to get the baby out and worse come to worse, we will have to use the forceps. I did not want the forceps! I had heard that they tear you apart and was scared of them!
We waited for my next contraction, and I was told to push and count to 10! I pushed 3 times during that contraction, and out came this beautiful screaming baby. Shay watched the entire thing! Dr. Schonbrun told Shay that he would be cutting the umbilical cord, and Shay did it with a grin on his face!
Eli Ryan Goldenberg was born at 10:53am on October 3, 2009. He weighed 5lbs 15oz and was 19 inches long. He had the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck once, but Shay said that when he came out, it was super loose so it wasn’t hurting him. The doctors in the room did the APGAR test which tests the baby's lungs. We were told Eli was perfect and if they could give a perfect "10" Eli would have received it! We have never felt undying love like this before. He is so absolutely beautiful, and expressive, that neither of us can stop staring at him.
Bath Time!
I love that Eli is now on solid foods, but man can this little boy make a mess!!!
Bath Pictures!
4 Months Old and Still Growing!
Eli is now 4 months old. I am so sad that he is growing way too fast, but so excited to see how he developes. He is amazing! Eli has found his voice and loves to scream (literally) with laughter. He is so amazing. I just can't get over how much in love I am with him!
A tribute to Eli being 4 Months Old now!!!


House Hunting Blows Donkey Balls
We have looked at 4 houses so far in person.
House #1: The ad lied. 1000sq feet my ass. Try 500sp feet...TOPS. Plus this house had carpeting half way up the walls in the bedrooms, and the house was on a slant. All of Sprockets balls would be rolling to the front door. We said "No" and kept looking.
House #2: Super cute! However, the kitchen needed to be torn out completely and the backyard needed grass, not the tons of concrete they currently had back there! We said "No" and kept looking.
House #3: A 3 bedroom townhouse. Nice size yard for playing outside (needed some TLC but feesable to use), nice big bedrooms, and it was 2 stories. However, the laundry was shared with the other side of the house in the garage. We didn't even have a chance to say "no" to this place, before someone snatched it up.
House #4: Today we went and looked at a 2BD/1BTH house. Super cute! Nice kitchen, gas stove, big bedrooms, little living room (not ideal for our furniture). The only real negative was that the house lacked storage....So we said "No" and will keep looking.
This fricking sucks. I just want to be able to move Eli and Sprocket to a place that has room to grow with them. They both need a backyard to play in, and more space in the house. I need cupboard and counter space in the kitchen, and Shay needs an office all for the price of $1600/mo. Is that really too much to ask????? Aparrently when you live in San Diego it does!
On to the next house...... 0 comments Posted by Cortney at 3:46 PM
"If peeing your pants is cool, just call me Miles Davis!"
I wish I would have gotten a picture. This is the type of blackmail that would be amazing when I want him to do something as a teenager... *sigh* Hopefully from now on, Eli can keep it in his pants (hahahahah sounds dirty!). Eli of course got bath right after the incident so he smells Johnson and Johnson fresh (my favorite smell). He is currently in his swing watching Mickey Mouse's Clubhouse, happy as a chipmunk!
Today we are picking up Grandma from the airport and running errands the rest of the afternoon. Should be eventful! 0 comments Posted by Cortney at 10:51 AM
BEWARE! Cuteness overload in 3..2..1...
Tonight, Eli and I danced in the kitchen while making cookies. We danced to such classics as Baby Got Back, the RENT soundtrack, Foo Fighters, Dixie Chicks, and Jack Johnson. Eli especially loved Baby Got Back. Cookies, smiles, and kisses from my drooling baby. How could life get any better!
Enjoy the pics!

Sitting on the counter while Momma pulled the cookies out of the oven. We have EXCELLENT head control!
I love him so much! Shay and I are SO lucky! 0 comments Posted by Cortney at 9:44 PM
I Hate You Swiffer....
Today we went to Long Beach and met up with Drew. It was really great getting to see him. He has a gained a little bit of weight (not that it looks bad on him) and he looks healthy. Eli met his Uncle Drew and then proceeded to spit up while Drew held him. Welcome to the club Uncle Drew.. It won't be long before you are constantly drenched in that disgusting white goo!
Shay and I took the scenic route back to San Diego. We followed the PCH and hugged the ocean. It was beautiful! One day, I hope that we are able to afford a home on a hill with an ocean view. I think its a good goal to work towards! Even if its our grandkids that actually get to enjoy it to its fullest potential!
I will post more later, including a ridiculously cute picture of Eli and Shay. 0 comments Posted by Cortney at 10:31 PM
Hush little Baby....and feel the burn!
Too bad today wasn't as great as last night. Eli was cranky all day. He did not want to be happy. He would only sleep in my arms... I got NOTHING done today.
However, he did take a nap at 7pm. I decided at that time to check out exercise tv. Its on demand and free. I did an 18 minute beginning yoga class. I hurt already. But it was great! I was able to relax and do it in the living room while Eli dozed. It was wonderful! Exericise tv also has tons of other 20 minute classes which I will testing out in the near future. I figure I will do yoga 3 times a week and then a different class the other 2 days. Should be good for me. I need to lose this extra weight, especially before our 10 year reunion! The Goal is to get to 145lbs by then. We shall see how it goes! (And no, I will not be putting up my actual weight on this.) 0 comments Posted by Cortney at 9:42 PM
Ring In The New Year!...a little behind!
Lets start with Eli's first trip to Detroit.
*First 5 hour car ride (with Sprocket on Momma's lap the entire way) to Vegas
*First night NOT sleeping in our crib - Not fun
*First Airplane ride- Eli did amazing! He ate, slept, pooped, slept, and ate again. All in all a very productive flight for him.
*First time seeing snow
*Got to meet Nana and Papa, GG, Uncle Kevin, Auntie Mandy, Papa Dave, Uncle Keith, Auntie Brandy, cousin Kory and SLEWS of other family members.
*Celebrated Christmas for the first time!
* Watched out for Hunter and Sprocket.... They liked to rough house around him.
*Saw MSU's campus and got his picture taken with Sparty - See picture below
Coming home from Detroit - not so awesome. Sprocket got stuck in Detroit for 4 days. 1) the weather was too cold for him to fly and 2) Delta/Northwest can go and suck a big one. They were ridiculous! They wanted to charge us an ADDITIONAL arm and a leg to get him home since he would be flying solo.... NO WAY HOT SHOT! My saint of a husband put the foot down and got everything credited. We finally got our dog back! Those 4 extra days at Auntie Calyn adn Uncle Kevin's house sure made him a tired puppy... He slept inbetween Shay and I that night... never left to check on Eli once.
Eli got some pretty fantastic loot for Christmas! It cost us $146 to ship it back, but still pretty awesome stuff! One of my favorites his Froggy Sit and Spin!
XOXO
-Cortney 0 comments Posted by Cortney at 12:48 PM