We had a great time in Charlotte over Christmas. Eli got a ExerSaucer from Grandma and Grandpa. He loved it and has spent many hours bouncing around and exploring.
Of course some of the packaging was much more interesting for Eli.
Eli and mom watch his cousins depart after a great Christmas Day.
Eli's second cousins Naomi and Will came to visit in December. Eli thought Naomi's fingers were good for his teething.
At the end of the day....
Shopping at a baby store in NY.
Eli examines Grandpa's computer.
While in New York, we visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 
Eli took a look at some of the Monets on exhibit.
We ended the day in the Temple of Dendur, where Eli had his lunch...
...and then went promptly to sleep.
We spent a grand short week in New York City over Thanksgiving doing as much as possible. Lots of walking through the streets with an awake (and an asleep) Eli.
We were protected by New York's finest.
No pastrami on rye yet for Eli. But soon.
Experiencing Zabar's the day before Thanksgiving. Not for the faint of heart.
Eli took his first plane trip during Thanksgiving, flying from Raleigh to New York. Mom and dad spent days trying to figure out how to pack for the journey but thankfully almost all the scenarios we tried to plan for never came to pass. Even on a small commuter jet (ERJ) on mom's lap Eli was a champ.
In mid November Eli went in for his four month old checkup. He continues to grow fast, weighing in at 17 lbs. 11 oz. and is 27 inches tall.
He continues to be more and more comfortable on his stomach as he checks out his charts.
Eli enjoyed his first Halloween, dressing up as a dog and going to a party in downtown Raleigh. No candy this year - maybe next year.
In mid October Eli, along with our friends Marc, Tiff and Ian, visited the North Carolina State Fair. It is a gastronomical adventure.
We all had fun walking through the acres of activities.
We ended the day with Eli's first ride on a carousel. He enjoyed the going round and round, especially as dad tried to steady himself to take pictures.
Uncle Paul and Aunt Hannah came down from Boston to spend some time with their nephew. He loved spending time with them - even if they were tasked with giving him his medication.
Paul brought Eli out to dinner.
And then entertained him at the dinner table.
Paul and Hannah took Eli out shopping on a rainy Monday. He enjoyed the tour of the stores.
Eli loved spending time with his aunt and uncle. Hopefully they will be back soon.
Eli went to vote for the first time in the city elections in early October. He was so excited he fell asleep.
He did proudly wear his "I voted" sticker afterwards.
Eli took his first vacation to spend time with Kim's family on Sunset Beach on the southeastern edge of North Carolina.
Though he didn't hang out on the beach in the middle of the day, he visited the ocean every evening.
Putting his feet in the Atlantic Ocean for the first time.
We all had a great time...
Eli had his two month checkup where he weighed in at a very healthy 15 lbs. 1 oz. and 25 inches tall. The doctor thanked him for doing so well by giving him a shot in each leg - the first in a long series of vaccinations.
Eli, mom and dad visited SPARKcon in downtown Raleigh. The yearly arts event downtown is a feast for the eyes.
While there we enjoyed dinner outside.
One of the joys of SPARKcon was viewing the Barrel Dinosaur up close. Made by artist Joseph Carnevale, the artwork made from construction barrels originally got Carnevale arrested when he created a barrel monster in a construction zone. See that story here.Eli from Ethan Hyman on Vimeo.
This week, we took Eli out downtown to Busy Bee for dinner with our friends Marc and Tiff. 
Eli smiled as Marc took his picture.
He enjoyed his ride downtown.
We all enjoyed our views of the city as we had dinner.
By the end of the evening, Eli decided it was time to sleep.
