Somewhere between here and there I know have an almost 1 1/2 year old. The strangest thing happens when you have children. You finally, for the first time, start living for someone other than yourself. You have to throw your selfish desires away because you don't really have a choice anymore. Fortunately, I am okay with this. Unfortunately, it has left me with very little free time to blog.

Suffice it to say that I am SO incredibly, unbelievably happy God trusted me to be a mom to Eli. I would be straight up lying if I told you I don't have bad days, that I never wonder what it would be like without him, that I never wish for a break- I do think those things. Sometimes often. But I would also be lying if I never told you that this sweet, handsome little person has taught me more about myself and life and love and patience and giving in the past 17 months than I ever thought was possible.

He's pretty rad and I love him a whole lot.





Merry Christmas a month late!

Time flies...

I admit, I am bad at blogging. Must do better. Must do better.

Eli is 14 1/2 months old! I don't want to forget what he is doing at this point in his life so read on for some fun stuff.

-He loves books now. This is a recent change as a couple weeks ago, the kid couldn't care less. He will grab a book and bring it to us, want to sit in our lap and go through it. Now his attention span is still about 30 seconds but it is slowly getting better.
-Loves playing with Molly. She will even get a little rough with him and he cracks up.
-His favorite part of the day is when his socks and shoes come off when we get home from daycare. He is hilarious. He takes after his daddy and has sweaty feet so I think he likes "feeling free" if you will.
-He is a good sleeper and eater. Sleeping through the night- still going down before 7 each night beacuse he is NOT a napper. I'm over that battle so it is what it is. He sleeps well at night- I'll take it. He loves most foods. He isn't a big meat eater, which is weird to us but he'll at least always try stuff.
-No more milk problems which is great. He is completely on organic whole milk (yes, I am that mom that gives organic because the hormones in milk freak me out). I think it just took him a solid 2 months to get used to it.
-My reflux spitter-upper is CURED. No more spit up. I don't know if I ever thought I'd see the day that we wouldn't need a bib or burp cloth but we are there, FINALLY.
-He loves to play outside. He would be out there all day if we let him. He has some cars and outside toys he likes to play with so he, for the most part, occupies himself when he is outside which is nice. He's still too young to get the playground idea or do much climbing but he'll love that when he is big enough too.
-He babbles constantly. He doesn't have many words yet but he is always making noise. I think within the next couple of months his vocabulary will get a lot better.


Ok. I am sure there is more. Must do better. :)

Eli is ONE

How does time go so fast? HOW?

Dear Eli-

Today you turn one. I made Daddy take a picture of you asleep before you woke up this morning so we could have the moment captured forever. I sent you to daycare in your "It's my birthday shirt" with matching "birthday boy" bib. I didn't use to be this way. I am usually not this sentimental. Maybe I should say, I wasn't this sentimental before I had you. But you've changed me. In so many wonderful ways. And you challenge me- to become a better mommy, a better wife, a better friend...

I really don't remember what life was like without you in it. Which is okay because you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love watching you grow, take steps, feed yourself, play with Molly and enjoy life so much. I can't wait to watch you grow up into a wonderful young man. You are a true joy in my life and I love you SO much.


Now please don't start those toddler tantrums too early, okay?


Love,
Mommy

AHhhhhhhhhhh 11 month old.

I have an 11 month old. That's one month away from a year. Someone hold me.


At 11 months Eli is:
-sleeping through the night still and we have officially gotten rid of the sound machine.
-No new teeth this month which has been good for routine.
-Eating well. Breakfast, lunch and snack at daycare and dinner at home. He likes food and it's been an easy transition.
-Still in 12-18 month clothes. He will be in 2T soon though. The kid is big.
-His balance has gotten better but he still isn't walking.
- Has officially started tantrums where we take away something he can't have and he launches into screaming fit mode. At first it scared me, now I laugh.
- Size 4 diapers still and size 4 shoe.
-Takes 4 bottles a day still but we have started the switch to milk. In a couple weeks, he will be off formula! This is nice.


Eli had a great summer staying home with daddy 3 days a week. He had trips to both grandparents houses and the aquarium. If I was a good mother, I would post pictures from that but I haven't uploaded them yet.

Soon....

The next post will be ONE YEAR.

Holy 10 Months Old!

How did this happen? I really can't believe how fast time flies. It will be a year in no time!

At 10 months:
-consistently still sleeping through the night
-4 teeth on the bottom and 4 on the top. This changes pretty much weekly as another tooth will pop through.
-Eats all solid food now and no more purees... even at daycare! I like this but it is also harder because I have to pay more attention to what we are eating and what he can and can't have. We'll get the hang of it eventually.
-LOVES cheerios and goldfish crackers. Eats sweet potato fries, rice with peas and carrots, graham crackers and cheese are favorites. And ALL fruit. He loves fruit.
-In all 12 month clothing. Some 18months already.
-Has taken a few steps here and there and I am sure he will be walking by a year.
- Is in a whiny phase. Wants to be held a lot but still plays independently a lot too.
- Size 4 diapers still and size 4 shoe.
-Loves to be out and about and to ride in the carseat. This is nice!
-Loves to people watch.
-Takes 4 bottles a day still. I know he isn't ready to go down to 3 or he will wake up overnight to eat.
-Mastered the sippy with water. He has never had juice and I want to keep it that way for as long as possible.
-Loves to play with the dog. They give each other kisses and he grabs her tail. Molly does great with him.
-He babbling and talking pretty much constantly. It's not real words but he is always saying or squealing something.
-He has been in the pool a couple times this summer. He tolerates it for a few minutes but it's definitely not his favorite. :( We will keep trying, maybe it will grow on him.

I love this kid!

9 Months Old

Good lord time is flying by and I can barely keep up. Eli is now OVER 9 months.

Sweet Jesus.

At 9 Months:
-26 11 ounces (98th percentile), 29 1/2 inches long (87 percentile!)
- Takes 28oz (4 bottles a day)
-3'ish meals a day
-Eats puffs, baby food, ground turkey, peaches, oranges, green beans, rice, carrots, peas. A lot of stuff!
-Has 4 teeth... and at least 2 more popping through the top. He pretty much gets fussy and refuses to eat for 1-2days and we know he is teething but we can't see anything. Go to sleep and the next morning, he has a new tooth or two!
-Most of the time, sleeps through the night. Thank you Jesus!
-Loves to MOVE. It not okay sitting still- true boy. Pulls up on everything!
-He has no favorite toy or favorite thing to look at on television because nothing holds his attention more than 15 seconds!!!
-Crawling all over the place!! Non stop.
-Can pull up on things like a couch and hold himself up for several seconds
-Loves to play with Molly and give her kisses.
-Will smack his lips back at you when he eats
-Can wave now!
-Mumbles words very close to "dada" but I am not sure he really gets it yet. But it sounds close!!
-Uses the sippy and actually gets stuff out of it

I want to post some pictures but it won't let me! Bah. I'll try again later.

8 Month Breakthrough

It appears that 8 months is going to be a huge developmental month for Eli.

Just this month alone he has:
Mastered the sippy
Started crawling
Started pulling up
Had to have his bed lowered
SLEEPS THROUGH THE NIGHT (can I get an amen?)

Here he is going straight for the dog's food:


We took his 8 month shots but they are on the computer at home so I will update later. I feel like my baby is a little boy! Growing up so fast.