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Friday, August 28, 2009

The big ONE!




I'm posting this early because tomorrow is Eli's actual birthday and we are having his party at my mom's house. So, we won't be home most of the day!

I can't believe my little love bug is turning one! Has it really been a year?? Today, a year ago I was having STRONG contractions... wondering when it was going to be time to head to the hospital... and bound and determined I was going to have Eli the 'natural way'. Well, if you read my birth story, you know that isn't how it happened. But needless to say, he got here just fine! :)

Tears well in my eyes when I think about how much I love that little guy. When you have one whom you already love so much it's hard to imagine loving another the same. But God does something amazing and multiplies your love. So, in honor of the big first birthday here's a little bit about my sweet baby, Eli.

Eli started out as an average size baby at 7 lbs and 12 oz. At about 4 months old his weight gain slowed down and scared me but I soon figured out that was just him. He's always been in the 5-10th percentile for weight and average for height. He's just a little squirrely guy! People ask me all the time how old he is and when I tell them, they comment on how tiny he is! He's been on the go since he was 7 months old though! He doesn't slow down long enough to gain anything! I wonder who he gets that from?? ;) I'll tell you, it's not me... I only wish I had that metabolism! Even as a non-mobile baby he moved all the time. He was constantly kicking his feet! Even when I would nurse him to sleep his little legs would go until he was completely out! He is definitely much more of a mover as a little guy than Luke was.

And although my little man is trim, he has a big appetite. A normal day looks like this:

8:00am- Nurse
9:00am- 1/4 c oatmeal + jar of fruit + 1/4 c goat milk (which makes a huge bowl of oatmeal!), handful of cheerios (while I clean up), sippy of water
11:00am- Nurse
12:30pm- a few puffs (while I get his and Luke's food ready) 2 jars of baby food, sippy of goat milk (not drinking much of it yet.. maybe an oz!), some type of finger foods
2:00pm- Nurse
4:00pm- snack (usually a few graham crackers), juice/water/milk
5:00pm- Nurse (sometimes he skips this one)
6:30pm- 2 jars of baby food, finger foods (usually something of whatever we're having, if appropriate)
8:30pm- Nurse

I am feeding this child in some way or another eight to nine times a day. Not to mention that most nights he still gets up once! He's a piggy!

Eli loves to play with Luke.. or hit Luke in the face rather. He's playing of course but I'm doing my best to teach him to be gentle! Ha! He also LOVES to give Luke kisses (you know the slobbery, open mouth kind!). It's so sweet! He loves to chase Luke around the den and he loves to take baths with him! He definitely loves his big brother!

He also loves his grandaddy. He just gets so excited whenever he sees him and starts saying, "DayDaDa". Luke was the same way though!

Eli loves music. If he hears a beat his little head starts bobbing! Any kind of toy that plays music is a hit with him. He also loves balls too! And of course he loves things that aren't toys at all. He will pick up random items (see above photo!) and carry them around for the longest time!

Eli really loves people. You might not know it when you first meet him but it just takes him a while to warm up. He is definitely a Mommy's boy! And I'm fine with that! He clings to me when he feels uneasy or just a little anxious about a situation! Once he is comfortable though, he will gradually move away from me. (Although most of the time he wants me to be in the same room!) He is a silly boy too and loves to laugh! He and I spend so many moments just sitting together making each other giggle!

Right now, Eli says:

Bye, Bye (although most of the time it's just "bye"
Car
Mama
Dada
DayDada
Cracker (Cacar- his favorite thing to eat!! Graham Crackers!)
Duck

My love bug,

I can't believe you're turning one tomorrow! Time goes by so fast! As I rocked you to sleep tonight I held you a little bit longer. I just wanted to hold on to my baby before he became a one year old! As I watched you sleep I tried to etch in my memory that sweet baby face. I know all too soon you will be a spunky little boy, like your brother, who won't let me hold him anymore! You are an amazing little guy and we are so proud of you! My prayer is that you will do great things all for the glory of God! Words cannot express how much joy you have brought your Daddy and I! We love you so much!

Love, Mommy






3 comments:

Molly Flanagan said...

this was so cute. happy birthday eli!

Jessica said...

Such a sweet post!
Happy Birthday to Eli!

Misty said...

This post made me cry. Very sweet. I'm so glad we're a part of your lives!