The Big Birthday Celebration!

I will keep my words very few since there are a ton of pictures. The party was so much fun! Eli had a blast. The house became a little crowded at times, but I do believe fun was had by all!!

Party details.

The party would have been snackless it it werent for Eli's Grammy & Gi Gi! Thanks for making it happen! :)

The Hay Ride!!

Big cousins.

I am imagining the toddler conversation happening here...

E: Isn't that thing on a stick good!

D: Yeah!! I can't believe I've never had one of these!

E: My mom gave me one the other day for the first time and it was so yummy!

D: They sure don't last long though, do they?

And even though we had a way to pull the trailer, that Pa Pa thought a Big John deere tractor would be a nice touch! So Fun!

Presents!

This was a very memorable moment at the party, once he figured out that he could make this thing go just by the press of a button, he was gone!!! It was so so funny!

Cake Time!

Thanks Maw Maw for such an awesome cake!

 Wow!! He sure did some damage to that cake!

But it looks as though he enjoyed it!

We had such a great turn out for Eli's first Birthday party! I had to take a step back at one point and just take it all in. We are truly blessed people to have such wonderful Friends and Family in our life. And so many people that care about our little guy!

One Year Old!

Well, here we are the one year mark.Is this possible, has a year really gone by? There were moments of happy, moments of reflection and moments of sad on that special day! I tried to be a strong Momma, I really did. But there were a few moments that just overcame me, and the tears were hard to fight back. This has been such an unbelievable year. This journey as a Mother has only just begun for me, and I am loving every second. Wondering what will be in years to come, but being patient to find out. 

Eli Shane you are a whole year old!

I feel like over the last month you have just grown up so much. I think it just might be official that I have a Toddler on my hands! You are so independant, and rarely ever want anyone to help you. You are no longer nursing. Your eating habits are pretty much the same for the exception of you have started boycotting anything green! You will eat any other vegetable, just not the green ones. I can't complain at least you are eating. But we will keep trying that green stuff. Despite what you may think it is good for you.

You are all done with swim lessons, and swimming like a little fish! I think we are still in awe at how well you swim!

You have started saying Daddy! It is the cutest thing ever. It started by you saying

Da da Da da Da da Da deeee! Each Da was a little different pitch. Eventually you just moved into saying Daddy....sometimes it is still Daddeee! You say every form of Da da, Daddy and you also say Dad!

Which led to my question to you.

"Eli, Can you say Momma?"

Your response.... "No!"

That doesn't hurt at all so you know! (Totally being facetious)

We jumped our very first sick hurdle this last month. We almost made it one full year with no problems at all. It was not fun, I hated to see my baby sick, it left me feeling helpless, because it is so hard to know exactly what is wrong. Started with a fever that just wouldn't break, loss of appetite and eventually not wanting to drink anything. Turns out you had strep which led to a terrible rash. But I am happy to say that you are so much better now and I hope for sake of both of us we don't have to deal with that again.



You pretty much have peek a boo down (our version, Where's Eli). You blub your lips with your fingers to make noise. You love to dance, you just love music in general.

This last year has been the best year ever, it has been amazing watching you grow and learn we can't wait to see what the next year has in store!!
We love you so much munchkin!

Happy Birthday Eli!

Happy Birthday to our precious Baby Boy!

This sort of thing I am realizing, is hard on a Momma. You carry that precious life for nine long months, go through the most unbearable pain to bring them into this world. Hold them, love them, watch them grow and learn new things everday. Teach them and raise them to be the best they can be. And time is so unthoughtful to a Mother. Wanting nothing more than to cherish every day, every hour, every minute and wishing all along that time would just stand still so that you can have these moments for a bit longer, but time just keeps going by like the season's in a year. Watching this little guy grow has been such a blessing. I do love that he is growing up, but I sure miss my little baby.  

Eli,

We are so blessed to have you in our life. You bring joy to each and every day. We could not imagine our life without you! Happy Birthday Baby!

We Love you So Much,

Daddy & Momma

Country Pumkin Bumpkin!

Happy Fall!

This is my most favorite time of year. I love the colors, the pumkins, the cooler weather! Pretty much everything about it.

I especially LOVE

A baby wearin  bluejean overalls and a cute little pumpkin hat!!



Swimmin Like a Fish!

Isaac and I discussed very early on that we wanted to do swim lessons for Eli. We just think it is very important that children know how to swim and feel comfortable in the water. The earlier the better too. Since Eli is so interested in the water, it just made even more sense for us to get him started. We were having a hard time deciding where we would take him, until my dear friend Katie posted some videos of her son swimming! I was impressed! I think I may have called her as soon as I watched them. I wanted to know all about it.What was so important for us was to find a place that taught swimming as a survival method, not just for fun. When I got off the phone with her I knew this was where we would take him.

So we got connected with Tiny Bubbles Aquatic Academy. Where Eli started his swim lessons with Mrs. Kirsten, who is probably the most patient woman you will meet. I don't know how she does it. With an outcome as rewarding as this, I suppose that must be what carries her through. 

 This has been an amazing experience so far!

Eli is swimming so well and he still has a few weeks left to go.

Thank You Mrs. Kirsten for what you have done so far. Everytime our little guy swims we will think of you and how grateful we are to have met you.

We can't wait to see the final result.