This Birthday Boy is so big!
We had a birthday lunch at McAlister's. Eli ate cheese pizza, broccoli and cauliflower. We let him drink out of a straw for the first time too. (An ability I wasn't aware he had!)
We went to the Children's Museum in the afternoon.
You loved the story in a can at the museum. At one point you went and stood on the story teller's lap! Today's story was The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Daddy took a half day off of work to play house with you on your first birthday! You are very special!
Here you are in the construction zone at the museum driving the . . . I think it's a Bobcat, but mommy calls it a tractor.
This evening we invited family over last minute for some Ice Cream cake. You were so glad to Uncle James and Aunt Ashley. They love you very much!
Grandpa Carl and Grandma Jackie were there too. They brought you a pair of crocs and fed you your cake.
You love to show all your toys to Nana. She loves playing with you.
You were very squirmy for pictures. You played in your Cozy Coup with Grandpa Jim and gave Uncle Ben a giant hug. Uncle Adam was in Bloomington, but will be coming home for your big party, and Uncle Jack had to work.
You loved the tape on this gift from mommy and daddy.
You like putting on the Legos inside the train. I think you will grow up to be neat and tidy, just like your father.
You love the cozy coup. Mostly you like to push it and open and close the door.
Your first car!
We love you so!
I hope all your wishes come true forever and ever.
Happy 1st Birthday Eli! One year ago right this minute I was looking at my brand new baby, thanking the Lord that he didn't have to go to the NICU, and that he was big, healthy and crying! I woke up the night before Eli was born and just had a feeling I would be having him the next day. I had been on bedrest for a week and was nervous about him making an early appearance. Well June 22nd came and I didn't feel any different so I thought it would just be another day in bed. My mom offered to take me to have a manicure and pedicure in the afternoon and I told her about how I thought that I would have had him on that day. After getting our nails done, I came home and headed back to bed. I was just about asleep when I heard a little pop and felt like I needed to go to the bathroom. As soon as I reached the tile my water broke. I called the doctor on call and he side to go to the hospital, even though i wasn't having any contractions. He said, "I have a feeling this baby is coming quick!" Carl came home in rush hour traffic from Carmel and drove me back up north to St. V's. About half way there my contractions started. They were immediately very close together and 1 minute long. When I got to triage, they told us our baby had lots of blond hair and immediately admitted us and got the epidural. Once I got an epidural everything was so calm. We had a wonderful nurse named Bree, who took good care of us. It wasn't long before it was time to push and after about 45minutes of pushing, at 11:35pm, our little Eli was born. Carl and I both had tears streaming down our face when we heard him crying (as he was 5 weeks early and the NICU team was waiting by our bedside for him.) NICU took one look at how big Eli was and knew he wouldn't be needing them. He had a lot of bruising on his little head, but was otherwise absolutely perfect! 7lbs. 4oz, 20.5" long. He is the best gift the Lord has ever given us. I thank Him everyday for Eli's health and happiness!
Eli you are one year old today! You have been the best natured little boy from the day you were born. You are always very happy and you love to play. You have just started to pretend and like to make motor noises with cars and boats. Your favorite toy is still the ball, which you ask for as soon as you wake up in the morning. When you meet someone new you immediately do all your tricks without prompting, so big, clapping, noises with your mouth, followed by all of your words. You love to give big hugs. Your new favorite game is, "Have you seen my Eli?". You will not sit still for a story, but you listen while pulling all the other books off the book shelf. You still love the bath and any other kind of water. When you are tired you grab your feet and put them up to my mouth so I can kiss your toes. You have 6 teeth, and I believe 3 on the way. You are eating solids more and more all the time and have lost interest in baby food. We love seeing the world through your eyes Mr. Eli. You are such a joy and we don't know what we ever did without you!
