Dearest Elijah,
I cannot believe that it has now been a full year since you joined our family. The year has flown by and at the same time I cannot believe how our lives ever were full without you. I have honestly and truly loved and enjoyed every single day with you. You are truly the light of my world. You are funny and curious, sweet and snuggly, and a true joy to have in my life. I am incredibly emotional at the thought of you being a year already and not my tiny baby anymore, but at the same time, you still are my baby. You may be technically a toddler, but you still want to fall asleep nursing and cuddle me and put your arm around me and snuggle up when you are tired or sad. No matter how big you get and new skills you learn, you will always be my baby. Of course I miss the newborn teeniness and snuggles, but you are so amazing now, I cannot miss it too much. I am such a lucky mama to have you in my life.
Weight: 23 pounds, 10 ounces.
Height: 30.75 inches
Clothes: 18 and 24 month tops and bottoms.
Diapers: Same old!
Sleep: You have been starting to sleep a little better lately. You are usually only waking up about 1 time at night. Yay! You eat for a little and go back to sleep. Sometimes you wake up a little while after I put you down, but Daddy is able to rub your back and you go back to sleep. You have been taking great naps for Nanny Grace and even falling asleep in your crib! You lay on your pillow and she sings and rubs your head and you eventually fall asleep (after lots of rolling around). A couple times when Daddy or I have been rubbing your back you have reached around and patted your own butt to ask us to do that. Very funny! You have been going to bed for the night around 7:45/8:00 and sleeping until about 6:00. You are still taking two naps. Usually about 3 hours total. You love to lay on your pillow and have a foof with you. Usually when you do wake up during the night you are sad and crying, but a lot of times in the morning you just sit up and are content.
Eating: Now you are getting pickier about food! You turn away fruits and vegetables after a few bits and only want meat, cheese, or pasta (I mean, I understand!). You love to drop food on the ground too. Now we put a baby pool under your chair so it catches most of it! You drink water out of a thermos and milk out of a straw sippy cup. We have been working on putting it in the cup holder when you are done instead of throwing it on the floor. When you do remember you love to clap and cheer with us. You continue to prefer to nurse in private, but occasionally you will nurse for a short time in public (a VERY short time). When we are out and about the best way to feed you is hanging over the top of your carseat.
Likes: Playing outside, walking in circles around the birdfeeder, Goodnight Gorilla (the *it* bedtime story), music and dancing, cat food, baths, IPHONES, all animals and being silly and lovey.
Dislikes: Brushing your top teeth, having your diaper changed, not getting my way (I make a sad face)
Health: You have 6 teeth total. You still like to have secret teeth, so it is hard to know exactly what is happening in your mouth! You like the coconut oil when we brush your teeth, but you do NOT like to have them brushed. You do enjoy chewing on the toothbrush though!
Communicating: You are signing, "more", "milk" and "please" . You love to clap and love to wave. You point all the time. You say "Mama" and "Dada" with purpose about us. You seem to understand so many things we say receptively. It surprises us all the time!
New Tricks: You love to stick your face in the water to drink it in the tub and the pool! You climb the stairs all on your own, especially to get to things you want to get to. You started blowing raspberries recently. You think it is awesome! You also are newly obsessed with the dishwasher and want to climb in every change you get!
Firsts: Taking steps! Trip to the zoo! First time in the back of a police car! Attending The Great Cloth Diaper Change. Watching Daddy get sworn onto the village board!
