One Year Old!

Well, we have officially reached the milestone of one year! This has officially been the fastest year of my life. I can so vividly remember the day that Eli was born, it is unbelievable that it has been a year since then.

While I can't say that I have enjoyed every single moment of being a parent, with all of the challenges that come with it, I have loved being Eli's mommy. He makes it all so worth it.

I feel like he is learning and growing like a weed. I constantly have to figure out new things to teach him.  This month, he started signing "airplane", and "milk", waving goodbye and nodding his head vigorously when asked a question. He is also saying "vroom", "book", "yuck", "yes", "buzz", "baa", and "hoo" (like an owl). He also understands and listens when I say "stop". He has also started pretending that various things are phones and puts it up to his ear and says his version of hello. 

He is also making a fishy face. We also find it really funny that when Nick gives him his goodnight smooch, Eli has started to push our faces together to make Nick and I smooch. Pretty cute!

He's still working on his 5th & 6th teeth. I'm actually kind of shocked that they haven't popped through yet. When they do, he'll have 4 on the top, 2 on the bottom. He has also learned how to climb off of the couch safely and carefully and is constantly cruising around the furniture, or really, whatever he can pull himself up on:

He isn't quite daring enough to actually walk yet, but as soon as he realizes he is capable of standing unsupported, we're in trouble! He did take one step towards Nick, but hasn't repeated it, especially after we freaked out with excitement!

He gets really excited when he hears Nick get home and loves to scream "DADADADADADADA" at the top of his lungs. Maybe it's because Nick does stuff like this:

Upside down!

Fun with Dada 

Storytime

My boys

Eli had his 12 month checkup yesterday, and he was a champ for his shots. He now weighs 20 lbs, 10 oz and is 29 1/2 inches tall. His head also grew about 1/2 inch in circumference and is now 18 inches around. I definitely thought he weighed more, but he has grown 2.5 inches since his 9 month checkup! Although he's at about the 41st percentile for everything, he's still definitely growing and has moved up to a Size 4 diaper.

He didn't try a whole lot of new foods this past month, except for pineapple, whole peas, and papaya, all of which he liked. He has also started to be extremely interested in everything that I am eating. I also introduced cow's milk in his sippy cup and we have begun the process of weaning!

First taste of milk!

He also "strolled" (rode in the jogging stroller) his second 5k!

He also went on his second trip by plane to my sister's wedding in California! It was a bit of a whirlwind weekend with about 12 hours of traveling each way, so we didn't get very many pictures. But, here is a collage of pictures on the plane itself:

Silly faces

Eli also celebrated his second Easter (he was 2 days old last time):

All dressed up for church

Here are a bunch of pictures from playing in our backyard:

Happy boy

Giving Rufus some love

That boy loves his Rufus

Swinging!

And then some various other pictures taken this month:

Glow in the dark

Looking out the window

Cutie

And, of course, there was the main event...his birthday party! We were able to celebrate with my family after my sister's wedding, and then had a little celebration at home, just the three of us. Although, of course, the cake was a must, and he was spoiled rotten with presents:

The cake!

Wanting to touch 

Not so sure about this sugar stuff

Frosting face 

Lots of touching of the cake 

Not sure face 

Dropping cake on the floor 

Covered in frosting 

Frosting covered hugs 

 Getting ready for the obligatory birthday bath

There was frosting everywhere! 

Post bath opening of presents!

 

Checking out his ride from Nonnie and Big Daddy

And, then, we took pictures on his actual birthday a few days later:

Good morning birthday boy! 

Playing his drum from Papa & GramMary 

My big boy 

Making noise 

I can't believe how big he is! 

 Baby face

SO BIG! 

Looking like a big boy 

It has been quite a year! I still can't believe we've already been through 365 days. It's amazing to look back and see how much Eli has changed. 

I'm so excited for what God has planned for our little man, and what He's going to continue to teach us through him. Because I know my life will never be the same, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" 

Jeremiah 29:11