Texas and Mississippi - Christmas 2009

We had a great Christmas this year. We started our holiday season with Elijah’s Aunt Kit visiting on Christmas Eve and Elijah taking his first steps. How thrilled we were. We did start a few traditions this year – going to see Santa and leaving cookies and milk for him as well. Christmas morning was GREAT! Elijah loved opening his gifts! He LOVED the Little Tikes Coupe that Santa Claus left him. He spends a lot of time getting in it, closing the door, opening the door, getting out, and then getting back in again. It is just too cute! Then on Saturday, Dec. 26Th, we headed out early to Mississippi. We started our Christmas celebration with my family in Raleigh. Elijah enjoyed spending time with his Nana, Papaw, Uncle Mike, and Cousin Hannah. Hannah loved helping take care of him. She is going to make a great mom one day. Nana and Papaw went over- board where presents are concerned for both grand kids as well as for us. But we loved it all! Elijah got a thrill going outside and exploring with his Papaw. By the time we left he had a collection of pine straw, pine bark, leaves, and feathers. Our little guy loves being outside. Let me just say for the record, that I beat my husband, my dad, and my brother in Wii Bowling. Love that!!! Then on Monday, Dec. 28Th, we headed to see Elijah’s other set of grandparents in Hazlehurst. Elijah loved all the attention he got from Grandma, Granddaddy, uncles, aunts, and cousins. But he really loved spending time with his Uncle Blake. He had a blast riding in the wagon driven by his Dad and enjoyed the bond fire with his Dad, Uncle Blake, and Granddaddy. Needless to say, he loved all the attention that he received at both houses. We were so happy that this Christmas we were able to have ALL the family members present. That is not an easy task with our two families.:) We are blessed to have such amazing families.

One Foot in Front of the Other

Elijah gave us the best Christmas Eve gift he could have ever given us. While his Aunt Kit was at our house visiting, Elijah decided to take his first steps! What an incredible moment! He took 2 steps and tried a third but didn’t make it. We are so proud of him and thrilled that his Aunt Kit was able to be a part of this very special moment of his life. Unfortunately, we did not get it on video or a picture of it, but the picture posted was taken right before he took the first step. Now that is a Christmas Eve gift to remember!!!!

Special Days

The last couple of weeks have been very special at our house. Elijah has learned to give a hug when you ask for one and there is nothing like that moment. He was saying “Mama” and “Dada” sporadically but now is saying it a lot. It never gets old hearing those words. On Saturday, he added two additional words to his vocabulary, “egg” and “dog”. :) He said egg when he was eating one for breakfast. Then that night when Byron was reading him his bedtime story, he said dog. We said the word first and then he repeated it. He wants to walk badly and actually has started standing on his own without holding on. But hasn't taken that first step yet. Elijah now knows how to blow a kiss. But he does it in his own special way - without the use of his hand. He just puckers his lips and smacks.Too cute! Elijah has two more teeth coming in as well. That will be 14 so far! We are amazed how much he is changing daily and how much joy he has brought to our life! We love him so much!

Reindeer Fun

I couldn't resist the reindeer antlers when I saw them. Poor guy, they are HUGE on him (honestly, they didn't look that big in the store) but we still think he looks too cute!! I figure I can get away with this kind of stuff while he is young. :)

Love This Time of Year

Meeting Santa for the first time and experiencing his first snowfall - what a great week for Elijah! (That is my Dad feeding Elijah the snow. He drove out to babysit so Byron and I could attend Byron's work Christmas party and to pick up some furniture he was taking back to MS)

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Elijah met a very special person this week - Santa Claus! He seemed to like Santa and was very curious about his beard.He wasn't sure if he could/should touch it.Too funny! He was so caught up in meeting him that he forgot to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas. So Mommy and Daddy told him that they would let Santa know what was on his wish list. :)

Gobble, Gobble!

We had a great Thanksgiving. Byron cooked a incredible meal. It was so delicious and he is such a great cook! Man, I am lucky to have a husband who likes to cook! Elijah seemed to enjoy the food and the day as well. It is hard to believe that a year ago on Thanksgiving, Elijah was only 5 days old and had just got home from Texas Children's Hospital. We had so much to be thankful for then and now we have even more to be thankful for - not only at Thanksgiving but every day.

One Year Check-Up

On Monday, we took Elijah for his one year check-up. The doctor said he was very healthy and right on track with development. We were thrilled to hear that news!! When we mentioned our concern that he was not walking yet, he told us that most babies (not all)do not start walking till after their first birthday and some may even take up to 15 months. So, that made us feel better. One area that was not quite where the doctor or we would have liked was Elijah's weight. He is actually under where he should be for his age. So the doctor told us to keep doing what we are doing and with the additional recommendations he suggested, he feels he will be back on track soon or at least by his 15 month check-up.I guess now I have an excuse to give him mac and cheese more often.(one of his favorites) Byron and I couldn't help but laugh at the irony in this considering he comes from two parents who really like to eat and have the opposite problem. He also had to get 4 shots which was SO hard for Mommy and Daddy to see their baby getting. He didn't like it either!! We also have made the official switch to milk and no more bottles at all. Yea! Because Elijah is of age and weight (barely)now, we were able to turn his car seat around forward facing and he is loving it! It's a whole new world for him. So all and all, Monday was a great day for Elijah and his parents. :)

Happy Birhtday to You! Happy Birthday to You!

On Saturday, November 21st, we celebrated Elijah turning one! It is still hard for us to believe he is one.It was so special having our family and friends with us to celebrate this very special birthday. Elijah did great and actually surpassed how we were hoping he would handle everything. He was such a happy baby all day long! He loved opening his gifts!He got so many great things and reacted positively to all of them. :) Then we had a special toast to the birthday boy and then it was cake smashing time. :) Elijah does not like food that taste sweet so at first he was unsure about how the cake tasted to him, but then he got into it - big time! Needless to say, after the cake smashing, we needed to take a quick bath. Then he was off to play with his new toys and just enjoy all the attention he was getting. It was so great to stand back and watch him interact with people who are so special to us/him and love him so much. It was a great day and Byron and I know that is one we will never forget. Elijah, you are our hearts! Mommy and Daddy are SO blessed that God gave us YOU! We love you Elijah Boo!!!!

My First Haircut

Today (November 14, 2009) we took Elijah to get his first haircut. Well, I guess it should really be called a trim since there wasn't a lot of hair to cut. :) Yes, he cried (The lady cutting his hair said that most babies do cry for the first cut and there were other babies older than Elijah crying too so that made us even prouder of him!)But guess what? He stopped as soon as he was out of the chair. We kept some of his hair as a keep sake for his memory box, and received a "first haircut" certiciate The sad thing about this milestone of his life is that he no longer looks like our precious baby but now looks like a little boy. Oh my, time seems to be just flying by - too fast!!!

Galveston Trip

Yesterday we took Elijah to Galveston for his first time. We started our day off by taking him to the beach. This was his first time to see/go to the beach He loved it! (he gets that from his Mommy) He had a blast letting the waves crash over his feet. The coolness of the water did not seem to bother him at all. The sea gulls, sand, shells, and all the people on the beach were so intriguing to him. After that we walked The Strand. We ended our visit with having lunch  outside and watching the waves crash on the beach. We can't wait till we can take him to Florida and Hawaii to check out their beaches. :)

My First Halloween

Well, this is my first post on our "in progress" family blog.  (Honestly I am learnning as I go) Elijah went to his Gymboree Pumpkin Patch party on Friday, He had a blast! All the kids looked so great in their costumes. He loved having his Dad  see him do all the cool stuff he can do. Then on Saturday, we had a "pre" trick-or-treating party in our neighborhood. Great food and great fun! The kids loved the pumpkin pinata. Elijah even gave  it a go. Then we went trick or treating in our neighborhood. He did so great and you could actually tell he was having fun. At one house he got a piece of candy out of the bowl and put it in his bag. Too cute!  We dressed him up as Superman. Yes, we know that is not the typical first Halloween costume but we thought it was just right for him since he is our "Super"man. Can't wait till next year when he is older and can understand what trick-or-treating is about. :) We have officially started the count down for his first birthday. Still can't believe is going to be one very soon. Our baby is growing up :(