six months already

Andy and I constantly marvel at how quickly time has flown by since Eli's arrival on that last day of November! While our world is completely different, we simply can't imagine it any other way. With sweet smiles, funny laughs, and an easy-going demeanor, Eli has brightened our lives and opened our hearts wider than we ever thought possible.

Happy half-birthday, sweet boy!
We love you!

P.S. Check out those two cute teeth!

mishka, mushka, mickey mouse!

While we prefer for Eli to explore his various toys, entertainers, practice rolling and sitting, and interacting with Andy and I, we don't beat ourselves up about letting him watch a bright and enjoyable cartoon in the morning!As times have changed since the Smurfs, Strawberry Shortcake, and Fraggle Rock, the cartoons have also changed. Currently, Eli's most favorite cartoon is the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! If you've ever watched this Disney show, you are aware that it begins with a very, very large and colorful Mickey Mouse on the television screen. Each morning, as Mickey is greeting his viewers and asking them to say the "magic words" to make his clubhouse appear, Eli gives Mickey one of his most precious smiles. These smiles are only reserved for Mickey during this time, for when the other characters come into view, Eli's attention is still held, but the smile disappears! When Mickey returns and speaks...you guessed it...a big grin comes back! Because of his new found attraction to this popular mouse, Eli and I decided to visit the Disney Store yesterday while at the mall, and get him a small Mickey to hold and enjoy! Perhaps a trip to Disney World is in our family's future...

...Never fail, this smile is for his favorite mouse...

i love my daddy

One thing is for sure - Eli just loves his daddy! Our sweet baby smiles and smiles the day away, but is very careful to save some of his wide-gummed grins just for his Daddy when he arrives home from work each evening. I just love watching these two play, smile, and laugh together!

fun visitors

Yesterday afternoon, Whitney and Caleb came over to our home for lunch! Yummy Penn Station was on the menu for Whitney and I, while Mr. Caleb enjoyed pears, apples, carrots, cheese, and a few of our most delicious french fries! What a happy and good boy Caleb is! We can hardly believe that he will soon turn 2! Caleb is such a busy, busy talker, walker, runner, explorer, and smiler these days! Eli sure enjoyed keeping his eyes focused on him and especially loved when Caleb held him! Thanks Whitney and Caleb for spending some time with us yesterday! We enjoyed it so much and can't wait to do it again soon!

breakthrough

For weeks, I have been putting Eli in his oh-so-colorful exersaucer with little to sign of joy from him. How could he not be entertained or interested with the many baubles, lights, and music in addition to the bounce-like movement each time he shifts his weight?!? Over-stimulation, perhaps...uncomfortable in the wide seat...just not ready to enjoy this particular toy yet...who knows?? Nonetheless, each day we try and almost everyday he comes out as quickly as he goes in. Yesterday, I am happy to report, we had a major breakthrough! I saw interest. I saw smiles. I heard cooing and laughing. I saw reaching and studying of lights and buttons...success!! Personally, these pictures are some of my favorites! To Andy and I, this is how we see our sweet boy most of every day - full of smiles and sneaky grins! I am so happy I was able to capture these sweet pictures in none other than the...exersaucer! I have a feeling we will be enjoying this toy a bit more!

...intently studying the colorful buttons...

...a little more interest in his eyes...
"Hmmm! This could be fun!"

...at last - a breakthrough...
We just love this precious smile!

Eli just loves hearing the dog bark, the cat meow, and the bird chirp!

no fruit, mama...more veggies, "peas"

Much to my dismay and high, high hopes of a love of bananas, Eli decided (rather gagged) that bananas are simply not for him...at this time. So instead of relinquishing all efforts of baby food for the evening, I decided, since he had not had more than 7 spoonfuls of bananas, that I would offer peas, a yummy favorite. What do you know?!? Like a little bird, he gobbled each and every bite of sweet peas. It seems as if our little eater is definitely establishing a few preferences! Peas...who would have guessed?!?

Take a peek at our very excited eater! Arms straight out, bracing for every bite, and happy, wiggly legs and feet, we are happy to have one excited little eater. Papaw Joe is sure to be proud!

a very special first

What a perfectly wonderful first Mother's Day I had yesterday with my favorite boys! Andy and I enjoyed a wonderful worship service, while our little Eli visited the church nursery for the very first time! After a deliciously scrumptious lunch from Penn Station, Andy and I enjoyed spending time with our little munchkin and Ms. Carmen. Because we couldn't have our favorite Lil' Moes feast, due to the 6 hour drive, Andy prepared a "Lil' Moes-like" dinner for me, complete with grilled chicken wings, ooey-gooey poppers, and sweet strawberry shortcake! What a thoughtful guy! My very first Mother's Day was such a special one! I thank God for the sweet blessing of being called "Mama" and for my sweet husband to share my life with. I am so thankful for my mother and the way that she, my Nana, and special mother-in-law Dotty have lead by example. What a blessed gal I am!

What to change Eli into after our church service?
His "I love Mommy" shirt, of course!

What great taste my little Eli has! He must learn from his Daddy!

Thanks mom, for the cute, cute summer diaper bag!
As you know, polka-dots are my favorite!

Wow, Mom! What a fun surprise! I can't wait to use my gift card from the Q!

how low can you go?

As I've mentioned many times before, bath time is simply one of the most favorite times of our day! Eli kicks his legs and smiles as we "strip him down" and take him to the tub. He knows the fun that is on the horizon and he seems to hold his breath with a big smile as he is laid into the warm water. Lately, he has become one brave little guy in this warm water and seemingly wants to take full advantage of it all over his little body. So, instead of sitting up against the back rest of the tub, he lowers himself into a "laying frog position", complete with ears under the water and water covering the bottom of his chin, and then just...lays there...relaxing...and smiling. What's even funnier is that when I pick him up to place him in the proper bath position, he gives me a sneaky little smile and lowers himself back down - rotten, rotten, rotten!

...just look how low...
While I was diving off the blocks on our local swim team at four-years-old, perhaps Eli will start a bit earlier!

ready to splash

Special delivery! Special delivery! We just love when the UPS truck stops in front of our home! Eli received an oh-so-so-cute hooded beach towel from his Noni yesterday! We are excitedly counting down the days until our July beach vacation with Noni, Uncle Kent, and Auntie Danielle and just can't wait to put Eli's new shark and goggled turtle beach towel to good use! If the bath tub is any indication, our little Eli is going to just love the water! Thanks so much mom for this sweet gift! We just can't wait to bundle up our little swimmer!

reunion

Last week, while my mother watched Eli for a few hours, I was able to sneak away from the house and enjoy lunch with my friends Jessica and Jelena on Oaks Day. How nice it was to see to Jelena and her family again! Jelena and her son Graham returned to Louisville and Fort Knox to excitedly reunite with her husband Phillip after he was deployed overseas last spring. We so appreciate the service that Phillip gave to our country to help protect us all and are grateful that he returned safely home to his sweet family. What a great lunch and conversation we had over sweet tea and lemonade! We missed you Whitney and Amanda!