Elliott's 1st Birthday (Two months later)

Elliott Paul's 1st Birthday
September 5, 2009

It has been quite a few weeks since we celebrated Mr. Elliott's big day but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to post about the fun weekend we had! Want to make sure I record it somewhere! It was perfect that it landed on Labor Day weekend so both of our families could come help us celebrate! Though Elliott wasn't feeling quite himself after coming down with a cold, he still managed to have a fun time and so did we!

Before I get to the party, here are some things you might want to know about Elliott at 12 months (remember, this is outdated by now and most things have changed!)
Weight: 18lbs 12oz, not even big enough to turn the car seat around yet, 3rd percentile
Height: 29 1/2 inches
Favorite foods: popsicles, french fries, (can you tell he's not the first born???) soy yogurt, pears, toast with butter and jelly, eggs!
Dislikes: most food that is healthy, dairy (well, he probably likes it but it doesn't like him) and he's officially allergic to bananas, and whole wheat seems to make him spit up
Nursing: still twice a day--first thing in the morning and last thing before bed
New skill: walking and running everywhere, climbing on top of anything (including finding ways to get on top of the kitchen table and inside the refrigerator and up on a shelf)
Signs: more, all done, hi, bye, up, puppy, flower, ball,
Words: Dada, that
Routine: Sleeps 8-7, takes one morning and one afternoon nap, plays hard in between
Loves: dogs, driving Caleb's hot wheels cars, playing outside (especially in the front where it's completely unsafe since the street is like 4 feet from our front door!), and DADDY! Daddy is his all time favorite of all people and all things! Nothing trumps Daddy!

Without further ado, here are some pictures of the weekend:

Grandpa Lyle and Elliott

Nana Joyce & Elliott
Family Picture

Uncle Matt & the boys

Grandpa Lyle & Nana Joyce
Grandpa Kenny & Grandma Lou

Cute!
Elliott loves wide open spaces. He ran back and forth across this bridge forever.
All the cakes--"pup"cakes, Elliott's personal puppy cake, and the large puppy for everyone to share!

Bare feet in the backyard is our families favorite.

All of our ride on toys ready for the kids to play with at the party. I think we need a few more, don't you???
Don't you love this?

Some birthday attendees: Papa Red & Owey

The world's best babysitters: Sarah & Rachel Poel

Caleb's buddy Zach

Olivia & Tali

The Poel's, Mrs. Andrea & Nana
Ethan & AbbyOpening presents

Stripped down and ready to eat some cake

What a mess! He ate SO much cake but a lot was just smashed in front of him!

So the next day Elliott was very sick. He had a fever and was just not himself at all. He was so exhausted from all the festivities. At one point during the day I went to the kitchen to get a piece of cake to eat and he took one look at it and threw up everywhere. I think he had bad memories. Later that day I was holding him and walked by the cake and he gagged. Sort of funny yet pretty sad! I think that is what you call too much of a good thing!

We thank God for Elliott Paul and for blessing our family with such a happy and busy little boy. We love you, Elliott! Happy 1st Birthday!

My (Sometimes) Soft-Hearted Toddler

Ben and I are very aware that our two year old is a sinner. You don't have to be awake long in the morning before you are reminded of that! But we have just been marveling lately at the soft heart God has given Caleb. He is rowdy and rough, but sensitive and sweet all rolled into one. May God faithfully work to harness that rowdy and rough stuff to His glory. Today Caleb has been full of sweet remarks and gestures that seemingly are "ordaining praise" to God! If nothing else, it's causing this Momma to praise God for giving her such a charming little boy (and cute, I might add!) Here are some of the comments:

Last night we babysat our dear friends children, Tali & Owen. Caleb LOVES these guys and talks constantly about them being his friends. This morning, before I heard anything else from his room I hear him saying, "Are Tali and Owen still here? Are Tali and Owen still here?" I go in and tell them that no, their parents came and got them last night and he says, "Why did they only stay for a few whiles? I want them to stay all the time."

Before putting Elliott down for his morning nap Caleb says "Just wait, Mom!" and runs away. Soon he comes back and says, "Ok, Elliott. You can go to bed now. I put my blankie in your crib for you to have while you sleep." Pleased by his gesture I commented on how kind that was to consider Elliott better than himself and he said, "I think I should give him Barn, too." (That's his other beloved blankie!) I thanked him again for being so generous and told him that Elliott only needed one of the blankies and that Caleb could keep the other one. He said, "Mom, do you think when Elliott wakes up that he will give Duck back to me? He might want to have it forever. That's ok." Then he went to entertain himself while I laid Elliott down. After I returned to him, I said, "Caleb. I am cold. I think we should snuggle." He said, "Mom, I have a great idea. You can have barn," as he covered me up with it. It is so encouraging to see him be generous with his favorite of all possessions, something we've never asked him to share.

After building a house with mega blocks, he said, "I'm going to be the big bad wolf." Then, he glanced over and saw Daddy's bible laying open on the couch. He went over, pointed to it as if he were reading it and said, "Feefussions (Ephesians!) 4:32--Be kind to one another. Well, I'm the big bad wolf. But I just read that verse that says I need to be kind. So I will not knock down your house. I will be a kind wolf instead."

On our way to deposit some checks in the bank we drive by a different bank where our church's office is. Since our church meets at a school, it is not available for our pastors during the week. Anyway, we often drive by the bank and comment about how Mr. Tab, Mr. Josh, and Mr. Jamie are all working there. Caleb, who is slowly starting to understand that they are still pastors and not bank tellers during the week, will often ask questions about what I think they are doing right now. Today I mentioned that they might be reading the Bible, or they might be studying, or maybe they are thinking about what they should preach about at Church on Sunday, or they might be helping someone. He was quiet for a minute and said, "Mom, that bank is not called National City (our bank) it is called Sunday Bank!"

We love this sweet, funny boy who blesses our family very much!