3 Years, 1 Month

Eli,

What a busy month we’ve had! It all started with a bang, celebrating your birthday with family and friends, and it’s been non-stop ever since.

One of the biggest things that has happened this month is that you dropped your nap. Completely. I have to admit, it was something that I was not looking forward to... losing my “Mommy” time. We’ve been completely napless for a few weeks now, and it is still a struggle. I am still trying to find a way to get us both some quiet time during the afternoons, without always plugging in a movie. It will take time, I guess - and with holiday travel coming up, I am sure it would all get messed up anyway. We’ll get there... I hope.




Most of the activities this month were gearing up for Halloween - which I am pretty sure is your favorite holiday right now (Just wait, I am sure that will change come late December). Early on in the month, you and I were shopping at Target, and we ventured on back to the Halloween costumes and decorations. You knew right away what you wanted to be - an airplane.

We took you to a pumpkin carving party and you loved watching everyone carve awesome stuff in their pumpkins - we have some pretty talented friends. Mommy and Daddy decided to carve your pumpkin like an Angry Bird. It was pretty cool... it’s a shame we never got to get it lit up with a candle inside, though. We left it out in a long soaking rain, and it got pretty gross, pretty fast. We’ll know better next year.




Mommy was seriously craving cookies on Halloween, so that afternoon we baked up a batch of oatmeal craisin cookies. You had SO much fun helping out and watching them all come together. With all of the fun and excitement surrounding the cookies, I was just sure that I’d get you to eat one (Yes, you are the only kid I know that takes 1 bite of a cookie and is done). I was wrong. You had no interest in eating them after they cooled down. But you still talk about the afternoon that We Made Cookies!




Halloween night, I got you dressed in your Airplane and we all headed out for some trick-or-treating. Everyone we came across absolutely LOVED your costume - and you seemed to really like it, too. I was kind of worried how you’d approach the houses, because even with people you know, you are slow to warm up. But, you were so awesome - you did great saying “Trick-or-Treat” and “Thank you.” I was so proud of you!

A few days ago, we got your hair cut. Now, I know you're a boy and all, but I love your long hair - it's so shaggy and cute and just YOU. We went in, and I told the stylist that we just wanted it trimmed and out of your eyes - but still shaggy. She must have blocked that last part out, because WHOA is your hair short now. I walked out of the salon with tears in my eyes. I know it's just hair, and it will be back to your surfer do in no time. Of course, it doesn't seem to bother you at all. And you do look pretty cute.

I love you, no matter how short, long, tangled, or messy your hair is. 

Love, 

Mommy

2 Years, 8 Months

Eli -

Where did this month go?

Much of this month has been spent outside. We began the month touring different parks around the area. Sure, we have a park right here, a stones throw from our front yard. But, sometimes Mommy just needs to get in the car and drive. Heck, sometimes YOU need to get in the car and ride. We hit up a few, but two of them immediately stood out to you, and we’ve hit them both a few times since. When we pull into the parking lot, you get so excited and exclaim that “I LIKE dis park!!” You like them so much, that I have to bribe you to get in the car to go home for lunch!



We went on a trip this month. Over Memorial Day weekend, we drove down to Tennessee where a big group of our friends hang out. We rode down with another family - and you were spoiled having a DVD player to watch movies on. I have to say, that while I am mostly Anti-Minivan, it was very nice to have all of that room and entertainment to keep you happy for the drive.



It wasn’t your first trip to Tennessee. The first time you went, you were only 8 months old. I have to admit that we had a lot more fun this time around... You didn’t care much for your life jacket (just like the first time) but you did enjoy the boat. We couldn’t get you into the lake to swim, but hopefully after another year at the pool, and a couple rounds of swim lessons, you’ll be ready to try it next time.



In fact, over the last week, we have spent hours at the pool each day. I had to ease you into the water the first day, but now you’re a pro at getting in and out of the water. We just need to get used to sharing our toys with the other kids at the pool. I am sure that will come with time.



Your love for singing has only grown this month. You’ve added several songs to your list, most notably “Happy Birthday.” A few days before Daddy’s birthday, I started singing the song to you. I sang it a few times in a row, and you listened intently. That evening, I asked you if you could remember what I was trying to teach you to sing, and you just started belting it out. You love the song so much, you still sing it! And, you’ve even switched it up and sang it to Mommy, too!



Daddy’s been gone on a business trip for the last couple of days. It’s the first time you’ve been away from him for longer than a day. It nearly breaks my heart when you say, “Mommy, I missing Daddy.” I wish I could help you understand that he’ll be back in a few days, but I know you don’t quite understand that yet. I just tell you that I miss him too. We’ll both be glad come Friday.



I can't believe another month is gone. Watching you grow up is amazing. I feel so lucky to be your Mommy!

Love you, Buster.
Mommy

2 Years, 7 Months

Elijah,

This month can be summed up in one word: Rain.

We’ve been stuck inside, trying to think of ways to pass the time that did not include watching TV. We play Big Truck. We Play Cars (on the coffee table, and on the kitchen floor). He have dance parties upstairs, and dance parties downstairs. We play with Play-doh. We play with Legos. We read A LOT of books. And, when we’re all out of ways to stay busy, we play Big Pillows.



On those handful of days where it didn’t rain, we spent time outside in the back yard. Mommy and Daddy are working hard on getting grass to grow back there this year. Regardless, you’ve LOVED running around back there. Your favorite activity is finding Big Rocks to throw into the puddles that have formed at the back of our property. “Where’s more Big Rocks, Mommy?” is all I hear while we’re back there. And believe me, until we get grass to come in a little more, there will be an abundance of Big Rocks to throw.



You’ve really started singing a lot over the last month. It started with Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star. One morning, you were finishing up your snack at the kitchen table, while I was in the family room cleaning. I stopped to hear you singing the first line of the song over and over again. It was the sweetest thing ever. A week or two later, you’re now singing your ABC’s. You’re doing a pretty good job of it, too. You’re learning the Itsy Bitsy Spider, as well as making up your own songs.



We’ve been working on shapes a little over the last few months. Your favorite shape to point out now is an octagon. We were shopping at Hobby Lobby earlier this month, and you kept saying, I see Octagon, Mommy?” I wasn’t sure what you were talking about, until I looked up and saw that at the end of each aisle, there’s a little stop sign. It blows me away, how smart you are.



We celebrated Easter very quietly this year. The Easter Bunny left you a nice little basket, and hid eggs throughout the first floor of the house. It was a lot of fun watching you run around to find them. You also REALLY enjoyed the candy that came inside. We don’t usually have many sweets in the house, so you haven’t really been exposed to them. BUT WHOA, did you make up for that on Easter. Jelly beans and M&M’s. You were wired for hours. I’m thankful that Halloween is still 5 months away.



I’ve been having a hard time over the last couple of weeks. I’ve been really missing my Mommy and Daddy. I sat here thinking about how when you lose your parents, you really lose a part of your history. You lose all of the little things. You lose the way it’s told. And then I realized that is exactly why I write these letters. I don’t want you to ever wonder about those little things - when you first started walking, when you first started talking. You may not think so now, or twenty years from now, but those things will be important. I want to make sure you have the best record you can, when I am no longer here to share those stories with you or your future family.



I love you bunches, Buster.
Love, Mommy.

2 and a Half

Elijah,

Even though for the last month I’ve been saying you’re “Almost 2 and a Half,” the fact that it became official today takes my breath away. Earlier this week, I hung some of your baby pictures in the stairwell. Every time I go upstairs, I glance at those pictures. I can’t remember you being that small. It was probably the sleep deprivation that wiped out my memory. But I still can’t believe it’s been TWO AND A HALF YEARS.



I took you for a hair cut last week. On the drive there, I told you what we were doing, and that if you did well, you could have a balloon and a sucker afterwards. For the first time ever, I sat you down in the chair (which was actually a green tractor)- and you didn’t start screaming. You didn’t flinch. You sat there like a big boy and let the woman cut your hair. I couldn’t believe it. I kept gushing over how great you were doing. I couldn’t stop complimenting you - I was just certain that it would never get to this point! When we were done, you picked out a blue balloon and an orange sucker. You definitely deserved it!



It’s no secret that we watch a lot of Yo Gabba Gabba in this house. We usually watch it in the mornings, while we’re waking up and eating breakfast. We have definite proof that you are learning from the show - You’ve started putting spoons on your nose!! It took you a few days to master the “Cool Trick,” but you seem to have figured it out. I’d really like to tell you not to play with your spoon, but how I can say that when the result is this cute?!



Tonight, while burning off some energy before bedtime, you started to “‘Pin around” in the front room. You’d Spin, and Fall. Spin and Fall. You stood up one time and said “Wow! I gettin’ Bizzy!” Daddy and I looked at each other and chuckled a little bit. Daddy asked you if you were getting Dizzy. You replied, “No. Bizzy.” Kids do say the darndest things!



Last week, you started asking me, “What?!” At first, I thought it was cute! It didn’t take long until it was no longer cute. Now it’s just downright annoying. If I ask you to pick up a toy, “What?!” If I answer a question you’ve asked, “What?!” I remember doing the same thing to my mom, never understanding why she’d get so upset with me. I guess I didn’t know it started so young.



You’ve developed your first crush over the last couple of months. We’ve met our friends Erin and Al out for dinner or just to hang out a few times. You might be reluctant to get your shoes and socks on until we tell you that we’re going to see Baby Mia. You perk up immediately and repeat, “I go see Baby Mia??” It is one of the cutest things ever. It makes me so proud to see how loving you are with her. You just love her so much.

For the second time in your little life, Mommy lost her job. There was a day or two afterwards that I felt pretty sad about it. But now we’ve started playing every day; laughing, reading, running, snuggling - I’m over it. I love spending my days with you. I feel blessed to have this opportunity right now - even if it is just for a short time. I look forward to picnics in the park, swimming this summer, going for long walks, and finding rocks in the back yard.



I tried to get an official 2 and a Half year photo tonight, but you just didn’t want to sit still. I was about to be sad about it, but then I realized that the blurred, jumping, spinning photos that I got summed up 2 and a Half perfectly. They’re fun and silly. Just like you.



I love you, Buster Brown!

Love,
Mommy

2 Years, 5 Months

Eli,

I feel like this month has been all about words. We’ve read so many books over the last few weeks - many of them we’ve read countless times. Your vocabulary seems to have exploded this month, too. Your sentences are growing longer. You have much more to say. I feel like we carry on full conversations now.



One of your favorite books to read is “Blue Hat, Green Hat.” In fact, you’ve mastered “reading” it to us! You read it with such gusto, you laugh at the end of each page. I know that you’re not reading words, but it amazes me how you remember how things go just by seeing the pictures.



You’ve become more affectionate towards Mommy and Daddy this month. You love to give out kisses, especially when I point to my cheek and ask if I can have a kiss right there. Over the last week or so, you’ve even been asking for another kiss from each of us while we’re putting you to bed. While it totally melts my heart each time I hear it, sometimes I wonder if you’re only asking because you’re not quite ready to go to bed yet.



One afternoon, we were playing with your Choo-Choo-Thomas, when I said “Hey, Eli, Guess what?! I love you!” You laughed so hard and said, “No, Mommy, I wuv you!!” We argued back and forth on who loved who. It was one of the sweetest and cutest things you’ve ever said - and I didn’t even prompt you!!



This month, you figured out that you could push a chair up to the island table to see what Daddy (Or Even Mommy!!) is cooking. You love to watch us slice, chop, and mix things up. Usually, we’ll hear you say, “I see what Daddy doing” and then you’ll suddenly be right there. One afternoon, Daddy was cleaning off a rotisserie chicken, and you ate several pieces, right off the bone. You would have kept eating it, too, if I hadn’t made Daddy stop feeding you! Of course, once we sat down for dinner, you decided you were done with the chicken. You haven’t tried to eat any since.



I can’t believe you’re almost Two and a Half. It blows my mind when I think about everything that has happened since the day you were born. In a good way.

I wuv you, Buster Brown.

Love,
Mommy

2 Years, 4 Months

Eli,

A few days ago, it occurred to me that I’d only taken a few photos of you this month. So I must shamefully admit that the majority of the pictures in this letter were taken in the last week. There’s just been so much going on this month. Like, Mommy being glued to the couch on and off for about two weeks. It seems that you and I have been swapping the sickness. I think we’ve finally tackled it, though (I’m knocking on wood as I type this).

This winter has been especially harsh. We’ve had so much snow, slush, sleet, and ice, that Mommy is ready to pack up and head someplace tropical until at least mid-May. Daddy and I have even had a couple of snow days. It was nice to have those couple of days to just lounge around the house and play with you.



We decided it was time to get you out in the snow. It’s been so cold this winter, that we have avoided taking you outside. We finally had a decent day (30 degrees! Heat Wave!!), so we bundled you up and carried you out back. The snow was so deep that it was difficult for you to get around. Not to mention the fact that there is several inches of ice below that. You didn’t move around much, but I think you had fun watching Daddy build a snow man. You even helped him out a little!!



Your favorite movie right now is Toy Story (1, 2, or 3. Doesn’t Matter). You call it “Toy Toy Toy.” Your favorite character is Buzz Lightyear. You love him so much, that Daddy and I have caught you playing with your toys, exclaiming “To Infin, an Eyooon!” I love to watch you stand on the bottom stair in the family room, and throw your arms up in the air and jump. It is so insanely cute, and you will do it over, and over, and over...



You’ve really enjoyed playing on, in and around one of my Christmas gifts from Daddy. You love to take the tops off of the stools and climb inside. Sometimes, you go head first, and you laugh and say “help me up, please!” Of course, you really don’t need the help. But it’s so sweet the way you ask.



You received a big, yellow Tonka truck for Christmas. One afternoon, you started racing it around the house. A couple of times you ran it into the refrigerator. I tried to explain to you that you shouldn’t do that. After a good talk about it, you started to race the truck around again. You started to barrel towards the fridge again. Before I could scold you, you dropped to your knees and slid to a stop. You judged the distance pretty well, because you had about a foot to spare. We both laughed, and now that’s just how you do it.



Baths have been getting easier again. While we were gone over the holidays, your fear of baths seemed to return. It took a couple of weeks for you to want to play in the tub again. Eventually you decided it wasn’t so bad (with the help of the bubble pen that your (great) Aunt Kelly gave you). You’ve even handled getting your hair washed a little better since then, too. Once you’re done splashing around, we head downstairs where we snuggle and watch “movies” until it’s time to go to bed. We pile on the blankets to keep you warm. I am certain that you’d stay there if we’d let you. Heck, I would stay there if I were the one buried under there, too!



Daddy and I decided that it was time for you to graduate from the highchair, and move on to a booster. We’ve been out to eat a couple of times since, and you look like such a big boy, sitting in the booth with us. You’ve done very well staying in your seat. I can’t believe how big you are getting.



I love you sooo much, Buster.

Mommy

2 Years, 3 Months

Eli,

Wow. What a month. I don’t even know where to begin.

This month was very busy, as we geared up to celebrate your third Christmas. There was tons of snow on the ground, but we weren’t able to take you out to play in it. This month was extremely cold, one of the coldest Decembers I remember. We spent a lot of time in the house, because it just hurt to go outside.

Those times that we did venture out, you LOVED seeing all of the snow. Many of the neighborhood kids built snowmen. It never failed, every time we drove around you’d exclaim, “Look! I see Snowman!” I can’t wait until we can build our own snowman. We just need the weather to cooperate!

One of the days that we were snowed in, Daddy and I built you your first fort - or as you like to call it, "Dark." We pulled out all of the blankets we could find and turned the family room into a play house. We used your tent too. Watching you crawl in, out and around it was hilarious. You played for a while, and then went upstairs for a nap. We took it all down while you were sleeping. You came downstairs and asked "Where Dark?? I go Dark!?" We had to build a much smaller fort off the back of the couch, which you played in for a few weeks. It was so much fun.



It seems like this month, you’ve really started talking A LOT more. Full sentences. Conversations. Repeating everything that we say. Your vocabulary grows every day. It’s so much fun watching you learn.



You still love reading books. Every night, we have a few books that have to be read. Your current favorite is "No, David." You LOVE to read along with the book, in fact, I am pretty sure you could recite it from memory if we just flipped through the pages. It's incredibly cute how you react to each picture, especially the one where "Dabid" is picking his nose...

We put up the Christmas tree last month, but it wasn’t fully decorated until this month. You enjoyed showing us all of the ornaments, naming them, trying to pull them off of the tree. Each morning, we would wake up and turn it on. You were very insistent that it had to be on while we were home. I guess you love the ambiance just as much as I do!



Because of the weather, we took you to see Santa Claus pretty late this year. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, we read a lot of books about Santa, and watched a lot of Santa Claus shows. You definitely recognized Santa whenever you’d see him. While we were standing in line, we tried to explain to you about what Santa Claus does. We asked you what you wanted him to bring you for Christmas, and you said “Cars and a choo-choo-Thomas (what you call a train).” You were doing so well, until it was your turn to sit on Santa’s lap. I hadn’t even let go of you before you started screaming. They snapped a few photos, and in each one your face was redder than the last. Hopefully next year will go better. I am sure Santa understood, though. He definitely made sure you got what you asked for.



This year, we spent our first ever Christmas Morning in our own home. Because of that, Daddy and I decided to wait to put all of the gifts under the tree. Since you helped me unwrap my birthday gifts just a few weeks ago, I knew you’d be curious about what was in all of those boxes under the tree. So, on Christmas Eve, Daddy and I pulled them all out. The next morning, we let you discover all of the gifts on your own. It was so much fun to watch you open presents, stopping between each gift to play. That is exactly what Christmas is all about.



The day after Christmas, we packed up the car and headed to Kansas City. It was an eight hour drive, but you handled it so well. It was definitely hard to be stuck in the car for that long, but you stayed entertained by reading books, drawing and playing with the iPod. You were definitely glad to get out when we got to Aunt Kelly’s house.



We spent a few days in KC, making the rounds, visiting all of mommy’s family that lives there. We saw almost every one that we needed to see. There’s just never enough time. I should have been better about taking pictures, because we don’t have many of you playing with everyone. I promise to make sure that never happens again.

We made our way to Abilene to see Daddy’s side of the family. Your Mama Jo, Papa Po, Aunt Andra, Cousin Kasey, Aunt Stacia and Uncle Tyler were all there. We had a lot of fun celebrating Christmas again with them. We ate lots of yummy food (as always) and even managed to sneak some outside play time the first day we were there.



It seems that you unwrapped presents almost every day while we were away. You are extremely spoiled. You still ask if we can open presents. We’ve been home for a week and we’re still trying to find a place for all of the new toys. I think we've had enough presents to last you a while.



I am sad that we don’t have an excuse to see everyone again soon. It’s so wonderful seeing you interact with your family that I sometimes feel like you miss out being so far away from them all. One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to keep you in touch with your family. I guess we’ll just need to schedule some Skype dates until we are able to see them in person again.



I love you, little man. I can’t wait to see what 2011 brings us!
Mommy

2 Years, 2 Months

Eli,

This month totally snuck up on me. As we were sitting down for dinner tonight, Daddy asked me if I was going to work on your letter - we've been so busy living life, that I didn't even know what day it was.

You’ve really enjoyed playing catch this month. Most of the time, we use a football (or huffball, as you call it). You’re pretty good at throwing the ball, considering you’re 2. Most of the time, you throw with your left hand - which is kinda funny, because you usually color or draw with your right. Maybe you’ll be ambidextrous.



Just before Thanksgiving, the neighbors started putting up their Christmas decorations. We even put up our tree a weekend earlier than usual. You’ve really enjoyed driving around after the sun goes “night night” and seeing all of the pretty lights. I’ve also been trying to get you in the mood by listening to Christmas music... that’s taken a little longer for you to warm up to, but now you seem to really enjoy it. If only Yo Gabba Gabba would put out a Christmas album - we’d be set!



We flew to Texas for Thanksgiving this year. You were very excited about seeing the “Dareplanes” again. Since you’re a big boy now, we had to buy you your own seat on the airplane. We opted to also purchase a harness that strapped to the seat, instead of hauling the car seat on the plane. It worked very well, and you looked so big sitting there.

You handled the plane ride like a pro - much better than I did. The only time you fussed was when we were taking off and landing. You passed the time by coloring, flipping through SkyMall, and watching Babba on mommy’s iPod.

You had so much fun with your family while we were there. It was so wonderful to see you play with Papa Po and Kasey, asking to see “what Mama Jo Doin?” in the kitchen, scolding the dogs for no reason. You loved riding in Aunt Stacia’s car (GO FAST!!), and playing on Uncle Tyler’s iPad. Watching you interact with the family made me wish that we were closer to them all, but we’re not. So we’ll just have to make the most of it over the holidays.



After Thanksgiving, you helped Mommy celebrate her birthday. The Big 3.0. I was a little reluctant to celebrate this year, but having you and daddy there made me proud to turn another year older. Watching you grow up and explore the world is worth it.



Love,
Mommy

2 Years, 1 Month

Eli,

I’ve been trying to decide whether or not to continue writing you each month. But then I think back over the last 4 weeks and remember all of the things we did, and I can’t imagine not writing it all down for you. Our lives are so busy, and sometimes it’s hard to make time to sit down and try to remember all of the things you learned and did. I’ve realized how important it is to capture these memories; so, just as I said this time last year - I think I’ll stick with it for a while longer.



We’ve had a lot of fun this month. We celebrated your second birthday. With no family close enough to spoil you, our friends (our Indy family) came over and showered you with gifts. We are so lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful people here - they all love you so much!



One of my favorite ways that we celebrated your birthday was taking you to see Yo Gabba Gabba Live! Daddy and I didn’t know what to expect when we walked into the theater. We sat you down in your seat, and you stayed there. Once the Gabba Gang came out, your eyes were glued to that stage. With the end of each song, you clapped and yelled “yeah!” I had so much fun singing and dancing with you. I know you won’t remember it years down the road, but Daddy and I will. And it will always be one of my favorite memories.



We found time to go to the pumpkin patch this month. It was a cute little farm, and there was a lot of stuff for you to do. One of your favorite things was running through the corn maze. You didn’t quite get it that you were supposed to stay on path - you found lots of short cuts, just running through the lines of corn. You giggled the whole time.



With the weather changing, Daddy and I decided that it would be a good time to get the basement all cleaned up and organized so that you can use it as a play area during the cold winter months. We took your car down there, and you have so much fun driving it in and out and around the boxes. I usually take my iPod down there so we can jam while we play. Sometimes a good song will come on and you’ll stop what you’re doing to shake your little tush. When the song ends, you ask if we can hear it again. You’ve got great taste in music!



This year, we took you trick-or-treating for the very first time. Daddy and I had a hard time deciding what to dress you up as, so we went to the store and let you choose. The only costume you didn’t say “no” to was Superman. On Halloween night, you fought us with all of your might - you did NOT want to wear that costume! Once I explained to you that putting it on meant that you could go back outside to play, you decided maybe it wouldn’t be so bad after all. We walked around the block - you had so much fun. You were very polite, saying “please” and “thank you,” but there were only a few “treats” in there. Next year, I am sure you’ll have it all figured out.



I've noticed over the last couple of weeks that you're really becoming self-aware. Eli is a pretty hard name to say for a little guy, so you've taken to calling yourself "YiYi." You love to give high-fives to yourself in the mirror. You talk to your reflection in the fixtures in the bath. You even tried to "Tickle YiYi" while we were driving home the other day - Daddy and I looked back to see your wiggling your fingers at your chest, repeating "tickle, tickle." You made Mommy and Daddy laugh, at least!



I love to just sit and watch you play. You’ve changed so much over the last month or two, it’s just crazy to think about. I’m so proud of you, and I love you more than words could ever say.

You’re Awesome, YiYi.

Love,
Mommy.