3 years 5 months

Eli,

This could be the last letter I write you when it’s just the three of us. The odds of that are slim, but it could just be that I write your 3 and a half year letter while at the hospital with your baby brother. I can’t believe that it’s getting so close, and that our days as family of three are numbered.

This month started out with us introducing the potty to you. We’ve ditched the diapers, but are now stuck on pull-ups. The first week or so, we did great sitting on the potty. You’ve yet to actually GO on the potty. I’ve tried a few different tricks (the biggest being bribery with new Squinkies), but to no avail. I know it will happen when you are ready, but I am ready now. So, yesterday I made a deal with you. When you do go potty like a big boy, we’ll throw a potty party - complete with cupcakes. That seemed to really get you excited. Hopefully now that things will die down again before your brother arrives, we can really focus on getting you to relax and just do it!

(I'll refrain from posting the cutest picture EVER of you sitting on the potty. We'll just keep that to ourselves. Until you meet someone and decide to settle down. Then, I'm busting it out and blowing it up - poster size.)

One afternoon, you watched Star Wars (Episode IV) with Daddy. It wasn’t the first time you’ve seen it, but you really paid attention this time. Since that time, you’ve had many “sword fights” with Darth Vader. It’s hilarious, because you will just start swinging your sword around and stop and let me know that you’re hitting Darth Vader. He seemed to really make an impression on you.




You’ve been REALLY into letters and numbers this month. You’ve started recognizing words, starting with ON and OFF (which you learned on your little computer). You get SO excited when you see a word you know anywhere - even if it’s just part of the word you see. Like OFFice. It makes me laugh every time. We’ve added IN, OUT, BIG, and BOOKS to your list of words you recognize. You also know how to spell your name, and are always curious as to what letter a word starts with. We play that game a lot, and many times I run out of words that start with...




One morning, Daddy had you in front of the fridge with your letter magnets. He helped you spell the word “Books” out. You read it out loud, and then stated “Wait. We need A LOT of books” and you added a couple of extra letters. It was too clever, and incredibly cute. You’re just too smart.




The biggest thing to happen this month is your room transformation. We painted both yours and Baby Brother’s rooms over the past couple of weeks, and we moved you out of the crib and into your big boy bed. Ever since I showed you the picture online of what it looked like, you’ve been SO excited to be able to have it all to yourself. After much work on Daddy’s part, we finally got it up this weekend. You’ve taken to it like a champ! That first climb into bed kinda broke my heart a little bit, because we’ve been putting you in bed every night since you were born. But, you’re a big boy now and you put yourself to bed. You’ve slept great in it; I’m so proud of you.




I love you forever and ever,
Mommy (That starts with "M")

3 Years 4 Months

Eli,

Wow. What a whirlwind of a month!

Daddy and I have decided that it’s time to move you into a big boy bed. We haven’t bought one yet, because we are natural procrastinators. In fact, if it weren’t for your Baby Bro’s impending arrival, we’d probably keep putting it off. Because you like your bed. And because Daddy and I are spoiled by the fact that you’re still contained - and have never once complained or tried to get out.




We’ve had lots of outings this month - mostly geared around you. One of your favorites was going to Monkey Joe’s - a place where there are tons of bounce houses. You could spend all day running back and forth between them all. You had a blast. It’s so nice to know that there are places like this around during the winter, because you definitely need a place to burn off all of the energy you have. We spent all day at the house yesterday, and you spent an hour in the evening literally running around in circles (and that’s after spending over an hour in the basement playing!)




Speaking of the Basement - we’ve been spending lots of time down there this month. Most of the time we’re down there, you’re riding your tricycle. You’ve seriously mastered that thing. You go so fast, it kinda freaks me out. But watching you ride it still makes me smile, and it won’t be long until we’re able to take it outside and ride it to the park (I hope).



Over the past few weeks, Indianapolis has been celebrating all things Super Bowl. This is the first time in my life I’ve ever been This close to something so spectacular. We decided to head downtown to see what all of the hub-bub was about. Of course, we picked the coldest day of the week to take you down, but we were still able to get a photo of our little family in front of the XLVI down on Monument Circle. Maybe Indy will have the opportunity to host another one a few years down the line. I bet you’ll have a blast doing all of the activities then...




You’ve had to accompany me to my past few doctor’s appointments. I think it actually helps you understand that this is real, we’re going to have a baby soon. You’ve done so well while we’re there, you’re growing up so much. You have asked me a few times why your little brother isn’t here yet. I just respond with “he’s still growing in my belly, getting stronger.” That usually works, and you’re off to play again.




Today, I decided that it’s time to start introducing the potty to you. We’re going to take it slow, because I don’t want to rush it too much, but I am ready. So far, we’re just sitting on it. Practicing. Hopefully you’ll take to it soon, and you’ll be more open to trying to go potty. But, for now, sitting on it is a start.

So many changes happening this month, and so far, you are handling them all just fine. I’m so proud of you, little man.

Love you,
Mommy

10 Weeks

It's really crazy to me how different the time lines of my two pregnancies have been. We found out a few days earlier this time around than we did with Eli. It seemed as though symptoms hit a bit sooner, as well (as in the moment I turned 6 weeks) - but I honestly don't remember when they hit with Eli.

The Nausea is about the same. I can tell what kind of day it's going to be by what time it hits. If it is 10am when I first feel it - it's gonna be rough. Luckily, just like last time, I've had minimal contact with the Porcelain God. I hope it stays that way.

Food has been hit and miss for me. No specific cravings. No specific aversions - except food in general. These past few days have been hard, as my stomach can only handle a little bit of food before it's DONE. Which doesn't help much with the nausea. It's a vicious circle.

The fatigue - well. It's different this time around. I'm definitely exhausted. But it's more like an all day thing. With Eli, I made it through the day, only to fall asleep on the couch by 8:30pm. I'm able to make it to my normal 10pm bedtime, but Ooooh, how tired I am throughout the day. I am sure the fact that Eli is go Go GO all of the time has nothing to do with that.

My pants are just beginning to get a little tight. But, I am starting off a little lighter than I did with Eli, so I have a little more room to grow before my jeans no longer fit. Cheers to that!

We still haven't really told Eli what's going on, but he's fully aware that Mommy Doesn't Feel Good. He's such a sweetie, he does his best to help me around the house and he's very loving and snuggly when I need it.

I have my first official doctor's appointment this week. Even though I had an ultrasound a couple of weeks ago, I'm anxious to hear the heartbeat again.

2 Years, 10 Months

Eli,

Just one word can sum up this month: HOT. Whoa, buddy, has it been hot. So hot, that any time spent outside had to be spent at the pool, other wise you turned into one nasty, sweaty, beet-red boy. So, you and I have spent almost every morning for the last month swimming. Our morning routine is definitely going to suffer come Labor day, when the pool closes. I don’t know what we’ll do!



The other day, we were taking advantage of a cooler morning by spending some time out in the driveway. You had the sidewalk chalk out, drawing faces. You came over to where I was sitting and started drawing - at first you said you were going to draw a "C." I watched you as you stepped back and looked at it. You said, "And now, I make it a G!!" And you did. Not too shabby for someone just over 2 months away from turning 3! I guess we should really start working on the rest of our letters... so far you've got C, G, N and O down - that I know of.



The most exciting part of this month was the week your Mama Jo was here. She flew in on a Tuesday, so you and I got in the car and headed to the airport to pick her up. As we waited in the parking lot for her, we watched the skies for planes. They just didn’t take off frequently enough for you. We saw a couple take off, which just wasn’t enough. Soon, though, we’ll be on one of those planes. Hopefully that WILL be enough for you!



The week she was here was a very busy week. We did lots of running around, and TONS of eating.(You’ll learn throughout your life just how intertwined Food and Family are.) We hit up quite a few restaurants around Indy. I am very proud of the way you behave while we are out and about. You usually stay in your seat and are fairly quiet while we’re there. But, with so many outings, we had to really bribe you to stay still while we were still eating our food... Needless to say, you played A LOT of angry birds on mommy’s iPod.



One of my favorite activities while Mama Jo was here was the Children’s Museum. We got around early one morning and headed downtown. You had a blast! There was so much for you to run around and climb on. You even tried on an IndyCar for size! It was just a little big for you, but who knows?? Maybe someday you’ll be zooming around IMS! You did look pretty slick behind the wheel.



Eli, you are definitely your father’s son. I try to limit your daily TV time. Usually, if it is on, you’re watching Yo Gabba Gabba, or Cars. One day, we were having a picnic lunch in the family room while watching Lightning. Now, sure, we’ve watched it a few times. But that afternoon, you were saying lines along with the movie. It was hilarious, and a little disconcerting. I guess I’ll have to live the rest of my life hearing movie quotes from both you and your father. (There are worse things, I guess.)

You’ve become really attached to your giraffe blanket - a blanket you’ve had since you were just a couple of months old. It is definitely your magical security blanket. You would take it everywhere if I let you - and mostly I do. You have to have it when you sleep. You love to snuggle with it on the couch. When you get hurt, if Mommy’s kisses just don’t cut it, you cry out for your blanket - just a little rub on your boo-boo and you’re good to go.

Out of all of the fun things you’ve done this month, my favorite is the fact that you are no longer stingy with your “I wuv you’s.” There is nothing sweeter than you coming up to us, giving us a huge hug and saying, “I wuv you soo much, Mommy and Daddy.”



Oh, buddy, I hope you know just how much we love you, too.

Love,
Mommy

2 Years, 9 Months

Eli

I’m not gonna lie, Eli. Mommy loves this time of year. Sure, I might complain about it being hot, but there is just so much more to do.



I signed you up for swim lessons this month. The first day it was storming terribly, so they had to move the lessons indoors. I knew when we first walked inside that it might be a rough morning. It was loud, oh. so. LOUD. and you were in a completely new environment. The lesson was slated to last for 30 minutes, and for the first half, you cried. You cried so hard, that you made other kids cry. I was so worried that I’d ruined you on the whole swimming thing. But, the next day, we were outside. and you had a blast.



Since those lessons, we’ve spent SO many hours at the pool. There were only a few days this month that we didn’t make it over there. I decided last week that I would start bringing your lifejacket (the one that you HATED so much last month) down with us. Honestly, it was mostly for my benefit. You’re heavy. Even in the buoyancy of the water. You LOVE the jacket now. And, last night, you decided that you didn’t need my help holding you up anymore. You swam the length of the pool several times. I swam along with you, of course. But you did it All By Yourself. Singing “I SWIMMIN” the whole way.



One Saturday afternoon, Daddy and I busted out the sidewalk chalk and let you go to town drawing on the driveway and garage floor. Most of what you drew were just scribbles. You drew a “cup” which was pretty interesting. But my favorite was the face you drew. You’ve drawn several faces since - some happy, some sad. Some were even crying, you said. But every single one is better than the last. You’re my little artist.



We took you to your first baseball game. Indianapolis has a Minor League team called the Indians. Their park is downtown, and there’s a pretty big lawn area where you can bring your blankets and a picnic basket and just chill while watching the game. A couple of your friends were there, and you all had so much fun running around. I can’t wait until you’re actually interested in the game. I have tons of good memories of going to baseball games as a kid.



This last weekend, we celebrated the 4th of July. Friday evening, some neighbors were outside shooting off fireworks. They were close enough and loud enough that they woke you up. The noise scared you, so we pulled you into the front bedroom and we sat in the window and watched. You were completely mesmerized. You kept saying they were awesome - and they were. They shot off a few bottle rockets in between, and I said something about how “that was weak.” You caught on, and if the firework didn’t meet your expectation, you’d say it was weak. Each evening over the weekend, you were lucky enough to get to see a few really awesome fireworks.

After you enjoyed those fireworks so much, Daddy and I decided that we would take you to your first Real fireworks show. Westfield’s show was July 3rd, so we kept you up late (waaaaay late) and headed out. It was a great show. But you were tired, and they were loud. I think you really did enjoy it, but there were a few times that you said you wanted to go home. Of course, that could have been the fact that you took a short nap, and you were already out 2 hours past your bedtime.



Last night, it was a very quiet night. None of the houses around us were firing anything off. But, not even 15 minutes after you went down, I heard you crying. I decided to go check on you, and sure enough, you were standing in your crib with huge tears running down your cheeks. I asked you what was wrong. You replied “Fireworks, I wanna go see them.”

Yes. I’d say you enjoyed them. So much so, I am wondering if we’ll ever get you back on a sleep schedule.

I love you, Buster,
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