Happy Birthday Eli!!

Eli,
I can’t even believe that you are TWO years old today! I remember your birthday like it was just yesterday. The moment we set our eyes on you, we knew our very lives had changed for the best. I still pray the same prayers for you as I did that day. That you will remain happy and healthy, and that the Lord will use you in mighty ways. You have been the light of your mommy and daddy’s eyes ever since that day. I’ve loved watching you develop over the past 2 years, into such a sweet, loving, and fun little man. You are quite the mommy’s boy, and it makes me sad to think that it won’t last forever (your future wife will thank me). You are so gentle with others, and love to talk about and love on babies (especially your baby cousin Luke!). You have a huge family that loves and adores you. You have a Jesus that loves you even more. I love your hugs. Your ‘run as fast as you can into Mama’s arms’ hugs. I love how you pronounce ‘Mama’ and 'Dada’ with such enthusiasm everytime.

Here are some of your likes/dislikes and funny things you do at two...
*You think your world is ending everytime we ask you to stop long enough for a diaper change or change of clothes. We tell you each time…we’re ready to ditch the diapers when you are!
*You love to stare at yourself in the television. You make faces, laugh hysterically, and practice both baseball and golf swings while watching yourself.
*You love to sing in your bed. Thank goodness for video monitors, otherwise we’d be missing some precious moments! Your favorites right now are Head & shoulders, and Itsy Bitsy Spider (both complete with the motions)
*You are making great progress on your ABC’s. Just last night, as I was singing, I stopped and had you fill in some of the blanks. You surprised us by knowing more than we thought you did! I guess all of that singing we do is starting to pay off :)
*When you want something you say, Pease, pease, pease, pease over and over. Patience is something we work on daily.
*Everytime we pass a park it starts all over again, ‘Pease slide, Pease slide, Pease slide.’
*You still love ALL things cars, trucks (cruck), and trains.
*You love to talk on the phone. Anytime you hear a phone ring you say, ‘Hi, Mimiiiii!!!!’ (Good thing it really is mimi just about everytime :)
*Your little world revolves around Neigh-Neigh’s. What they eat, drink, sleep…everything.
*You’re still an excellent sleeper. You’ve been staying up a little later recently, but not getting up early anymore. You still love your nap, and LOVE your big boy bed. We’re thankful that you havn’t even tried to get out of your bed since the one and only 3am incident.
*You have a shoe obsession.
*You still love chatting with strangers. You talk to cashiers, waitresses, and anyone who will listen.
* You’re still a fantastic eater! You tried to test the waters around 18 months (as the Dr. advised would happen), but it didn’t last long. You still love any and all veggies, and Broccoli (aka trees) is a current favorite. You’ve added Italian dishes and pizza to your ‘like list.’ Those were the only things you weren’t crazy about in the beginning.
*You’re so sweet during prayer time before meals. You’ve learned to close your eyes real tight and not peak. You love talking to Jesus, and we go to Him often during the day when we need extra help with patience and obedience.
* You love to be around other children, but also really love your independent play time. I guess that’s just the ‘only child’ in you.
*Most days you wake up talking about your best buddy Kres. You often ask, ‘Kres coming???’ You know when we say church, that means Kres! I know you two will really enjoy your summer at the pool, park and beach together.
*You take full advantage of your outside time with daddy. He's been coming up with some extra fun things for you too! (More on this another day)



Here's to another fun year ahead, and that three doesn't sneak up on us quite so fast!