One Year Ago, New Family Pics, and "Cake Anyone?"

Ok, so for lack of time, I am combining three blog entries into one... so here you go:

I know this post would have been much more meaningful if I'd actually done it on April 28th, but we were very busy celebrating our little boy's 1st birthday party! How can we forget, though, the wonderful miracle that we received on April 28th?! We specifically chose the 28th for his party not only to celebrate his first year of life, but to celebrate his first year in our family. Happy happy day, little man! We are so happy to have you as our son!

Not only am I behind in blogging, but I recently realized that between 6 months old and a year, I did not take Eli to get ANY professional pictures done! Bad mommy!! So on April 22nd, we got new family pics and cake smashing pictures... Hence, the "cake anyone?" expression. Enjoy a preview of them!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY, PRECIOUS BOY!

Son, we can't believe you are a year old today!!
"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord..." Jeramiah 29:11
Who knew that those plans would involve us!? God is so good! We love you so much and are so very happy that God had bigger plans for you, even before you were born!

Papa and Gramma had a surprise for you when we came home last night... Papa built this so you could do what you love to do most, swing!

Happy birthday, Eli! May we have many many years of happiness ahead! We can't wait to watch who and what you'll become!

Love you lots,
Mommy and Daddy

2nd haircut already!!

Mommy gave Eli his 2nd haircut last night (before his 1st birthday!). It looks ok, not professional though. I guess I need some practice. It was TOO LONG again and we are having pictures taken on Sunday so it needed trimmed. All the baby curls are gone... sad... but he looks so handsome with it short!

How can this be a chore?

Eli loves helping do laundry, but he especially loves it at Gramma's house because he can watch it go round and round in the front loader. He "dances" to the "music" of the washer... hilarious!

I hope he still enjoys doing laundry this much when he gets older!!

Biker Babe and Biker Baby

Papa got this awesome mini-chopper and we just had to try it out! Don't we look good?! I'm pretty sure this will be Eli's 1st birthday present... HA HA!!

1st Easter

We are nearing the end of our “firsts” (at least in holidays); sad but undeniable fact that our baby is growing up.

We all had a great Easter and egg hunting was soooo much more fun when it involved a little one. (Mom and Dad still get the candy though… whoo-hooo!!!) He received not one but THREE Easter baskets; one from Mommy & Daddy, one from Gramma & Papa and one from Uncle Jim & Aunt Tammy.

He didn’t quite grasp the concept of egg hunting but loved finding an egg and then playing with it, throwing it, and chewing on it. We did this twice; once at GG & Pops’ house and once at the Sapp’s house. He actually had competition at the Sapp’s with Ava and Maddie hunting also.

He was one tired baby by the end of the day but we still had time to get in a fun bath. Such precious memories!

Self-feeding: messy, yet fun!

We are into the “I can do it myself” phase… ode to my younger day per what my parents tell me! He wants to feed himself and does not want “baby food” but insists on eating whatever table food the grown-ups are having. Here he is enjoying the veggie puff snacks that Amy Jones gave him (Thank you, Jones’!)….

And drinking from his straw cup ALL BY HIMSELF…

Oh the joys... I should take up stock in Clorox Wipes for all the messes this little one creates!