A Busy Day for Eli

Little e has a doctors appointment this morning for some pre-surgery stuff. (Surgery is scheduled for Monday of next week.) Then he is off to his first day of daycare! Well ... first hours anyway. Because of our work schedules he will only be away from us for about 3 hours a day this week. Big Day for Eli!

Update: Eli had a good day with Angie and the kids at daycare! I guess he was a little concerned when they were getting dressed to go out and play in the snow. But once he realized it was just to play and that they were not going anywhere, he was fine. When I got there to pick him up, he glanced at me when he saw me and gave me a slight smile. Busy playing with something. But when I said, "Hello Eli! Can mama have a hug?" He sped over to me with a lovely smile and gave me a big squeeze! It is so nice that he feels comfortable being there. It helped that we visited a few times before hand. It also helps that Angie is so great with the kids!  ;-)  I hope today goes just as well for them!

Wednesday Update: Yeah ... Eli wanted to stay at daycare and didn't really want to come home with me. Made me happy to know he likes it there. But made me sad a little too.  :)  I can't blame him though. I got some fun pics of him and his cousins jumping and being silly! They are all so CUTE!

English

This weekend I made a list of the different words and signs that Eli knows and says. That was fun ~ he is such a little cutie! 36 words and 25 signs. I'm sure he could say more ... and probably does ... if his palate didn't interfere with his words. His newest word and sign is, 'light.' The signs help with some of the words, because then we are sure of what he is trying to say. We are teaching him to say his name by singing to him, "Eli, Eli, Eli, Oh!" and then he repeats it to us. The 'E's and 'L's are difficult because of his missing palate. But he tries so hard and really does good! He is so proud of himself when he gets it right.  :)  But on the flip side ... he got REALLY frustrated when he couldn't get it right. So much so that I had to change the subject to something else that I knew he could say.


Ang ... Jim taught him one that I am sorry for if he uses it on you!  :)  He will give you the 'shush' sign, with his index finger to his lips. Then with his hand up and palm down he will whisper, 'dull roar.' And then laugh! Stinker .... 

Zoo!

 Elijahs first (of many, I'm sure) visits to the MN Zoo! I think he enjoyed it....

"What's down there?"

What they were looking at so intently.

Four Monkeys  --Hehehehe!

He spent a lot of time watching the diver!

You can just imagine what he was thinking.

"Hey! Where did that dolphin go?!"

Such a little cutie!

Talking on the monorail.

He LOVED the camels!

See what I mean!

Sleepy Bears

Sleepy Tiger

Baptized!

What a beautiful day it was!
Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate this very special day!

Happy New Year!

It's simply amazing! This little boy that has joined our family has brought us so much joy!!! And by looking at some of the pictures I have taken recently ... I think we can say that he is happy with us as well.

We are looking forward to enjoying the days of 2011 ... and the adventures of life with a toddler! We hope that 2011 brings all of you good health and happiness as well!
All the best, Julie

Pictures below:

• Elijah is LOVING the snow! He loves being outside and can say, 'side' when he wants to go out.  He laughs when he is on his sled. We have a mound of snow between our garage and the neighbors garage that is the perfect height for him to slide down. And sometimes I pull him around in a circle in the driveway with Grizzy running along next to us. That is super fun too!!  :)

• Plowing the snow with daddy!

• First haircut at daddy's barber. Wow! What a patient, good kid! He didn't care for the squirty bottle of water ... but even that only caused a sour look on his face. He didn't complain once and sat real still on his babas lap.

• Blocks, blocks and more blocks. The three of us play with these things on a daily basis. Fun for all!  :)

• Yumm! Helping mama bake. Not a bad thing!