4 months

I didn't forget to snap the shots.  I just haven't had time to post them. 

 Add first wedding, rolling over, grabbing toys and preferring to be held (versus being put down) to his list of accomplishments in this last month.   

Sleeping through the night did not make the list this month. 

See ya next month!

Stats:
Length:  26.5 inches   95th%
Weight for age: 16 lbs 1 oz  55th%
Head: 85th%
Weight for length: 20th% 
He is as perfect as can be for being my Hugh.

3

Celebration has been thick in our household.  Not only was there a big wedding but a big third birthday for this boy. 

Eli, you are a true joy in my life.  You make me laugh every day.  Sometimes I can't wait to share your story so I tell anyone and everyone the littlest detail that makes me so proud.  And boy do you love when I am proud of you.  A lot has happened this last year-you transitioned to a big boy bed. You became a big brother.  You stay home with mama a lot more now. You can do puzzles alone.  You play with play dough, paint, know how to use your tee-ball and play in the sandbox by yourself.

You say the awesomest things.  Currently you are really good at saying: Lasterday and Yesternight or even lasternight in reference to something we did the day (or 5) before.  You remember everything.  Also you like to check in on what is my favorite. "Is that your favorite mama?  mine too!". 
White truly is your favorite color. That never wavers. And you know that mine is purple. But you like to double check and smile big.

You test me in so many ways.  When I am getting frustrated you like to say me "Mama, are you good or are you bad?"  You also love to say "Are you happy or are you sad?". 

You want to be helpful but only on your own account and usually with tasks that are too big for your britches.  You are the most stoubborn person I know and I am completely sure that I will never meet anyone who can repeat the same thing over and over as many times as you. 

You still aren't a big eater and it shows.  You are 3 feet and 1.25 inches long (50th%) and you weigh exactly 27 pounds (5th%).  It gives you a BMI (body mass index) of 13.5 which is underweight (and <5th %) for kiddos.  I still worry about your health every day.  I wonder about your platelets and your growth but I try not to focus on it because you do every single thing physically that I could ever imagine.  Nothing slows you down.

You know your ABC's, you can count to 17, you can even spell your name.  You are turning into an interested big brother and you like to dance. 

You love:
trains
bugs
waterparks
corn on the cob
marhsmallow cereal
"nilla" icecream
popsicles
running free
diggers and cement mixers
tomatos and taocs
garbage trucks
dirt

You don't like:
pickles
meat
long movies
loud noises
fire
bedtime

You call your cousins "Friends" and often tell me or papa that we are your best friend.  It is so totally endearing. 

I hope you liked all the gifts you got this year.  I hope you know how much of a gift you are to me-every single day.
Let's see what this third year brings you. 
Love you.

6-23-12

A new date to remember.

But how could you possibly forget it?  These two tied the knot. 
The day was just too perfect and my camera did not capture it well at all. The images just don't do it justice.  I think other folks have some really great shots that I want to share-so below are some of my favorites mixed in with others shots.

 We were both honored to stand up in this wedding.  I was in awe of the ceremony and the vows they created for each other were amazing. 

 My sister did a great speech-and there she is -looking beautiful.  I saw many crying and heard a lot of laughter.  I was so proud of her-I was just too shy.  Thank you Sarah for speaking on my behalf. It was rather special.  There were other speeches too, and they were also really good. And I think that says it all about this new husband and wife.  It's not often you go to a wedding and hear 5 really great, touching speeches. 

I wanted to capture so many of the special, little touches they worked so hard on.  But after the dinner I just put my camera away and celebrated.  I'm glad I did.  I captured the memories in my head and hoped that someone else was capturing them on film. 



Wish this one above wasn't blurry....



Thanks to all who helped wrangle this little boy!

I guess Liz hasn't played croquet before.

I've asked Andy what his favorite moments of the wedding are and when he asks me I start listing it all: The first dance, Liz singing at the beginning, the kids walking down, the speeches, the music, the dance/reception, the place, ....I can't come up with a favorite. 

I loved so many of the words they spoke to each other during the ceremony.  I am in awe of the emotion it evoked in so many in the audience and even more, myself.  I wish I had the guts and the confidence to have done that.  I liked the parts of "promising to keep" and the weekends on the couch alternated with the many places that they have traveled. The hide in seek in the dark, climbing trees, too many crepes, too many popcorn dinners and "You do the counters while I do the dishes".  The endless support they hand each other for all their endeavors. 

Congratulations Greg and Liz.  I am so excited for this part of your life.  I am truly happy you had perfect weather and everything pulled together so well.  I am really delighted and blessed to gain an aunt for my kiddos, a sister in law to play Pictionary with and a wife for my brother. 

Tomorrow

Tomorrow....he turns 3.

So he's already had some cake.  He's practicing holding up the 3 fingers-man is that hard. 

This is last year when Eli turned 2!

I can't wrap my head around this.  I feel like he was just born.  Only I don't feel like he was just born.  I'm a ball of emotions.  I hope hope hope he feels that tomorrow is different.  I hope he feels like the star.  I want him to feel really special-even if we don't do much.  I can't wait to give him 3 million kisses.  More to come.....

No.....not 4 Eli!!  You'll get it-maybe tomorrow!!!

Eli

Dear Eli, Today I left you outside. Dad says you need to "get rid of your juice" out there and this mig take away some of those whiney moments. It was quiet...meaning you were not yelling at or to Bailee. I stepped out on the deck because 10 minutes went by. "Eli" I yelled. Guess what I saw? You were squatting in the pool. You were finding (what else) dead bugs you had so gently placed in there. After I yelled your name you stood up. And there you were. Shin deep in your little blue pool. Socks and shoes still on. Oh dear Eli, what I wouldn't give to feel that. That carefree-ness. That -I'm gonna step in the pool without a care in the world. Squishy shoes and socks? No worries. Those bugs...gotta get 'em. I didn't yell at you too much because inside I was laughing at you in the pool with brown shoes on. And I want to let you do your thing. Especially if it means 10 minutes of quiet. Someday you might be on my end of things, and this will be a reminder that you once were completely, madly, exquisitely in your own world. I love you bubs, Mom

Zoom

Time is going fast.....I don't have time for creative posts. So today we are lucky that I am producing a few words.  Zoom.




What is wrong with this photo?



Eli has been attempting to dress himself.  The pants and shorts often end up backwards.

Caught wearing Hugh's leg warmers!  His legs are longer than Hughies...but not chunkier. 

 We made it to one of the local pools but Eli was pretty cold the whole time. It took a while for him to get into it.

We had some fun playing with the camera on the deck.

oh and I know this might stir up some controversy...but I cannot resist.

Have a wonderful Wednesday. I know I will!

Blessing

Our little Hughie got baptised a few weeks ago.  He was blessed with a whole gaggle of family members to share the day with. 

His godparents are Uncle Kj and cousin Emma.  These 2 were chosen because we know they will be important people in his life and would aways be able to help guide him in his faith, no matter the twists and turns.  Kj-a math teacher, Andy's oldest brother, who has raised 3 beautiful, faith filled children of his own.  Andy is the God father to his first born.  Emma-just graduated high school and about to embark on an exciting journey in Madison.  She is a talented inspiration to me who I've watched grow up into a mature but fun adult.  Hughie sure is lucky.

Eli was in his glory playing with his cousins and seeing all his grandparents.  The day went by very fast and was a great distraction for me since I went back to work the next day. 

Baptism is just a beginning. As Hughie grows up we will allow him to develop his own beliefs in the important walk towards having a faith, any faith he desires.  It was a blessing to spend this memorable day together. 

Hugh Robert and me on the deck after the celebration