Shots

We got a new camera.
Here are the first few shots!I haven't mastered turning them yet but wanted to show Bailee some love too!

The Birthday

Date: Saturday, June 19th
Time: 11-2
Theme: Dr. Seuss (and fish!)
Menu: Hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, coleslaw finger jello (fish and cat in the hat-hats), baked beans, veggies and dip, fruit platter, cowboy caviar, chicken dip, red licorice, homemade chex mix, cake and ice cream.

Eli's first birthday ranks right up there with our wedding. I feel like we threw a good party!

As the guests started arriving Eli was tucked away, nestled in his crib. He took one of his longest naps ever. It was almost as if he knew he needed to be well rested for the festivities.
The weather was awesome. It wasn't too hot but it was a beautiful summer day with a nice (and sometimes gusty) breeze. Our deck was well used and loved. I think we had enough chairs. The fenced in back yard is a total blessing. We were able to let most of the little kids (and there were plenty) run wild and not worry about the cars on the street.
Many guests came to celebrate Elijah's first year of life. So many special people showed up and I'm hopeful that while I ran around being a host that anyone and everyone who wanted to get their hands on the little bugger did. As many as could be expected arrived from Andy's family as well as my whole family. Michigan, Minneapolis, Chicago, and Green Bay were all represented to name a few.
Eli sat in his wooden highchair on the deck with a 3-foot tall red #1 balloon tied to it. He wore his Dr. Seuss onesie which we striped down for cake! It was too windy for a candle but we still honored him with the traditional Happy Birthday song. His cake was a red and white striped fish with bubbles that had his name and age on them. The sand was made out of graham crackers. He started out very guarded but got more adventurous as time went on. He did end up with frosting on his back, in his hair and up his nose. Yes, in his nose. And I loved it. Later he changed into handmade t-shirt with a dragon on it. Thanks Greg and Liz!
The day was great and as travelers packed up and had to leave-I thought about my favorite moments of the day:
-All the comments about the beautiful weather: We really lucked out as it rained HARD the day/night before.
-Charlie Roeder showed Charley Wroblewski how to "scale a fence" and I caught them in the act. Henry stood on the other side and wasn't sure what to do. Ed went over and helped Henry scale the fence.
-We had the gated playpen up on the deck so that a few little ones could play at one time. I wasn't able to catch all the moments but looking back at the pictures I see Eli got to play with lots of friends and cousins.
-I forgot to plan a meal for Eli. At one point one of his babysitters came up and asked "Do you want me to feed Eli?" How could I have forgotten to feed my bug?
-As the party died down, and after many butts had sat on our big wooden swing in the back yard, the 2 skinniest guests (Greg and Liz!!! ha) ended up on the ground. The swing finally broke. They weren't hurt and we used the wood for a fire that night!
-My sister shared her big news that I had been holding in for so long. That was fun for me to hear/watch. Check out her blog if you haven't heard www.fortheloveofnaps.blogspot.com
-Eli "went" to everyone so well. I don't remember him crying a single time at the party.
-Andy's dad held a great water balloon toss. My cousin Emma and her boyfriend Bronce won! But my mom and aunt Pat were in the finals.
-In the middle of the night Eli had a 6 oz bottle and then threw it up all over me and the floor. I guess he had his share of cake and ice cream.

I love you Elijah Casey Roeder you 1 year old you!

Vroom Vroom

To me it was as if he was water skiing.
I couldn't get over it. Andy had so much fun with this. So did Eli.
That is until his legs started shaking from exhaustion!

On the Verge

I am a mother.

I am on the verge of being a mommy to a 1 year old.
One week from today Elijah will be 1 whole year old.

I'm a nervous wreck.
I'm excited.
I'm sad.
I'm happy.
I'm in disbelief.
I'm fearful.
I'm hopeful.
I'm proud.
and more.
I'm a mom.
I GET to feel this way.

Fashion? Nah

Dear Elijah,

One of the many things I love about you is the fact that you don't give a hoot about what you wear during the day. I can put anything on you and you'll still crawl around with that goofy grin on your face.
When you were first born I took your picture every day (sometimes multiple times/day) because I had to capture you in every outfit. (Yes every outfit). I couldn't keep up with this obviously...but as I pick out your outfit and think about what you would look cutest in, I realize that you don't care one way or the other. As long as you are comfortable temperature wise-you'll never complain.
I can dress you up as much as I want, or keep you as casual as possible.
You don't put up a stink if you are wearing yellow, green, black, brown, blue or tie dye!
You never complain if you are or aren't wearing socks. I have never seen you fuss over the seam of the sock being in the wrong "spot" either!
Your diaper could be hanging low, strapped too tight or off to the side on one cheek.
Long sleeves, short sleeves, layered sleeves, shoes or no shoes. Cords, jeans, comfy pants....you are the SAME lovable Elijah that I love.

Thank you for this.
Love,
Mommy

It's a Boy!

I never questioned it. But Elijah is truly a boy!
Watch (and this is weeks ago, so he has even better control now!).

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Grace in the Small Things #10

1. I'm so grateful to have Handy Andy around the house. We had some plumbing problems and not only did he fix it (with the help of his brother and our neighbor) he is now able to renovate the bathroom for us. Goodbye country-style wall paper. You've treated us well. We stripped off the wallpaper and it came off really easily. Andy now has the dry wall in and it's ready for paint (next weekend).

2. The song "You Are the Best Thing" by Ray LaMontagne has caught my ear. Why? I don't know. It's on my playlist at the bottom.

3. This post was fun to read. I am not pregnant with #2...but it has some good advice that I have needed to be reminded of already.
http://memoriesoncloverlane.blogspot.com/2010/06/new-baby-anxiety-question.html

4. Sunday morning I got to take Eli on a 45 minute walk while Andy slept in. Eli sat still the whole time and looked around. It was early enough that it wasn't too hot. It was a special time for us that we don't get to experience during the week.

5. There are nice people out there! On Saturday I took Eli for a run in the jogging stroller around the track. A woman who was walking turned and asked if I'd like her to push Eli while I ran! How nice. However I told her it was part of my work out. I wasn't really considering letting a stranger push him.

6. On my walk Sunday morning I walked by a lot of houses that all look the same. But one had a built on wooden porch. On the porch were 5 different colored wooden chairs (white, green, pink, blue and yellow). So cute! One had a soda bottle sitting by it. The other had some sort of plaque or picture sitting on it. I can only imagine the 5 friends or family members who get to sit in their "chairs" nightly, daily or whenever together and have good talks.

7. Eli is eating better! His meals have gotten bigger and less gagging is going on! He is also drinking much more of his bottles. I am so proud and so happy. Here is a picture of his "please do not pester me while I'm chewing" face.8. A short visit from CAW occurred yesterday. How lovely!! It was such a surprise. He is growing like a weed and although I haven't seen an actual smile I have heard he has quite the grin. And this merges into #9. Team Wazwo is back in town!!!! Bring on the late night game nights!