Christmas and Whatnot!

Well, we made it! We survived Christmas!! I don't think Eli thought it was any more special than any other day, but for me, it was the most special Christmas ever!


These pictures are of Eli getting into the Christmas Spirit! He really liked showing off his size three diapers that are still WAY too big for him!

Eli and his favorite cousin Katie! For Christmas, Eli got Katie an African American Cabbage Patch Doll. Katie decided that the perfect name for her new doll is Baby Eli. It didn't matter to her that the doll was a girl!

Eli and I would play this little game where I would hold him up above me. He'd put his head down so we could touch foreheads then he would give me a big open mouthed kiss!

He really enjoyed the attention he got from friends and family. This is him with his Auntie Winter.

Making music with Grandpa!!

Yesterday marked four weeks since Eli has been home. And today was Eli's ten month Birthday!

Happy Ten Months, Baby Boy!!!

Getting ready for the Holidays!

Eli and I have been trying to get ready for the holidays! He is such a trooper when we go to the mall! Yesterday Eli had his first Santa pictures taken. I couldn't get him to smile but at least he didn't scream! I overheard Eli ask Santa for a new flat screen TV for his Mommy! What a sweet kid!!






He even had his picture taken with Katie, his cousin! They just adore each other so much! I was really worried that she would be jealous of Elisince she has been the baby in the family for so long! So far they've been great together! Well see how she is around Birthday time! Her Birthday is the day before Eli's!

Helping decorate the tree.

In the Christmas Spirit!

Too much Christmas Spirit!

Amazing!!

That is the first word that comes to mind when I think of that beautiful baby sleeping peacefully in his crib right now! I know I still haven't written about my trip yet, but at this moment I just need to share with everyone what this little man is like. In just two weeks since he was placed in my arms he has changed so much! Just two weeks ago Elias at nine months could not sit up on his own, his head still a little wobbly! My goal was to have him sitting up by Christmas but yesterday he began sitting up on his own! And today he learned to blow raspberries!!






This little guy is so happy all the time! In the morning when he wakes I hear him playing in his crib. When I walk up and peer into his crib I am greeted by the biggest smile and the most hilarious flapping of arms and legs, like a little humming bird. When I pick him up he snuggles his face into my chest or shoulder. He is so sweet!

He is a great sleeper! He goes to bed around eight and sleeps through the night til about six. I give him a bottle, we play for about an hour and then he is ready for a two to three hour nap. His afternoon nap is a bit shorter but I'm not complaining! After I rock him to sleep he never fusses, just sleeps!

My son is a talker! He is always chattering and babbling and always responds when I talk to him. Tonight we were driving home and I was sure he was asleep because he was so quiet. I called his name and he immediately responded!

He loves to be out and about and is so curious and interested in everything around him. He rarely sleeps in his car seat or stroller. He's afraid he just might miss something! Today my sister and I took him to the mall for a quick shopping trip. Well quick turned into about five hours! Not once did he cry or fuss! It was so much fun holding him as we walked through the stores. The whole time he talked and laughed!

I am definitely Elias' favorite person! Before we left Ethiopia he already began to bond. If he was crying when someone else was holding him he would immediately stop when I took him into my arms! Our in country rep wanted to hold him on the way to the airport. Elias cried and cried but as soon as he handed him over to me he stopped. I was very surprised since this man was someone he has known for the majority of his life!

I look forward to tomorrow, the next day, week and year and everything the future holds for us! All I can think about is how truly blessed I am to have this amazing person in my life... forever!

I Ate Poop!!!

The past few days I have been in horrible pain, suffering from severe stomach cramps and vomiting. I made two trips to urgent care, had blood drawn and the results came up H. Pylori. The majority of people in third world countries carry the bacteria but don't have symptoms. One contracts the bacteria by eating food that has been handled by someone who did not wash their hands after using the restroom. The scary thing is, is that this is not my first time eating poop! I also got it when I went to Mexico so I knew exactly what the doctors needed to test me for. I am feeling better now but have to take four different pills, eleven in total daily for the next two weeks! So it's now official. I am a Mexican and Ethiopian poop eater!

HOME!!!

As of Friday evening, we are home!! It was quite a loooong and difficult journey, but we made it! Details of that and the rest of the trip to come later! So instead, I give you some of Elias' firsts!

First smile captured by camera!

First morning smile! This is how I am greeted every morning! Lucky Me!!!

First tummy time!

This one is just cute!!

First ride in a car seat!!! And first meeting with Zaela Rose!!

First time in Jumperoo!!!