Walking!!!

For the past 2 months, Elijah has been "practicing" his walking. Geoffrey and I have been urging him, clearing a path, and waiting for him to take off. It is only in just the past week that he is doing this unprompted. As a parent, it is easy to push our children into doing things that they may not be ready for. I have been pushing Elijah to walk and when I did he'd reject my attempts. As I let go of the control I was seeking and grew in patience, Eli became more willing to walk and enjoyed the results of his success.

I think that my walk with God is similar. When I feel I am being pushed, I bolt, I fight back, I defend myself, I even crawl away. But when I let go of the control I seek to have, I begin to walk in joy, patience, and love. I may stumble, I may turn away, but when I reach for God's hand, He is there. I plan to be there for Eli, too. More importantly, I pray that Eli will reach for God's hand and walk with Him in his ways.

The Break Is Over

After a nice long break from blogging, Elijah and I are ready to get back to it. We have been enjoying catching up on everyone's blogs and I think we can manage a little time to share what's been happening in our world.

With Daddy back to work, I have started up Day Care again with our dear friend Genevieve. Eli and she acted like long lost pals when they got back together. Both are more mobile, more vocal, and show each other a lot of love. It is a blessing and joy to have them together in my home.

Elijah is also approaching a new milestone--walking. He is taking 4-5 steps at a time, unassisted, and he is VERY proud of himself. However, he knows that his crawling is faster, so he just keeps crawling away from us! He has been practicing his walking for over a month now and I expect that any day he will just take off and not look back.

Fridays are special days for us because we get to join our friends over at the Church Annex. Eli sees his buddies and I get to see mine, too! Sometimes we just chat, sometimes we craft, and sometimes we pay bills or write cards! Whatever your fancy, it is good times with good people.

How do you spend your Fridays?

Stand Tall Eli

Eli is STANDING and CRUISING!

He has pulled himself up before with my assistance and using the couch. But this time Eli was determined to get out a toy from his toy basket. In fact, he wanted ALL of the toys.

Eli's First Tantrum

Lately Eli has been testing the waters. I put on a bib, he rips it off. I sit him up, he wants down. I put him in the walker, he wants out. I put a new diaper on, he wants it off. I feed him peas, he wants bananas. Enough is enough.

Last night I told my dear friend Amanda that Eli has been making this noise that drives me crazy. It sounds like "mmmm........mmmmmm........mmmmmmm" and it goes on (and on and on and on) until he gets what he wants or doesn't. If he does, he is happy as a clam. (There is my first mistake!) If he doesn't he usually moves on and forgets about it. Again, I say, enough is enough.

In an effort to work on his understanding of "no" and to stop the whining, when Eli makes this noise, I have been consistently telling him "no". For the entire day he's responded with a surprised look and has successfully moved on. He stopped ripping off his bib. He sat up. He played in the walker. He got a new diaper. He ate his peas. All has been well until Mr. Grumpalumpagous woke from his most recent nap.

As usual, I gave him comfort and then proceeded to change his diaper once he was done snuggling. Thus, I recieved Eli's first tantrum. In fact, I am still experiencing it as I sit here and write this blog.

His diaper was super messy and as I began changing it Mr. Man then started slapping my hands, arching his back, and attempted to turn himself over. I consistently said "no" and continued to change the diaper. He started screaming and hasn't stopped for the last 45 minutes. However, to keep my sanity, he is down in his crib and I predict he will drift off into dreamland soon enough.

Although today marked another "first" I predict that it will not be his last as I've just entered this chapter called "Motherhood".

Eli's Nicknames

1. Sug Sugs (Sounds like Sugar)

2. Bob-a-loo

3. Fussy Monkey

4. Monk Monks

5. Boober Lips

6. Beau Beau

7. Kunta Kunte

8. Droolmeister

9. Stinky Boy

10. Grumpalumpagous