Holding Elijah on my chest while he sleeps. In the first weeks of his life Eli and I spent many hours propped up at just the right angle on the couch, both snoozing, or me watching tv while he napped. At the time I was concerned that holding him so much would mean that he would never fall asleep in a crib on his own for naps, but Jon just told me to enjoy the time and not worry about it. I was so tired all the time that holding him on the couch was the extent of my energy, so I went along with Jon. Now, looking back, those are the some of the happiest moments I have, snuggled up cozy with my precious son.
Watching Jon comfort Eli by marching him around like they were both in the Michigan Marching Band together. Eli would calm down immediately and be content just snuggled securely in his daddy’s arms!
The moment when Uncle Jeremy discovered that the big blue exercise ball was the magic antidote to calm Elijah down -- our lives were so much easier from that day forward!
The first sponge bath, when Jon and I were terrified about how to clean him, and he looked so skinny and scared. It was over quickly, but he was crying and I was wondering how stinky would he really get if I never bathed him again? Fast forward to the first tub bath, where Eli started freaking out the minute his butt hit the water, and ended up screaming for about 45 minutes after that. And I was wondering if it would be inappropriate to only give Eli sponge baths until he was 10? Fast forward again to the first tub bath, around 4 and a half months, where Elijah realized that splashing in the water was fun! I ended up soaked and the kitchen counter and floor were drenched. But he was laughing and happy and that was all that mattered.
Seeing Elijah develop and learn new skills. Some of my favorite milestones – The first time Elijah focused on his hand and just kept studying it, trying to understand what it was. When he started playing with toys and I knew he was batting at them on purpose (even though others said it was random). Watching him go crazy kicking in his activity gym and having a good time. The first time he held toys in his hands and could actually hold on! Eli being able to hold his head up on his own and not being floppy anymore (and not having to worry about that little neck and big floppy head!). The first time tummy-time became “lift-up-my-head-and-look-around-at-my-toys-time.” Reading Peek-a-Who to him and watching him smile at the pages as we peek-a-mooed, peek-a-booed, peek-a-zooed, peek-a-choooed, and peek-a-youed. Being able to put Elijah in the highchair and have him sit there happily playing with toys as I emptied the dishwasher (new freedom to get things done in the kitchen AND keep the baby entertained at the same time, woo hoo!). Being there the first time he rolled over and catching the look of surprise and then the big grin on his face.
Seeing Elijah smile for the first time and knowing it was a real smile, just for me. Then seeing him smile at Jon and knowing it was a real smile, just for Jon.The first time he looked at me while I was talking to him and went, “ahhh ahhh” in a tiny little voice, and I realized that my son was communicating with me!
Remembering the first time Elijah laughed when I “mooed” at him, and now hearing him laugh when I say crazy things, like “ba boop” or “aye carumba.” He seems to get a big kick out of different words and it’s fun trying to get him in his super-laughing mood and then listen to him go crazy. Any time he laughs my heart is suddenly completely happy and so full of joy I think it’s going to burst!
Walking into daycare to pick him up and seeing him get so excited when he sees me that he gets a huge smile and his whole body just shakes because he is trying to kick his arms and legs so fast!
Hearing Elijah wake up in the morning, talking to himself. Then walking into his room and saying good morning and getting big smiles and a non-stop string of gibberish as we get him up.
Watching him kick (or feeling him when his little feet are pointed in my direction!) during diaper changes or when we first get home. He gets so excited that his feet and hands are a blur, he has a big smile, and he gets such excited breathing that no sounds come out of his mouth, though you think he’s about to burst open with big happy noises.
Feeling Eli’s little hands on my face when I give him zerberts on his cheeks. He looks at me and smiles and babbles while patting and holding on to my face.
When Elijah puts his arms around my neck and his head down on my shoulder when he’s tired, and I feel such powerful love for Eli, followed next by immense gratefulness to God for giving me this little miracle. In some ways I'm like the Grinch in "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" -- I know that sounds ridiculous, but when I had Elijah I think my heart grew three sizes in one day, just like the Grinch! God has blessed Jon and I beyond our expectations, and our little boy is proof of that!
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