New Car Seat

We had to get Elijah another new car seat so he has one for my car and Erik's Jeep. Elijah loves sitting in it and dancing. After we opened it, he found it in the kitchen corner and was able to sit in it all on his own. So we moved it to the living room, and he keeps going back to it. 

In other news, our baby has found a favorite word: no. We tell him 'no' and he smiles and says 'no, no' and gets so proud that he can say it and understand. I haven't videoed that yet though.

Sleepy

I think Elijah must have missed his afternoon nap because when he came home (around 4:30pm) he just fell asleep on the floor. Erik said he had a 10 minute nap at daycare. Hope he sleeps well tonight.

Squeaky Blocks

We tried to squeeze in a little playtime between coming home from daycare, going to the doctor, and finishing the night at AWANA. This picture is Elijah trying to speak his blocks after his small tower fell down. Daycare went well today and Mommy brought home a couple new library books for Elijah. At the doctor's office, we found out Elijah is in great health. He's still on the small side (5th percentile for weight, 15th percentile for height) but that's just how our Buddy-Do grows. He got 2 shots...and he handled it well considering he let a stranger stab him twice while he was half naked. Elijah received mucho cuddles after that. And AWANA was good too. The nursery workers said they were able to get Elijah to point up for Jesus 3 times. Good job!

Peak Around

This boy was just leaning around the doorway to look at Mommy and Daddy in the living room. He was hiding all the way in the kitchen with only his head showing from the side. I think it was one of those "you had to be there" kind of things. But you get the idea...cute kid peaking around then hiding then running to us.

It's Snowing

Elijah wouldn't wear this hat inside, but he kept it on whenever we went outside. I had the day off from work so we did a little Christmas shopping. Many strangers said he was cute in his fun hat and plaid shirt.

After we got home, it started snowing. Elijah was napping so he didn't get to go outside and see any of the huge flakes before they melted away.

Holiday Season

Elijah is reading the Christmas story.

This sign says Merry Christmas.

We changed into our pajamas and are ready for bed.

Thanksgiving (Shipps Family)

Our 3rd and final Thanksgiving celebration was with my mom's side of the family...the Shipps. There was turkey, pie, and stuffed bellies. Elijah is teething (again...still?) so he was a little whiny, extra cuddly, and had a little fever. He still had fun playing with the family. Here he's playing with my cousins: Daniel, Olivia, and Sydney.

Thanksgiving (The Larry Kids)

Dinner was at Grandma's house today (Erik's mom). There was plenty of yummy food for our meal and dessert including plenty of leftovers for us. The kids loved playing on Grandma's new furniture like this huge spinning couch/chair. Here's Erik with Elijah and all his cousins: Josie, Dylan, Dalton, and Peyton. 

Thanksgiving (The DeShon Siblings)

Great Aunt Kass and Great Uncle Joe are watching Elijah wander around the kitchen (also Andrew and Juvy). Thanks Great Aunt Kass and Great Grandma for hosting!

Great Uncle Mark tries to keep Elijah in the same room with the rest of the family.

Grandpa (the oldest of the DeShon siblings) holds Elijah and sneaks him several bites of fudge, pie, and other yummy food.

Couch Climb

Trying so hard to climb up the couch, he  can almost get up on his own. Look at his stretched out leg and the other is on tip toes. Once he's a little bit taller, he be able to get up. Good thing he already knows how to get down safely. I'm more worried about him bouncing off or flying over the back and getting stuck between the couch and wall.

Box Time

I brought home a box from work. Elijah used it to climb up on the couch. He sat on it and fell off and bounced his head on the floor. That didn't make him cry, but he did whimper and look at me as if to say that I let him fall. Sorry, Mommy can't always be there to catch you, but I'll always be there for you.

Just Playin'

Wouldn't it be nice to sit surrounded by all your favorite toys and know that all you had to do was play? Elijah sure enjoys having no responsibilities. He doesn't even have to get those rings stacked in the correct order. He's still having fun!

Innocence

"I will maintain my innocence and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live." ~Job 27:6

Operation Christmas Child

Our family headed out shopping to stuff our shoe box full of goodies for a little boy who lives somewhere else in the world. We don't know where our box will go, but we hope it brings joy to this unknown child. And we pray for him and his family that this gift will bless them and that they will hear and understand the gospel message of Jesus Christ.

Bonus picture: Elijah with his box last year when he could barley sit up while leaning on something.

Bubble Bath Fun

Elijah loves bath time...he loves bath letters...and really loves bubble baths!

In the Shelves

Scooted in and proud, Elijah soon won't fit in the shelves like this. But for now he enjoys looking through the clear back of the shelves and tapping on the sides. He did not like slouching in there because he got stuck and Mommy had to help him out of his little jam.

Book Buddy

Thanks to Erik for filling in for me yesterday while I wasn't feeling well. Today I'm ready for AWANA Cubbies (note the shirt). Elijah sat on my lap and we read a few books this afternoon. 

Cleaned up and Worn out...

Mommy wasn't feeling well this evening, so after dinner, bath and more playtime, Elijah and I picked up all of his toys. Not surprisingly, he picked up more than I did. he is an excellent cleaner!

But a clean room comes at a price, Elijah was ready for bed a few moments after we finished cleaning. I hope both him and Amy get plenty of rest tonight.

Matthew 11:28-30

²⁸ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.


--Erik

Whoa

He was trying to be cool by standing on his books...but he slipped. Looks like he's doing fine now. Poor Larry the Cucumber getting sat on by Lil' Larry, my son.

Bag

After a late night at church, I let Elijah play a little before bedtime. He enjoyed putting several toys in his bag, and then handing the toys to me. What's in the bag, Elijah? This drumstick! 

Dino Ride

I didn't get to post yesterday because I didn't have Elijah. He was busy spending time (all day) with Grandma while Erik and I were out. So I'll post twice today. The morning post is Elijah playing on his ride-on dinosaur. This dino has been in hiding for a week or so because Elijah kept trying to stand on it, but it decided to come back today.

Lap

Elijah spent a lot of time on my lap this afternoon. Tired? Fussy? Sick? Needy? No idea. He wanted to play as soon as Daddy was home though.

Short Stay

Grandma came by for a short visit to see Elijah and they played with his toys. Here, he holds the ball as high as he can so he can throw it hard. And he has on Buzz Lightyear pajamas.

Bracelet

Who are you wearing? Elijah is sporting a trendy new twisted blue pipe cleaner bracelet. It's all the rage in reusable wear for babies. This particular item was made by our daycare provider's daughter, Treasure. He loves it.

I Voted!

He's not old enough to vote, but his Daddy was given an entire roll of stickers!

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose." ~Romans 8:28

Please check out the video I posted "Back Crawl" that I wasn't able to upload yesterday. It's there now and it's kind of funny.

Back Crawl

I couldn't get this to post yesterday...sorry for the delay. Here's Elijah charging at Erik. I've never seen him crawl backwards like that though. Silly kid!

First Haircut

Elijah's dressed up for church. This is pre-haircut and he's looking good and happy.

 

This is the back of his head. You can kind of see the crazy hair sticking out. It's starting to look like a mullet (short in front, long in back).

During the haircut, Erik cut using his trimmer and Elijah played with the light switch in our bathroom.

All done! Now it looks better although it's still thinned out which it weird because Erik and I both have thick hair...

Bath Letters

After a long day of playing at home and Zona Rosa, Elijah takes a bubbly bath. I switched his bath toys to letters and numbers so we could do some learning while we get clean. Erik even spelled our names on the tub wall...although he had to use the "1" for the "i" in Erik's name.

Cleaning Video

He's picking up his toys without being asked. Pattern much? Grab Lego, put in bag, clap...repeat. 

Flashlight

Hand a kid a flashlight and watch him spin, giggle, and try to put it in his mouth. We gave it to him last night for trick-or-treating and he found it to play with today too. Maybe we should get him a kid's flashlight...