Dear Eli,
I say it all the time and I really mean it -- I don't know where the time goes! In a blink of an eye, we have gone from finding out we were pregnant with you to you turning one year old! I wish there was a way to stop time and soak in all of these special moments. Maybe you can be the guy that figures out how to do that! Just kidding. You'll probably be a firefighter. Ha! :)
I'll be honest with you: After we had Lucy, your dad wasn't sure he wanted anymore babies. He was sure that two was enough for him. I wasn't as sure. I really felt like I wanted three kids. As time passed, I got comfortable with the idea of two kids. Until one day when Lucy was two and your daddy told me he really liked the idea of another baby. I was surprised! We decided to see what happened and in three short weeks, I found out I was pregnant with you! I believe you really wanted to be in this world. I think you were always meant to be and you made sure to let us know at the first opportunity you could. Out of everyone, your brother, Dean, was the most excited to have a new baby. He would snuggle me and take care of me the whole time you were in my belly. He couldn't wait for you to be born.
Half way into my pregnancy, your dad and I found out that you would be born with a cleft lip on the left side and also with cleft palate. We were shocked at the news. It didn't take us long to devise a plan to learn everything we could to make sure we knew exactly how to prepare for your birth. I always thought that I wanted to keep knowing the sex of a third baby a surprise, but it was crystal clear to me that we needed to know if you were a boy or a girl. We wanted to be as prepared as possible. We wanted to dream about you and imagine our world together. We were thrilled to find out you were a boy. When I had my first ultrasound, the tech accidently rolled over your boy parts, so I was pretty sure I already knew anyway!
Over the next few months, your dad and I made appointments and did a lot of research. We were SO prepared for your birth. We knew exactly what to expect...except we didn't know you would fail your hearing test in the hospital. When you did, it made me nervous. About a week after you were born, I was feeding you in my bed and singing to you. You turned and stared into my eyes. I knew you heard me. It made me sob -- in a good way! It felt like everything was going to be alright. Sure enough -- you failing that hearing test ended up being to our benefit! You had some additional hearing tests and they gave you ear tubes during your lip repair surgery (they usually wait until the palate repair to do it). You have been hearing perfectly ever since! Had you not failed the test, then you likely wouldn't be able to hear well now. What a blessing this all was! Your first word was momma. We've tried so hard to get you to say dada, but you just say momma instead! Poor Dad! You recently starting saying something that sounds like Eli, more, and uh oh. When you have your palate surgery on January 15, then you'll be able to say more things. We have your speech therapy set up and ready to go. We can't wait to see what you have to say!
You have always been such an easy baby, Eli. From the moment you were born, you and I clicked. I knew what you needed, when, and knew how to prepare for what you'd want next. It has been so easy!! All that thought, all that planning, all that love we put into preparing for you paid off. We are so thankful!
You've slept through the night since almost the very beginning. You truly NEVER wake up. Thank you for this. This is such a gift!! Since about six months or even a little earlier, you've taken one long nap during the middle of the day -- between 11:30/12:00 to 3:00ish. Your schedule is so predictable!
In fact, your schedule made it so easy for you to come with me to work! You participated in the Infants at Work Program at my work. It was a pilot project and you were the very first baby. You were amazing. You barely made noise. You would stare at me all day and kick your little legs with excitement when I would look your way. You made so many friends. It was a great experience. I just found out this week that the pilot program was adopted as a permanent program!! You are part of the reason the program was a success!! What a blessing this program will be for mothers and babies in the future.
Since graduating from the program at six months, you began hanging out with your Papa and Auntie Heather more. I have loved having them take care of you. It feels good to know you're in such good hands when I can't be with you. Papa has watched you more lately because Daddy hurt his leg. Papa is loving every second. You've been drumming, watching educational shows (ha!), playing trucks, and chasing Papa around the house (okay, it's crawling, but you go so fast!). You took your first step tonight on your first birthday!! You'll be running after Papa really soon! Mike loves to watch you giggle. She thinks your smile is the sweetest thing. She usually nudges me and makes me watch you smile and laugh. I'm not sure anything could make her happier.
You absolutely love to play with your family though. Mom, Dad, Dean, Lucy, whatever. You love to play with someone. Honestly, you really like playing with Oscar. You both fight over his bones. He's so gentle with you and looks at me with a confused face when you take his bone away (to chew on!! Ew!). Lucy loves to pick you up, snuggle you, and smoosh you. You do NOT love this. You actually get mad at her and yell at her! Dean loves to come give you hugs and kisses. I'm not sure that you ever get mad at Dean actually. He's too sweet to you! They both love to take care of you, but Lucy makes you bottles, changes diapers, and even feeds you dinner. You love food, by the way. You will eat anything and everything. You're a great eater! We had macaroni and cheese and peas for your birthday dinner. Lucy said that's what you wanted! :)
I could go on forever about you, my sweet baby. You have blessed and enriched our lives in ways we never imagined. We have shared your journey with our friends and family. They are so invested in your success. It's been an amazing first year. I cannot wait to see what comes next.
I love you with all of my heart, Eli. Happy first birthday!!
All my love,
Mom
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