22 months old and counting

It's hard to believe that in 2 months, Eli will be 2 years old. What a joy he has been to our lives. Latest activities include: riding a balance bike, climbing out of his crib, playing with cars, potty training, saying sentences, drawing on the iPad AND watching "Kipper the dog". Needless to say, he is one busy guy! I have an app on my iPad for drawing. He can swipe through the apps to find the "fish" icon, then he chooses what picture to color. It's amazing!! I probably need to check our credit card to make sure he hasn't purchased new apps....ha! Kids these days!

He LOVES being outside. We have a hard time getting him back inside after a walk or a ride on his bike. He could stay outside all day....rain, snow or shine. He loves to throw snowballs and jump in puddles. I'm looking forward to this summer when we can take him to the zoo and go swimming.

One of the highlights this year has been Jonathan coaching boys basketball. Eli and I would go to practices and games. Each time we visit BFA, now, he asks to go see basketball. He was mesmerized with the noise of the dribbling balls and when the High School boys acknowlegded him. So fun to watch.....I wonder if he will enjoy this sport when he gets older?

Our boy is growing like a weed (Arkansas phrase). I was able to get him 3T outfits during my trip to the states. He can wear them, but they are just a tad to big. Hard to believe. All our 24 month clothing is out the door. It's going to be challenging to keep him clothed, I'm afraid.

He loves for Jon and I to read to him. His favorite book, he calls "Bible book". It's a daily devotional for kids (short and sweet, just like his attention span). We read it to him every morning. He likes to hold it too. As he flips through the pages, he recognizes Jesus, Noah and Moses. This makes a momma's heart happy!

My prayer for Eli is to grow up knowing who Jesus is AND to be a humble person.

"Jesus’ life exemplified humility. He did not assert His divine rights while on earth but instead left behind the glory and authority to which He was entitled. Cloaking himself with humanness, Jesus chose to be an obedient servant of His Father (Phil. 2:5-8).

Our Savior’s example was and still is countercultural. This world does not value an attitude or lifestyle of humility; rather, it applauds high achievement, outward beauty, elevated positions, or exceptional skills. But God assures us that if we choose meekness—living in submission to Jesus as Master of our lives—He will reward us in both this life and the life to come. (Matt. 5:5 niv)." In Touch Daily Devotional

Busy..Busy..Busy guy

Eli turned 16 months on the 21st. Boy, what a difference a few months makes. When we left Germany for the states in June, he was crawling....now he is running. He didn't really have a "walking" stage. Walking lasted just a couple of days....poor momma and poppa! Ha!
Needless to say, he is very active. Climbing, chasing the dogs, outside walks, dancing....you get the picture.

His vocab increases everyday (AMAZING). Eli's current words/phrases.

English words
*nnnack (snack)
*bubble
*nnnap (nap) He tells us when he is tired!! lol!
*Monkey (his favorite stuffed animal that he sleeps with from Oma and Opa Griesse)
*Passy (pacifier)
*Murph
*Mouth, cheek, ears, head, eyes, nail (he can point to them too)
*Booger (Thanks, Chris Bosch for this one)
*Shoe (Usually kids don't like to wear shoes, mine won't go without them)
*Bike
*Hurt (He says this when we put on his bib during mealtime...no clue why?)
*Nana (banana)
*Juice
*Hi/Bye (if he leaves the room, he makes sure he tells us bye)
*Apple/Orange
*Hot (He will touch things and tell us that they are hot)
*Bath

German words
*Danke shon (thank you)
*Bitte (please)
*Hund (dog)
*Tschuss (bye)

Phrases
*Hold you
*More please
*no, no, no

There are many more...but it is hard to keep track of them all.

Jon and I have attempted to start timeout!! Eli did well with it at first, but now it has been a bit of a challenge. We make him sit and hold his hands together for 1 minute....no talking or moving. Doesn't sound difficult...you'd be surprised.

I love these precious moments with him. I try and cherish them all....they grow up way to fast.

Lord, thank you for each and everyday with our sweet boy!!
Blessings,
Valerie