Elijah's Half a Year Old!

What I love about you:

• That you're sleeping through the night (mostly)!
  

• Taking road trips with you. You are such a good little travler and do really well in the car.

• How adorable you looked when you ate your rice cereal and avocado for the first time.

• Your big, beautiful smiling eyes.

• How adorable you looked all bundled up in your winter clothes for our Albuquerque trip. You may not get too much use out of them at home, so it was fun to see you in them at least once this season.

• Watching you grow and develop. It's amazing to watch you learn new things and to show your sweet little personality.
  

• How you adore your big brother. You just love him so much! And it's so sweet to watch Jaden love you and want to help do things to take care of you. And he absolutely loves giving you kisses and can't wait for you to start playing ball with him.

• The way you suck your thumb, which is super cute right now.
  

• Seeing you sit up all by yourself.

• How easy going and fun you are.

• Watching you and your cousin Aubrey play together.
  

• Bathtime! It's such a special part of our day and you love it so much!

• The way you snuggle with me and lay your head down on my shoulder when you are sleepy.

• That we have lots of family close by who get to see you often and love all over you too!

• Being a family of four! It's so wonderful having you as a part of our family!

Elijah's 4 Months Old!

What I love about you:

• Your eyelashes - they are getting so long.


• The way you are trying so hard to roll over from your back to your tummy. You've only made it about half way so far.


• Your wonderful smile! You are such a happy baby.

• The way you tell stories - you just talk and talk whenever others talk to you.


• The way your little hand clings to my shirt whenever you fall asleep in my arms.


• The loud, high-pitched scream you have discovered. You don't do it because you are mad, you do it just because.


• When you fall asleep all by yourself.

• The way your hair curls on top of your head.


• Your laughter. We can tickle you under your arms or on your tummy and you just giggle!


• Your drooly, bubbly lip.


• The way you are so mesmerized when watching your big brother. Your eyes just light up whenever you see him.

• That you were such a wonderful little traveler on our first road trip with you.


• Seeing you sit up in your BebePod and play.

Jaden is 2 1/2 Years Old!

I can't believe that Jaden is halfway to three already! Makes me so sad to think about how fast the time is going by. I want him to be little forever. But since I can't freeze time, I do want to remember how much he has changed our lives and for him to know just how special he is.

Dear Jaden,
Because of you, I became a mommy.
Because of you, I have never enjoyed life more.
Because of you, I have seen just how high a pile of laundry can grow.
Because of you, Bear Bear is always on my mind.
Because of you, we have Barney playing in the car...all the time.
Because of you, I haven't stopped worrying for the past two and a half years (plus the nine months before that).
Because of you, I will probably worry for the rest of my life.
Because of you, I have learned how wonderful the "terrible" twos can be.
Because of you, there are things in life that don't matter like they used to.
Because of you, there are things in life that matter way more than they ever did before.
Because of you, I have read How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon about a thousand times.
Because of you, I have never been asked so many questions.
Because of you, I am always concerned about the ingredients in the foods and products we buy.
Because of you, I have learned about every sport there is.
Because of you, I rarely ever shop for me anymore.
Because of you, I research everything.
Because of you, I keep Benadryl with me at all times.
Because of you, I have learned how important naps are.
Because of you, I can never get enough hugs and kisses.
Because of you, Daddy loves Saturday cartoons (or at least he has a good excuse to watch them now).
Because of you, I don't leave home without snacks and a sippy cup.
Because of you, family has a whole new meaning.
Because of you, I love shopping for new toys.
Because of you, toys are taking over the house.
Because of you, I can't go shopping without checking out the little boy's clothes and shoes.
Because of you, we've been to tons of birthday parties.
Because of you, people smile and greet us everywhere we go.
Because of you, we can't go to the mall without stopping in Barnes & Noble to play with the trains.
Because of you, Daddy has a new best buddy.
Because of you, the house is never quiet.
Because of you, I know where all the best ice cream stops are.
Because of you, I am a better teacher.
Because of you, I am always learning.
Because of you, there is never a dull moment.
Because of you, we haven't been on time for anything for the past two and a half years.
Because of you, all the "little things" are so much more important.
Because of you, Elijah has an amazing big brother.
Because of you, I have never been happier in my life.


I Love You Jaden Bear!

Elijah's 3 Months Old!

What I love about you:

• Your big, brown, beautiful eyes!

• The way you laugh in your sleep.


• Your shy, quiet smile.
  
  
• The adorable rolls of fat on your thighs.
  
• The way you love to coo and talk.


• Your perfectly kissable chubby cheeks.

• How you love to watch your big brother and let him kiss, tickle, and play with you.
  
• The way you clasp your hands together and suck on your fists.


• How adorable you look in your duck bath robe.

Your calm, easy-going personality.

How precious you look when you are sleeping.

I Love You Lijah Bear!