Eli's 1-Year-Old Faces

Eli is in such a busy, wiggly phase that it's getting harder and harder to pin him down for a cute photo. So I snatched the opportunity while he was eating to get some fun shots (it's easier when he's pinned down in his booster seat).

Above: His face is messy as he was eating a delicious lunch of penne pasta with catalina salad dressing. He LOVED it (this was my makeshift tomato sauce since I didn't have time to whip up spaghetti sauce to go with his lunch - the pasta was leftover from another meal).

Above: Here he is after I got his face pretty clean, still sitting in the booster. This time Eli was eating a few pretzels and playing with the balloon that is still floating, now a week and a half later!

Eli the Tipsy Toddler

Eli is going through a bumps and bruises stage - he toddles around everywhere, but still biffs it about one in five times. It makes for an interesting day - I watch him walk around and usually hold my breath, hoping he's not going to fall on a sharp corner or step on a block in his way. On Sunday he had a huge bump on his eyebrow from falling and hitting the side of the tub (not while taking a bath, but being in there while I was brushing my teeth). Today his teeth somehow cut his lip when he fell down at some point. I would like to get his 1-year picture taken soon, but he keeps banging up his face, so I wait another day.

Here he is early this morning, carrying the balloon around from his birthday that is still floating more than a week later:

And speaking of his birthday, here is a picture from last week when we had lunch at Walker Brother's Pancake House - pecan wafles and crispy hashbrowns are my favorite - yum yum yum! Eli loves his snack catcher as shown below - it makes him such an independent snacker, which I love.

Behind us are these old ladies who were very sweet to Eli while we were there - he was feeling social that day and walked over to say hi to them.

Happy 1st Birthday Eli!!

The day is here! Happy 1st Birthday Eli!

Last night I decorated for the occasion.

We had a huge 3-foot balloon filled with helium (but it wasn't floating this morning, unfortunately) and also got a regular helium balloon at the store last night, so he had a great time playing with them this morning.

We think he could tell it was a special day for him!

We sang happy birthday about 20 times.

Below are some fun gifts from friends and family - an engraved journal from Ben's parents, darling Robeez red/brown monkey shoes from Neil and Jolene (he's shaking them in the picture), a toy guitar from me and Ben, and a cute package from Stephanie - I love to email cool sewing projects that I see online because she is amazing at that stuff - so for Eli's birthday, Steph sent him a "1" onesie and a diaper/wipes pouch! (and a cute book too) I was laughing when I realized they were ideas I had sent her way. :)

My parents are coming over later today and I'm sure we'll have more birthday festivities as the day goes on. I'm throwing Eli and Ben a combined birthday party next week since Ben turns 30 in a few days. It's fun to make the celebrations last as long as possible, right? :)

This Week in Pictures

Here is a collection of pictures from the last week:

Eli discovered the toilet paper a few days ago. Now we keep the bathroom door closed.

He also discovered the joy of balloons and got his very own at a burger joint.

Below: Eli isn't so sure this helmet is a good thing...

But he soon forgot about it and enjoyed the walk to the park.
His feet don't reach the pedals yet, but he had fun holding the handlebars.
He loves the slide...

...and the swing!