I don’t mean to get all sentimental on you, but seriously?
How. Is. This. Possible?
This morning, Anna, Noah and I took Eli to his 15 month appointment and they were all like “climbing! running! eating! independence!” And I was like but “he’s so tiny and my baby, leave us alone.”
Except they’re not lying. Even just these past few weeks he’s grown so much. He really is climbing and exploring and not wanting help from anyone. He wants to jump in the baby pool, unassisted, and share popsicles with his siblings and throw balls and push toys rather than be pushed in them.
He even started drinking beers with his little cousin. (although, we’ll need to refine his choice in beer, it’s a work in progress.)
He looks at you with wonder and throws his arms straight up in the air when he wants you to pick him up. He loves his Mama and his Daddy and he adores his big siblings, too. When you ask him where “the baby” is? He lifts my shirt and sticks his finger in my belly button which I find completely disturbing so when I do ask him, I hold my shirt down as best I can.
His eyes are spectacular and his skin is so soft and his thighs are so wonderfully chunky.
He loves adventure and shows no fear which I love and also fear.
I think we’re in trouble because when Brian and I are together with Eli, we just let him do whatever he wants and we think whatever he does is just incredibly cute. No matter what it is. On Sunday, he opened the dryer and took some clothes out and placed them in the washer, shut the washer door and began pressing buttons. “LOOK, BRIAN! He’s doing laundry!” And we laughed and our eyes sparkled at his cuteness and then reality hit us and we were like “we mean, no, no, Eli.”
We are wrapped around his tiny little fingers.
Today, when the three of us and my giant belly were walking out of the doctor’s building, the older volunteer woman said “you remind me of me when I was younger. I had four children and I was so happy.” I love that my happiness shined through. I replied, truthfully, that I could absolutely not wait to be a Mom of four.
“Enjoy them, as you’re doing. Mine are all gone now.”
In just three months, his little sister will join us and then all of a sudden I’ll be writing about her climbing and eating and her growing up before our eyes and it will still feel as wonderful and amazing as it does today because that is the wonder and beauty of being a parent.
The hardest, best job in the entire world.
I think the last line of this post says it all, “The Hardest, best job in the entire world.” There is no better way to explain motherhood.
“The hardest, best job in the entire world” is a fantastic summary. Time does fly.
What a wonderful post! Eli is growing up so fast! My own R will be 18 months tomorrow and I have absolutely, positively no idea how that is even possible…I just brought him home from the hospital last week (it seems). My squishly little baby looks more like a little person these days with all of his running & jumping & expressions & babble & intonation. It’s amazing. And I hope that I get the chance to do it all again.
The hardest, most rewarding job…that I wouldn’t trade for the world. I’m going through baby withdrawals; I keep thinking – just ONE more. Maybe, maybe not. Until then, I’ll adore yours and all of those around me.
Beautiful! I can’t believe how fast he’s growing up…seems like just yesterday you posted his first pictures to your blog. Can’t wait for his little sister to come so we can “meet” her too!!
We just back from vacation and K seemed like such a “big girl” to us the whole time, probably because we were seeing her in a different setting. It’s just crazy how fast it goes and how much they change in this short amount of time… also? not fair.
Eli is just precious! Happy 15 months and BEYOND!
I love this post a lot, but mainly I’m just hoping that someone will tell you that your baby shouldn’t be drinking beer. People on the internets have been so crazy lately that if they stop being crazy my whole world will be rocked and I won’t know what to do. So I’m not even going to check back to see more comments, I’m just going to imagine someone commenting, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING GIVING YOUR BABY BEER, I’M CALLING THE COPS ON YOU!” And I will shake my head and say, “Oh, Lord, people are crazy.”
BEAUTIFUL POST! I can see how he has you guys wrapped around your finger, he is so adorable and so sweet!
So sweet. He is just ridiculously adorable and I would let him do what he wants to all the time too. And well, we kind of let our little guy do what he wants. It is hard to believe Eli will be a big brother so soon.
He is so cute!!!
You’re making me want another baby right this very second…and my most recent baby is only 6 months old! Four children suddenly sounds like a great idea.
This post really REALLY makes me want to dust off my shriveled ovaries and have another baby after 29 years….
Really.
But grandkids are a pretty sweet deal too! Not as much as those childbearing years. Enjoy.
As the mom who’s girls are now 24, 28, 28 and 36,, that last line is perfection “The Hardest, best job in the entire world.” That should be on a plaque on my wall somewhere.
I LOVE this post. I love that you’re so excited to have four children because there’s nothing I’d wish for my children more than large families. We had a large family and it’s the best things we’ve done in our lives. It’s good for the kids and it’s good for us. I also think it’s good that, because of our large family, everything was not handed to our kids on a silver platter. They’ve always had to work for what they really wanted and each one has turned our great. Good for you!
Time flies…for sure.
I love how the woman noticed you were so happy (with your kids). I’ve had people tell me that with my 3 (I’ve got a 5 yr old, 3 yr old, and 7 month old)-it’s one of the best compliments especially when you truly feel that way!
That picture of the two with beers is fantastic…. can you see you future already? Its so true, being a parent is so hard but it is filled with so many rewards! I wish i could tell my 7 month old to stop growing…
they get big too fast!
Goodness…that beer shot is too cute! Thanks for the smile.
It is amazing how fast they grow! I can’t even believe you are on to number four but that is awesome!!! He’s beautiful —- can’t wait to see this new baby!!!
Love this post, so beautiful! Eli is adorable and has that perfect sparkle in his eye. Your happiness about mothering four is inspiring: ) Thank you.
Such a sweet post! He is absolutely adorable
I love that the woman in the doctor’s office building saw how happy you are. I love that you are happy.
I totally agree. Being a mommy is the most wonderful and most challenging job that I have ever had – and I have a very stressful career!
Ahh, one of your happiest posts ever. Smiling.
this is simply beautiful. i love the part about the laundry. we are SO like that. i know i should care more about discipline (S is almost 3) but everything (well, almost everything) is still so cute to me!
Oh my gosh Eli’s pj’s are so cute, where did you get them?