2.5 is the best kind of half!

Eli Bear,

So much has happened in the last 5 months. You've grown like a weed, and kept us on our toes. I declare 2 and a half the best age you've been so far. Although you aren't speaking perfectly or in full sentences, you have enough of a vocabulary and comprehend us enough that we can communicate with you problem. You surprise me every day with how well you understand us, and how well we can reason with you. Not sure if the reasoning stage will last, but I am enjoying it for now. You fully understand when you are being naughty, nice, sweet, and funny, and you'll let us know by yelling, "Eli funny!" You've started doing this thing where you will give me the sweetest smile and hug and kiss when you've done something naughty, the manipulation is in full effect and it works every time. You've also got a new mean face where you furrow your eyebrow to let us know you are upset, I am sorry to say it just makes us laugh every time, that one doesn't work for you.

As of last month, you've changed your bed time routine. Mom used to do the whole thing, but lately you want dad. Although it makes me terribly sad to lose that special time with you, it's been nice for you to have some time with dad. Daddy has been telling you stories about Jack and Wolfie. When he was a little boy, grandpa told him stories about Sam and Wolfie. It's been my favorite part of the day to listen to dad tell you stories at night. The first you do in the mornings is tell me about Jack and Wolfie, you try to recount the previous night's story about dinosaurs or choo choo trains and I love it.

Speaking of Dinosaurs, we've taken  you to Dinosaur Park twice this summer and it's hands down your favorite place. You talk about it for a week after and beg to go every day. You did great and were never afraid of any of the dinosaurs or the noises they made. Things you are into these days are dinosaurs, choo choo trains, airplanes, and superheroes. The horse and cowboy stage is ending and I am super sad about it. But, you do make a pretty cute Spiderman.

Last weekend, you finally learned how to ride a real bicycle with training wheels! Abuelito taught you how. We've been working on it for months, and I really thought it would be another year or two before you could it, so I was in complete shock when I went outside and saw you riding like a champ. It immediately made you look like a 5 year. It was one of the proudest mom moments I've ever had. It's been hard keeping up with all the emotions we've had these last few months. You are learning so many things and so quickly. It's hard to process one before you've reached another milestone. This parent thing is such a fun ride, I'd say rollercoaster, but really, there are very few downs. You've been such a joy at 2 years old. There are very few bad days anymore, and we've been having so much fun. I am crossing my fingers we never hit the Terrible Two stage people talk about.

Another thing I want to remember about you at this age is how much you love your duck and blanket. Although lately, it's been more duck than blanket. You carry that thing everywhere, you give it rides on your bike, you kiss it and hug and tell it you love it and you've been talking to it more and more lately. There are so many cute things I want to embed in my mind forever, in a way I write more for me and my selfishness than for you. I want to remember how when we leave the house in the morning, you tell the kitty goodbye every day. You say bye to the house, you say by to the trees, and you say bye to the mail. You ask momma to drive faster and faster in her car. You ask the ducky if he's ready when we are about to go over a bump and to hold on. You hug and kiss us when you accidentally hit us.  We really are so incredibly lucky that you are our son. You fit so perfect into our family and try as might, I cannot remember what life was like before you. For the rest of my life, I will be grateful that the universe chose us to be your parents.

We got another surprise in April, we found out you are going to be a big brother! Even though I am terrified of the thought of caring for two little humans, I CANNOT wait to see you interact with the baby. You have such a sweet personality and I just know you'll be a great big brother. Baby is due one month after your 3rd birthday, so we will have a busy winter.

I love you to infinity and beyond Eli Bear.

XOXO
Momma

Christmas

Eli Bear,

This was the best Christmas EVER! I knew it would be magical having you understand the concept of gifts!  On Christmas Eve we headed to Chuy and Grandma's house for a dinner. You had tamales and loved them. At one point in the night, I had gone to the bathroom and when I came back, you were pulling your pjs out of your diaper bag and wanted to put them on. So, Uncle Eric asked if you could open one of his presents. You did and you were so excited to discover they were Woody pajamas! You immediately started ripping off your clothes. Then Cristy wanted you to open one of her gifts, so we just went ahead and started gifts early. Your aunt and uncle spoiled you with Toy Story presents and so did mom, dad, and grandma. You walked away with a Woody, Buzz Lightyear and a Jessie doll. You lucky little boy. Oh, and Eric got you a matching Woody hat and holster, needless to say, you were the coolest cowboy on the block.

Christmas morning was extra special because we got to spend time with just us 3. You, daddy, and I all took turns opening presents and spoiling each other. Of course you helped us open ours as well. We got you a pair of Doc Marten boots, and when you opened the box and saw they were shoes, you said NO and promptly closed the lid on the box. Dad and I had a good chuckle. Grandma bought you a scooter that you were not interested in, and Nana got you a motorized car wish you are afraid of. We hope that by summer time you will be ready to rock your new toys.

After breakfast, Nana, Papa, Dejia, Grandpa Alan and Grandma showed up for even more gifts and dinner. You were spoiled yet again and had such a blast showing off all your toys and being a ham for everyone. We had a very nice dinner together and put you to bed at 6:45. You were one tired little boy and slept for 13 hours straight.

It's been a few days since Christmas, and you are still peeking under the tree and saying "Presents?" Me too little guy, me too. I wish it was Christmas every day. I am so glad that you are finally at a stage where you are able to understand holidays and we can start all sorts of traditions with you.

I love you so much little guy,

Momma

2 Years - 1 Month

Dear Baby Bear,

Now that you are 2 years old, I'm not sure how we'll continue your monthly updates, but I hope to continue writing to you in one form or another. I'm also not sure if you will appreciate these letters when you are a grown man, or if you will consider them borderline obsessive. But, one day, you will have babies of your own, and you will understand the tremendous feeling of wanting to boast about your child and frantically remember every moment of their lives.

Every day that goes by I look at you and feel a tiny bit of sadness that my baby is no more. Your chubby baby rolls are gone, you cannot be held, or rather, refuse to be held, you have your own opinions about everything, and one day, the kisses will stop. But, during those same sad moments, I catch glimpses of kindergarten Eli bringing home art projects from school and proudly displaying them on the fridge, or teenager Eli mopping around the house with a broken heart for a girl, or Eli as a father, being tender and caring towards his own newborn son. Then I remember that we get a whole lifetime of this. Of seeing you grow, and learn, and become the amazing person I know you will be. It's a constant struggle, that of a mom, to want to keep you small, and safe, and innocent, but the want to see you grow and reach your potential.

For now, we take it one day at time, and try to enjoy every minute, of every day we get together. You have only been part of our lives for 2 years, but they are hands down, the best 2 years of my life. You make every family gathering, every holiday, every day more enjoyable. As your personality develops and we get glimpses of what kind of big kid and adult you'll be it gets more exciting. You are certainly an entertainer and you like to be in the center of it all. You like to make people laugh, and you are constantly applauding yourself for things you think deserve it. And I'll be right there alongside you to cheer you on.

I hope that for as long as you live, you will always know how loved and needed you are. You are my everything.

Love,

Momma

2 Years Old

Dear Eli,

You are officially a two year old and a full blown toddler! I know I say this all the time, but I just can't believe how quickly our lives are moving. You are a baby no more, but an independent toddler who has thoughts and opinions of his own.

You are becoming very vocal about what you like, don't like, what you want to wear, what movies you'd like to watch. Sometimes it still surprises me and catches me off guard when you give us your opinion. I am so used to doing everything for you and making choices that I forget that it won't always be that way.

Right on cue, we've hit the difficult part of this stage too. You are an excellent tantrum thrower, and make for some interesting days. We try very hard to be patient little guy as we know that it has to be difficult to want something, and not have people understand what you are saying. Like in all things, we know that this too shall pass and we take it one day at a time.

Every day gets a little bit easier as you learn new words and we work on stringing them together. Just this morning, you said, "Mama, ven aqui." We've been working on that one for months! You knew all three words, but you never said them together, I was so proud of you.

Speaking of words, the ones you learned last month are:

Cheerios, thirsty, stretch, back, moon, este, ten, sientate, heavy, dirt, bees, love you, cute, sheep, vaca, going, coming, bravo, feet, socks, one-two-three, where are you?, nice to meet you, burrito, coffee, TV, give me, drink, candy, awesome, cake, pumpkin, and stars.

At two years old, you know about 140 words, Good job Eli! We are so incredibly proud of you!

For your 2nd birthday, we had a Yo Gabba Gabba themed party. I had an epic mom fail moment as I didn't take a single picture. I was so busy running around that day and making sure everyone was taken care of, and I was really hoping that someone else would take pictures, but no one did. So here are a few  to try and remember the day by.

One of your favorite presents was a Woody doll that has a removable hat and talks and lights up when you push a button. You've been inseparable since you got it. Uncle Eric also gave you the Toy Story movie, and you've made us watch it 3 times in 1 week. It's funny that the toys you are most attached to are hats, cowboys, horses, guns, and music. You are such a Hancey boy.

Last night, while I was reading you your bedtime books, I saw you lay your Woody doll in the crib, prop his head on your duck and place the blanket around him. My heart could not handle the amount of cuteness that was you. You are such a sweet little guy, I hope with all my heart you continue to have a caring heart.

You are growing up to be an amazing boy Eli, I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for us.

I love you so much.

Momma

23 Months Olds - The deets

Eli Bear,

So much has happened in your life the last month! You received your first stamp on your passport by going to Mexico. You had the time of your life! You loved being the star of the show and getting so much undivided attention. I loved getting to spend 10 entire days with you.

Your favorite things in Mexico were the open fields and roads to run on, the horses, the trucks, the bags and bags of Cheetos, the cows and dogs, and all the friends you made.

My favorite part of Mexico was having my grandpa meet you. Of course you won him over immediately and it made my heart so happy. The first day we were there, you saw an old hat he had hanging in the corral as a decoration, well of course you insisted on wearing it all day long. It was too big for you though and it kept falling off. That afternoon, when we went back to grandpa's house, he had a surprise waiting for you...your very own, Eli-sized hat! You wore that thing every single day there, and you loved taking it off and saying "Yee-Haw!"




We've decided we need to try and make it a yearly trip for you, I don't want you to ever forget Florencia.

Last month your list of words was at 87, here are some new words you've learned and have been using:

• Otro
• Gross
• Down
• Sopita
• Mio
• Vaso
• Tu
• Sorry
• Let go
• Grandma
• Grandpa
• Monkey
• All done
• Heavy
• Thank you
• Gracias
• Boy
• Baby
• Besito

106 words! You are such an amazing kid! You and I have got our communication down, little guy. last week we had an entire conversation with the words you knew and with your hand signals. You asked me to get a chair and move it to a specific spot then to get a second one for you, and a third for dad. Then you had me sit, and you asked for help to sit in yours. Then you wanted to put on your hoodie and zip it up and put the hood up, then you made mom do the same to hers. Then you started drinking your milk cup when you realized mom didn't have her coffee cup anymore and you told me to go get it. It was so simple, but it left me speechless that we spent a few minutes communicating with each other. Each day brings more words and more understanding. I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to not be understood.


Your favorite toys and activities haven't changed much this month, you still love trucks and cars, horses, balls, pushing things, books, music. Your favorite TV show is Yo Gabba Gabba and that will be the theme of your 2nd birthday party.

We love you so much Eli. Keep growing!

Love,
Momma

A Love Letter to 23 Month Old Eli

My littlest love,

I want to know how it is possible that next month you will be 2 years old? You have been in our lives for such a short amount of time, yet I find it impossible to remember what my life was like before you. What did I do? What filled my time? What made my heart happy? Surely nothing was better than the pure joy I get from just watching you.

Nothing is more fulfilling than to merely watch you be. To look at your face and take in every eyelash, every mouth movement, your milky skin, the little freckle below your right eye, the little dimple you get when you chew food, the wispy locks of your hair trying to grow out. You are beautiful my boy, I cannot begin to describe what a miracle you are to me.

As you grow older you've become better at playing by yourself. By yourself yes, but never alone. You request the presence of either mom or dad, or best of all both! You don't need us to play with you, but you ask us to sit on the couch and just watch you play. You are a social creature my love, you enjoy the company of others. So, dad and I fulfill your requests and watch you play every night. We watch you dig through your box of cars until you find just the right one that feels good for today, then you run it up and down on the couch, on the floor, sometimes over your arms or your head like you've seen mommy do to you.

Those are the moments that always make me catch my breath. I want to scream to your dad, "Did you see that? I did that to him the other day, he remembered!" You have a way of surprising me by doing things dad and I do, or saying things we do. I need to remember that you are taking it all in little boy, the good and the bad. But, the good, oh that feels good to see you do. When you say "thank you" and "gracias" when you give hugs and kisses all on your own without prodding, when you try and share and feed your toys food, when you pretend to laugh, it's all so magical.

This is my favorite age little guy, you are such a joy to be around. You are so smart and funny and opinionated and bossy and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Next month you turn 2 years old and I am excited to see what new challenges and happiness that stage will bring us.

I love you Eli, to the moon and back.

Love,
Momma

22 Months

Last long haired picture.

Eli Bear!

In less than 2 months we will be celebrating your 2nd birthday! I'm afraid to say that year 2 went by faster than year 1. We constantly struggle with being so sad that you are growing up so fast, but so excited to see what the future brings.

Like I've said before, this is my favorite age so far, and the hardest. You know just enough words to get by, but not enough so that we understand each other 100 percent. You are a determined and strong willed little boy and throw the tantrums to prove it. But, in the same breath you are becoming funny, so, so funny, you are a little entertainer and attention getter. You are also incredibly sweet and generous with your hugs and kisses. On Friday, you gave me your first unsolicited kiss and I just about melted.



Snacking after a swim at Pine View

I hope that for the rest of your life you feel loved by us and that you know just how amazing you are. You fill giant holes in our hearts that we didn't even knew existed. Every day my heart grows for you. Every day I think I've reached the limit and then you go and do something amazing that makes it expand even more. You are pure magic little boy.

This month we took you camping and swimming at Pine View. Both of those things make you incredibly happy. You get to play in dirt and sand all day, and then we jump into the water to clean off. You continue to love the outdoors and I'm so happy dad is going to have a partner.

We also had a BBQ with friends and they brought their babies who are also your age. This time you did great, Eli! You were so nice, and you shared all your toys. I was incredibly proud of you! During one point, Oliver was on the floor playing, and you stood next to him, shooing the flies away.

Failed attempt at a selfie in the theatre

You had 2 big firsts this month too. We had our first mommy and son date, and we went to the movies! We watched Despicable Me 2 and you did AMAZING! I bought you a little snack pack with popcorn, gummy fruit and a lemonade. You literally sat on my lap the entire time and ate popcorn while you watched the movie. You didn't make a single peep and were mesmerized. Another very proud mom moment. You never cease to amaze me.

Playing at the fountain in Lagoon

The other was your first trip to Lagoon. That one did not go as smooth. The first ride was the Merry-Go-Round which you really liked, so we made the mistake of thinking you were ready for other rides. We put you in a little airplane one, but we couldn't ride with you and you cried the whole time. That was tough, to watch you cry and not be able to comfort you until the ride was done. To make it up to you, we took you on a train ride which you liked. Then daddy rode Puff the Magic Dragon with you. You didn't cry, but you definitely did not enjoy it. We decided you were just too young for Lagoon this year, I hope you don't grow up to have an irrational fear of amusement parks, if so, you know who to blame...

 We also cut your hair again last weekend. It grows so fast, so got it cut twice in one month! I'm sorry to say, you now hate haircuts. Daddy and I had to hold you down while the stylist cut. This one was different than your first because clippers were involved. You do not like those at all. Luckily, you forgot about it pretty quickly. You new haircut is great! I can't believe I was so scared to cut your hair. I honestly thought you wouldn't look as cute, but boy was I wrong! I was shocked at how cute and different you looked! It seemed as if you aged a year overnight! My chubby little baby was gone and replaced by a hyper toddler! But, it fits you so well, and you look adorable.

First of 2 haircuts this month

 

This Friday we fly to Mexico for 10 days. I am so nervous and excited at the same time. I'm now sure how'll you handle being confined to a small seat for 5 hours. But, I am so excited for you to meet all of our family in Mexico! You have great grandparents waiting to meet you!

I'll end this month's update with new words learned:

• Cup
• Door
• Chip
• Pan (Sp)
• Tonto (Sp)
• Close
• Spoon
• Cow
• Dude
• Bye
• Get it
• Break it
• Cowboy
• Oh no
• Sup (as in: What's up?)
• Some
• Ear
• Ese (Sp)
• Bees
• Aqui (Sp)
• Titi (Cristy)
• Abuelita (Sp)
• Yogurt
• Brobee
• Gabba
• Leche/Milk

87 words! One of our favorite activities is keeping track of this list little guy. It's ridiculously fun to be proud of you and show off your amazing vocabulary. Every word you learn gets us closer to communicating better. Keep learning little guy, we love you.

XOXO
Momma