Eli is 1 YEAR OLD! (12 month stats)

Seriously, where did the time go??  This saying is so true, "The days are long, but the years are short."  I look at Eli now and see him turning into a little boy.  Looking back at pictures, I totally miss my little 5lb 14 oz baby.  When he was born, he was literally the size of my forearm and was so tiny. I know I will say this at each birthday (#clichemom), but time flies and you quickly forget how little they were.  This has been one fun year, that is for sure!  We are truly blessed with our little love bug and cannot wait to see him develop into the next stage -- but not too fast :)

1) 18-19 lbs
2) Standing up by himself without holding on to anything.  I imagine walking is around the corner.
3) Loves birds and any animals really
4) Plays catch with himself with any ball.  Learning to pass to others
5) Alien baby talk - you can tell he is having a full on conversation with you by his expressions on his face and tone inflections.  And you better respond, or else he will get on you :)
6) He is my water baby
7) New words: Baby, Cracker
8) If you ask him to give you a kiss on the cheek, he will actually head butt you.  His head butt is his sign of affection and makes me laugh every time.  Still working on a single kiss though
9) Has his first girlfriend at Daycare.  I am told that he will corner other kids some of the other kids and take their toys to give to her. I have no idea where he learned this, or how he learned to take toys away from other kids ... something we will have to work on :)  But on the flip side, at least he is sharing - ha!
10) Starting to expand his pallet into more foods that he can chew
11) Loves Chasing Bubbles!
12) First trip to the beach and loved every bit of it
13) Turns in circles while sitting when he gets excited.
14) Loves to clap and gives High fives
15) Still loves to nurse; however, I have dropped it down to only morning and night, and no more pumping for me - WOOHOO!!!!!
16) His hair has strawberry tint
17) Learning to like arts/crafts/coloring
18) Still my music man and will dance/bounce up and down/clap to any music or song that you sing.

Flashback to 5/30/2014 - Eli Michael born at 8:21am, 5lbs 14oz, 18.5" 

Such a sweet tiny face!

To 12 Month Pictures - My Little Boy!

Look at the comparison, and this was at 3 months old (still probably not quite 10 pounds).

 I call this his Sandlot hat.  You know the one that the main kid wears before he learns how to play baseball??  I dont care, I love it - and its the only hat Eli will keep on his head.  Pretty fitting that it's Hudson's Texas Ranger hand me down :)

 Walking all the time with the musical walker

 Watching Aunt Ali worship online when we were sick.

This is our game that my mom started with Ali's kiddos. You ask, "How big is Eli?" and then he raises his arms and you all say "SOOOO Big"

 Loving Soccer just like his daddy!

 My little Gerber baby! Such a sweet face.