Ever Wonder What One-Year-Olds Do All Day?

Did you ever wonder what one-year olds are like? Are you a grandparent that is asking yourself, "What were MY kids like when they were 1? I have forgotten."

Here are a few samples. More will come.

First, we have the funny faces. He is exploring all the ways he can contort his face to express humor, frustration, or just experiment.
The Goofy Grin:


The Tongue Pose:


The Tongue Crawling Attack of the Tiger:


Elijah LOVES to repeat things that he finds interesting or funny, over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over, again. Observe:



Repeat:



He has recently discovered the joy of taking everything out of something.
(We are SOOOO excited that he's now putting everything back IN sometimes!)
A fine example:

Birthday Video Collection

It's time for the REAL birthday stories. Video. Here's some video from the big party, and from the big day itself, March 19, when Elijah opened a present or two with mom and dad. Enjoy!

He thought his present was a toy to push around the room! Opening it was not on his mind!

More of the same fun!

The day of the big birthday party came! Woo Hoo! It's a baby birthday party, so let the fun begin!




Elijah's baby buddies, Nathan and Owen came over. They were not interacting too much until the incredible moving airplane (on a traintrack) came out!




And now the moment you've all been waiting for... The CAKE!

Birthday Party!!!

Elijah just turned 1 year old! There was so much excitement that the blogs will have to come in waves. First, we will be sharing pictures from the BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!! Our house was filled with great friends and little baby boys! Elijah, being rather reserved and having a strong aversion to loud noise, did not appreciate the party right away.

He made this type of face for about an hour straight.

Then came the presents. He likes taking things out and destroying them, so opening presents made him pretty stinkin' happy!

You can see that he was focused! Eyes on the prize, son.

Nathan, "Hi. I'm Nathan. Why are you so small? I thought you were older than me? You see here Elijah, you are turning one today and I'm going to tell you why..."

Elijah, "You're touching my toy. I haven't learned sharing yet."

Elijah, "Hey everybody. Thanks for coming to my birthday party, I guess. I had some fun, but it was really intense and overwhelming. Cake's okay, but I'd rather have a bananna. Uuhhhh... This birthday stuff is hard work."

"I love my Mommy and Daddy!"

More Presents!

Today I opened some more presents.
I got a Xylophone from my godparents Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Cal.

Here's a blast from the past when my other godparents (Kevin and Abbie) were here. They also gave me a present for my 1st birthday.
I guess it's kind of a big deal.

It was a BIG present.

With lots of paper!!!!!

I like paper.

It was a new TRUCK!
I helped Kevin and Abbie put it together.
Here I am helping Kevin read the directions:

I like my truck!!
It helps me walk around the house, but sometimes I have to stop and check the engine.

It looks good!
Happy Birthday to me!

Birthday!

My parents say it's my birthday.

That means I am 1 year old today.
And I finally get to wear the bib Grandma Joan got for me.

It also means I get presents.

That means I get to rip paper a bunch of times.

I like how it sounds.

I like how it tastes too, but mommy says too much paper will spoil my lunch.

It's my birthday!

Check out my cool new duds from Tia Christy! She got me some books that my parents can read to me in english and spanish so me and daddy can learn together. Mommy knows some spanish, but not as much as my Tia Christy. I think her friend Jared picked out the Yankees gear for me to sport this summer. But I don't have a favorite team yet.

Tomorrow I get to open more presents! And we're having a party on Saturday just for me.

Happy Birthday to me!
I'm ONE!

Hi Five!

Sometimes I like to walk across the room and give mama a high five.





Sometimes I like to crawl over and give mama a high five.





And sometimes I just like to destroy things mama builds for me.

Again and again, and again...

All

Day

Long.

I never get tired of doing the same thing over and over and over again.


And sometimes I like to run into things with my car.
You should be thankful I don't have a license yet.

It's GREAT fun! Thanks, Aunt Nikki for these great blocks I can knock over! I really like them a lot!

Teeth?

Elijah saw us brushing our teeth one day and decided he needed to be part of the fun! I think he felt a little left out because he only has 4 teeth so far, but we figured it's good to brush even 4 teeth. So, first he started just sharing a toothbrush with mom or dad. Most people would find this disgusting, but I guess once you have a baby all those goes away!

We upgraded to his very own toothbrush, and he's pretty excited about it. Mostly he just sucks the water or toothpaste off it, but we're practicing.

Or... he spends 5 minutes examining the brush from every possible angle! Apparently, it's important to know exactly what you're dealing with while brushing. We love our little dentist!

PUPPIES!!!!

Our good friends Kevin and Abbie (Elijah's Godparents) came up to visit! They were able to stay for almost a week AND bring up their tiny dogs, Gizmo and Gadget! We had a ton of fun and Elijah, Gizmo, and Gadget all got along pretty well. The dogs did not bite Elijah, and in turn, Elijah did not bite them. Here's the story...

Elijah wasn't quite sure about sharing cuteness attention at first...

But he was excited to tell Kevin, Abbie, and the whole world that he joined the YMCA with mommy and daddy, and we went swimming this week!

The dogs tried to teach Elijah how to just be lazy and lay in the sunshine. "It's the warmest place to be" said Gizmo. "But I have to always keep moving," said Elijah, "and can I eat the sunshine? I always put everything in my mouth."

After the sun time, Elijah liked the puppies! They became good friends.

Elijah showed Abbie how we play peek-a-boo...

Big E's Godparents got him his very first birthday present!!! It's a truck, because he's a boy. It has blocks, he can use it to walk, AND it sweeps up the blocks in front of it as it goes! Mom and Dad like this VERY much! Thanks Kevin and Abbie!

Sad times... the good-byes... We'll miss you!