Elijah Attends His First Birthday Party!

On Sunday afternoon, Elijah went to his first birthday party! It was Elise's birthday party and she LOVES Elijah. Unfortunately, Elijah didn't get to enjoy the sweets there but mom and dad thoroughly enjoyed yummy desserts that Elise's mom had baked. Here are some photos to enjoy!

A Baby

Our little boy signed the word "baby" to me as we briefly looked at the story of Moses and Jesus' birth. He can't quite do the sign as we adults would do it, but he clasps his hands together and swings back and forth to mean a baby. It is so sweet to watch....

A Sick Family

Elijah had fever for a couple of days, then runny nose which lasted only a day or two, and diarrhea for two days. I'm not sure what he had...Let me just say that my senses have been traumatized forever. How can a 11 month old produce such stinky poops? We had multiple changes of clothing and good wipe sessions.... (Of course, I would have preferred to just have him take a quick bath after each session but it's cold and there is no instant hot water.) It was still a little runny today but no other episodes so I think he might be over whatever it was that he had...

Unfortunately Paul and I are both dragging our feet. I have a case of a cold and food poisoning and Paul, food poisoning. We were invited to dinner last night and we wonder if the water was not boiled for very long....I was up in the middle of the night vomiting. Paul had the squirts all day. It is hard when both parents are sick at the same time. But, we made it through the day and are grateful that we did!

11 Months Old

Mars and Venus Already?

I found this video particularly funny. This little girl is only two months older than Elijah. They have recently begun "playing" together. Isn't it funny how you can already see in this video some of the male/female dynamics? She seems much more interested in the "relational" side of their exchange while Elijah seems only interested in the container itself. ;) Mars and Venus already?

Walker?

This video is from November and I am finally getting around to posting. Elijah is using his walker to move around. However, he has yet to try walking on his own. As we have been watching Elijah, we are learning that he is a cautious explorer - not one to jump in head first. He approaches new things by sizing them up first and slowly seeing what he can do. He examines new objects before grabbing them. I have been surprised to see that when people offer new things, he doesn't take them right away. Moreover, he only takes things that he is interested in.

In many ways, his cautious approach has kept him from getting unnecessary bruises and falls. Initially I thought he would begin walking on his own by end of his tenth month, but it looks like it will take a little longer....I am not complaining though because once he starts walking, I think he will start running. That's what he does while he holds onto his dad. And, I am not sure if I am quite ready for the chase yet!

Going backwards....Thanksgiving 2009

We spent Thanksgiving this year with Anika (an American doing short-term work), Raaj, and Binu (our Nepali friends). No turkey, but we did have a delicious whole roasted chicken with mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, fruit salad, and a Nepali cauliflower and green bean dish. We had just returned from Nepal only two days before Thanksgiving, so we were all pretty tired. However, we wanted to celebrate Elijah's first Thanksgiving so we did! Paul spent some time telling the story of the original Thanksgiving to our Nepali friends who have never celebrated Thanksgiving before. Afterward, we all went around and shared what it is that we are thankful for this year. Paul and I have many things to be grateful for this year. But, of them all, we both felt like we are especially grateful for our son, Elijah. He is a long awaited gift and we are so thankful to Jesus for him.

Happy Thanksgiving, Elijah!! We are so thankful to Jesus for giving you to us. We love you!

(Pictures will be posted later...)