Wednesday, March 30, 2011

If you want to plant a Cheerio tree...

it may be better, Eli, to choose a spot that isn't concrete.

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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

The blur I call Eli

Taking pictures of Eli has become more challenging lately.
Because he never. stops. moving.

Which results in 90% of my shots (especially with my iPhone) looking like this:

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When I started taking this picture, Eli was standing by the window looking out.
Then he saw the camera and decided he needed to come check out its buttons.
And all hope for focus was lost!

Monday, March 28, 2011

The best $10 I've ever spent

Last week I met a friend about half way between Athens and Atlanta.  After we hung out, I decided to drive the rest of the way into the city and make an impromptu trip to IKEA.

I don't know what it is about that place, but it draws me like a moth to the flame.

After wandering around a little bit and picking up a few items that I needed wanted, Eli and I headed to the kids section so he could play a little before we got back in the car.

And that is when I spotted it.

A simple red tent.  Eli-sized.

The price?  $9.99.

How could I resist?

Best.  Decision.  Ever.

Just look...

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Eli loves to crawl inside and hang out for a little.  Then usually he turns to me and asks me to close the door... which he does by using his sign for 'more' for some reason.



Sometimes I peek inside to see what he is up to...

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Sometimes Eli peeks outside to see what I am up to...

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And then sometimes he does this... which just has to make you smile.

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Happy Monday!


Thursday, March 24, 2011

Something for your 'To Do' list

I miss St. Louis.  {Sigh}


Definitely a case of 'you don't know what you've got til it's gone.'


I'd like to introduce you to a couple of my friends from St. Louis... Russ and Katie Mohr.
I've known the Mohrs since before Josh and I got hitched and, frankly, always wished I'd had a chance to be better friends with them.  They are cool that way.


Katie writes an awesome blog that she started to document their incredible journey to adopt a little boy from Guatemala.  You can read it here.


Russ is artist of many talents.  Singer.  Songwriter.  Trumpet player.  Graphic designer.  He is in an awesome band called the Fundamental Elements.  Amazing.  


Anywho, Russ and Katie are in the process of adopting another little boy, this time from the US.  And the costs are astronomical.  As a way to off-set some of these expenses, Russ has recorded a 6-track worship CD that is available for digital download.  


It's called Hymns & Spiritual Songs.  Go HERE to check it out.  You should take a listen.  You won't be disappointed.  
And then you should buy it so you can listen to it some more.  And know that you are helping some excellent parents bring a little boy into their home to love.




From Russ:
Hymns & Spiritual Songs is a worship EP comprised of 3 original tracks and 2 hymns by Fundamental Elements front-man and City Church director of worship arts, Russ Mohr. Russ collaborated with band-mate and close friend Luke DeJaynes, who engineered and mixed the project. All instruments were performed by Russ and Luke. Recorded at the Groove Kitchen in Greenville, IL. 

This EP was recorded as a fund-raising effort to help the Mohr family offset the expenses of adopting a baby boy in Spring, 2011. It is our hope and prayer that the music recorded on this album is a blessing to you and your family, just as your purchase of this record has been a blessing to ours. 

Thanks so much for supporting our endeavor and our art. Enjoy!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

The skinny on Eli


I still haven't gotten back into the swing of blogging, but thought I would at least post Eli's most recent stats from his 15 month check up with our new pediatrician (who I love).

WEIGHT: 30 lbs 9 oz
HEIGHT: 33 3/8 in

Both measurements are pretty much off the charts.  Further confirmation that Eli is a big boy.

He walks, runs, climbs, crawls, rolls, tackles... all with gusto.  To say that he is an active kid would be a major understatement!

Eli talks all the time but doesn't use many recognizable words yet.  Except 'no'.  Lucky me.
He knows several animal noises, including dog, cat, duck, and cow.
And, don't tell anyone here in Athens, but if you ask him what an elephant says, he will raise his fist in the air and wait for us to say 'Roll Tide'.  It's too cute for me to try to get him to stop.

We get an occasional 'uh-oh' and 'da-da' and 'ma-ma'.  Eli continues to use some signs to communicate as well... especially 'more', 'please', and 'all finished'.

I have a feeling that an explosion of vocabulary is around the corner!

Eli is about as friendly as they come... he will wave at anyone who looks his way and has all the grandmas at the grocery store wrapped around his finger after he flashes one of his charming smiles.

He has started giving great hugs and will often come up to me and throw his arms around me.  Sloppy open mouth kisses, too.  Aren't they the best?

In addition to using the word no, he fully understands what it means when it is told to him.  We are seeing the beginning of the tantrum phase... crying, gnashing of teeth, collapsing on the floor... the whole nine yards.

Oh, Eli.  You are the light of my life!


Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Watch me grow... fifteen months!

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