Our sweet, happy, curious little baby boy Elijah will turn 7 months on February 1st, and I am not sure where the time went. I am so excited to watch him grow and hit new milestones. Like learning to crawl, giggle (he has the sweetest laugh), coo and eat solid foods. I had to capture this little boy eating because he LOVES food. He is almost too excited to eat. Take a look:
Last week was another big milestone...well probably for me. I left him in the nursery for the first time. I am sure I could have left him in there earlier, but it was always easy to be right there for him if he needed to nurse or just needed me...I think it made me just feel better. I know older moms are thinking...oh just wait until they go off to kindergarten, on their first field trip, on their first date, college, or when the get married...and I just want to say I don't know how you did it! That has got to be so hard!
Well, I guess the best way to think about it is I am daily lending both of my children over to the Lord since He is the one protecting and guiding them ultimately. Elijah was dedicated to the Lord a few months ago, and it is a good reminder that the Lord has great things in store for Grace and him. So, whether in the nursery or on the football field, God is strong and He loves him more than I can imagine.
Here are some highlights from Elijah's dedication that I never published. God has great plans for you little man. Thank you to my grandfather and husband for making this day so special.
This Christmas we had many family members we wanted to give gifts to. I usually make gifts because I really enjoy to, but I was running out of time with two little ones. I decided to make everyone a CD playlist of Cliff and I's favorite songs of 2011. These songs have truly inspired and impacted us over this last year. So, in spirit of the new year, I wanted to share with you the mix we came up with:
Liberty - Shane and Shane
Glorious Day - the Village Church
Your Love is Strong - Jon Foreman
His Glory Appears - Hillsong Live
Awakening - Chris Tomlin
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) - Matt Redman
Redeeming Love - Amy Stroup
I will Exalt You - Hillsong Live
Overcome - New Life Worship
Beautiful Things - Gungor
Never Alone - Barlow Girl
You Hold me now - Hillsong Live
We have been listening a lot to our playlist at home. Grace has begun to know the songs fairly well. She also loves to sing along. Here is a sample...
It has been a nice, long holiday break! I am trying to catch up this week from our two weeks of Christmas festivities, traveling and entertaining family. It was very busy but so much fun, and it went by way too fast. The kiddos did so great traveling and were so much fun to be around. Cliff and I have endured through some very tough car rides with Grace, and we were so proud of how well she did this time around. It was so fun watching Grace really take in all of the newness of gift opening, lights, interacting with family, traveling and new places. And 6 month Elijah was as easy as could be. We want to thank all of our family for providing a very special holiday for all of us. We love you!
Here are a few pictures from our adventures this Christmas....
Christmas in Marble Falls...
Riding Mimi and Papa Fish's golf cart
Checking out fish
Making / Eating Gingerbread Houses
Eating more gingerbread houses with Mimi, Nana and Mama
Special Dinner with Mimi, Papa Fish, Cynde, John and us
Christmas in Austin....
Christmas morning with all the second cousins
Grace LOVES her second cousin Selah. Playing with a new present.
Cliff and Elijah in the boat at Aquarena Springs
Looking at fish with Aunt Missa
Christmas in Brenham...
At the Blue Bell Factory with Nananette and Papa Jim
