12 months old, etc.

Crap.  Well, Eli turned a whole year old on August 18, which was over a month ago at this point.  This will likely be my last post on this blog for a good long while, and I'm going to try to accurately remember as much as I can about the time span between July 18 and August 18 to document baby's first year.

Really I only remembered because I tried catching up on blogs I follow today.

Also I follow a lot of stupid, shallow blogs, and I realized that today.  Blogs that only make me want things and think my life isn't good enough.

Dumb.  I'm dumb for that.  So I will be editing that subscription list today.

What blogs do you follow, that are a positive influence on your life?  Any?  Do those exist?  How do you find them? Haha.


Anyway, this seems like a pretty trivial thing to be doing, in lieu of the fact my sister-in-law's sweet baby girl was born and passed on Thursday.  Nothing really seems "real" yet, so I can't even imagine how she is feeling.  Life can really suck, but I am thankful for a present God who is there when you seek Him.

So about being a year (and a month) old...

+ Around 111/2 months, Eli started walking.

+ He has taken to meat, especially if it has ketchup.

+ He isn't very verbal.  His list of words is pretty much the same.  He can do certain animal sounds if you prompt him and he's "in the mood".  The chance of that happening though is pretty slim.  I'm a little worried about it but I'm going to wait until I can talk to his doc at his 15 month check up before I actually freak out.

+ Also I'm aware that I "shouldn't freak out".

+ Eli loves it when we sing certain songs, namely the Itsy Bitsy Spider.

+ He will sit longer for books, so I am pleased with that.  Sometimes I even get to read him TWO IN A ROW.

+ He loves clapping, and being clapped for.

+ He still does not sleep through the night.  UGH. ughughughugh.  Really it got awesome for about a week before his birthday, he slept through the night the whole week, and then he regressed, which leads me to...

+ He is cutting more teeth every second of his life.  He hates when I feel for them but I do feel at least 2 molars coming up, though they are not through yet all the way.  So, if you count those, he has ALMOST ten teeth (at 13 months).

+ Teething tablets have been a Godsend, but we have been using Motrin at night time when he's in pain through this molar business.  He LOVES Motrin, guys.  My baby is so weird.  He thinks all medicines are delicious.  I have NEVER had any trouble getting him to take ANYTHING since the day he was born.  Basically we are going to have to keep our medicine drawer in like a safe or something.  I generally keep the Motrin and the syringe on top of his wardrobe and every time he sees it he points and says, "MMMMMMMMM!"  Yeah, that's how much he loves Motrin.

+ He is still a chill, good natured kid, when his teeth aren't bothering him.  He's never really been leery of strangers (probably not great) and he will let anyone hold him.

+ He is still tall, and can reach just about anything on any surface throughout our house.  This can be annoying.

+ At a year old he transitioned to cow's milk, which he loves.

+ He loves exploring outside.

+ Still loves dogs.  And all animals, really.  But especially dogs.

+ Still loves bath time.  Lately he is really in to trying to balance shampoo bottles and cups of water in the tub.  When he gets them to balance he always claps his hands.  It's pretty cute.

+ I can't really think of anything else right now.

A couple of Eli's 1 year photos, taken by our friend Shay Nartker.  If you need some sweet photos taken, and are in the Cincinnati area, check him out!  He is the nicest guy, reasonably priced, and obviously look at these photos!  He is awesome!