Twelve Months Old

What we did together this month

-Ran the Turkey Trot. I did the 5k with mom and Jeff did the 5k with Elliott. 
-Celebrated Thanksgiving at Aunt Chrissy's and then Aunt Jill's
-Took family pictures (both with my family and our little family)
-Began Advent (and Christmas celebrations!). Technically E's 2nd Christmas. 
-Celebrated E's first birthday with a Lumberjack Party. 

At twelve months old, Elliott

-Typically takes 2 1-2 hour naps. Still rocking that third "nap" pretty frequently. 
-Nurses about 4 times a day (cutting this down to morning/bedtime). 
-Goes to bed about 6:30  and wakes up about 6:30 
-Wears  9-12 mo clothes 
-Wears Size 3 diapers; medium setting in cloth
-Began walking pretty exclusively a couple of weeks before his birthday. 
-Says "dada" and "mama" (as of the day before his birthday)

At twelve months old, Elliott loves

-Playing with his Sand and Water table that Jeff made him for his birthday. 
-Being outside and playing with sticks
-His Mr. Puppy Dog lovey (we will say "where's puppy dog" and he will go looking for him)
-Curious George cartoon 
-Dogs in general. He loves when they lick him. 
-Shaking his head "no" 

At twelve months old, Elliott dislikes

-being told "no"
-oranges (at least whole ones...I blended up the ones he wouldn't eat into puree and he ate it like that)
-socks and shoes

Pots and Pans

For my birthday this year, Jeff surprised me with a new lens for my camera. This is right before we went to dinner at Taverna playing with the new lens, Elliott playing with his favorite toys  and me tickling those sweet cheeks. 

Eleven Months Old

E-

This month I am finally seeing you as a little person - not just a baby. You are starting to mimic us and understand what we are saying. With that, I'm also seeing how you want your own way and don't understand when the world you see doesn't revolve around your desires and demands. We have begun to discipline you, hoping that the momentary pain now will bring forth a joy in obedience one day. I'm in full anticipation of the day where you will be obedient to Christ as he calls you to himself. I'm hoping that teaching you this now, will allow you to trust, wholeheartedly, the goodness of our Savior. Praying that over you today sweet baby. 

all my love, 

mama

What we did together this month

-Celebrated Daddy's Birthday 
-Went to Cabela's with Daddy
-Enjoyed our one month of fall (temps are already cold!)

At eleven months old, Elliott

-Typically take 2 1-2 hour naps  (still sometimes throws that third cat nap in there...holla!)
-Nurses about 5 times a day
-Goes to bed about 7 p.m. and wakes up about 6:30 
-Wears  6-9 mo clothes and 9-12 mo clothes 
-Wears Size 3 diapers; medium setting in cloth
-Is WALKING!! (Still crawls more than walks but has taken about 10 steps so far)
-Will give us "sugars" (aka kisses) on command

At eleven months old, Elliott loves

-"Driving" his car around the house
-Playing in the toilet
-Clapping his hands and saying "yayaya"
-Being outside

At eleven months old, Elliott dislikes

-being told "no"

Ten Months Old

Booger-

We think you might respond to this name better than your own. Whoops. This month it's been so fun to see your little personality emerge. We always knew you were active and adventurous, but as you are becoming more mobile we see it even more. You are always laughing and smiling and ALWAYS up for an adventure. Mommy and Daddy pray that this adventurous spirit would lead you to a lifetime of following where God would lead you - places and people that others might be too scared to go. 

Love always - 

Your Mama

What we did together this month

-Elliott was dedicated at church
-Went camping at Possum Kingdom Lake with the Bertrams 
-SLEPT! Elliott finally is (mostly) sleeping through the night. And all of the angles let out a hallelujah chorus!

At ten months old, Elliott

-Typically take 2 1.5-2 hour naps  
-Nurses about 5-6 times a day
-Goes to bed between 7-8 p.m. and wakes up between 5-6 a.m. (up 1-2x to eat)
-Solids 3x each day
-Wears  6-9 mo clothes and 9-12 mo clothes (if they are slim fit)
-Wears Size 2 diapers; medium setting in cloth
-Standing (for a couple of seconds) on his own
-Scrunches his nose (this is something that I do (and Jeff says my brother does as well) so it's funny to see Elliott inherit this "trait")

At ten months old, Elliott loves

-Playing with Daddy
-Playing in the kitchen (loves his wooden spoon and the box of tupperware)
-Being outside (loves his swing)

-Getting into EVERYTHING

-Cruising around the furniture in the living room
-Tackling his friends (he "hugs" them around the waist and then tackles them down to the ground...it's pretty hilarious to watch)
-Throwing and catching his ball 

At ten months old, Elliott dislikes

-getting his diaper or clothes changed 
-getting his face wiped
-when mommy leaves the
-being told "no"

Elliott's Dedication

This past Sunday we dedicated Elliott at our church. We do dedications once a year, so Elliott was by far one of the oldest one to get dedicated. While all of the other babies were looking precious, he tried to take the microphone away from Jeff and did the worm in my arms. Not the teary-eyed moment I pictured. 

My handsome guys

"Father God, we thank you for this amazing and joyful gift you have given us in our son, Elliott William Green. We thank you for our new family, our families and this family at The Paradox Church that have all been amazing gifts from you. We are excited and completely overwhelmed about being parents but we have the perfect encouragement of having you as our Father, the perfect Father who has showed us perfect love. 

We ask for you to continue to show us yourself and show us how you parent as Elliott continues to grow. We ask for you to guide us so that our parenting is not about do's and don'ts but about your will for our lives, our home and our children. Above everything else we ask that Elliott know you and your love for him. We ask that he may come to know you as quickly as possible in his life and that he may lead and live a life of courage because of your love for him and that he may glorify your name and enjoy you forever. 

Please give Bailey and myself grace as we will fail you and Elliott but let us remember the most important gift you have given us in your son Jesus Christ; his life and his death and his new life that you have given us."

Nine Months Old

sweet boy, 

I'm beginning to see your independence more and more these days and I'm trying to remember every little of you as my baby. Your daddy and I will still just sit and stare at you while you sleep - in awe that God gave us you to care for, to love, and to one day to let go. I'm trying to memorize the way you laugh when your daddy tickles you, when you smile at me when I go to get you in the morning, or the way that your mama makes you feel so secure. 

The days seem so long, but I know the years won't be enough. 

all my love, 

mama

What we did together this month

-His Nanny (Aunt Heather) left to go back to school. We are going to miss that lady!
-Spent Labor Day in Arkansas (and watched his first Razorback game)
-Went to the dentist for the first time to see Dr. Gold 

At nine months old, Elliott

-17lbs, 1 oz (15%) and 28 inch (30%)
-Typically take 2 1.5-2 hour naps  
-Nurses about 6-7 times a day (this includes overnight)
-Goes to bed around 8:30 (not strict) and wakes up at about 5/6 am (up 2x to eat)
-Solids 3x each day
-Wears  6-9 mo clothes. 
-Wears Size 2 diapers; medium setting in cloth
-Has the front 4 teeth now {top two came in much easier}

At nine months old, Elliott loves

-Jabbering

-When daddy gets home (he LOVES playing with Jeff and rolling on the floor with him)

-Exploring the house

-Being held (doesn't have to be me, but has been pretty clingy these days)

-Feeding himself (transitioning away from purees altogether)
-His puppy dog lovey
-Cheerios

At nine months old, Elliott dislikes

-getting his diaper changed 
-when mommy leaves the room

Eight Months Old

This is about as good as we are going to get these days. He is so quick and tries to eat the sticker! My OCD self wants it to be just like the others, but I kind of like how it shows what life is really like with Elliott :)

What we did together this month

-Left him for 3 days (not overnight) while Jeff and I did Redemption Group Immersion 
-Spent another weekend at Cedar Creek Lake
-Honey and Papa couldn't wait until Labor Day, so they made a quick trip to visit 
-Went to Austin (sans Daddy) to help makeover Uncle Bo's apartment
-Enjoyed early play dates at the park on Thursdays and afternoon swimming on Tuesdays

At eight months old, Elliott

-Typically take 2 1.5-2 hour naps  (the evening nap seems to be going away)
-Nurses about 7-8 times a day (this includes overnight)
-Goes to bed around 8:30 (not strict) and wakes up at about 6 (up 2x to eat)
-Solids 3x each day
-Wears 3-6 month clothes 
-Wears Size 2 diapers; medium setting in cloth
-Got his first tooth (bottom left)
-Has had some throwing up spells (has happened about 4x and lasts for about 2 hours)

At eight months old, Elliott loves

-Talking (saying dada, even though he doesn't know what that means yet)

-Rough housing with daddy

-Starting to "cruise" furniture 

-"Helping" mommy in the kitchen (especially the dishwasher!)

-His new DVD player for the car

-His new xylophone toy 

-Any and all food

-"Drumming" 

At eight months old, Elliott dislikes

-getting his diaper changed 
-putting clothes on
-getting teeth