Happy New Year!

Hi Elijah!

Happy New Year!  It has been a long time since I wrote you but we have been so busy.  With your daddy's surgery, we are down a man - you and Joey are overrunning us!  But, I have been keeping notes for you so I could update you when I had a down minute.

Last time I wrote, we were at the hospital having daddy's ankle redone.  Since then, it has been non-stop going.  One of our favorite things for the month was our advent calendar.  Each day, you would open a box.  You always looked forward to the boxes.  I can't wait to do it again next year with you & Joey.  But, we may have to get daddy involved and fill up some boxes for mommy  :)

On the 3rd, you helped daddy make a pie and we started putting up the tree.  Gramma came over to help since daddy was still recovering.  We didn't get very far on the tree but we all had fun!

On the 4th, we finished the tree.  You helped with the lights - you were so funny "Help mommy, help."  Gramma came over to help us and Grampa came to visit.  It was the first time I heard you say his name "Papa."  All day, all you said was "Look at me."  I don't know where you picked it up from but it was funny.

When we finished the tree, you made all the chaos worth it.  When I turned the lights on, you said "OH WOW" and started dancing around in a circle.  *swoon*.

We also got out your nativity scene.  You had to hold JoeJoe then you guys played together.  He is starting to get big enough that you guys can really interact with each other.

To finish our day, we had our first play date in the snow.  You were unsure at being bundled up so tightly but you had fun.  When you fell face first (you were out of balance because of your snow gear!), you were surprised but then you laughed.  We played in the backyard with Luke then did snow angels in the front and you visited Santa across the street.  It was a great day and I don't think I have had so much fun in the snow since I was a teenager!

On the 10th, we went to Lincoln to visit Auntie Becky.  We had cookie day.  It was the first day that you called Becky by name.  You had fun helping with the cookies, visiting Auntie Becky, and seeing the snakes/fish.  You really have taken a liking to Auntie Becky.  Everyday, you ask me where she is.  If I don't understand that you are saying Becky, you hiss at me so I know you are talking about Becky & her snakes.  It makes me so happy that you enjoy Becky so much.  I know your Grampa Larry would be so happy!  We did our Christmas gifts with Auntie Becky, Auntie Sue and Great Gramma Dorothy.  I don't know why you wanted to be naked with your potato head glasses on to do cookies  :)

On the 11th, we did family photos for Great Gramma for Christmas.  We got some great photos but they were mostly individual great photos.  Luckily, we ended up with a nice collage for Great Gramma for Christmas.

On the 15th, I had surgery to have my thyroid out.  It turned out that Jeremy was going to Denver for the days I needed to recover.  So, we put you on a plane with him.  You hung out with Auntie Val from the 15th through the 19th.  We did some facetime chats with you but I was having a hard time talking so you didn't recognize my voice. I think you had a great time but you were also happy to be back home.  We will have to see if we can get some photos from Auntie Val of your trip!  Jeremy said you did great on the plane.  His only complaint was that you made him watch the same Garfield over and over  :)

When you go home from Denver, you told me your first joke.  You kept saying "KnockKnock" and I couldn't understand you.  Finally, I said "Who's there?"  You got all excited and said "It's me" and kinda jumped up.

You were so exhausted when you got back that I kept you home from daycare so you could rest.  WRONG decision!  You didn't rest at all and I hardly got anything done that day!

On the 21st, we had an interesting conversation in the car and it cracked me up.

Me: Can I beat you?

You: Nope

Me: Seriously, can I beat your butt?

You: No beat butt.  Beat JoeJoe

Me: I can't beat JoeJoe, he is a baby.  Can I beat you?

You: Nope.  Beat Donnie

On the 22nd, we did a gingerbread man.  It tasted horrible but we had a lot of fun making it.  Afterwards, I was wrapping presents and you came out from the bedroom all upset.

You: "Mommy, mommy, help me."

Me: "What's wrong Elijah?"

You: "Mommy, help."

Me: "Can I take a picture first?"

You had a candy cane wrapped up in your head  :)

On the 23rd, you had your daycare Christmas party.  This year, you knew how to unwrap and celebrate!

At night, we went to Sherry Benton's house for an open house.  Santa was there!  This year, you knew who "Santie" was but you don't really know what he does.  You didn't want to see him at Oakview but he gave you a second chance and came to Sherry's house.  At first, you were scared.  As the night went on, you would get closer and closer and say "Hi Santie."  Then, you would give High-fives.  Finally, Santa had to go home and you reached up for a hug.  Mission successful - you liked Santie!  The rest of the night, you would say "Santie - ho, Ho, HO."  Because Jake was with us, you now think that whenever you see Jake, you will see Santie!

On Christmas Eve, we had a special breakfast - you got a new table with Mickey Mouse.  You love little tables and chairs so I got you one.  You got another one for Christmas from the Beaty's so you will have one upstairs and one downstairs.  I was so surprised that JoeJoe was able to sit with you.  We took a few photos before everyone came over for Christmas Eve breakfast.

We had a great brunch and gifts with the Mickelsons, Gramma Ruth and Gramma Debbie/Donnie/Donnie's girls.  The big gift of the year seemed to be tools.  You got a tool bench and lots of tools!  You opened a few gifts but then you lost interest.  As I type this (January 5th), you still haven't opened up all of your gifts from Christmas and your birthday.

After that group left, Grampa Keith, Leisa, Uncle Tyler and Uncle Zachary came over.  We exchanged gifts with them before we went over to Auntie Sheila's for Christmas Eve.  The whole family was there and you got to play with Jake for awhile.  He is one of your best buddies!

After Auntie Sheila's, we went to look at the lights downtown hoping that the car would calm you to sleep.  Unfortunately, you got even more excited.  "Look, mommy, lights."  "More lights, mommy."  "Oh, horse, mommy."  You enjoyed the drive but we didn't enjoy the fact that you didn't go to sleep  :)

On Christmas Day, we spent the day at Great Gramma Lang's.  You had fun playing with Jake all day.  By the end of the day, you were so tired.  When you woke up from your nap, you just wanted to go "back home."  This month, you have turned into a home body - every time we leave, you just want to go back home.

One bad thing about your birthday is that we don't have any down time after Christmas.  Right after Christmas, we go full force into your birthday party.  I think you had a great time at your party but you get so overwhelmed because so many people you love are there.  You don't know where to turn your attention to.  You really enjoyed your cake, Buzz Balloons and Jake.  You opened a few presents then said "All Done Mommy."  Grampa got you a bike so you rode that around the bar.  Gramma got you a fishing rod so you did some practice casting in the bar too.

On the 27th, we went for your two year check up.  You were 36" even - 3 feet.  You were just a tad shy over 30 lbs.  I was told that an old wives tale is that you will be double your height when you are 2.  6 feet isn't too shabby.  No shots for you but you were still crabby at the doctor.

When we got home, we made cupcakes for your daycare party.  You helped with mixing and lining the cupcake pan.  Then, you helped with the clean up of the batter.

On your actual birthday, Mary sent us a photo of your daycare party.  Then, we went to Chuck E Cheese.  You had a lot of fun but you didn't want to go meet Chuck E Cheese.  You didn't ride any rides but you had fun with the games.  You learned really quick what a token was, where you put it and that tickets spit out.  Gramma Debbie came to meet us and we went for ice cream.  But, you were exhausted and we didn't stay long.







You at 9:33 PM - exactly 2 years old!

On the 29th, you went to your first movie with Aunt Laura and your cousins.  You saw Alvin and the Chipmunks.  Aunt Laura said that you did great and watched the whole movie.  You even went potty once.  You had a great time with your cousins that day.  When I tried to take you to daycare the next day, you did not want to go.  You told me "Joejoe go.  Me gramma's."  You were not happy that you had to go to daycare!  That made Aunt Laura happy to hear.

We ended our year with the Beaty's.  We went over there for dinner and you played with Morgan.  Then we went to the Children's Museum for their New Years Eve party.  We had so much fun - the slides, the dinosaurs, the balloons, the light show with snow falling, face painting, ball drops.  It was sure a great way to end the year.

When we got home, we all sat on the floor and did a "CHEERS" with sparkling apple cider.  We each got a glass and clinked them.  Even Joejoe drank some of the cider.  It was a great family CHEERS.  :)

Once we got home and got in bed, it wasn't too long after that you started getting sick.  Off and on all night, you were getting sick.  It was no fun!  That is how our New Year has been - sick.  You were sick for a couple of days, your nose is all stuffy, Joey was sick, Daddy was sick and then Luke went into the hospital for surgery.  You have missed Luke a ton and you have loved visiting him.  We get him home tonight.

I have an embarrassing thing to share with you.  We were driving to the store and I was on the phone. I heard you talking and I wasn't really paying attention.  WHen I hung up, you still kept saying the same thing over and over.  I finally realized that you were saying "French Fry".  After I recognized that you were saying it, you started saying "Apples."  When I looked in my rear view mirror, I saw the golden arches of McDonalds.  You already know that the yellow arches = French Fries and apples.  Man, we need to kick our parenting up a notch!

With all that going on, we have also been working on potty training.  Overall, you haven't been in a diaper 99% of the time.  We did put you in one on your birthday because you get so excited and overwhelmed that you forget.  But, no night time accidents at all since you got home from Denver.  We are still working on an accident here and there.  I am still really proud of you for how far you are and you are only 2.  Even the dr. was impressed with you.

Overall, you are learning every day.  Each day you say new words.  You also have started being a tattle tale and a little liar  :)  When we were with Jake, you said "Mommy, Jake hit my head."  No biggie - I figured you two were playing but you surprised me by tattling.  At home later, you said "Mommy, daddy hit me."  I knew he didn't, so now, your tattling gets counted as lying.  You are starting to string more and more words together for sentences - "Daddy shut the door."  You are starting to reference yourself more by saying "Me."  "Joejoe get me."  You say words as soon as you hear them - daddy wanted some "green milk" (Sprite) but he didn't want to have it in front of you.  All of a sudden, you started saying "Green Milk, Green Milk."

We made some family resolutions for 2012 - 

Stay on budget - no frivolous toys for you buddy

No new debt - no frivolous toys for you buddy

Less TV for you - we have been using the TV too much while we are recovering from all our ailments

Get you in your own bed - Too many nights in our bed buddy

Swim lessons for you & Joey

An additional activity for you - maybe soccer or tumbling.  Something to do for you  :)

This weekend, we are a bit busy.  Tomorrow, you are going to visit Debbie, Shane and Morgan for a bit while I get my hair cut.  On Sunday, we are going to see Sesame Street and we are taking Jake with us.  I think you two will have a great time together with Big Bird and Elmo.

Well buddy, that is about it for now.  I hope I took adequate notes for you.  And, I hope that I am here sooner next time  :)