Elijah is 2!

I figured before the littlest brother appears, I should try to cover Elijah's second birthday on this sadly neglected blog. He is such a charming, precious boy, and has grown up a lot lately. I want to be sure and remember these moments, because life is way too busy to write it all down, and this format somehow seems easier to document.

As the baby for the past two years, Elijah has been a ham, and enjoyed that position tremendously. He is quick to show off a new trick, or don a goofy hat, just to get a reaction. His many silly faces, expressions, mimicking others' phrases in perfect tone, and his willingness to entertain us keep us laughing a lot around here. It's hard to explain the delight he's brought to our family. Isaac and Abigail, being a good bit older, really love and care for him so well, and by this point of the pregnancy with Owen, when I'm large and struggling, they have been a huge help. He trusts them, and I love to watch them interact. Waiting for a baby for so long may have helped to prepare them to adore Elijah, but I think his sweet personality has a lot to do with it too.

Lately, I've been noticing traits that make him unique in our family, and shared some of these with my Mom. She reminded me I needed to document them now, or I'll never remember, and that's true! He is very neat and precise when eating, using his fork and spoon so well, and has for months now. He really wants to be as big as Isaac, I think, so maybe that motivates him - I don't know. But, he does a great job feeding himself, and can help dress himself too. He doesn't like to be messy, and if he spills something or gets food on his clothes, he really is disappointed in himself. It's funny - he doesn't have a fit, but is genuinely so sad. He'll say, "Oh no - spill!" or "Oh, mess" in this sad little voice. He asks for a straw and bib at most meals to help prevent getting dirty too, though he can drink without a straw or sippy cup.

Elijah also knows a lot about our household organization and routine. He can put silverware and dishes away when they're clean, like we trained him or something. He just pays attention, I guess, but notices where things belong and takes great pride in helping. He loves to throw his diaper in the trash when he's changed, and has done that since he could walk probably. He tries to go in the potty some, and hopefully we can cross that behavior hurdle after Owen arrives and we can settle down into a new routine. Reading is one of his favorite things to do, with any of us. Many times a day, he'll grab whoever is available, and ask, "Read? Story me? Pleeease?" and we read happily as he snuggles in our laps. He's starting to learn parts of stories and copy us, which is hilarious too. He's learned a few colors, and is starting some simple counting, which is very fun. Isaac and Abigail didn't love to sit and pay attention for any length of time, so this is all new to me, but it sure helps school go more smoothly now that he can do short activities like puzzles, painting, blocks, looking at books, etc. while we're working. He is so sweet at mealtime, if we are ready to eat and haven't said the blessing yet, he is eager to remind us. He'll squint his eyes, and reach out his hands for us to hold, and whisper, "Father?" since Abigail usually sings "God our Father" for our blessing. :-)

The emotions of a pregnant woman are strange, no doubt. Lately though, I have had such a bittersweet feeling about how things will change when Owen is born. In our heads for quite a while, Elijah was our baby, and until we would adopt again, he would remain so. We figured when we adopted too, that the child wouldn't be an infant, so we have all just soaked up having Elijah in that role, relishing every moment and milestone. Now we'll have another baby boy, and though we are thrilled, it still feels odd, somehow. So, these weren't the LAST times to experience slinging a tiny little one, or nursing a newborn, or seeing first steps taken, after all?! What a blessing. It's just still hard to comprehend, after the years we struggled waiting on babies, to think we're having one as a surprise, not begged for, and anguished over. God is really too good.

Here are some fun photos to recap his year. What a blast we've had, and we have so much to look forward to, with him! We love you, buddy!