June 13, 2011

Tomorrow, one of my friends is having an IVF procedure. It's caused me to think a lot about mine. A little over a year ago, I was where she was. Hopeful. Nervous. Anxious. Excited. But mostly just hopeful. And you were just a little cell...see?

That's you!

And now...well, look at you.

You, the most beautiful child I have ever laid my eyes upon...you are the result of all that hope, of all that nervousness, of all that excitement. I am simply in awe of the blessing that you are. I know it sounds odd, but I love that you were so hard to come by. I love that your dad and I had to work and pray and go through the many things we had to go through in order to have you in our arms.

Eli, I hope you never wonder about your place in the world. When Heavenly Father asked Dad and I go struggle for you, I believe that was His was of telling YOU that YOU BELONG. You belong here - on this earth - in this family. I hope the fact that you are the result of an IVF proves to you how much we love you. How much I ached for you...how I KNEW you were waiting. The moment your dad mentioned the name "Eli Thomas", I mean the very SECOND he said that name...I knew you were out there. And that you were my son.

And 9 months after that IVF, when you were placed in my arms for the very first time, and we looked at each other...the hope and nervousness and excitement melted away and there was nothing left but love.

I love you, my sweet, beautiful Monkey.

Mom

June 8, 2011

I hate naps. Did you know that? I do. I hate 'em. I hate how I feel after them, I hate wasting time sleeping...I.hate.naps.

Today, so did you. My oh my, did you hate sleeping today. You did ok this morning (your morning nap is ALWAYS the best one). But then...then, from 10:15 am until 9 tonight, you pretty much slept a grand total of 1 hour. It.was.awesome. You hated sleeping today.


But you know what you loved today? Me! Daddy calls you a Mama's Boy...and you know what? I don't mind! I love that you love me! I love that I'm the one you want when you're crying. I love that when you're upset, if Daddy is holding you, you still need to at least be able to SEE me.


You also love this weird mashing tool we got to make your baby food. It came with a bowl we've been using but haven't had cause to use the mashing tool. But oh, how you love it! We call it your potato masher. When I'm getting your bottle ready, I sit you in your Bumbo on the counter, hand you that potato masher, your eyes light up and you are happy as a clam chewing on that masher.


Let's see...what else do you love right now......you love standing. You've had great leg strength since you born. But lately we've been working on you sitting upright and all you want to do is stand. You're pretty much a-ok if you're standing, looking around, surveying your surroundings.


You've started saying new things. New sounds. "Blarg". "Marm". And my personal favorite, "Mama". Now, I am 100% certain that you do not mean me. But the sound is there....and I pretend you know what you're saying. :)


Here's something you hate right now - baths. You have ALWAYS loved your baths. I put you in that infant tub, you lay back, and just chill. But we've just started using a bigger bath - a bath with water in it. And you do NOT like it. Last night was your first night and mostly you were on edge. Tonight? You sobbed. Hmm...maybe you need more toys? Here's a picture of you in your first Big Boy bath:



Ok, Monkey...I just wanted to babble at you a bit tonight. You and I had great day (bad napping aside). I can barely wait til tomorrow so we can have another one!

I love you, Monkey!

Mom

June 2, 2011

Oh, my Eli...I am so filled with love for you. It's so all-consuming. I am so blessed to be bound to you, and you to me, for all eternity. What a blessing it is to be sealed as a family and know you will always belong to Dad and me.

Tonight we had a birthday party for Papa. I sat there, surrounded by much of my family, simply in awe of the connections that bind us. The gospel, our friendship, but most importantly, the fact that we are sealed together as a family.

Eli, there is nothing so important as living the gospel surrounded by your family. Never let a day go by without thanking your Heavenly Father for them.

I love you, Monkey. More than you can fathom.

Mom