Happy Birthday Baby Elijah

One year ago today I was in labor, at home, trying to wait as long as possible to go to the hospital. I also didn't want to miss Grey's Anatomy. One year ago I did not know what Eli looked like or sounded like or how much I would love him and how all consuming that love would be. Now I know.

May I present to you Elijah- a year in pictures (severely condensed)

At first he looked like this, not smooshed at all because i pushed him out like a champ.

At 4 days old it was already clear that he was the best looking baby in town

He loved daddy, a lot.

Sometimes he liked to play with my bra.

Sometimes he went a little cross eyed.
He started wearing cloth diapers and got vaccines

He fell in love with a stuffed monkey named Dangles.

We celebrated our first mother's day. Eli wore a funny hat.

He found his feet and decided they were excellent toys.

He learned about playgrounds and swings and fun in general.

He went to a Pirates game and didn't get too upset when they lost

He rooted for the Steelers and didn't get too upset when they lost either.

He dressed up like a monkey

He took a lot of naps with daddy, less with mommy.

He met Santa and was not entirely pleased about it.

He learned to crawl and cruise and play and brush ladies hair.

He got heartbreakingly adorable.

New Safety Measures Implanted

Eli still fits in his infant seat for ten more pounds, but we thought it was time for him to sit up and see the world. We figured since we were buying a seat that would take him through toddler hood why not opt for the best safety wise. So we got Eli a Britax Roundabout in the cowmooflauge pattern. Adorable. It goes up to 40 lbs (in Eli weight he'll probably be 5) and will be front facing when he's ready. He looks kind of anguished but it's actually very cushy.
We finally got a gate that keeps him out of the kitchen! Yea! The doorway is very wide and for awhile we were using a big green Tupperware tote and a kitchen chair. He's push the tote out of the way or crawl under the chair. Very frustrating for mommy. So we bought and installed this great one hand open gate that swings on a hinge. We love it. Eli's not so crazy about it, but hey safety first!
Note his Mr. Mischief shirt it's our latest fabulous find from Target. It suits him to a T.

He Just Keeps Getting Cuter

The little man in my life is just over a week away from the big 1. A whole year down. For me it's very bittersweet, I know that he's just going to keep getting bigger, that he will never again be my tiny baby. On the other hand we're so close to talking and running and all that good stuff, I know he has a lot to say and I can't wait to hear it.
Lately his moods have been fairly mercurial, screeching like an angry bird one minute and cuddling up to me all smiles the next, here are some of his good smiley faces. I'll leave the tantrum pics for another blog.
On the ottoman which he loves to climb on. It's a pretty baby safe solution to the coffee table conundrum.
Playing on the floor, cheesing it up when the flash starts going off.
He so often looks drunk in pictures, but I swear to you no alcohol was served in the taking of this picture.
Sweet giggly guy. And his ears are just as big as the day he came out. We probably have awhile before he grows into those.
Happy Happy Birthday Eli!

Retail Therapy

-I can honestly say that tax return time is just about my favorite time of year. Especially with the addition of Eli, one more reason to worship the boy. We got our W2's today and I went right to H & R Block on my lunch break, forgetting to grab Eli's social security card, so I couldn't finish. I can say that they're estimating my return at 3x what I got back last year. My house will soon be full of furniture, for that let us give thanks!
-This news probably should have come first but I'm a greedy bitch so it's item #2: Eli started walking! Yesterday he took 10 steps by himself! He giggles the entire time he's doing it and looks like he's drunk. Cutest. Thing. Ever.
-I tried on wedding dresses for the first time Tuesday. Alfred Angelo had the exact dress I'd been ogling online in the store in my size. It weighed ten-fifteen pounds. I had to dive into it. I looked fab. I also got to wear a tiara. Awesome.
- Tuesday was my big retail therapy day, I took half a day from work and went shopping. I advise everyone reading this to follow suite, it was refreshing. Best finds of the day were super discounted Banana Republic jeans and an amazing winter coat at Target which I snapped up for only fifteen dollars! Shopping makes me high.
Almost standing up by himself.
Yea! Look Ma no hands!

I love when he looks like he's up to no good
Playing tug of war with Truman, I love when they wear each other out.
Dr. Truman knows how to play to the camera.
He climbed in there all by himself. And I'd have been an idiot not to get it on camera.
We need to buy Adelaide a dog bed, luckily she's resourceful.

He's a Cardiologist

Last night after work Suz and I went to Butler and picked up the pup. He's sweet and adorable and smells like puppy and likes to nuzzle. Now if we can get him housebroken he'll be perfect.

Dr. Truman Rabinowitz-Klein M.D. 4 months old and he's already a mender of hearts. You can just call him Truman.
Jason's already pretty crazy about the little guy too. Last night he took him downstairs so they could snuggle and play Playstation.

I can't help it...

I love taking care of things. Which is why we're getting a puppy. Tomorrow. No disapproval please, I got Jason's permission and that's what counts. The newest member of our rapidly growing Dukes/Witcher clan is a 4 month old dachshund boy. I have yet to see him, but I'm sure it'll be love. My fondest hopes are that he will potty train easy and become best friends with the Lady Adelaide. Pictures to be posted soon of course.
-Eli's first Christmas was awesome, he got a million and one very fun and cute toys. I made a big dinner and didn't screw up anything (yay me!), nor did I ruin the lasagna when my dad came to dinner New Year's Eve. So I'm two for two people.
-Speaking of New Year's Eve I was asleep by a quarter after eleven. I know, I know I suck. I was just so very very tired. Jason woke me up at midnight to kiss me and let me know it was 2008. I celebrated that for 23 seconds and then went right back to sleep. Which was probably for the best since Eli got up bright and early as per usual.
-I had 12 blissful days off work, and my house was a lot more organized at the end of it, though I still have a laundry issue. I hate putting it away. Must work on it.
-No actual resolutions were made this year. I am however going to start trying to eat healthier. The "plan" is to make a healthy dinner that Eli and I can share every night. The leftovers will be put away for my lunch at work the next day and for Jason's lunch at home. This will be healthier and save money! Two birds--One stone.
-The weather here is in the low seventies!!! It's kind of a day only thing and we're going to the park. Adelaide's last walk as the only dog.

Eli ripping into his little piano Christmas morning, he did a pretty good job of getting the wrapping paper off. He's wearing his sock monkey pjs from Aunt Suz in which he looked dashing.
Very mad that we put him in his outfit from Aunt Adrienne. Still pretty darn cute.
Happy boy! I love pictures where he's crawling at the camera smiling, looking like he's up to something. He usually is up to something, the boy is quite the handful.
Walking behind the push toy Grandma got him. He loves that thing, he learned how to turn it and he just walks around and around the living room grinning and determined. Anything in his path gets run right over.
Oh, Jason proposed Christmas Eve! That's right we're making it legal. The plans are for a March '09 wedding. I'm already online planning.

Baby It's Cold Outside

-It's really really winter now. Lots of snow and ice and horrid winds. I know I was complaining about the heat wave, but come back warm weather!
-All my Christmas shopping is done. Way earlier than I've ever finished before. Go ME!
-I still have to wrap and am, for the record, the worst wrapper in the world. Boo.

Eli going over his list to Santa. He's been very good and knows he'll get everything he wants.
Dressed up for our ill-fated Christmas card photo shoot. No pictures in the cards and I had to buy a $65 charger. Felt pretty merry about that.

Eating his dinner last night and showing me how to get the plate really clean. Right after this he threw it onto the floor and made Adelaide's day. Thank God I have a dog.

This Christmas

I know it's kind of obnoxious to admit this but I love Christmas. I love Christmas carols, Christmas movies, Christmas cookies, Christmas shopping, eggnog, mistletoe, Santa and all his reindeer. Sometimes when I am doing something festive I get a tingly feeling. I'm lame. Jason is not Mr. Merry. So, I annoy him and my fear is that Eli will grow up to be a Humbug as well. The only way to prevent this is to make all of his childhood Christmas' spectacular, starting with this one. In this spirit I put up my tiny tree Tuesday night and it is babies first Christmas themed (this is my first themed tree, and a worthy theme it is). Below are pictures.

Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree!
Do not be fooled by Hazel's seeming disinterest, she is the tree's foe. The first year we had her she knocked the tree over 4 times!
Rocking horse ornament that I find charming.
Pacifier ornament, also charming.

The tree is pretty much the extent of my decorating, besides a candy cane candle, a wreath and a Rudolph toy that sings. Next year I'll do more, the plan is to hit the after Christmas sales for cheap decorations. Prices will be slashed! SLASHED!!!

My shopping is still only mostly done, but I'm pretty sure I'll get it done next week and then I can start wrapping. Can't wait to watch Eli rip into presents.

-The great move is over and we're all settled in (well for the most part). Jason and I love love love the new house and exclaim over the most mundane things "Babe the fridge is keeping the milk cold!" or "I'm going to do a load of laundry...in our house!!". We're pretty much overcome with joy. Baby, dog and cat seem to be enjoying the added space as well. I let Adelaide frolic in the snow unleashed and it was the happiest I've ever seen her. And when my dog's happy, I'm happy.
-I'm doing OK with the Christmas shopping, though I still have more than I'd like that has to get done, and the mail is being slower than I'd like. I completely cancelled my k-mart layaway because they vexed me. But it means Eli's getting the bounce and spin zebra that I wanted initially so it's actually a blessing. Can't wait to give it to him.
-My friend Adrienne lent me her Heroes season 1 DVD set and now Jason's hooked too, I knew he would be. When we first got together we used to have long conversations about what super power we'd like to have. We're dorks, I know.
-Eli's so grown up! It breaks my heart. He looks like a toddler and half the time when I pick him up he's squirming to be let down. Why couldn't he just stay a baby for a little longer?

Here's the little guy at the new house trying to figure out the gate that separates the living room from the dining room. I need about 4 more gates.
We took the little guy to see Santa he was apprehensive. At least he isn't wailing, that would have made for a memorable photo.
The futon mattress was laying on the living room floor and daddy and Eli took advantage of that for nap time.
He decided to help me unpack. Doesn't he look grown up?
In the laundry basket, he was having a pretty good time in there, and Adelaide seemed to like that he was contained.

-Eli had a very pleasant first Thanksgiving. First we went to my mom's restaurant where she gives out free Thanksgiving dinner. It was crowded and fun and all the patrons and helpers were in great moods. Then we went home for a nap (well Eli napped) before heading to my mom's house for actual dinner where my friends Suzanne and Doug joined us. Eli ate turkey, sweet potatoes, and mashed potatoes and was generally fawned over.
-It's exactly one week til moving day and I could not be more excited, I've been picking out decor on ETSY and planning parties-my favorite party idea is for a potluck where everyone brings their favorite dish and their dog.
-Saturday was mini game night at Jen's where lots of delicious cheese filled food was eaten and Adrienne and Suz beat our pants off at trivia. I feel shamed. Jen also got ludicrously drunk and broke her glasses. Christina got drunk and set her purse on fire in the bathroom. Also Christina and I bonded and I have to say she's my favorite of Brian's recent string of girlfriend's.
-Now pictures with helpful captions Here is Eli with daddy before dinner looking somewhere beyond cranky.
Eating and making a mess, he loves feeding himself, at the new place I'm going to have to invest in a heavy duty splat mat to protect the floors.

Pies made and donated by hippies.
Me, Doug and Suz at my mom's after dinner. My mom would happily feed the world if she could afford it.
Eli's foe doll, Mahesh, named after Suz's ex-boyfriend. I bought it at this awesome store about a block from my house called Divertido. A lot of great stuff that I plan on going back and buying after Christmas/Moving.
Sometimes Eli makes this face. It's charming.
Eli eats sharks for breakfast.