One week from today... little E turns One Year Old!
#28: His Teston toes. When he was born, I swore that big toe was going to move over to the side to become a foot thumb. Now that they're chubbier, there's a lesser chance of that happening.
#27: His love for sports. You know he didn't get that from his parents! We can thank the Shearouse/Shaves for that... and I do :)
#26: His love for imitation. I scratch my nose, he scratches his nose... Adam hits my foot, Elijah hits my foot... I sing into the spoon, Elijah sings into the spoon... he has become "monkey see, monkey do". It's wonderful, but also makes us realize how much we have to start watching what we do and say!
#25: His ability to find humor in anything.
#24: His boyness. Includes making a mess, loving dirt, running, climbing, farting, TV... it starts early.
#23: The way he throws a ball.
#22: The way he "sings".
#21: His "Maniac" dance. You know the one... from Flashdance. He's MASTERED it. We're very proud.
#20: His creativity. I love giving him objects and seeing what he will do with it. More than likely it will be one of the following: eat it, put it on his head, or make noise with it.
#19: His hugs.
#18: His eyes. We're still not sure if they'll stay, but here we are a year later and they are such a beautiful dark blue. Thank you to our Dads for that.
#17: His bed head.
#16: His ability to suck the cheese off a piece of chicken, and then spit the chicken out.
#15: His early love for cleaning. He loves to pick up trash, push the vacuum, and when he's done eating he loves to swipe his plate clean. Although the food then scatters to the floor, he's done a great job at cleaning off is plate :)
#14: The way he answers a "phone" whenever he hears a ringing sound. It's always Daddy on the other end.
#13: His love for walks (something he gets from me!).
#12: The way he tries to put all his toys through his basketball hoop.
#11: His love for music. I especially love when he tries to turn on his radio in his room, ends up pushing it off the table onto the floor and then looks at you like, "what? Didn't I do it right?"
#10: He already has the ability of "selected hearing". I was hoping this was a skills he wouldn't learn for a few more years, but alas, he has.
#9: The way his feet look in his little shoes.
#8: His shyness when he first meets people (another mom trait!).
#7: He calls everything he sees and likes, either "cat" or "ball".
#6: His dog impressions.
#5: His snort.
#4: His love for swimming.
#3: His eyebrows. They are so light and blond, I didn't think he had any when he was born.
#2: How he hates to get dressed after getting a bath, even though it's the SAME routine every night. I can always look forward to a challenge at after-bath time.
#1: The number one thing I love about Elijah... he's made me a mom. Not just in the biological sense, but he has taught me what it is to love unconditionally. Having him has given me a lesson on faith that could not be learned any other way. He has taken Adam and I from a couple to a family. He gives me purpose. He is my motivation to give each day my best. I strive to be a better person because of him. He has changed my life in every way and I am unbelievably grateful.