six

At this time six years ago I was anxiously waiting for Baby Zoe to be born. Yes..I said baby Zoe. For those who don't know the story, we were told we were having a girl. For some reason, I had a feeling it was a boy, which is why I saved the receipts for ALL the girls clothing I had purchased. Labor and delivery with Eli was NOT easy, it was stressful, difficult and no doubt traumatic to Eli. To be honest, the first year of Eli's life was quite similar. Todd and I were first time parents and Eli was NOT an easy baby. At the time, we just thought that is how babies were, but came to learn that in fact, he was not an easy baby. Eli had allergies we did not know about and spent lots of time with rashes and bellyaches while Todd and I tried to make him happy. He was a sensitive baby. Fast forward six years and he is a sensitive little boy..I guess some thing never change.

I wish I had kept a journal when I was pregnant for the first time. I would do anything to get back in my head and remember how I felt before becoming a mom for the first time. I know that I am a MUCH different person than I was six years ago. I really had NO idea how being a mother would change me. I had no idea how much I would actually love this little person and how my heart would just be full. I had no idea about the worry and stress that came with being a mom or the extreme joy of hearing the word mama.

Eli is not that old, yet it is so strange to me that I did not have a digital camera for his first two years. You're going to have to settle for these poorly scanned photos for this walk down memory lane.

Here he is a day after he was born. I could not believe how beautiful he was, just perfect.He was such a little guy, six pounds. I loved to just hold him and smell him..he fit so perfect in my arms. Sometimes I get sentimental and pull him on my lap now. He doesn't fit so great, and six year old boys just don't smell the same as babies.

 

The first year with Eli was so much different that it was with the others. It was just him and I for what seemed like such a long time. We went to playgroups, played at the park and sat on the floor and just played. I stressed about how much food he ate, how often he pooped, when he would talk, start to crawl, my life revolved around Eli. Hmm...maybe that explains a little more about his personality these days.

Eli's first birthday. I probably should burn all the pictures and handmade invitation from his first birthday party. We went all out, how could we not, he was our only baby. But..as many of you know, as the years go on and more children are born, the parties just aren't the same. I hope Zoe & Ari never have a complex about this. Look..he has two costumes. The cutest little devil and a dalmatian for later in the day.

It's hard to believe that by his second birthday, little 10 week Zoe was here as well. The raincoat jacket picture is the ONLY picture from the pumpkin patch that year. It was raining and I had Zoe strapped to me. We pretty much hopped out, grabbed our pumpkin, took a picture and left. No wonder I have become obsessive and taken hundreds of pictures at the pumpkin patch every year since.

He still had such a baby face when he turned three. While I stopped keeping track of all the milestones long before his third birthday, I did start to think more about the lasts. The last time he feel asleep on my lap, the last time he used his binky, the last time he stopped looking like a baby and more like a boy..those were the things I did not want to forget.

Another year of not great pictures, but I'll never forget how happy he was to be Flash and have an Incredibles jumpy house.

It's hard to believe that by the time Eli turned five, I had two more kids. Three kids in five years..yikes! Five was a whole new world.

And here is at six. He let me snap these quick pictures today while he wore his great new shirt.
 

Eli and I are not having the easiest time right now. I'm not sure what it is, maybe we are too similar and that is making things difficult. I love this boy though. He is my first born, he taught be how to be a mom. He has had to deal with the mistakes I made while I learned. He has to be the big boy now as the oldest of three..it is not easy, I know that. But..he is such a great little boy, so smart and handsome. He has a big heart and just adores Ari & Zoe. I love you Eli..Happy sixth birthday big boy!

Comments

[jeramy]

cute shots! congrats on your big boy. boy's are the best. i told brady last night that he was my favorite. :-)

(i tell them all that)

[Carrie Hasson]

Thanks for sharing Eli with us Michelle, all of the things you wrote made my heart melt. All the things I feel when I look at my oldest, all of the emotions stirred when we realize we're not counting first's as much as we're remembering the last's. So many mixed emotions with each and every birthday as they grow and form their own little person...enjoy the celebration!
Happy 6th Birthday Eli!!!

[Sharon]

OH! Such a sweet post! A few things striked me as funny!

They told me Brady was a girl too! I too didn't take off tags and I had a back up outfit and name picked out! So funny!

My guys is a very sensitive guy too. They are gonna make some great husbands someday! (boo hoo hoo)

Brady being nine now, I look back and I remember our hardest year was the year he was 6. He grew out of it. He rarely get into trouble now. No real issues with sassy-ness or not obeying anymore... I just stayed strong and held my ground and we made it through. You will too. You are an awesome mom!