Your Stats

You're still in a size 4 diaper! My what a  skinny waist you have. You can pee in your little potty, but I don't push you. I'm taking the natural approach. The nice thing about being an "older" parent is that I've had lots of years to watch others raise kids and that pushing approach just causes frustration with everyone involved. You will, however be ready way before age 3...and I'll be taking your "pappy" (pacifier) away then to!
You wear a size 7 shoe, size 2T shirts and pants...oh the pants, always an issue! 18 months are too small, 2T are too big...so depending on the day we're either flooding or drowning!
We are so blessed in the clothing dept. I never buy clothes for you Jess (Drake!) from work hooks us up constantly! And, Kelly (Nicko!) too. God bless them!
You can brush your teeth (Thomas toothbrush!), you're not that good at it, yet...but, you are getting better!
I still love bath time. You never want to go in and once you're in you never want to get out!  You like to play with your cups (that have holes) and your tractors (imagine that!).

Dear Eli

Dear Eli,
Next week you'll be 2 1/2 years old. I thought I would write more, but it turns out I'm too busy being present in your life. I thought I'd feel guilty or like lesser of a good mama for not documenting your existence better...but, I just don't. I don't because I'd rather be living than writing about it. I'd rather be fully immersed in you.
You and I are tight. I'm thankful to have balance in our life so that I won't have any regrets about our time together. You're in a "mama do it" stage. I really don't mind, but Daddy does! I know it's because we are able to spend more one on one moments together. Tonight you wanted me to lay with you. I won't always do it because then you'll expect that every night, but once in awhile I need it to. I like to call you things like Baby Bear and Bubba Scrub (don't ask!)...and you always say, "Eli's not (fill random nickname in here)...Eli's Eli." Tonight I asked, "what's Mama?" And you looked me in the eyes and said so sweetly, "Kris." I've only heard you speak my name one other time. There's something about hearing your name...especially out of your babies (yes, baby!) precious little mouth. I just love you! You crack us up! Tonight we went to dinner and you told the waitress that your sister put you in the closet (poor Emily!). A month ago you two were playing hide n' seek and she hid you in the closet. You have a handful of stories and you retell them with such passion! Often when we go grocery shopping, you'll bust out one of those stories to a stranger! You don't get this from me. Santa brought you a semi truck with a trailer that had a backhoe on it. A few weeks before Christmas you met Santa at a local real estate office! You told him you wanted a backhoe for Christmas when he asked. At the dinner table recently, you randomly shouted, "Eli loves Santa!" I'm so glad I taught you about Jesus first. Santa's presents can never trump Jesus's presents. I hope to instill this in you early on.
The other night you were pushing your dump truck around the living room and fell over it, hitting your chin. You cried and kept saying, "I hurt my beard!"
Seriously, was there life before you?
Your Daddy and I are in this consciously. Never does a day pass without us smiling at each other over something you've said or done. Your sister is so good to you. She reads to you and plays with you. My favorite is when you cuddle each other on the living room floor. The age difference isn't an issue. You are simply brother and sister. I hope you have memories of this time of us all being together in such a quality way!
If you end up being a Farmer, no one that knows you will be shocked. You love your tractors and because of you I now know every kind.
You enjoy our Sunday morning drives! Coffee, donuts, lake, excavator, crane.
That's what this ride is to you...a chance to see the excavator and crane by the beach. Even more important than munchkins!
Thank you for your energy and your (big!) smile and your sweetness and your social skills and your sleeping through the night and your cuddles! We love you, Daddy's boy...and Mama's baby.