I can't believe my baby is 1!!!

Eli's birthday came and went....time is just going SO fast these days. I can't believe my little baby is ONE.

His birthday was great - when he woke up, we took him out to the living room to open his presents. He had more fun trying to eat the wrapping paper than anything else and had to be re-directed about 40 times, but we got through them all. We got him a bunch of new books, the popper thing that I had when i was a kid, and a basketball hoop so Daddy can start teaching him how to play. (It was cute....he instantly picked up the ball and started carrying it around. He doesn't understand the role of the hoop in the game but he does like to go around bouncing the ball and then chasing after it!). When he unwrapped the box, he saw the baby on the box and said "baby!" for the first time. Mike and I just looked at each other like - wow, did he just say that? (Of course he hasn't said it again... just enough to taunt us). For breakfast, I made him pancakes (a first for him!) and he scarfed them down (like he does with all foods these days).

After his nap, we got ready to go over to Lolo and Lola's house for his party. We had a very small celebration with Lolo, Lola, Tita Ann and Kuya Jaymin... very fun! Jaymin was so excited to see Eli arrive - it was super cute. I had dressed Eli up in his birthday boy shirt and bib...and to my COMPLETE surprise, he kept his party hat on for most of the time. Shocking. I guess he didn't know it was there. We gave him noodles for lunch (filipino tradition meaning he will have a long life) and then brought out the cake! when we were singing to him, he put his hand in the cake and tasted the icing. Well, just like mommy, this kid loved the icing and instantly went back for more. I broke off a small piece of the cake and he took a little piece... then went back for the rest (in one bite!) He CRAMMED it all in his mouth- so funny. Daddy gave him a second piece and he did it again. Super cute. He also succeeded in rubbing icing all over his face. Good times. NOT fun to clean up. His pants had to be completely changed. We got some nice pictures. He also enjoyed everyone singing to him. :)

When we got home, I gave him his favorite dinner - banana and prunes!!! Mmmm. He loves em. He was tuckered out after his bath.... the day just flew by!!

On Saturday, we're having a little party with his buddies.... Sonali, Dexter and Sawyer. It will be a super full house, but I can't wait!!!

Other happenings....

Now if you ask him "Where's Eli's nose?" ... he'll point to his nose! He then immediately points to his mouth. Cuteness.

Words he can say: "baby" "dada" "mama" "baba" "daddy" "Truck duck" (though it is not by any means clear). "little" (what? i don't know how he can say little and not mommy...but whatever).

He is big into giving kisses right now. If you say "Kiss kiss!" to him... he'll come over and open mouth kiss you on the cheek. super cute. Have to take advantage of this now before kissing becomes "yucky." I have trained him to kiss all of his stuffed animals. He can also give high-5s (and low-5s now!) all the time.

If you say "yaaaay" he stops whatever he's doing and starts clapping. :)

Getting his diaper and/or clothes changed is still the worst thing in the world.

He's figured out how to flush the toilet. If he hears the bathroom door open, he hightails it into the bathroom and goes right over to the flusher. Great.

All this week, we've been playing "I'mmmm gonna get you!" He looks at me and starts laughing and then runs off. He sometimes runs toward me, anticipating the tickle, but he always picks up his speed. Super, super cute and my favorite thing to do. :)

Let the adventures continue!