Elliot Is ONE

I fully recognize my lack of blogging consistency and the fact that my last post was for Elliot's 2-month milestone.  Not only is Elliot 14 months old, but 15 seems just around the corner.  I kept telling myself that I'd get caught up in chronological order, but it just hasn't happened, and I'm going to take off my stubborn hat and move on...

This year has been absolutely amazing, to say the least.  Devin and I have these amazingly wonderful roles that are redefined each day by a little man who is now marching around the house.  We have achieved new levels of patience, exhaustion, messiness, frustration, excitement, happiness, and love.

Love.  I really had no idea how profound the love of a parent for their child would be...

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Kiddo, you embody happiness!  (Most of the time.)  Your constant motion is a reminder that life moves quickly and we all need to keep up.  You have a fun personality that draws people in, and you capture them with your toothy smile and fantastic blue eyes.  You are curious with just the right amount of caution to keep Dad and me from worrying about your every move.  You're tough but sometimes a bump still needs a hug and kiss from Momma.  You love to watch and be around other children, which makes me think you'll be a wonderful big brother.  You are flexible and adapt easily to new surroundings, which has made travel a joy and something we plan to continue forever.  You are stubborn, but you come by that honestly.

El, you have made Momma and Dad better people.  We are already so proud of the awesome little dude you are, and we can't wait to see what your future has in store.  We love love love you, Little Man.

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Elliot's first birthday was a success thanks in large part to his Dad, his Auntie Jill, and his Grandparents, and cousins!  I sprained my foot pretty badly that morning, so I wasn't much help; just hobbled around giving orders.  ;)

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For his first birthday, I made a video for Elliot.  Truth be told, it's really for us, but he may enjoy watching it when he is a bit older.  I worked and worked and worked on it.  Going through thousands of pictures and trying to pick out the best of them is a time-consuming task.  And then there was the music.  But finally, the night before his party, I finished it!  

I wasn't able to show it at the party like I'd wanted because the movie wouldn't upload that morning.  (Of course I waited for the last minute to try do that.)  In tears, and late to the party, I gave up and left to join the festivities.  We were able to show all the grandparents the movie later that night.  I wished I'd captured their reaction at the end, but I didn't think of it in time.

If you have interest and time, here is Elliot's video!  A word of caution, it's long!  Thirty minutes long!  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!  :)

Password: Elliot

Elliot's 1st Birthday from Emily Christiansen on Vimeo.

Two Months - 25 January

Two months old - where does the time go?

xoxo

Elliot goes to Arizona

23 January - 27 January

If you'll recall, back in January of 2011, Devin and I met up with my family in Scottsdale on our way home from Asia.  (Post.)  My dad was attending a conference at that time, and has continued to go each February with my Mom, Jill and me in tow.  This year, Elliot joined us!

It was his first flight and I was doing it alone and I was nervous!  Managing all of his gear was one thing, but I was terrified of having "that screaming baby" on the plane.  As he helped me through check-in, Devin assured me that people would be understanding, just as we have been in the past.  

The TSA agent behind me in the picture below was so wonderfully helpful!  I had no idea the I needed to completely collapse the stroller to send it though security - if I had, I would have checked it at the counter and just used the carrier - but he folded it for me, put everything through the x-ray, and then set it back up on the other side.  (I wish I would have thought to ask for his name to sent props to his manager.)

When Elliot and I got to our gate I had to collapse the stroller and put it and the car seat in their respective travel cases.  I changed Elliot's diaper and fed him while we waited to board.  When it was go time I had to settle him in the Ergo, and carry his diaper bag, car seat, and stroller to the gate.  (I wish I would have asked someone to take a picture of me and all that stuff!)  And that's when two wonderful gentlemen asked if they could help.  One man carried the car seat and the other took the stroller down the jetway to be checked.  I was extremely grateful for their help!  

My little traveler.

Once everyone was seated the pilot announced that there was an issue with lights in the cockpit and we needed to wait for a replacement part, so...everybody out.  Ugh!  Ultimately, the two men helped me with the bags as we deplaned, and again when we boarded a second time.  They were so nice and I'll forever be on the lookout for a mom who may need help at the airport.

Elliot fell asleep as we boarded the second time and only woke up once on the flight to Phoenix.  No crying.  Just looked around and when back to sleep.

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Mom, Dad, Jill, and I met at the airport, picked up our rental car, and drove to the resort.  Elliot, having behaved so well on the flight, was totally over the confinement of his car seat and screamed for the hour-long ride, but fell fast asleep upon our arrival to the Westin.

Elliot and Grandpa John!

Bath time with Auntie Jill - he loved being in the big tub!  (Or maybe we just loved seeing him in the big tub.)  :)

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Some super cute pictures of Elliot in burrito mode...

And then some of E being cool like Jill...

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While Dad went to talks all day every day, Mom, Jill, Elliot and I went for walks, ate yummy food, and sat in the shade by the pool.  (Jill had to do some work and was stuck in our room for most of Friday.)

True Food breakfast...

And later, at the pool...

The best way to air-out his butt!

Hello chins!

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On Saturday night the 5 of us met Dave, Sara and Khloe Eaton for dinner.  We make sure to see each other on these trips; it's a lovely tradition and I treasure this time to reconnect with our good friends.  I can safely say that I've seen Dave and Sara at least once a year since we moved away from Arizona in 2007.  

Grandma Susie is so good and getting Elliot to sleep.

Dave, Sara, me, Khloe... and Elliot in the stroller.

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Pool day number 2!

Oh for cryin' out loud!

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On Sunday, January 26th, Elliot took his first dip in the pool...which is really on the wall.

He didn't hate it, but he didn't love it.  The water temperature was cool for me and I imagine he thought the same thing.  (By the way, do you totally have Rapper's Delight in your head now?)

Devin's aunt and uncle (Steve and Georgiann) live in Surprise, Arizona and coincidentally Stan flew to down to visit his twin that Sunday.  After picking Stan up from the airport the three of them stopped by the hotel for drinks and lunch at the pool.  It was fun to see them and introduce Elliot to his great Uste and great-aunt Geo.

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And then it was time to go home.  Jill flew back to Alaska, Dad went home to Minnesota, and Mom came back to San Francisco with us to hang out for another week!

It was nice to have mom along on the flight home.  Traveling with a child is definitely easier to do when it's 2:1.

Elliot was a champ on the return flight and I was one proud Momma!

xoxo