3? Already?

Well, it's official... my baby isn't a baby any longer. He's a big boy. Three years old today, February 22nd. so far, each year on his birthday I get all emotional. I don't necessarily cry, but just feel all of these emotions. To think, I carried that boy from seedling to an 8lb. 10oz. baby. Then, together, we learned all about the "joys" of breastfeeding. It was not an easy task for Elijah and I but we pulled through and were able to keep it up for 8 months... until his mouth was so full of teeth that this mommy just couldn't take being chomped on anymore. One month later, at 9 months old, our little baby was walking, then running, and climbing stairs...
It just amazes me how quickly these precious little babies grow up. Each stage we go through brings about new accomplishments in his development, and new accomplishments (and failures, too) in our parenting. What a treasure he is to us.
I could go on and on, but really don't have the time to sit and type it out... there's packing to be done. This weekend, we move 1 hour south, to Eldon, MO. We will be living on Jeremiah's parent's land- just across the yard from them, in the house Jeremiah grew up in. New adventures, and challenges await us. We feel that this is where God wants us... at least for a short time. We will be taking it a day at a time.
As for our birthday boy, he chose to have his party at our new house, after we move. We will have a pond just down the hill from our house, so we're thinking fishing gear will be a perfect gift.
Since we will be internet-less for about a month after we move, the party pics will be posted when we're back online.
Until then... I'll leave with you some of my favorite pictures of our boy.
Happy Birthday, our big three year old!

Visiting the Northerner's

This year, we visited the Speckeen's a little later in January than usual. Generally, we make it up north for the annual New Year's Speckeen Celebration, but weren't able to make it this year due to work schedules. However, without all the celebrations happening, we had a VERY relaxing and fun time....

Elijah loves taking baths at Grandpa and Grandma "Stateens" because the tub has no texture on the bottom, which makes slipping and sliding around perfect for our wild boy.

We don't have our hearts set on Elijah being an athlete... He loves music and reading! We are so glad he takes so much interest in these "nerdy" things... We hope he pursues his love for music because he's showing so much potential.
Uncle Will took Elijah outside in the snow to play with the dog... they had a blast, but I'm pretty sure Uncle Will was exhausted!
He got a hold of someone's goofy glasses...How cute is he?!
Jeremiah and I were able to get together with some of our Northern Friends. While we missed the friends who weren't able to make it, we had a blast! We went bowling and I failed miserably, but Jeremiah did awesome
Definitely not just a bowling ball...
So serious... Guess you have to be to get the scores he got that night
My Aunt and Uncle let us visit so Elijah could have a chance to ride the snowmobile! He loved it! It was so cold out, so I had to make him come inside much sooner than he preferred... that made him pretty "angry!" but his Great Auntie gave him some hot chocolate and a brownie and it was all good.
Getting a ride from Grandpa in his Tonka Truck- his Christmas present from the Speckeen Grandparents! He loves that Truck!

With my Auntie Kaye in my awesome maternity shirt "... and all I wanted was a backrub"