18 months

Dear Eli,

You are exactly one and a half years old today. I can hardly believe it!

Whenever I day dreamed about my children I never saw the cuddly newborn (although, boy were you cute!) and I never saw the infant blowing spit bubbles.... I saw a child who was putting on my shoes and trying to walk around the house. These days I seem to be living in my dreams!

It's amazing to see how you've grown into this little person all the while maintaining your sweet spirit. I don't think I have ever met another toddler with such a loving nature.

I could write to you about all of your milestones:
How you are talking more and more each day...
How all of your teeth have finally grown in...
How you are now climbing into and out of your own car seat...
How your last "baba" was on Monday, but you are still sleeping like a champ...
How you are showing so many signs of being ready to potty train (AH!)...

Instead, I want to write to you about how proud I am to be your mom.

Many people, especially over the past several months, have praised us for what WE have done. How WE have taught you, how WE have "trained" you, how WE have guided you. While I would love to take credit for molding you into the little person you are, you MUST know that God created this light in you. I pray it is something that stays with you throughout your whole life.

There is something about you that brings a smile to people's faces; The way that you can make friends with whoever is in the room, the way that you smile at those who seem to need it most, the gentleness that you approach others with. Some might scoff at how I describe your spirit, but those who know you can see it too. You have a light and I pray that it always shines bright. God made you with this gift, never forget it!

Eli, I have received no greater blessing than the blessing of watching you grow and learn. Each day that we have together is so precious to me because it is another day I get to love you and teach you to love others as we figure out our way in this world. I pray that you will always show others the love of Jesus, even when this world gets dark.

I want you to know that I will always pray for you, I will always love you, and I will always want your snuggles.
I want you to remember that you are special. You have purpose. And you are important in this world.

18 months. Such a short time in this world, but you have brought so much joy to it!
I love you Eli Grey!

Love,
Your Mama