Child, You're Forgiven and Loved

Well, it has been a couple of weeks since Emmanuel turned one, and we have definitely crossed from babyhood to toddlerhood.  Emmanuel clearly understands "no" (especially from daddy), he is walking really well (we have our own little Frankenstein), and he is talking and screaming at any and everybody who will listen.  

His personality is probably more like Eli's.  He seems very smart, yet funny.  Friendly yet cautiously observant.  Honestly, the only thing Emmanuel gets from his mama is his larger than life smile that occurs early in the morning, every morning.  

Every night before going to bed, I whisper to Emmanuel, "Child, you're forgiven and loved."  It is a prayer that I desperately hope that he finds freedom in and understands that those words are for him from His loving Savior. 

We hung out at the Baltimore's Child Toddler Fair last weekend.  Emmanuel had fun with the gymnastics' equipment.  He screamed when he got into the tunnel.  Mama translation, "Mama, come and get me."   But, I couldn't fit in the tunnel :)  

Lil' E also got to ride a pony!  He was one of the smallest kids on the pony.  It was awesome.  He did great and talked to the horse.  When he sees animals (especially our neighbor's dogs), he typically screams, smiles, and points.  He was a little more reserved on the pony (only at first....)

A full shot of the ponies.  

And, a daddy-son favorite activity--acting crazy in Tinytown!  Somehow when Eli and Emmanuel go there, Eli ends up with all these other little kids following him around.  One day a little boy came up to Eli and said, "Come on, dad....me next!"  Eli was like...um...and the little boy kept following him around calling him dad until the nanny told him to leave Eli alone.  

Bella and Emmanuel were so funny when they saw all this candy!  They started picking up all of the chocolate bars.  It was hilarious.  

We've been trying to take advantage of our great piece of land, so we've been spending more time outside running through the sprinklers.   Yes, my baby has a big stomach--and no, we couldn't keep this hat on for long.  

So, little Emmanuel, as you continue to grow and change and develop into a man, it is my prayer that you will know that you are forgiven and loved.  

I want to be a one year old for the rest of my life!

This day began like any other...I was curled up next to my dad in the bed. 

I noticed that my mom laid out a special onesie that she made for me...it said something about me being a one year old, but I still wasn't sure what all the hoopla was about. 

The back of it had my date of birth.  I asked my parents what "EST" meant, and my mom said "Established."  She said that she did that because she thought it was cool.  I just looked at her like she was crazy. 

All week, I've been getting cards in the mail from my parent's friends.  I even had some people drop by some gifts just for me.  I started thinking that being a one year old seemed pretty cool. My mom's friend, Mrs. Denise, got me this cool truck.  It's soft and the perfect size for toddlers. 

Mrs. Denise is pictured below with us.  She also baked me some blueberry muffins.  They were yummy.  

My mom and dad sang me this weird song called Happy Birthday, and then they did a huge "no, no"--they lit a candle and left it burning in the room.  They were smiling and really excited, but I was plain confused.  They placed the candle on top of this mountain of dark shiny-ness (they called it a double chocolate cake), and then they blew it out.  

Mom said that the cake was made with love--even though she didn't decorate it that pretty.  She said something about it being made from scratch and being three tiers but that her buttercream icing was a little too thin so it didn't spread well.  I just looked at her and wondered when I could get a fork and dig in.  I didn't care if it was that pretty.  

They said I could take a bite...so in "typical Emmanuel fashion," I waited for them to hand me my utensils (I don't like to eat with my fingers when I can use utensils--my mama says it's because I think I'm grown.)

Yum, this chocolate cake thing tasted good.  I went back for seconds! 

I tried to scoot closer to the cake, and I accidentally got some on my foot.  

My genius parents (they really are smart most of the time--book smart at least--they've even got degrees and awards and stuff to back it up--but sometimes their elevator stops when they get excited, especially my mom's)...anyway, they realized that maybe it wasn't the smartest idea to feed me on top of the island, so then they gave me a slice in my high chair.  

I wonder if they will give me some more if I eat all of this...mom said something about not really ever wanting to make a cake and the icing from scratch again because of the amount of butter and chocolate that she used.  I can tell you one thing:  I don't care how much butter or chocolate she uses just as long as she makes this again and again! 

She said that in a couple of weeks I will have a party with my family in Tennessee...and she's going to make me a chocolate cake in the shape of a CAR!  (Cars are my absolute favorite).  Go figure--I get another one of these cakes just for being a one year old--next time the icing will be green.  

And, of course, no messy eating experience is complete without my mom trying to clean my face.  

I also got to try out my new car seat today.  I'll be forward-facing from now on--just like the grown-ups.  

We stopped at a restaurant for lunch (dad said something about having a gift card), and I got to try out citrus fruits--they were yummy, too!  You aren't supposed to have citrus until you are a one year old...so today was my lucky day--citrus and chocolate!  Yipee!  I want to be a one year old for the rest of my life! 

Here was my fruit sampler--oranges, kiwi, strawberries, and grapes.  I really liked all the food I had today!

We went for a walk by the waterway.  And I did lots of walking (and falling down), but I walked the most I have since I started "walking" 6 weeks ago.  

We posed for a family picture by the water.  My parents try to do things on the cheap (as if you didn't know), so this is the equivalent to a "professional" picture.  The lady taking the picture didn't have all of those "making-the-baby-smile skills" that they have at expensive places like picture people, but mom says that that's ok. 

And, here are my doting parents, yet again.  They said that turning one was a huge deal and that they had made memories with me over this last year that were just the beginning.  I told them to stop all of the sappy talking and to make me some more cake...please.  
And, in typical mom fashion, when we got home from Annapolis, my mama gave me some more chocolate cake...and this time she served it with ice cream and a grown-up spoon.  

Yum, yum Happy Birthday to me.  

Extended Nursing

I know what you're thinking.

Really, when is she going to stop nursing that boy? He's almost a year old (on Thursday, July 2)...he eats whatever kind and type of food she puts in front of him (including kimchi). Why is she still nursing that boy?

Now, I know people judge moms on lots of different things. So, now it's time for you to pass judgment on me. I guess am one of "those" moms. You know, the kind who is going to nurse her child past his 1st birthday. I didn't start out like this. I was actually really terrified of nursing because EVERYBODY told me how hard it would be...that it would be the most painful thing I ever experienced (and those of you reading this know that pain and I do not get along)...that I would need a good lactation consultant...that I would not produce enough milk for him. I can tell you that we have definitely had our challenges this first year (namely sleeping issues), but nursing has been the least of our worries.

Emmanuel was born at 5:36AM...after they cleaned him up and handed him to me, he went straight for his food...and nursed for a long time. It didn't hurt. It wasn't hard. He latched on perfectly the first time. And that was it. The midwife said that I needed to make sure he ate "on demand" because he was so small when he was born...he had stopped growing in the womb and needed to gain weight and fast. So, that's what we did. On Demand. When we left the hospital, he had gained a significant amount of weight. On Demand Nursing was working to keep my baby healthy. But, it was so easy that I was worried that I was missing something. I went to a mom's group that was facilitated by a lactation consultant when he was 4 months old. She said that not only was Emmanuel getting enough milk...but that I actually produced A LOT of milk because he was getting full after only eating on one side (among other things). She said, "Great job!" and went on to someone else.

So, in the beginning we nursed everywhere...in the grocery store...at the park...in church...in restaurants...on the airplane...standing up...lying down...sitting up...it doesn't matter...we just nursed.

He has cut down his amount of nursing significantly...and can now go a long time without nursing, especially when he's playing all day. But, he still loves to nurse.

I must also add that my job has been wonderful by providing me with a place to pump and store milk...so we also have a freezer full of milk...just in case.

So, how long will this go on? Since he has had a few ear infections, I will probably try to nurse him for a little while longer. But, if he decides he doesn't want to nurse anymore...then, of course, we'll stop. There's no forcing this kid to eat!

I'm so thankful that Emmanuel is a good eater, and the fact that he nurses well is definitely a plus for me...but the one thing that I have learned this first year as somebody's mama is that you have to do what works best for your family. So, if that means feeding your baby formula or dressing your kid just in a onesie when he's out in public or giving your baby vitamins or letting your baby cry it out or letting your child wear a bunch of hand-me-downs or choosing not to feed your baby organic and whole wheat everything or God forbid if you had an epidural and didn't have a natural birth in the water with a doula that lasted 19 hours and 10 minutes...you have to do whatever works best for your family...for us, it looks like that is nursing Lil' E past a year and we are ok with that.

Happy early birthday, little nursing boy!

Our Adventures over the past month!

This last month has been quite busy for our little family.  I am so sorry that I haven't taken the time to update all of you about our adventures with Lil' E.  

Let's just say...he is quite adventurous, and he doesn't get it from his mama!  He loves to giggle and play games.  He makes up games with Eli all by himself...his favorite one is biting Eli's nose and then laughing his head off while he pulls away.  He really likes the water.  He LOVES being outside.  He LOVES going to the grocery store (especially Trader Joe's because they give you samples) and he likes screaming at people.  (Yes, he's loud...very loud--he might get that from his mama!)  He also LOVES to eat...these days he's eating blueberries, pinto beans, spinach quiche (I know, right)...it doesn't matter what it is, how spicy it is, how much garlic it has in it (again, mama's influence)....he loves to eat.  

Here he is below trying to escape! (Just an FYI--this blog is not in chronological order because of the way I uploaded the pictures...sorry!)

This is a picture from Mook's 8th grade graduation.  (Mook, his grandmother Ms. Mary, and Darnell)
Emmanuel loves this red vase/jar thingie that we have.  He likes to drop things into it, and he like rocking on it (he gets his rhythm from his mama).  But notice that he is approaching the outlets...this is where mama said, "no" like four times and received no response, then daddy said, "NO!" and Emmanuel cried.  My mom says that this kid has me wrapped around his finger...say it ain't so.  

Uncle Wil came to visit and help us out on our house.  Here is Emmanuel playing a "game."  

Okay, now they are posing for a real picture.  Wil says that Emmanuel is going to be running all over the place soon.  This kid does have boundless amounts of energy--not sure who he gets that from (lol!)

We go to the grocery store A LOT.  When Emmanuel was first born, I went to the g-store just to get out and walk around and peruse the sales.  Now, we have so much fun and all the cashiers know him by name!  It' great.  We discovered that he is finally tall enough to ride in this seat. He had the people in superfresh laughing so hard because he could barely see over the wheel. He was screaming out of excitement and beeping the horn.  It was great!  Trader Joe's has these mini-grocery store carts for kids...I guess we'll have to try those next week. 

Our friends from North Carolina, Davin and Won-Jung Hong, came to Baltimore with their two kids, Zoe (you might remember her from a video post earlier) and Daniel.  Emmanuel and I got to hang out with the Hongs and the Chens (Justin, Catherine, and Evie) at this nice Korean restaurant pretty close to our house. 

Here are Emmanuel and Evie--these two are hilarious!  Everytime they get together they just stare at each other.  It is the funniest thing!  I can't wait until they get older to show them all of their baby pics where they were staring at one another.  

Emmanuel really likes Won-Jung--she is a pretty amazing wife and mother.  I like her a lot, too.  He likes to touch noses.  and hair.  and ears.  another game courtesy of daddy.

Bauntie Michelle graduated from High School.  She will attend Temple University.  I had the privilege of attending her graduation, but didn't get any pictures with her there.  This is a picture of her at her graduation party.  She brought this shirt for Emmanuel from Sicily when she went in April.  It says something like, "Someone who loves me brought me this shirt from Sicily."  

And, of course, no blog post this long would be complete without a picture of Emmanuel's weekly playdate buddy, Bella.  

And my playdate buddy, Jamie.  I'm so blessed to have her here in Baltimore.  She is such a source of strength and support for me.  Emmanuel is very comfortable with Jamie.  She's a great wife and mother, too....and she's expecting her second baby already!  I know, right!  At this point if you are thinking...hmmm....I wonder when Carmen and Eli will have their second...I can answer that for you...not anytime soon :) 

Emmanuel is sporting the curls! 

This is at Priscilla's graduation from high school.  Priscilla will attend Mt. Holyoke.  This is a picture of she and her mom.  Emmanuel is wearing her school colors.  

The happy graduate! Priscilla had perfect attendance for her whole school career.  Amazing.

Darnell's graduation from high school.  He will attend Morgan State in the fall.  

Stanley, Eli, and Brian (who also graduated).  

Tavon better watch out--Lil' E is going to grab that phone! 

Got a great deal on this inflatable baby pool.  And, thanks Grammie Judy for the sun hat.  We couldn't keep it on long, but we tried. 

I just like this picture. 

Mona's basketball banquet.  She and her mom might as well be twins.  They love Emmanuel and bought him all the suits that you see in these pictures.  

Mona and Lil' E. 
Well, that's a wrap.  His 1st Birthday is next week, but we will probably wait a couple of weeks to have his party--due to all the traveling that people do for the 4th of July.  I've been working on this theme for a long time...I will reveal the theme and plans in a later post :)  My mom friends who have gone before me say that with boys I have a small window to plan these themed-parties...so I'm starting as soon as I can.  

Stay tuned for the party details, my friends. 

Thanks for reading.  

Our happy boy and his bubbles ;)

Here's Emmanuel "experiencing" bubbles for the first time! 

First Steps

These feet are made for walking...
And that's what they're gonna do...

One of these days
These feet are gonna walk all over you!

On May 26, 2009, Emmanuel took his first steps.

Eli was holding him, and he walked to me.

What an amazing blessing and gift that we could both be present when Emmanuel walked for the first time.

Although Eli and I have experienced great pain these last few months, I am overjoyed when I look back over Emmanuel's first year (he is 11 months today) and think about all of the time that his daddy got to spend with him. Eli is an incredible daddy to Emmanuel. I learn something new everyday by watching him invest his time and his life into our little boy. He is a far better dad than I am mom, and I am so thankful that God chose us to be partners as we raise Emmanuel together.

We are committed to walking through life together. Whether that's supporting one another's careers or cheering the other one on while they run a race or hanging out with one another's friends or being an encouragement when our world has been turned upside down...

...or Praying over our boy...
...we are doing it together.

And, I am so thankful that we were there together for Emmanuel's first steps.

And, might I add...he is such a happy kid! I am humbled by his enthusiasm and his energy (I don't know where he gets that from!)

His feet were made for walking...and that's is surely what he's gonna do!

Thanks for your prayers for our little family.