I love my tree!


Elias on Christmas morning....obviously shocked!

I love my inchworm....thanks Nonna

we call this laptop therapy...as he will jump through any hoop to get to a computer!

gobble gobble, ho ho and auld lang syne

It truly is hard to believe that 2007 has come and gone. So much has happened in our lives since the last post. Thanksgiving was spent in a quiet little cabin in Leavenworth. The 3 of us had a great time together and survived without cable!!! We enjoyed the trip so much that we will probably do the same next year.

December was a busy month, as it usually is. Elias was diagnosed with Autism by his neurologist, something Dave and I had suspected for quite some time. We are planning to have Elias formally tested though sometime in the near future. On the 18th our beautiful boy went in for his fundoplication surgery. Four hours later he was in our arms and recovering beautifully. He did amazing and we are thrilled to say he has not vomited since that morning! It really is strange to see him wearing the same outfit all day! Elias continues to be fed via a continuous drip while his stomach heals and we are hoping that next week we will be able to increase the volume he is receiving and get back to a more normal feed schedule. Elias resumed all normal activities within 1 day of being home from the hospital, what a trooper.

Santa paid us a visit on Christmas day and as usual he showered Elias with tons of new toys. Elias was a trooper this year and opened each and every one of his gifts. He had his favorites which included a remote control school bus, new books, inchworm and flashy Hess truck (thanks pop pop). Between Santa and Elias' doting grandparents we have a house full of toys all sent with love! Our family is blessed and we are grateful to each of you that think of us throughout the year.

pictures to follow shortly...i promise!

Albert King

Okay so our original intention was for Elias to be Albert Einstein but as you can see he looks more like a cross between Einstein and Don King, hence Albert King. We had a great day which started out with a lovely play session with Eli's friend and OT Brooke. Next we ventured to Fred Meyer to complete last segment of our costume design phase which really equalled to a glue gun purchase and a fancy fleece hat. When it came time to get dressed Elias was more than compliant and actually seemed to enjoy having makeup put on his face. Finally we were finished and after a few photos we headed out for our 3rd annual trick or treat night. Elias seemed to enjoy the costumes especially Maggie's ladybug outfit (as you can see in the photo's). Aunty Amy and I had a nice time sipping coffee and shopping while strangers continually complimented us on our beautiful children. Then off to the UW for more festivities...everyone thought Eli looked darling and he did. Dave weathered the storm of trick or treaters and gave out 6 bags of candy before it was all said and done. By the time we reached Aunty Yaya's house Elias was beat but happy with the new books she gave him as a Halloween present!! He loves both of them but really seems just thrilled with That's not my monster.... We had a glass of vino and visited for awhile which was lovely. Elias fell asleep on my lap and that was the end of it. We headed home, scrubbed off the makeup, changed our clothes and kissed him goodnight. What an amazing little Einstein he was.... I can't wait to see what he will be next year. Happy Halloween everyone!!!

Overdue

Okay, so I started the blog with great momentum and just as expected life continues to happen and time slips right through my fingers. So much has happened with us since our last post. First Dave and I met with the surgeon at Childrens on the 8th and we really liked and trusted him. After many months of deliberation we have decided to go ahead and proceed with the fundoplication procedure. The procedure has great risks and there is no guarantee that it will eliminate all of Eli's vomiting. With that said, we still feel that we are doing what is in Elias' best interest by moving forward. If he ever stands a chance at developing any social relationships the vomiting must decrease, after all nobody really wants to play with Thomas the tank covered in vomit.

We are also celebrating the fact that I was finally able to leave Elias for a whole 5 days. As many of you know I tend to be a bit neurotic about my little pip and the idea of leaving him was a little overwhelming. But for both of our sake I finally took a long overdue trip and E spent some quality time with his Daddy. Originally I had planned a lovely weekend for myself in DC, but after further consideration I decided I really wanted to spend time with my friends whom I never get a chance to see. So I hopped on a plane and away I went. I had a great trip complete with naps, ample glasses of vino and enough laughter to carry me through the next couple of months. I must say though that I have never missed anyone as much as I missed my little man during those five days. And upon my arrival he was attached to my hip for the first couple of days (I guess he missed me too).

Elias continues to amaze us on a daily basis. He has accomplished so much in his ability to communicate with us lately. He is handing us books and is becoming quite persistent about us reading them. Singing is one of his favorite things for us to do together and last week was the first time he signed music without me suggesting it which indicates he has a very clear idea of what he wants. Eli is really using our hands as ways to explore his world and while I know it might not be the most optimal way I can't stop him or myself right now. Yesterday he took my hand and put it on the rocking horse so I could make it rock and so I did for 15 long minutes and every time I took my hand away I would feel the tiniest tug on my sleeve, a tug that made my heart sing. It may be hard for some to understand but we have been starved for interaction with our son. It wasn't that long ago that Elias was just a tiny babe who required no interaction to be content. He never cried much in the first nine months of his life. Eye contact was fleeting. There were no smiles to tell us he was as happy to be with us as we were to be with him. Laughter didn't happen until he was about 1.5 years old and it usually happened in response to the TV rather than us. So now after such a long wait he needs me, he needs Dave and we need him!!!!


Here are new photo's, sorry for the graphics but the first pee on the potty is a big deal!!!!

Long Day

Upper GI $1700
Car, Sweatshirt and Mama covered with Barium - Priceless

Eli had his upper GI this morning and we meet with the surgeon on Monday so we will fill you in when we know more. To reward Eli for being such a good little pip we stopped at the park on the way home, dug in the dirt, played on the swings and tried to eat bark. It was a great day!!!! I am also happy everyone is checking out the blog. Here are the more recent pics you all have asked for.

Where did the time go??

I will never forget the way he smelled, the softness of his skin, the tiny wrinkles on his little feet, the warmth and weight of his tiny body against mine, the beauty of his face, the sweetness in his fathers eyes when he would look at him, and most importantly how we learned to love and rely on one another in a way that no one could understand unless they have walked in our shoes. Today I am amazed at how far we have come. Reflecting on our beginnings helps remind me to be grateful for where we are. Here are images from May 2005, the month and year that changed our lives in ways that we couldn't have ever imagined.