2012 in the Rear-view Mirror

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all! We didn't do a Christmas letter this year, but I thought I would do a synopsis on the blog for anyone who cares. Our Christmas cards looked just like the one above. In fact if I overlooked you and you would like one, let me know because we have many left over and would love to share. 

Brent: Brent continued to work at his office in Wichita 3 days a week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday). He also worked in the Wichita west mall on some Monday, Wednesday and Fridays (about 4-7 days a month). This has been a huge blessing. Also, Brent was added to the Evangelism and Outreach committee at church. Brent and I both work on Wednesday nights with the 5th and 6th grade kids. In the Spring/Summer Brent plays on a softball team with some of his high school friends and church guys. In the Winter he plays on a 5-on-5 basketball league with many of these same guys. He really enjoys this. Some highlights this past year: first KU basketball game, flying with a baby to Colorado, Wertenberger family vacation to Branson, Eli saying "da-da", smiles from Eli when he gets home from work, and working at the farm with Dad.

Cindy: I stay home with Eli every day and love it. I have gotten more involved in church this year by working on Wednesday nights with the 5th and 6th graders, children's church once a quarter, being on Worship & Music committee (which included planning the Christmas Eve service this year), playing piano for the choir, and being on worship team on occasion. This has been so wonderful for me to get to know people in our church and feel like I have an identity outside of just taking care of Eli (even though I LOVE that). This fall I did a Beth Moore Bible study with some ladies in the church. It was the study of James called "Mercy Triumphs". It was so fantastic and I can not encourage you enough to join a study if you're able. Also this fall I started cleaning my brother's house twice a month- and I really love it. Parents As Teachers comes once a month to play with Eli. Some highlights this past year: going to Colorado, Wertenberger family vacation in Branson, Eli saying "ma-ma", date with Brent to Lion King in Wichita, celebrating 5 years of marriage with my love, and Christmastime with family.

Eli: Most of this blog is dedicated to Eli, so if you keep up you know what he's been up to this last year. He took his first plane ride to Colorado. He likes toys that sing or make noise and likes his new toys that he can ride (turtle, rocking horse, and car). He likes to take blocks and puzzle pieces out of there places (which drives daddy crazy). He has 9 teeth and likes to crawl everywhere. He hasn't really tried to walk much, although I think if he tried he could. He loves looking at books and splashing at bath-time. As of late, Eli has become quite a good eater- trying new foods and loving them. 

We are so blessed by our LORD. He is so good to us and gives us much more than we deserve. We are thankful for his provision in all areas of our life in the year 2012 and look forward to serving Him in 2013. 

Pneumonia

On the Friday before Christmas, Eli woke up with a cough. Not a bad one, just a cough. By that evening his breathing was weezy and somewhat short. By Saturday morning his breathing was much more labored and shallow. I decided to take him in to Immediate care in Newton. After getting there at 9:07 and finally getting seen at 11:30, the doctor decided to have some lab work done and a chest x-ray. I thought it seemed a little extreme, but decided to trust that this doc knew what he was doing. After the results came back, the doctor came in and said "Well, it's just as I thought. Your son has pneumonia and he'll probably need to be in the hospital. I've called his pediatrician to come in and decide what he wants to do." Well, I of course started crying. When Dr Jantz got to the clinic he took one look at the x-rays and Eli and said I'll walk you over to the hospital (this was about 3:00). We got checked in and Brent was able to be there right after they got his iv in (go figure). We spent the night Saturday and went home around 12:30 on Sunday. We praise God for healing our little boy. By Monday he was back to almost normal. He still takes breathing treatments and antibiotics everyday. It is something we certainly don't want to repeat but are thankful to the Great Physician for his healing.  

Santa came by to visit on Saturday evening. 

We thought we'd try the crib for Eli. He thought it was a jungle gym. I thought it looked more like a jail. 

Feeling much better on Sunday. :)

Firsts

A few days before Eli's 1st birthday he got his first hair cut and his first taste of cow's milk. He did really well for both. I warmed up the milk and put it in his bottle. He DOWNED it so I added some cold milk and he drank it too. The next day we tried milk in his sippy and just like that, no more bottles. Kind of bittersweet for this momma, but I'm happy it wasn't a battle. 

Before

Before..pretty whispy but not much there.

After...big boy!

After...still happy!

Cow's milk. Grandpa Rixey would be proud.

1 YEAR!!!

Yesterday my baby turned one. I can't hardly believe that he has been with us for a whole year. We love him so much. We especially love his smiles, laughs, and cuddles. 

In the last month...

-Eli celebrated his first Thanksgiving (with the Willems family, Wichert family, and Wertenberger family).

-Started waving bye-bye and hi! 

-Says ma-ma...FINALLY! :) It is like music to his mommy's ears. 

-Started clapping- the first time you did it was at Uncle Ben's basketball game. Go lady broncos!

-Took 1 step- only one and only 2 times total...but we're getting there. 

-One day Eli was saying "mmmm" for more craisins but hasn't repeated this.

-Had cousins Drew, Tyler and Megan over for a slumber party.

-Last bottle and started drinking whole milk out of a straw sippy.

-First haircut- daddy distracted you while mommy cut it.

-First eye exam- compliments of daddy.

-First BIRTHDAY!!!

Eli loves: straw sippy cup, bathtime, walking behind his walker, having mommy hold him while she's trying to cook, bouncing the racket ball, eating- especially anything sweet ie fruit, cereal bars, multi-grain cheerios, eating table food- he's not a fan of baby food anymore, playing chase with mom, when daddy throws him in the air, playing peek-a-boo, he doesn't like when daddy leaves for work and cries, music, certain songs from the t.v. (a new puzzle sound on Wheel of Fortune, National American University commercial, and the weather sound on KWCH), does not want to practice walking while holding mommy or daddy's hands, making a strained noise/face when he wants to be picked up, when he is smiling on purpose he scrunches up his nose, still does his fake cough, "so big" and kisses are less now but he will still do them, he loves to be in the bathroom when mom or dad are otherwise occupied, mommy calls him little bear and daddy calls him bubby, and he now loves cupcakes!

We love you, Eli.

So the chalk board didn't work so well this time...

Happy boy!

It snowed on my birthday!

Drinking milk in my straw sippy like a big boy!

We had a small party after Brent's basketball game. Brent's parents, Cody, Misty, and Grace, and my parents skyped in.

Sweet tooth...he ate the whole thing!

He even licked his fingers.

Then washed it down with some milk.

Not our best picture, but I wanted one with my boy on his birthday. :)