One Heck of a Year

December 18, 2009: Jeff and I found out we had a baby on the way.

After seeing two pink lines (for the 4th time that day!).

December 18, 2010: That baby, Eli, turned FOUR months old!!

Our big boy on his 4 month birthday, with his friends Sophie and Charlie.

So much has happened in the past 12 months.  It's been quite a year, with lots of changes and so much joy.  Our best year yet -- hands down!

A Holly Jolly Weekend

This is my favorite time of year, and I've really enjoyed sharing this holiday season with Eli.  We did lots of celebrating last weekend, and he was such a trooper.  He wasn't even scared of Santa! 

Poor guy won't have many presents to open on Christmas morning because we've already given most of them to him -- it's so fun I just can't wait! 

Happy Hanukkah!

Eli goes to a wonderful Jewish daycare in our neighborhood.  Yesterday he brought home a toy dreidel.  Today he came home from school with a Happy Hanukkah card.  Inside the card:

Some much-needed comic relief for a tough week . . .

Back to Work

Jeff dropped Eli off at school this morning (because I knew I couldn't handle it), and, armed with a box of Kleenex, I went back to work. 

I was prepared in the sense that I had all the "things" that could comfort me - skinny vanilla latte in a holiday Starbucks cup, a fresh coat of You Don't Know Jacques on my nails, my favorite boots, several framed photos of Eli for my desk, and the best Christmas playlist on my phone.  But I wasn't prepared for how difficult it would be to leave my baby with strangers who would be responsible for feeding him, waking him up from his naps, and enjoying all his sweet smiles and coos.  I wasn't prepared to go an entire day without seeing his precious face.  I have the greatest job in the world, but that didn't make it any easier.  It was a rough day, and I missed him so much! 

But I think Eli had a pretty good day.  And that's what matters, right? 

Eli's First Day of School