That’s how you say in Hannah-ian.
С днём рождения! [s DNYOM razh-DYE-nee-ya] is how you say it in Russian!
We celebrated Mr. E’s birthday on Saturday–my Valentine’s baby! I thought about attempting a traditional Russian birthday meal (that I googled) which would involve fish (pickled or smoked), and perhaps a potato and beet salads. And these fried dumplings call pirozhkis frequently make appearances at a birthday parties, too. They are generally filled with meat, cabbage, cheese, potatoes or eggs. But no. Maybe next year.
The celebrating was pretty low-key. Unfortunately we have each taken a turn with the fevery-flu thing going around and hit Jake that day. Earlier in the week we had at last moved into our house (shout hoooooray!!), and even received our air shipment (another hooray!)! Soooo, Eli’s special day was pretty lazy.. He wasn’t too upset about it, but turning 1 is still a big deal and at least grants some definite reflection the momma’s part. Thus, this post is to him and probably will drip of sappy sentiment. Read on if you’re into that kind of thing. 😉
Well, no we didn’t have matches. Whoops. Fail.
Hmm, what do I with this?
Stuff my face, got it!
Sweet? Seriously?
Demolished.
Dear Junior (your sometimes nickname),
Happy birthday, buddy!
Well, wow! Your three hundred and sixty-five days of life have just whizzed by. In some ways. Are you really 1??
In other ways SO MUCH has happened in your tiny year on this earth it’s almost a challenge to digest. The day you came was very, very anticipated and FULL of hope, a little fear, and a whole lotta faith and prayer.
When I think back to the first few weeks of your life, my heart gets all bursty-feeling and my throat gets all lumpy-ish and I’m just a big mooshy pile of emotion. Whew. You went through a lot for a little guy and oh it’s a wonderful thing you won’t remember it! You had amazing nurses, you had amazing doctors, and you had (still have) amazing family and friends and angels supporting you (and supporting Mommy and Daddy!) and sending up prayers. Maybe one day we will know why you were sent to us with a tumor. I hope so. The skilled surgeons did SUCH a fantastic job and I will try forever to thank them. Your recovery, though difficult to endure (tears at your poor swollen face!), was incredible.
Ps, You better love your cute bum-scar because it’s a pretty awesome battle wound. Just don’t get all funny-boy-humor-weirdo on us and show it off to your friends when you are older, k? I will figure out a way to staple your pants on, count on it buddy.
You have put your mom and dad (and all your supportive, sweet loved ones) on a roller coaster ride of worry with your health you precious thing. Couldn’t you have come with an extensive manual of “This is What My Insides Look Like: What to Do Now” or “Definition of Cries Numbers 1-210”. (A “How to Get Me to Sleep. Period.” guide would also be greatly appreciated!)
But I am astounded, humbled and all sorts of thankful to be your mom and witness the amazing little miracle you are, and really how healthy you are, too. We treasure every ounce of your 22 (ish) pounds! (sap sap sappyyyy.)
A few specifics that seem simple but are kind of a big deal:
Your legs wiggle (Ohhhh do they wiggle.)
You can crawl (everywhere).
You can go potty (I mean really, you can. Eeeeeven though we go thru triple the amount of diapers a typical baby might go thru. Oh the diaper rash!)
Your appetite is fantastic (victory, victory! SERIOUSLY). Your favorite thing to eat is paper, but you also love anything I am eating. We are in love with your food sounds–“umm aumm yum num”. Thank goodness spit up is a thing of the past!
You are standing on your own here and there–you are so so so close!
You have been infection-free (from UTIs) for six months! (even though we’ve had a few scares and sleepless nights thinking you had one or two.)
My body won’t ever be the same (thanks to your 8.9 lbs) but it was so worth it. You are a happy, (loud), smiley, busy busy busy, giggly, momma’s boy who bonks his head on everything, loves to get into all things and actually is rather cuddly lately (hm, or clingy?!). The discovery of climbing is well in force (payback, right Grandma?) and boy you’ve got the giggles when you make it to the top of the stairs.
Your singing voice is adorable–like an “ah ah ah” kind-of yelling voice that might bother everyone else (sorry neighbors) and you even try to wave your arms like the choir conductor during church (also adorable). You love to pound the piano, or pound the table, or pound on me. You love to “wrestle” with your sister or attack her. Thank you for being so accepting of her glee in rolling you around, yanking your poor arms and sometimes sitting on you. Feet in your face or not, you totally love her and laugh the most with her. I will remind you of this later.
Balls and balloons are your passion and the fun of pushing a car along the floor is catching your attention. You usually go for emptying cupboards, suitcases & drawers (or climbing in them), or dangerous things like outlets and lamps and slamming fingers in doors. Of course. I need eyes on you e v e r y s e c o n d.
Photo cred: Miss H
I love you forever, little guy.
cactus in bloom 