In a month we will celebrate Elijah’s first birthday, Honduran-style with piñatas and mondongo soup. Already the signs of toddlerhood signal a new era. Finally, in the eleventh month of his life, Elijah's first tooth – “the fang”— sprouted from his sharp little gums. He has begun to tell people (and objects) off, with his favorite non-sense phrase: “Nah-nah-nah-nah-NAH-NAH!” And yesterday he took his first real steps, double-fisted with stuffed animals…stepping excitedly from the couch to the love seat, and then into my arms.
They say the time flies, and I guess it does in retrospect, but it seems like ages ago that my arms ached from holding our tiny baby in the cradle position. In those first months without sleep, while I watched a thousand TV shows so that I wouldn’t move a muscle and Elijah could rest peacefully on my chest, I eagerly awaited the next era.
That next era is here and I can’t help but look fondly on the year preceeding it. The adventure and discomfort of pregnancy. Becoming teary-eyed because I was so hungry…but nothing was appealing. Hearing Elijah’s little-bird heartbeat for the first time. All of my worries and prayers lathered like lotion over my growing belly. My beautiful shower thrown by Sheryl and my mom. The entrapment of a month of bed rest and finding creative solutions to escape. Prelaboring in the bedroom while Rey had a party in our living room. Then the actual labor, as close to dying as one can get without actually experiencing it. My “natural birth-plan” thrown out the window; give me the *&#@ epidural!” (Just like on TV). And then excitement as I wound my way to the final stretch of the marathon, Rey and Dr. Partida urging me on…throwing every ounce of sweat and energy into the task at hand, until a furry little cone-shaped head was visible. He had black hair then, just like his dad. And it took a moment, I think, for him to realize he was in a new environment, because the awaited cry was slow in coming as he blinked in the bright light. Then it came, “little big-voice” wailed his first note, and my little alien was laid on my chest. Slimy, bloody, but I didn’t care. I had been waiting for him.
So many people came to see him, the little prince of the church. Rey slept with Elijah his first night so that I could rest unencumbered. And the next three months were spent clumsily slipping through parenthood, making embarrassing mistakes like putting the diaper on loosely (so it wouldn’t be tight against his little body), and wondering why every brand of diaper leaked. Through it all Elijah survived, and I am amazed that God entrusts little babies to us. Isn’t that just like God to risk with faith in us? I wonder why we have so much trouble having faith in him…
Anyway, I love my little Lijah-bear. And I am excited to get to know him even more as his personality grows and develops.
They say the time flies, and I guess it does in retrospect, but it seems like ages ago that my arms ached from holding our tiny baby in the cradle position. In those first months without sleep, while I watched a thousand TV shows so that I wouldn’t move a muscle and Elijah could rest peacefully on my chest, I eagerly awaited the next era.
That next era is here and I can’t help but look fondly on the year preceeding it. The adventure and discomfort of pregnancy. Becoming teary-eyed because I was so hungry…but nothing was appealing. Hearing Elijah’s little-bird heartbeat for the first time. All of my worries and prayers lathered like lotion over my growing belly. My beautiful shower thrown by Sheryl and my mom. The entrapment of a month of bed rest and finding creative solutions to escape. Prelaboring in the bedroom while Rey had a party in our living room. Then the actual labor, as close to dying as one can get without actually experiencing it. My “natural birth-plan” thrown out the window; give me the *&#@ epidural!” (Just like on TV). And then excitement as I wound my way to the final stretch of the marathon, Rey and Dr. Partida urging me on…throwing every ounce of sweat and energy into the task at hand, until a furry little cone-shaped head was visible. He had black hair then, just like his dad. And it took a moment, I think, for him to realize he was in a new environment, because the awaited cry was slow in coming as he blinked in the bright light. Then it came, “little big-voice” wailed his first note, and my little alien was laid on my chest. Slimy, bloody, but I didn’t care. I had been waiting for him.
So many people came to see him, the little prince of the church. Rey slept with Elijah his first night so that I could rest unencumbered. And the next three months were spent clumsily slipping through parenthood, making embarrassing mistakes like putting the diaper on loosely (so it wouldn’t be tight against his little body), and wondering why every brand of diaper leaked. Through it all Elijah survived, and I am amazed that God entrusts little babies to us. Isn’t that just like God to risk with faith in us? I wonder why we have so much trouble having faith in him…
Anyway, I love my little Lijah-bear. And I am excited to get to know him even more as his personality grows and develops.
2 comments:
Elise, I didn't know you were on bedrest too! Also, I know what you mean about "the fang." Clara got one bottom tooth and then the next ones were the top ones next to "the big ones." So I called her a snaggletooth vampire. She looked so funny! Now they are coming in 4 teeth at a time! And SUCH drama when they come in! Steph Nelson
Elise,
I really enjoyed your description of Elijah's first year. You are a great writer! How precious the time is, watching our children grow up to be all that God has designed them to be. God bless you. Carol Gerzsenye
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