The Oakley's in Oklahoma: Happy Valentine's Day!

Well, I'm a few days off. But it's hard to get things done on time with a toddler in tow. And at least it's still February. A few weeks ago I picked up a few items for Eli at Target for Valentine's Day. He already has a stuffed Elmo, Cookie Monster, Ernie, and Bert. We have added The Count to the gang. I do a little imitation of the count like "One, Two, Three, Four, Five. Five kisses, wawawaaw." And then kiss Eli five times on the cheek. He gets a kick out of it and always holds up the count and makes the laughing noise. It's so cute. He also got Elmo, Abby, and Cookie Monster figurines. He tries to carry them all around and loves them! I also got him a couple of books and a new toothbrush (sesame street of course). Out of all the things he got, he wanted the toothbrush opened first. That a boy! Brush those toofhers!

He also got a special delivery from Grandma Annice. She sent him an Elmo backpack filled with some books, a froggy, and two more Elmo and Cookie figurines. He hasn't let me read the books to him yet. But I've noticed it takes him a few months to warm up to new books! Like, he's just now letting me read the ones he got for Christmas.
I was also working on a special project for Eli. A cardboard box oven! I got the idea from a friend and it took me a few weeks to work on it. It turned out pretty good I thought, but I don't think it's safe for him just yet. I put it down on the floor for him to check out. Within thirty seconds he had two knobs ripped off and he had started to pull off one of the burners. I put it away for now. Maybe he'll be easier on it when he's two!

I have been thinking about some of the little things I love that Eli does. Here's a few:

The way he curls his toes and rubs them together while we read him stories.

The way he hooks his feet onto his tray table while he's eating.

When he's really tired, he loves to rest his head on my lap or just sit with me and rest his head.

Seeing him first thing in the morning, I've taught him to stretch out his arms and legs really big to wake him up. He smiles really big while he stretches.

His sweet baby breath (although not as sweet as it used to be).

The moment he falls asleep in my arms and I can feel his whole body go limp, it's like feeling total peace.

The sound of his laugh.

Seeing him give his daddy a kiss

When he gives me a kiss

How much he loves being outside, so much so that when it's time to come in he always cries.

And most of all, that he's my little boy!