Eli to Abbi: “How you doing, baby? You boot-e-fool.”

J to Abbi: “I did not like you when you in mommy’s tummy, Abigail. I missed you. I love you. We get to keep you and grow you up and buy you girl toys. I’m going to get you a princess bike!”
Yes, I have a 2 year old Joey from Friends and a 3 year old… I don’t even know how you’d classify his sweet talk other than genuinely precious.

I love both of those boys and I hope their sister realizes they love her immensely. *Heart swelling*

Like any good St. Patty’s Day baby, Eli emerged from the womb with red hair festively tinged with green!  Even though he’s now a blonde, he still fits the stereotype of a tempermental Irishman: he can be the most jovial and fun loving person one minute and the most angry and hostile person the next!  Part of Eli’s “moodiness” is a result of his dramatic flair.  He can pull off one of the best fake cries on cue.  He also loves pretending and playing with his little people.  Yesterday he insisted that his three favorite stuffed animals eat breakfast with us and that I pretend to serve them food.  He and Justice even set up play scenarios now that often involve being Home Depot guys or constructions guys.  I can totally see Eli following in his dad’s footsteps and acting in school plays.

Aunt Tara has correctly identified Eli as a book worm.  He loves, loves, loves books and has an advanced vocabulary to prove it.  He generally speaks in clearly articulated phrases and sentences and has amazing ability to tackle new words (one of the nursery teachers at church taught him how to say “aquamarine” when he was 18 months old!).  Unlike his big brother, Eli took his time learning how to walk… doing so by the time he was 14 months old.  I think part of his reluctance to walk is a result of his love of being held and snuggled.  Even though he runs around the house like a wild man most days, he still stops periodically to lavish me with hugs and kisses.  I definitely think physical touch is one of his main love languages!  I love being this little dude’s mama!

Justice is still as active today as he was the day he was born.  He came out of the womb with amazing neck control, first rolled over when he was one month old, and was walking by the time he turned 10 months.  J never really liked to be held as a baby, unless you were facing him outward to see all the action going on around him.  He still is not a big fan of being held, unless he’s climbing in his daddy’s big, strong arms or in his mommy’s comforting arms after an injury.  J loves climbing, fake falling, playing football, building and “fixing” things (especially after he has written out his plan in his notebook or verbally shared it with someone) and digging in dirt with his trucks and shovels. Justice also LOVES to sing and make music!  He makes up his own songs, which generally have “Hallelujah Jesus” in them somewhere.  Don and I are trying to teach him to sing instead of just scream… but Justice thinks the louder the better, so this lesson is not getting through his cute little head.  Justice also loves to play his guitar and drums.  He has told us he wants to sing at church and help people lift their hands to Jesus.  I think this is wonderful and melts my heart!

Justice also has a very sweet and tender side to his personality.  He was born to be a big brother!  He comforts Eli when he’s upset and he loves to pray for people when they are sick or feeling bad.  Justice frequently tries to get his baby sister, “Abigirl,” to kick from the womb.  He’ll lay his hands on my tummy and say, “Abigirl kicked me!”  Justice also loves my parents (his Baba and Papaw) and hates missing a day without seeing them or talking to them on the phone.  I could go on and on and on about this special little guy.  Instead, I will leave you with some pictures of him from his birthday.