Eyes of Child
There is so much to report on my 23 pound bundle of energy so well... I guess I better get typing...
Eli ate his very first popsicle tonight. I knew that picking the flavor was a very significant decision. This one act could make or break Eli's frozen treat preferences forever. OK, so maybe that is putting a bit too much pressure on myself. Is it any wonder I'm a recovering perfectionist?
I chose to give Eli a grape popsicle. I usual would say I chose to give him a purple popsicle. But really that doesn't make much sense at all- you can taste the color purple about just as well as you can smell the color nine.
Due to the banging and clanking of air compressors and nail guns putting our kitchen back together Eli did not get good naps today. What was usually 2 four hour naps was shrunken into one 45 minute cat nap. It was highly insufficient. Eli was tired, be it exhausted by 6:30 tonight when I got the fancy idea of offering him a popsicle. Papa had been talking about having one since this afternoon.
I held up the frozen purple stick of sweetness in front of him with excitement to see his response. Instead he cried, screamed, yelled so hard that his face turned red. I knew if he just tried the popsicle and gave it a chance he'd be a huge fan. But it was getting him to try it that was a battle.
Carl made a good point that at least he is good at saying 'no' with out needing to try something first. This will come in handy when he is faced with peer pressure to do and try certain things as he grows older. I am thankful for this trait. But yet a grape popsicle is something good for him to experience. I havae never heard an ad campaign stating, "Just say NO to popsicles!"
Finally, mid-scream, I put the popsicle inside Eli's wide open boisterous mouth. It was suddenly quiet. He moved his eyebrows together and gave me a very confused look as he usually does when he tries something formerly unknown to him. Then he opened his mouth for more and just like that Eli had his very first popsicle. A grape-purple popsicle.
Popsicles weren't the only food experiment of the day. I also introduced Eli to a straw today. This was so exciting. Those who know me well know that I always prefer to drink out of a straw when given the option. I love straws and use them all the time. I think part of my obsession has rubbed off onto Eli. He has a similar affection for straws- he loves to play with them and hold them. Whenever we go to a restaurant I have to ask for an extra straw to give to Eli.
I thought it was time to show Eli how much potential a straw has. Like picking a popsicle flavor, I knew that the type of straw and liquid chosen was equally important. I carefully examined the options in the grocery store. The appropriate selection I chose was a 4 oz box of Motts apple juice- complete with a bendy straw. Bendy straws trump all other straws in my book.
I felt like I did on Christmas morning as a kid (ok well as I still feel on Christmas morning.) I had been anticipating the moment of Eli's first straw introduction for a few days but wanted to wait for the perfect moment. I seized that moment and didn't wait a minute longer. I could practically hear the theme from 'Chariots of Fire' as I lifted the box carefully towards Eli's lips. He opened his mouth and I placed that perfectly bended plastic tube on his tongue and gently squeezed the box.
There it was- that same look with his eyebrows pushed together. He put his lips around the straw and sucked and out came juice! Wow... I could see he was so excited to finally understand the full potential of a straw.
Eli proceeded to drink the whole juice box. Then in response to his confidence I offered him a cup of milk to drink with a straw. He drank the whole thing and wanted more. He was having so much fun using a straw. This is an exciting new activity for both of us.
When Eli met with the speech therapist last week for his evaluation she frowned upon the use of sippy cups. She said that drinking from a straw provides much greater oral stimulation and will help strengthen the muscles in his mouth and face necessary for speech. My goal is to soon have Eli using straw cups instead of his sippy cups.
Eli visited his Occupational therapists this afternoon. Our time with her went very different then I had expected. We had planned on Eli having therapy once a week. But instead, today, the therapist said that for now we would just continue to monitor Eli's development instead of giving him regular therapy. So we will visit her monthly or so- depending on how he is developing.
This was really exciting news. Thank you to everyone who has been praying about this for us. What was so encouraging was that she really thought Eli was developing well and that he was going to learn the appropriate skills through time and apart from added assistance.
Now Eli has completed all his therapy evaluations- speech, occupational and physical. All three agree that he is slightly delayed but not significantly enough to take any action over. He is at about a 12 month range of development instead of a 14 month. That in itself is a miracle and defies the odds the doctors gave him. I know he has been completely healed and will make a complete recovery. I praise God for His provisions.
Security, familiarity and comfort are major parts of a toddlers life. The blanket Eli was given by his father 3 days before he went to be with the Lord provides all of those for Eli. It is beautiful and special for me to see the attachment growing between Eli and his blanket. It has been subtle over time but now has grown to be quite a strong bond.
I love how he cuddles it. He rolls it up into a ball and pushes his head into it. I love how he takes it in each hand and pulls it in front of his face to play peek a boo. This always makes us both laugh. I love how he is wrapped up in it as he sleeps- it always needs to be close by him. I love how he can throw all of his other toys out of his crib but he chooses to keep his blanket there with him.
It is wonderful to see how Eli is learning about faithfulness from a tattered piece of faded cloth. I love imagining how AJ was comforted by this cloth. How amazing it is to think that this is able to comfort Eli through the night as well.
I have mentioned Eli's new skill of doing the sign language for 'light'. Well, his new skill has grown into an obsession. He can now say the word which sounds more like 'ite'. He says it over and over again whenever he sees a light- which as you can imagine is all the time because lights are everywhere!
I am so excited for him. It is fun to see his joy and excitement in his new abilities. It is truly a de-light. (pun intended)
Eli lives in the light. He searches for the light and tells everyone about it when he finds it. He is joyfully excited about the light. He will say it over and over again and never tire. It doesn't grow old or familiar to Eli. He looks at the light with the same fresh joy everytime. I can't help but be convicted by his 'first love'.
John 8:12, "Jesus said to the people, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."
I want to look to Christ with fresh excitement and joy. I want to search Him out and talk about what I see; what I have found. I do not ever want the warmth and light of Christ to grow familiar. I want to lively madly and passionately in love with Christ. I want to live in the light as He is in the light. (1 John 1:7) I want to live in the light that leads to life. That light is Jesus Christ himself.
It is amazing how God uses a child that can not even speak yet to teach us so much about Himself. Eli is being used to bring about the fruit of the Spirit in me and to teach me and perfect me.
Just the other day Eli and I were flying to visit some friends. We shared the window seat, the two seats next to us were open. Just before they closed the doors to our plane a large man boarded. He squeezed down the isle and stopped next to us. He emitted a very foul odor. I really didn't know how to respond to him. I was uncomfortable.
He sat down in the isle seat next to us but needed to move the arm rest so he could fit. Eli was standing up near the middle seat staring at the man. I didn't know whether to scoop him up into my lap or to let him stay where he was since he was seemingly content.
The next thing I knew Eli was making friends with the man. He didn't seem to be bothered by the smell or how he looked in any way. As I watched Eli pat this man's leg and flash his snaggle toothed grin I became very convicted. I hated the judgment that was in my heart towards this man. I formed ideas about him based on what was on the outside. Eli has not learned prejudices yet and therefore was not effected in anyway by the things that turned me off about this man.
I prayed there in the seat and thanked God for using Eli to show me His own character. I thanked Him for showing me the flaws in my own heart. I asked for forgiveness and a heart overflowing with love for all God's creation and all His children. I know that takes time but I am thankful I have Eli as a daily God's unconditional love and acceptance. I hope Eli never looses this Godly trait.
Isaiah 11:6, "...and a little child will lead them all."
posted by Kellie # 9:45 PM
