In My Life

I sing to Elwood.  I am not a singer.  I mess up lyrics, I mix them up, I combine songs, and make up words, but not in a cool creative way, in an embarrassing way.  My little buddy loves to be sung to, so I sing everyday, multiple times a day.  And I have done this since he was brand new.  It is harder than one might think to remember words to songs while singing A Capella, while sleep deprived, and have it sound soothing.  Sure, I can sing all the words to Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Shoop by Salt 'n' Pepa but that is not lulling anyone to sleep. I thought more Jack Johnson or Mason Jennings or hell, even Jewel, songs would come to mind but I've tried.  I have a very limited number of songs that I can sing more than a few lines to without the actual music playing with me.

My mom loves The Beatles and the soundtrack of my childhood is Rubber Soul, Abbey Road, and Let It Be (with some Legend by Bob thrown in there).  So, my go-to songs for Elwood are anything from those albums, more specifically Let it Be and In My Life.  In My life is the one that Elwood hears the most and the meaning of the lyrics has changed dramatically for me since I have started singing it to my little love.  I hold my son and sing these words.  

                                                                   "In My Life"

There are places I remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more

Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more

In my life I love you more

Don't worry, Pops, because of you, I also know most of the words to Ripple and Sugar Magnolia, which Woody hears on a semi-regular basis.    

And I think of love as something new

In My Life, I Love You More 

If you visit us you may get. . .

. . . To hang out in the sailing canoe

. . . to hang on the beach

"Woody you should really keep your hat on."

"Okay. . . If you wont keep it on,
I'll just cover your head with sand."

. . . up close and personal with this guy

. . . A clothing optional beach back massage

"T, Thanks for visiting, your shoulders look a little sore."

"Oh yeah, geez, you got a huge knot right here."

. . . Snuggles and Books

. . . A tour of our house

"Here's the fan"

. . . A Bike Ride

Come visit!!

As Promised. . . Video

Disclaimer: These videos are super boring unless you love this little guy. . . and if that's the case, they are awesome.  And please ignore my strangely high pitched voice.  And messy house.  And lack of normal furniture. 

The videos sort of show his progression from wobbly stagger to confident "I've totally got this" walker.  First video Woody is about 9 1/2 months old.  Second video he is not quite 10 months. Third video was taken at the park about a week ago.  

Some Firsts

First Thanksgiving

I thought he would be more excited about the food.  Perhaps it's because he is Panamanian, but he was all, "Meh, these sweet potatoes taste weird. What's the big whoop." 

"Eeh, no thanks, Oma, got any O's?"

whatevs

The food was fantastic and company even better

First FL/FSU party

Two dudes just hanging out

"Whatever Man! UF is totally going to win."

First Fire Throwing and Tepee Burning

First Wagon Ride

First Kiss

First Sailing Canoe Ride

 First Christmas

Woody has his Christmas Tree buying outfit on

Pre Christmas trip to see Grammie, Pops,
and his Cousins Annie and Maren (and their Mom and Dad)

Our first Christmas Morning as a family

"Hmmm, I can't really tell what it is from up here."

Helping Plant Some Seeds

The Watering is the Best Part

By the way, that is a tie dyed cloth diaper he has on. The yellow is not pee.

I love this picture.
 It really sums up our little man.  He has climbed on top of some precariously placed rocks, diaper barely on, in pursuit of exploration,
No help needed thankyouverymuch.  

First Bike Ride

Nice no pants and socks look, buddy

Loves the helmet

"Please, whatever this is, just take it off."

"Oh, huh, it's not that bad.  It's pretty cool. . . on the floor"

Foggy Morning

First Steps

On December 4th (I wrote it down because someday I am going to make a baby book!) Elwood took his first steps.  They were these little rapid fire steps, four or five in a row, completely unassisted.  Conor and I sat on the floor and passed him back and forth between us, literally watching our baby become a little boy.  The three of us could not have been more proud.  Since then Woody's walking has progressed from cautious steps here and there to a unwavering determination to walk everywhere, no matter how many times he falls along the way.  His little stagger meandering around is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen.  Videos to come soon! 

He doesn't have any sense of self preservation.
  He would walk right into the ocean up over his head if we let him.