1st birthday!

Today we’re celebrating that Elouise Ivy Joy Perteet is one year old. Happy Birthday! If you want to use some Kleenex, check out the tribute that our daughter Hannah wrote for Elouise on Hannah’s Facebook page or look at the pictures that that Carter, Elouise’s dad, put on his own Facebook page. 

Every child deserves to grow up in a household full of love. We adults owe this to the children of the world. And I know that Elouise has experienced all the love that Hannah, Carter, Amy me, and many, many others have shared.  

On this special day our love is captured by memories. I remember what happened a year ago on a late Saturday in October when Hannah and Carter went over to Mercy Hospital in the mid-morning. Elouise arrived that evening. Amy and I whisked over the hospital and waited to see her. Amy went first to see Hannah and meet Elouise; about a half hour later I got to introduce myself. Even though she was less than twelve hours hold I remember her eyes checking out everything. She was alert and interested and curious about what she was experiencing. 

I’ll never forget taking water and putting it on her head this past May at Chain of Lakes Church in worship. “I baptize you, Elouise Ivy Joy Perteet in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” What a privilege! 

And the sounds of a baby who is happy. The squeal of delight that Elouise will often share when she is eating. The sounds that she’ll share when she is in a good mood, which happens most of the time. The sounds are gibberish according to the standards of language, but anyone who understands emotions know that she is happy. And that makes everyone around her happy. 

And the movement of a baby who is happy. Elouise will hold her arms out in front of her and wave them up and down when she is happy while squealing with delight. When she does this everyone arounds her smiles. 

Or she talk in her own language when she is eating or doing something that is satisfying to her.

One of my favorite moments of the past year is being with her when she is swinging at the local park. She’ll swing with her face towards me. When the swing comes close to me, I’ll pretend to kiss her. She squeals with delight each time.   

Elouise has always been curious about what is around her. I still remember when I met her in the delivery room. She was looking all over the room, taking in what she saw. She was interested in what she saw around her. 

Some of my favorite moments is when Elouise was held by my parents and Amy’s parents. Just seeing the circle of life and the laughter on everyone’s faces let me know that life is good. 

Each stage in her development is fascinating—and leads to plenty of conversation in our household. She’s rolling over; now she’s pushing herself up; now she’s crawling—look at her go; now she’s lifting herself up and walking with the help of a piece of furniture; how she’s saying words—at least we think those are words she is saying. Priceless! 

Words are beautiful, but I’m going to conclude this blog with some beautiful pictures of Elouise during the past year. We love you Elouise! Our lives are indescribably better with your presence!