Merry Christmas!

Christmas Morning, 1 of 2

We had a wonderful family Christmas this morning. I was amazed at how excited and appreciative and happy the kids were with their 3 presents. Eli got a blue elephant towel, a fire truck, and a tool set.  Oh, and he got an Eric Carle puzzle... guess that makes four.  Oops.  Anyway, it really taught me a huge lesson in simplicity and keeping the right focus during Christmas. I'm so incredibly blessed with two grateful children, not by anything I've done, but by God's design.  They never even think to ask for more presents, to be unhappy with anything they have, or to beg and cry for things they didn't get.

I wish the world could have seen Eli's face when he opened his fire truck. In that moment, he was truly the happiest boy on earth. He impressed us with his ability to put his emotions into words joyfully saying, "Happy fire truck! Happy! I'm SO happy!"  He was almost as happy with his blue elephant towel, and insisted on wearing it for at least an hour after opening it.  As soon as I saw that thing at the store, I knew he had to have it, even if I had already bought the allotted number of Christmas gifts.  Now I'm so glad I did.

Daddy Blog: Morning Helpers

I have apparently developed a reputation in my house for being forgetful.  Nearly every morning I am reminded to grab my keys and my lunch before heading out the door.  The keys reminder usually is initiated by Eli and involves standing with his sister in front of the keys hanging on the wall and chanting in monotone, “keyskeyskeyskeyskeys.”  Cute, but mildly freaky.

It Takes Two to Tackle

Both kids think it's insanely funny to hug and laugh and hug and pull until both tumble into a pile on the floor.  Of course, Chloe always finds it much less funny when Eli ends up on top instead of her.  The uproarious laughter always ends with "Eli! I know you don't mean to hurt me! But you. are. hurting. me. REALLY. BAD! GET. OFF! (whine..whine...wail)"

22 Months

Wow.  Eli is almost 2! I absolutely can't believe it.  Then again, I guess I can.  After all, I have been treating him like a two-year old for quite some time now.  I guess that's what happens when your older sibling is ultra-mature.

He has really grown and changed and matured so much since the last time I wrote a substantial post about him.  His vocabulary never ceases to amaze me, and although he doesn't know all of the letters and numbers yet, he has recently developed a great deal of interest in learning them.  It's been neat to see him follow in his sister's footsteps in some ways, while being completely different in so many others.  He has recently started pointing to the letters on my Carolina sweatshirt (I wear it a LOT, I am a SAHM, afterall ;) ) and naming them with random letters.  Chloe learned her first letters by doing the same thing!  On the other hand, he still thinks the only purpose of puzzles is to see how many directions you can get the pieces to fly when you sling them across the room. 

I think that Eli is going to be my math child.  While he does love books, especially manly truck ones, he is particularly quick to catch on to number related games.  The other night at the table, he pounded a saltine into a million pieces, then proceeded to count them, reaching the number 17 with nary a mistake!  I had never heard him count past 3 before, so I was certainly stunned.

He is completely excited about Christmas, and loves to look at lights, and touch things that aren't to be touched.  Though, admittedly, after the first couple of days, he has been quicker to obey than to touch and break. 

He loves to sing.  He and I do a mean duet every night at bedtime of You Are My Sunshine.  It's Billboard material, for sure.

He wants to be bigger than he is.  He still can't jump, but he does a mean somersault.  He spends his days adoring his big sister, and trying to be just like her.  He is still a comedian, a cuddlebug, and a ladies' man.  He brings joy into our home, along with a load of stress, but it's good for me!

Favorites:

Songs- You are My Sunshine, Away in a Manger, Eskimo Love

Foods- Pizza, Oranges, Peaches, Grapes, Fruit Snacks, Goldfish, Hot chocolate (aka "coffee")

Things to Do- Bug Sissy, Go to Park, Cry in the Swing, Go to the Store, Cry in the Cart, Go to Church, Cry in the SS nursery (never in the toddler nursery though), Playing every kind of ball (and he knows the name of each), Putting non-edible things in his mouth

Things He Likes- Train Tracks, Elephant, Christmas Lights (which he calls "Dora lights" for whatever reason), Airplanes, Flirting with the little girls

TV- Thomas, Barney, most of PBS Kids

A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words

As you have all noticed, I have been slow to post lately.  However, I have been updating flickr with pictures quite regularly, so be sure to check it out now and then!

Sliding on a Winter's Day

Haircut Numero Two

Turned out pretty good despite the crying, screaming, and curling up into the fetal position while strapped into a beauty parlor chair.

Happy Trick or Treat

After a long day of fighting fires.

Pups and Fluffy

Eli, not able to pronounce the "K" sound in "Cup," calls his milk cup "Pup."  This is funny enough on it's own.  "Pup please" and "I neeeeeeeeeeed puuuuuuuuuuuuup" are repeated often throughout the day.  The whole thing is much funnier when combined with his name for his pacifier- "Fluffy."  Don't ask, we don't know.  What we do know is he often wakes up in the middle of the night crying out "Fluffy!  Need Fluffy!" and goes on a Fluffy search every night before bed.

Too Many Doctors in the Kitchen

Eli was getting annoyed by his partner's hoarding of the stethoscope.

20 Months

Eli has really changed over the course of the past month.  He loves sitting in my lap for books now, and is not usually satisfied with less than twenty rounds of Goodnight Moon or any given truck book.  No exaggeration.  Every "The End!" announced by me is answered quickly with a "A-Gin!" by Eli.  He also tries very hard to communicate and gets really frustrated when I can't understand him.  He is a master temper-tantrum thrower.  Coupled with absolutely no patience, you get quite a floor-show several times a day.  He's amazingly loud, even getting Grandma to admit she's never seen anything like him.  And that's an accomplishment.

He also has become even more attached to his beloved Elephant.  A new favorite song is sung to find him for every nap, bedtime, or car ride throughout the day. To the tune of "Square, Square, Where Could You Be?" it goes

Elephant, Elephant where can you be?

What do we look for and what do we see?

It's a trunk, it's a tail, it's a really bad smell

And a great cloud of germs that surrounds you.

He loves Mommy and comes in to my room to cuddle every morning at 5:30ish.  He is a very good snuggler.

He wants to run and jump and flip and climb like his sister, but just can't yet.  He tries so hard.  He can, however, throw a football like nobody's business.  He also occasionally catches.  A feat that Chloe has yet to accomplish.

Favorites:

Food- one bite of anything, still.  He prefers a liquid diet.

Books- Truck books, Bible, Goodnight Moon, The book with the sticky cake, Thomas (the abridged version)

Activities- Watching song videos- esp. ABC, Being tickled, Snuggling, Running, Chasing, Stealing whatever Chloe is holding and then running quickly away while laughing like a maniac and then crying hysterically when said object is taken away and his fun is ended, Going to "School" and playing with "friends", Baboons (balloons)

Songs- The Lord's Army, Itsy Bitsy Spider, If You're Happy and You Know It, Open/Shut Them

 

Eli's Big Boy Bed

I can't believe what a great deal we got on Eli's new bed, and I can't believe I don't have a baby anymore. He slept through last night until 7:15 this morning (with the exception of the time I peeked in on him and it woke him up). I hope this keeps up! It looks much, much cooler in person :)

Eli's Big Boy Bed

Pink Glasses Make Ya

 

Jump! Jump!

Pink Sunglasses

"What?"

19 Months (and 4 days)

Eli is getting more growny every month.  I can't believe how big he is or how much fun he is or how active and nutty he is.  Where did my little baby go?  Slowly (ever so slowly) he is spending more of his time doing actual, constructive play as opposed to the past year's norm of being full-time demolition man.  He is playing with the trains at the train table for five or so minutes at a time before ripping the bridge off, tossing his engine across the room, and leaving his big sister in tears. 

My eater has once again stopped eating.  He went nearly a full week without more than a cracker or two a day, and has suddenly become quite fickle.  I'm doing what I can to take it in stride.  After all, his appetite has always been dramatic, waxing and waning drastically from week to week. 

He has learned to unlock the deadbolt and quietly exit the backdoor, making things a bit interesting for me.  He has a great teacher and sidekick who eagerly follows him into all kinds of mischief.

Favorites:

Food- Mostly just his milk cup, Chicken, Lemonade, "One Sip"

Books- His truck book from the library

Songs- Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star; Altar of God from Glory Revealed (he does a great harmonica for that song); Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

To Do- play with trucks, play outside, go places, follow Sissy, roughhouse with Sissy until tears are shed, chase Daddy

Up Close

And Afar

 

How Do I Love E? Let Me Count the Ways.... (an abbreviated list)

1. He has the biggest, brightest, best smile of anyone I have ever met.

2. He cracks me up when he squints his eyes shut as hard as he can, puts his hands together into one balled fist, and is completely silent for a moment then yells, AMEN!

3. His love for trucks is adorable.

4. He loves attention and will turn on the repeat button when he notices he got a laugh.

5.  He talks to everybody.

6.  He's a really nice guy.

7. He runs all rigid with both arms out in front.

8.  He loves his sister like nothing else.

9.  The way he slurps his elephant tail.  Disgusting, but sweet.

10. The way he takes care of Chlo's babies and gives them cuddles and kisses.

11.  When we are at a park or the mall play area, he plays hard, but runs over every few minutes for a kiss and a cuddle.

12.  His eyes light up when he sees me.

13.  He can't walk in heels.

14.  He cries for me everytime I drop him off, but immediately starts playing when I'm out of sight.

15.  His voice is all low and gravelly like a young Johnny Cash.

16.  He loves "Ashes, Ashes", and always wants to spin.

17. The way he mimics other little boys is hilarious.

18. He keeps me on my toes.

19.  You always know how he feels about a situation.

20.  He'll eat anything once.

21.  He loves the great outdoors.

22.  He loves church.

24.  He can't jump yet, but he spends so much time trying.

25.  He shoots me with lasers.

25.  He makes the funniest George W. Bush faces.

26.  He LOVES dogs.

27.  He chooses Daddy over cookies, and chicken over ice cream.

28.  The way he bows his head for me to kiss his crown when I say "Kiss Please."

29.  The boy can throw!

30.  I love how much he loves me.

A Little Help

Daddy Blog: Daily Report

Eli's starting to show his love for his Old Man more lately.  Sure, he's still a Mamma's Boy...but now he's upset when I leave for work and comes running to the door when I come home.  He remains in a state of readiness at the supper table; waiting to answer my question, "Eli!  What did you do today?"  I will barely have "What" out when he tells me excitedly, "Wablahda!  Bah da!  Pay-dide!"  If I forget to give the Boy his attention Chlo covers for me and asks Eli about his day, to which Eli is just as eager to answer, "Pay-SIDE!"

Seeing Red, Revisited

 “Mattel is the gold standard”

I found an interesting article from the NYT, written only a month ago, but before the big Mattel recall.  A second recall, of unprecedented proportions, is set to be announced by Mattel later today. If they are the gold standard, I would hate to know who holds the silver and bronze.

18 months (and some days)

Eli has become more and more fun over the last two weeks.  He is becoming more vocal, and making a little more sense every day.  He is trying to learn his letters and numbers, distinguishing between the two camps. Letters are all referred to as "O" and numbers all have the title "two." He can count to seven, usually getting the order right, and loves to notice and count things. 

Everyone loves Eli.  He is such a people person, melting even the most thuggish hearts.  It amazes me to watch him interacting with people, with no respect to persons.  No matter who walks by our front porch or our shopping cart or our stroller, they receive a bright-eyed, smiling, "HEY!" that demands a response.  If he is ignored and gains no reply, the "Hey, Hey, Heys" will persist until the recipient finally breaks and replies.  Even the hardest ones usually give in with a grunted, "Hey Kid," giving Eli great satisfaction.  His smile lights up a room, and everyone at church loves to see him come.  He is funny and full of life.

Eli is quite the private eye, always noticing things.  His favorite things to spy out are balloons and trucks.  Not one within a mile radius are able to sneak beneath his super powerful radar. 

Thanks to Chloe, his name has been shortened even further, and the girls of the family usually refer to him as simply "E".  He doesn't seem to mind.  In fact, I think he may like it.  He loves his sister so much.  His whole countenance lights up when he hears her yell, "Come on, E! Come play with me!" from another room. He immediately takes off running.  Of course, he still loves his Mommy above all, and is most content when she is less than 6 inches away.

Favorites:

TV- Cedarmont kids

Books- Truck books (he always manages to find one at the library when I let him look for his own book), the Noisy Grasshopper, Eli's book (Good Morning, Good Night), and a paragraph here and there from his Toddler Bible

Things to Do- water play, playing with Thomas and Salty, tearing up Chloe's puzzles, running, jumping, sliding, jousting, throwing balls, getting into mischief

Places to Go: story-time at the Library (though not the actual stories), church, the pool, the park, the store, pretty much anywhere out of this boring (to him) house

Seeing Red

What do water hoses, blue trains, and Spanish explorers all have in common? If you guessed they can all be found in Eli's mouth at any given time, you're a winner!  Tell them what they've won, Mommy..  Well, friends, you've won a partially-funded Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina trip to the ER! Thank you, lead poisoning, and thank you China. 

Before you panic, no one here has had any symptoms of lead poisoning, thanks entirely to the grace of our most loving God.  It's not because we have the right water hose and own only completey wholesome, incredibly expensive, non-China toys. And it's certainly not because our children are perfect examples of politeness, exhibiting only acceptable societal behaviors.  To this day, everything Eli sees goes in his mouth. I am still performing the fingersweep multiple times a day.  While for the most part we stick to classic, wooden toys, we did have one Dora toy that found its way into the trashcan last night. 

Like all of America, we've been making a habit of checking labels, adding an extra half hour to every grocery store errand.  We don't buy anything with partially hydrogenated oil.  We know high fructose corn syrup tastes great, but it might just kill us. Trans-fats are a no-go.  Because we care, because we love our children and want to do right by them, we take the time to read and buy responsibly.  Since we don't buy foods that are potentially harmful to our bodies, why do we insist on supporting China's lead-tainted toy production, knowing well that these will also end up in someone's little, innocent mouth? We won't give our kids a real fruit roll-up or a not-so-real chicken nugget, but they can suck on Dora's face anytime they please.  Let's stop the double standard.  Read labels. All of them.  Buy American.  It just makes sense.

Sword of the Day

Shave and a Haircut, Two Bits

Today was a bittersweet day, Eli's very first haircut.  The first haircut of either children, actually.  I had no idea it would be such an emotional time. We went to JJ's Kids Cuts, and Suzette did a wonderful job. 

BEFORE

DURING

RAZOR TIME

Live By the Sword, Cry By the Sword

Eli has a fascination with swords.  He's never actually seen one, real or otherwise, but somehow he just knows he's supposed to have one.  It's really fun to see what the Sword of the Day will be.  This week alone he has charged down the hallway with a toilet brush, a Chloe-sized broom, a dowel rod, a fork, and a coat hanger.  At the pool he acquired a noodle for all of his jousting needs.  He has so much fun, pointing them straight ahead and racing through the house, charging his sister and I.  The trouble with swords is they are inherently dangerous, meaning they have to be taken away.  This always ends with a fierce warrior lying on the ground in a heap of tears, gnashing and wailing for Mommy.

In the Middle of the Night, He Goes Walking in My Sleep

I truly had no idea this was happening.  And I certainly could have never guessed it's gone on for as long as it has.  But, I just found out through a confession from my husband, that he has been going in and calming a wailing Eli, nightly, for as long as he can remember, as I slept on.  What a wonderful husband I have!  Except for now I know, and feel I should pay better attention, listen harder, and share in the burning of the midnight oil.  After all, for him who knows the good he ought to do....

Daddy Blog: Twinkle, Twinkle

The boy is finally beginning to use books for their intended purpose in between bites.  He can occasionally be caught plopped beside his sister flipping through books.  In an especially Chloe-like moment tonight, Eli was looking at Wormy's Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star book and singing, "Duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-STA.  Duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-" with Chloe filling in with, "are!"  He even sat in my lap this evening and made it to page 6 of his doggy counting book before executing a perfect wiggle-escape move.

17 Months

Eli has been especially whiny and clingy over the past month.  Apparently this is a special service saved especially for me.  When I drop him off in the nursery or leave him with someone who is not me, he does the typical two second cry as I leave, and I'm told, he doesn't give so much as a whimper until his Spidey senses feel my presence return and he goes berserk again.  I don't know how true this is.  The one thing I do know is a typical day is filled with endless whining and hanging on my bloomers, making me feel pretty nutty.

He of course is still my boy, and I love him.  He is super playful and fun, and full of personality.  He loves to run fast, turn everything within reach into a sword or dagger, break and throw things, and torment his sister.  He has a ton of new words, and is so cute pointing and saying new things.

Favorites

Songs: Down By the Station, Row Your Boat

TV: Cedarmont kids, Blue's Clues

New Words: trash, Grandpa, Crocs, Choo-Choo All Aboard!, granola bar, Night-Night, Poop (when he needs a new diaper), Thank You!

Our Yankee Doodle Dandy

 Eli loved our holiday trip. He had the most fun at the beach.  Ocean Isle, to be exact.  It was the only one he made it to.  The bad nights mentioned in Wormy's post led to an illy Eli who didn't quite make it with us to Holden Beach, and fizzled out at Mimi's Beach before the camera even made an appearance.  A couple of splashes in the wading pool and a few times being an annoying roadblock on the Slip-N-Slide, and his work was finished.  At the beach, he especially loved being in the sand, and decided to dump bucketfulls on himself just as it was time to go.  He loved being in the water as long as he was in Mommy's arms. 

A New Home

Here we are.  Hope no one minds the move, with a couple of clicks and a new bookmark or two, you'll be all set.  This site has more fun, user-friendly features.  Plus, it's just plain classy.  Kinda like us.

The Catfish Are Jumping

Traditions Revived

We haven't been to storytime at the library since Eli was sitting in a Bumbo. We still go every week or two to switch out old books for new, but I always strategically plan our morning visits to avoid Toddler time. In the old days, Chloe and I never missed a single session. We were there every week singing songs, listening to stories, taking a walk "outside" and visiting with Mrs. Sue and Miss Kitty. But then it got hard. Really, really hard. Still I've missed it, and I'm sure Chloe has, too. Not to mention, there aren't that many free children's activities around and this little house gets a mite boring from time to time. When I realized it had been nearly a year since we last tried, I knew I had to put my brave face on and give it a shot. I was pleasantly surprised to find it wasn't so bad after all! Sure, I had to use brute force to wrangle Eli back into my lap a few times, but overall, it was, dare I say, fun. Chloe, a card-carrying member of Future Librarians of America since birth, was still polite and proper and a very good listener. Eli acted more like the kids Chloe and I used to glare at with disdain week after week, but it didn't bother me as much as it used to. I guess somewhere along the way Chloe and I have mellowed. Thanks to Eli, I may never again have what it takes to work in a library.

Ry-Guy Turns Five

Eli had lots of fun at Ryan's big bash. He ran around training for Armageddon for awhile before he moved on to licking bubbles off of the wand. Men. They'll eat anything. "Soap? What's that for? I don't know. Hey, I have an idea, let's eat it!" Soon after, he broke down and spent the rest of the afternoon in Mommy's lap. No worries! He got to enjoy his pizza and cake from there.

(Here he is with his mentor.)
Eli-"Attaaaaack!!"
Aaron-"Ugh, will he never learn? Finger on the trigger, man!"

Father's Day

Rocking in his own personal rocker before church.

Hands and knees and Sunday best. A classic combination.

The man of the hour.

Our new favorite hang out spot. In the left corner you can see the garden stones the kids and I made for Father's Week.

16 months

Eli is becoming more and more boy every day, if that's even possible. Last Thursday night after church, the older boys were running around, chasing and shooting each with imaginary lasers or some other such nonsense. I don't really know what they were doing. It was one of those things I just didn't get, but Eli certainly did! It was amazing how quickly he linked up with the boys playing and started doing everything they did. Ever since then he has been walking around the house with both arms fully extended making some bizarre blaster noise he learned from the Pastor's kid. Patrick finally decided not to worry about his fascination with shoes and make-up and hairbows and all things Mommy.

He has been sick with a really icky cold for a week now, making him pretty much the most unpleasant creature on earth to be around. He is whiny and clingy and pretty much unhappy in all things. I hope it passes soon.

Favorites:

Activities: attempting to master the shapesorter in short spurts, Cedarmont kids videos (will it never end?!?), bugging Chloe, tearing things up, yelling, trying to run and jump
Songs: Itsy Bitsy Spider, Wheels on the Bus, Head/Shoulders/Knees/Toes
Books: The Noisy Cricket, Goodnight Moon, Good Morning/Good Night

The Pot and the Kettle

How a kitchen goes from clean to disaster in under sixty seconds.

A Carrot Top Who Can Barely Walk

Eat the chicken and spit out the bones.

Daddy Blog: Master of Covil Girl Antagonizing

The following exchange greeted me yesterday as I entered the door from work.

Mommy (excitedly): “Eli, tell Daddy…what does a duck say?”
Eli (equally excited): *makes munching noise*
Mommy: “No, that’s a bunny. What does a duck say?”
Eli: *makes munching noise*
Mommy (slightly annoyed): “No, no. A duck. What does a duck say?”
Eli: *makes munching noise*
Mommy: “Ok. What does a bunny say?”
Eli: *high pitched screech*
Mommy (exasperated): “No! That’s a whale!”
Eli: *grins*

Different Blog, Same Excuse

This is why I haven't been blogging. That and pure laziness. Maybe a few pictures will tide us all over until this famine ends....

Lancey

Toot and the Gang

Gramma and "LiLi"

Catchin' Some Rays

At the Ray touch tank at Ripley's

Score!

15 months (and 2 days)

Fifteen months is such a neat age. No longer baby, but fully toddler! Fifteen months also happens to be the easiest age for me to do a little compare and contrast between the two kids. I remember Chloe's fifteenth month like it was yesterday. I was nine months pregnant and pretty miserable!

At fifteen months Eli is incredibly active. He is a good runner and climber and we even saw him jump with both feet off of the ground. Chloe still can't do that! Although, to be fair, we think it was an accidental achievement.

He is becoming more obedient, and is still easy to put down at bedtime and will eat anything you put in front of him. A refreshing change from his counterpart.

Favorites:
Toy- whatever Chloe has
Book- Goodnight Moon and The Noisy Cricket
Food- whatever Mommy is eating
TV- whatever Chloe is watching
Things to Do- be outside, aggravate Chloe, take a bath, push trucks, laugh and smile

Words:
Truck
"Thank you"
"Right there"
More
Milk
Choo-choo
Bible
Moon
Cat
Bubble
Star
"Ashes, Ashes" (from Ring Around the Rosie)
light
on
off
"All Done!"
"All Gone"
bath
Grace
Mama
Dadda
tree
house

Pullen Park

Walking About

Sitting on the Train, Waiting to Depart

The Carousel... After 2 rides, he still wasn't convinced he liked it

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Chloe is sitting in Mommy's lap, pointing to her Band-Aid covered elbow, seeking sympathy when Eli decides she has had enough attention. He intently ambles over, whines, and pushes Chloe down. Filled with purpose, he grabs Mommy's pants, climbs onto her lap, and gazes into her eyes, his own heavy with pain. He points to his little non-injured elbow, eyes filled with concern, mouth turned downward and says sadly "Boo-boo Momma." Mommy tries to be serious but simply can't contain herself and bursts out laughing. Magically, the painful boo-boo disappears as Eli melts into a heap of giggles.

Strawberry Fields

Finally! Eli can eat something off of the ground without Mommy performing the fingersweep! Unfortunately, he thought the new freedom carried over and added picking and eating clover flowers to his daily outside snack of sidewalk chalk, pebbles, sand, and bubble solution.

YUM!

More From Mimi's

Following in his sister's footsteps, reading books with Grandpa



Riding the same horsey his Daddy rode many years ago.

Making Sense

Eli is starting to say more and relay his feelings better. Everyone was in the car ready to pull out for our trip to the beach when I realized I needed to run back in for something. While I was inside, he pointed to my seat and said with much concern "Uh Oh Mama!"

Water Fun

Eli had lots of fun playing in the water at Dunes Village. It took him awhile to warm up (both figuratively and literally),but once he did, he was unstoppable. He liked the lazy river for longer than his counterpart, and really loved running through the sprayers. By the end he was running around everywhere, slipping, sliding, and making my heart skip some beats.

14 months (and one week)

At fourteen months Eli is officially, completely, one hundred percent toddler! He is all over the place, balancing, pivoting, and handling hills and steps with ease. He is eager to run. Our days are filled chasing throughout the house, meandering about the neighborhood park, playing Ring Around the Rosie, and pushing trucks. He is starting to enjoy books, and will sit through entire (short) stories and point out interesting things on the page. He is a great eater these days, eating pretty much anything I offer. He points at everything saying "this, this". He is fascinated with lights and fans, and loves to turn the switches.
Eli is so extroverted- completely different from the rest of the family. He is in the middle of every group of kids, doesn't know a stranger, loves animals, flirts with all the girls, and smiles at everyone. He thinks everything is hilarious, and is a really, really fun kid. He brings a lot of joy to our little house, and I know he's going to be shaking it up long into the future.

The Taurus and the Hare

(Overheard while I was in the kitchen working on tomorrow's Easter feast)

Chloe: No Eli! That's Chloe's bunny!

Daddy: (Returns bunny to rightful owner) Eli, you can't play with Chloe's bunny, here's your new car. Anyways, cars are better because cars can run over bunnies.

A Morning of Firsts

First time the crayons made it to the paper, instead of his mouth. (However, his tongue is still green from the PlayDoh Chloe and I overlooked on the floor this morning.) Pretty good picture for his first go!

First time he responded to "Eli! Smile!" by looking and smiling with typical toddler exaggeration.

Not the first time he has climbed up to the slide (he loves stairs.. too bad we don't have any!), but it is the first time I took a picture of it.

First time riding the tire swing. The first time we rode he did great, perhaps causing me to become a bit cocky. The second time, a dog came into the park. Naturally this caused Eli to excitedly wave his arms and bark loudly, forgetting my previous admonitions to "Hold on tight, Buddy!"and PLOP! right through the hole he fell. There he lay, flat on his back, confused, with Chloe peering down from above. He never even let out so much as a whimper. As I scooped him up, the dog owner remarked, "He's a resiliant one!" I can't say that I've ever heard that about Eli before... another first!