Guys I have five days to cram for my finals! I'm a terrible test taker and tests are over 50% of the grade in both classes so I actually need to ace these finals or I'll be retaking next semester...
SOOO obviously I'm gonna sit down and write a blog post! Eli turned 18 months last week! It's official - he has delicious brown eyes and brown hair. It looks blonde in most pictures but it's actually light brown. Now that he's getting older people don't say he and TJ look identical anymore. They look alike, but as he gets bigger Eli's distinct features are becoming more obvious.
Eli is very much a second child. He loves to be involved in whatever TJ is doing, but he also knows how to go and play by himself. He can defend himself (fiercely!) and I often have to pry the boys apart if there has been a fight over a toy. Eli tends to be a little aggressive in groups but he is learning play dynamics and developing better social skills as I watch. It amazes me how fast the grown and change!
Eli isn't afraid of much, but the Abominable Snowman in the clay-mation Rudolph movie scares him every time. Eli also doesn't talk much but he communicates fairly well when we remind him to show or tell us what he wants. Like TJ, he's a tad behind due to our bilingual home.
Eli is still my snuggle baby. He's affectionate and loving and when he likes someone, he loves them. He likes to be held and to give hugs, and occasionally still sleeps in bed with me when he's sick or teething (like right now). I don't let him stay all night but I love having him close so I'm pretty indulgent. He is also a mama's boy, through and through. Thank goodness! It works out pretty well that Eli clings to me and TJ clings to Tyler. I don't know what we'll do when we have a third baby, everything is so nicely balanced right now.
Eli loves books. He will read on his own and bring them to me. He will read book after book and would spend all day reading with mom or dad if we would let him. His favorite books are Thomas the Train books, but we also have a Dino Dig book that he really likes.
Eli has a crazy sweet tooth. He's like his mama and loves anything to do with chocolate or cookies. He doesn't like vegetables, but loves meat. And cheese. He's also crazy about dogs, and true to his young age, is not afraid of them at all. I really, really want to get these boys a dog for Christmas but it will have to wait for another year.
Eli sleeps in his own big boy bed, but has a hard time staying in bed and getting to sleep unless he is really tired. He is still a spotty sleeper, and although he generally sleeps through the night, we still get up with him at least once a week (every night if he's sick/teething). He takes one 2-hour nap everyday, at the same time as TJ. It has been heaven! I've been able to keep on top of my schoolwork all semester since I had a nice big block in the middle of the day.
Eli has had a rough month - he's learning how to play with groups and how to share. We've seen some big improvements and I'm really proud of him for figuring things out. We are not nearly as consistent and patient with him as we were with TJ (poor second baby) so I worry and feel guilty when he has a behavioral issue, but he really is a good boy.
Eli is a pretty good listener. I know that many people don't really believe that babies understand, but I don't agree with that. Eli is perfectly cognizant of his surroundings and of the things I tell him.
For the longest time, people confused Eli for a girl. All the time. Even when he was dressed head-to-toe in blue. I think it's because he's such a pretty baby. I mean, I really think he is pretty. I love his little face. It could also be that he was so bald-looking for so long. His hair is starting to come in, and it hasn't happened for several months.
Eli helps empty the dishwasher and put away silverware. He really loves bath time and going pee-pee on the potty before he gets in the tub (just like big brother!). Eli loves to get tickled and get piggy back rides. He likes rocks and trains, doesn't really like to watch TV, and loves being outside.
Eli's
funny toes have partially grown back together, I'm actually really mad about it because I didn't know that could happen, and if I had, it might have changed our decision to put him under the knife so young. It's just another in a long list of reasons I hate doctors (especially surgeons). I'll take a PA over a doctor any day. But that's another story. Anyway, we will just leave his toes the way they are. They look normal from the top, so we won't do another surgery unless he decides he wants one when he's older. They don't impede his walking but those toes are a little sensitive and he doesn't like us touching them.
His heart murmur is still present, it hasn't improved or worsened. We will continue to see a cardiologist every few months until it resolves. (I don't know if I ever even blogged about this. We have also consulted with a geneticist to see if he has an underlying condition and they don't think he does, but TJ has a heart murmur we have to get checked out this year and if his is like Eli's we will go talk to them again).
The bottom half of our tree is pretty much bare from Eli picking off the ornaments. He just cannot help himself! At least he isn't opening the presents....
We love our sweet Eli boy. He is such an important part of our family. It is so crazy to me that when TJ was this age, I had a newborn! It was so hard but I know we were meant to have
both these boys here with us right now.
Update:
18-month statistics
Height: 33.75 inches (89th percentile)
Weight: 27 lb (84th percentile)
Eli has jumped from being in the 50's and 60's in percentiles to the 80's. I thought he was going to be a more petite kid but "petite" doesn't really apply here.
