Tri-Toddler Play-a-Rama

Eli was very pleased to play host to Ellie and Jed in today's Tri-Toddler event. It was a boisterous event (led by an overly excited Eli) with moments of sweet communion balanced by a fair amount of anti-sharing sentiment. Yet, I know Eli had an absolute blast and I think everyone else did as well. It was certainly a good time for us big folks. Here's a few highlights.

Eli tidys up before everyone arrives.

Right, can somebody get this kid off'a me?

Jed's dad Eric was sorely missed, but Chris hung with the boys while lunch was prepared.

Giddy-up

Just a little sugar? asks Ellie. Um, I don't know about that, says Eli.

How many adults does it take to wrangle 3 toddlers? A bunch.

Why am I always on the bottom? Somebody get this kid off'a me. Really.

Play, play, play....play all day.

Little Man

One of the multitude of nicknames Chris and I have for Eli is lil' man. Oh, it seems far too accurate now! Check out Eli in his new big-boy 'do.

Growing Like a Weed

Eli is growing like a weed, well, actually he's growing better than the weeds are outside in the frigid temperatures right now. We're sure he must be going through a growth spurt since he's eating us out of house and home. Chris swears he grew while he was at work on Wednesday! I don't know about that, but I'm definitely noticing changes in his face.

This sweet photo was taken yesterday at our local museum by our friend Jean, one of his Museum-Grandmas. Sue, the museum director, calls Eli the "museum babe" and uses him as a selling point for museum membership. I'm not sure how that campaign is working out.....

Eli's physical growth and changes are going along with an increase in his verbal (and other) communication skills. He's invented his own baby sign language. Rubbing his hands together is "washing hands" or more accurately, playing in the water in the powder room sink. Swishing a finger in his mouth is "brushing teeth" otherwise known as chewing on the toothbrush and rubbing his chest or legs is "put on lotion." He gets the biggest kick out of understanding daily procedures.

Eli is still super-active, although I have seen a slight increase in his ability to play with something for more than 30 seconds at a time. In particular, he loves his workbench and stacking cups; and of course books!
So that's where we are right now, but big changes are on the way later this morning when Eli gets his first haircut ....... check back for the updated photos.

Winter of Discontent

This is the winter of our discontent and boy are we discontented with winter. Snow yet again last night, Eli in the middle of yet another cold (plus a mild case of the measles from the vaccine that is supposed to protect him from said illness), big case of cabin fever (for all of us), and so much snow on the ground that Eli may forget what the green grass looks like.

On the up side, Eli has made progress in the talking department. He now repeats lots of words that we say and understands a great deal of our instructions to him. Keep in mind that understanding does not necessary render compliance, however. He is still more focused on the physical things in life and is currently enamoured with brushing his teeth, but new words like hello (pronounced 'lo), daddy (da), and Gary (Gree) have emerged in addition to his all time favorite "shoe" for shoes, socks, and feet alike or shoe's alternate ego "pshew" for something dirty like the trash can or a diaper. Next to teeth brushing, listening to the dial tone on the phone or to someone talking to him is tops in Eli's opinion and he regularly goes to the phone and points saying " 'lo " - now if he would only say this when speaking to someone on the other end! He doesn't say "Gree" to our neighbor Gary's face either, mind you, but rather says it when sitting in his seat at the table and pointing out the window to Gary and Debbie's apartment - it is a request for a fun visit.

Anyway, here he is, sickness and all doing a little phone shopping......."Yes, can you put a rush on that - I'm bored silly here"

'Lo?