Eli - Eighteen Months

Gah...it's November 30th and I'm so behind on this update! Eli turned 18 months on November 17th and between Gabriella's update, Thanksgiving and a fierce flu bug that hit our house this week, I haven't been able to sit down and compose this post. Both babies are sleeping at the moment- Think I can type fast enough?!

I can honestly say this is by far the most fun Jim and I have had with Eli. He's old enough to communicate with us now so we're slightly through that frustration stage and we still have six months to go before hitting those terrible two's. As our pediatrician put it, this is the calm before the storm. I'm loving the calm.... definitely not looking forward to the storm!

Like most toddlers, Eli is such a funny kid. Not a day goes by that Jim and I aren't busting a gut over his antics. Whenever he lets one rip, we'll ask, "Are you tootin'?" and of course, Eli responds with a grunt, red face and the biggest effort I've ever seen to squeeze out another loud fart. It's downright hilarious and while I don't want to be that family that cracks up over flatulence, I can't help but stifle a giggle every time he does this.

However, there is a humorous behavior we do condone and that is his dancing. I have NO idea where my child got his moves from but Eli loves to play with the ring tones on my phone and dance away. Well, dance is kind of a stretch. He actually stands with his legs wide apart and does this "get low" move while bobbing his head. He did this for the first time on Thanksgiving and everyone watching, including me, couldn't help but crack up. I was thisclose to posting a video of this but then I watched it and realized I look like hell x's 1000 -it was early Friday morning when we recorded it and there's nothing pretty about a sleep deprived, mascara stained mommy face. You'll have to take my word on this...it's dang funny.

Ok, one more hilarious story for you before moving on. This was one of those moments where I just knew I needed to write this down in Eli's baby book because it made me laugh so hard. So, my maternity jeans are pretty huge on me and while my pre-preg jeans fit, I still feel a tad hoochie mama in them. Needless to say I'm still sporting the paneled pants even if they fall down a hundred times a day. Anyway, the other night I was leaning over the tub giving Gabriella a bath and Eli came up behind me. All of a sudden, I felt a little finger poke my butt crack! Apparently my jeans had slid down and when Eli got a glimpse of my plumber's crack, he just had to let me know in an oh-so-obvious way. I turned around so fast and as God as my witness, Eli had the most knowing smirk on his face. Right there on the bathroom floor, I lost it and couldn't stop laughing. This definitely fell into the "Jim, you WON'T believe what Eli did" category. My guy just "cracks" me up ;)

We're starting to see a very loving side to Eli recently. He adores Gabriella and nothing makes me happier than seeing Eli run up and give Gabriella a kiss every time she starts to cry or fuss. Honestly, that kid would smooch her all day long if he could. At first we'd ask him to give baby girl some love but now he does it completely on his own. Eli is also very generous with those kisses with us and pretty much anyone else. I especially love it when he leans in to me after we have one of our timeout talks. I like to think of it as his way of saying I'm sorry. Or maybe that's just his way of getting out of a longer time out! Anyway, Jim also introduced Eli to a teddy bear this month and now our little guy snuggles with it at bedtime every night. In fact, Eli will actually try to climb INTO his crib throughout the day. One morning it completely blew me away when I helped him back in bed and he laid down with the bear and fell asleep. It was almost two whole hours before nap time but I didn't have the heart to wake him up. And he looked just so gosh darn cute.

Not only does Eli shower Gabriella with love, but he's also an amazing helper. While I was pregnant, I read one of the best ways to ease a toddler into big brother mode was to have him help with the new baby. I honestly didn't think this would apply to us since Eli was still pretty young but he has proven me wrong in the best way possible. After every diaper change, Eli eagerly takes the dirty diaper from me and walks it to the nearest garbage can [which has also resulted in him throwing a TON of other non-garbage things into the trash can but you take the good with the bad, I suppose!]. He also picks up her soothie whenever it falls and at times I'll glance into the living room to see Eli put it back in Gabriella's mouth. And one of my most favorite things ever - it's so stinkin' cute I could die - is when Eli shushes Gabriella to sleep right along with me. One night I was mindlessly sitting on the couch rocking and shushing when I looked down at Eli and he was right in sync with me. Of course, he has added his own exaggerated toddler touch to it - He leans his head back while inhaling as loud as he can and then slowly brings his head down while saying "ssssshhhhh". It seriously the cutest thing I've seen this kid do and I must make it a point to get it on video before this phase ends.

This boy's brain has definitely been at work and I feel like a lot of things are clicking for Eli these past two months. He can now put together his chunky puzzle with ease. Books are FINALLY appealing to him and if we pass up reading time before bed, he kind of goes ballistic. Jim has taught him the rest of the major body parts and Eli can point them out with no problem. [My favorite is the "stinky feetsies" because he tries to stuff his entire foot in his mouth and laughs up storm while doing so.] Eli can also point out people in pictures and is able to bring us specific toys if asked. He has also finally understood that he can ask us for help by taking our hands and showing us what he needs. This has thankfully eliminated a ton of unnecessary temper tantrums.

We're also constantly spelling Eli's name to him. What's hilarious is how he spells it back to us. I'll say "Eeeeeeeeeeeee" to which Eli responds with "OOoooooooooooooo". At the moment I can't totally remember how he says L and I but I'm sure as heck it's nothing close to how they should be pronounced!

Eli is also craving a ton of independence now. Meals are pretty much unsuccessful unless we let him use a fork or spoon all by himself. It sure does make for one messy kitchen but that's how kids learn, right? Eli is also into using a q-tip and whenever I let sit him on the bathroom counter, I can be sure to throw away about eight bajillion q-tips after he has put every single one of them in his ear. Don't worry, I'm always right next to him to avoid any misuse of the swab.

Curiosity might be Eli's middle name because this kid wants his hands in everything. In fact, I can't help but feel a bit of anxiety every time I open up the fridge, pantry, closet or dishwasher because I soon hear the pitter patter of little boy feet running my way and I just know he's dying to get his hands on whatever he can. I'm not gonna lie...this results in a very angry child if and when I say "don't touch". The best way to overcome those tantrums? Enthusiastically say "thank you!!" as you close the door as if it was the toddler's idea. I kind of get a kick out of the happy, confused look on Eli's face every time I do this.

Eli finally understands the significance and importance of holding our hands in public places. And I'm just beginning to feel comfortable letting him walk next to me in parking lots. Instead of running in every direction imaginable, he has now once or twice held our hands and WALKED IN A STRAIGHT LINE on his own free will. Again, miracle anyone? This has obviously been a huge milestone for us since we now have Gabriella to carry.

We're no where near potty training but we starting to introduce Eli to the whole idea of going to the bathroom. He now points to his diaper whenever he goes and if asked to, he'll sit on his little potty. What's hilarious is he's yet to actually use it and has in fact, pee'd on the floor mere seconds after getting off the pot. That connection has yet to be made in my boy's head. It's still definitely early so we're feeling zero pressure over here. And am I crazy to admit that I don't mind changing those diapers?! My sappy side says potty training will just be another step away from those infant years. And we all know I'm a blubbering idiot every time I talk about that, right?

To end, I'll leave you with a totally insignificant tidbit but one that deserves to go into Eli's baby book because it definitely symbolizes these past two months. My boy is crazy obsessed with two firetruck toys. One is truck that actually moves back and forth and screams out these obnoxious sayings and sirens ["What's your ETA? - I'll be there is two minutes!"] And the other is ride along toy that I just HAD to bring in from the garage because every time we came home, Eli would throw a fit if I didn't let him play with it before coming into the house. It has three of the most annoying songs and believe me when I say I sing these stinking songs all day long because I can't get them out of my head..."Never fear I'm on my way. Here I come. I'll save the day. You can count on me in an e-mer-gen-cy. Don't be scared, I'll be right there." Thankfully you all don't know the melody of these songs so you're not quite as doomed as I am. But wow, there are times I'm tempted to hide those toys for a day or two just to give my poor brain a rest!

Eighteen months. Quite possibly my favorite age yet! I feel spoiled knowing life is so awesome with my little guy and yet we've only just begun :)

Oh, P.S. - Yeah, his hair. We just can't keep up. I fully accept the fact that my kid looks incredibly disheveled 90% of the time! I'm not gonna lie...when we have "big" outings, we bust out the hair products ;)