Trevor

Trevor the Chevy Traverse, or Truvy, as I like to call her, has arrived. We picked her up on Friday morning. Eli went with us, and lucky for us and for him, the dealers flew through the paperwork fast. We were done in less than an hour. I tossed Eli into the back seat. He started jumping around when he realized it was our new car. He was totally excited with Sponge Bob in the DVD player above. Since then, he has learned how to shut the player and has sat in the third row, which was a pain in the tootie. We now put him in the second row right behind the driver’s seat. As long as the DVD is playing, he seems happy as a clam.

Monkey Child

Eli is quite the funny boy these days, climbing everywhere, on couches, beds, over us, up the stair rail. If it looks like he can climb it, he will give it a try. It’s nothing to find him on top of desks, shelves, countertops, etc. He thinks nothing is off limits, so we have to watch him carefully to make sure he isn’t standing high on something he shouldn’t, like the deck rails!

All Night In His Own Bed

Eli did not get much of a nap yesterday and fell asleep on the way home. He slept off and on for a coupe of hours before scarfing down everything in sight. He was one hungry, tired boy. Huts said he fell asleep about 10:30 and we didn't hear a peep from him until we went in to wake him up. He was pretty happy this morning, so he must have gotten the sleep he needed.

Good, Bad

Eli went with us last night. He was antsy before and after but sat nicely in the first conference. He fussed in the next one—big time. Usually having a teacher he doesn't know in front of him keeps in quiet, but not in the second conference. Mrs. Evans didn't faze him one bit. Booger! He was rowdy at the grocery store afterwards, shoving his kid-size cart all over the aisles and fussing a lot. We were glad to get the little crazy home!

Mr. Independent

He’s only 2, but boy, does Eli think he can do any and everything. He gets mad when we try to set up his juice box for him, he gets made when we try to help him put on his coat, he gets mad when we help him with his toys. He thinks he can do anything his siblings can and will try, try, try until he gets it.

Take last night, for instance. They redesigned the grocery store, and there are new carts for customers in training. Tori took one, Christian took one and of course Eli took one. He pushed it fairly well, but was prone to crashing it into the back of the big cart. He thought that was funny and got irritated when I tired to guide his cart. No! he shouted!

We spent an hour in there, and Eli did some grocery shopping of his own, picking out organic bananas and ice cream, which I put back when he wasn’t looking. It was pretty wild, and I am glad the store was fairly empty.

Bad Mood

I think Tori's bad mood from Sunday rubbed off on Eli for Monday. He seemed fine when I got him up, a little tired but not cranky. He didn't want breakfast, so we hopped into the car and that's when it started. He refused to accompany the kids in to before care--something which he absolutely loves doing! He refused all drinks and snacks. he refused to tell me goodbye. He was having none of us this morning! Hopefully, he gets a good nap and is in a better mood this afternoon.

On A Roll

Eli is not the wild child he once was. He's still sticky and he still gets into things, but not nearly as much now. He jabbers away, throwing out real words left and right, and chases after his brothers and sister. He smiles, throw kisses and makes my day more often than not. He's our little pale blond jabberbox!

Limping Little One

On Monday while we were leaving the sitter's Eli complained about his right foot. I thought there was something in his shoe, so I took off his shoe and sock and carried him to the car. He was OK on the car ride home. When we got home he was crabby and walking on the heel of his right foot. He was crabby from just waking up from his nap, so he seemed like he was in pain, he was just being a pain! We checked over his foot and found what we thought was a splinter. We tried to dig it out, but were unsuccessful. After his bath we figured out it was just dirt, so his parents subjected him to some minor torture for nothing. He had no bruises, fever or swelling and after he got over his crabbiness he played while walking on his heel without complaining. We verified with the sitter that nothing happened and debated on whether to take him to the Doctors. We decided to wait and see how it was the next day.

His walking improved on Tuesday and by wednesday he was almost walking normally, just a little pigeon toed on his right foot. He chased his sister around at night as fast as he could and did all his normal playing activities without complaint...at least about his foot. Thursday morning he seemed to walk almost normally as he helped his Mom take the kids to before care. We aren't sure what the issue was, but we are guessing he had a cramp or a tightened muscle from sleeping on his foot funny. As long as he's back to normal by Friday we won't be taking him to the doctor. He's been improving every day, so it must be mending itself. At least he won't be a little limper much longer.

Mr. Helper

Christian is lousy at cleaning. Tori, too. Eli, on the other hand, rowdy Eli is a picker upper. When we got tot he sitter's on Friday, he was intent on picking up the last block and putting it away. He did it, much to my surprise. Then over the weekend, I started paying more attention to his doings,. He picked up his toys several times and he even helped me pick up Tori's room--she did not help until the threat of punishment. He likes to throw things into the trash, vacuum, dust, whatever he thinks he is big enough to help with! Awww, my youngest is not as rowdy after all.

Bus, Bus, Bus!

This is the game Eli plays in the morning on his way to Sharon's. He points them all out, along with cars. When he sees more than one bus, he gets really excited and often claps his hands. He is tossing words out left and right now. you have to listen carefully to understand what he is attempting to say. It's a bit frustrating. but better than his grunt-and-point schtick.

Transition

Eli is making his own transition to one of the only kids at the sitter's. Some days he will be the only one at the sitter's. He talked all the way to the sitter's even though I couldn't understand most of it. Played with his Kleenex and his drink keeping and eye out for buses. Every time he'd see one, he yell "BUS, BUS, BUS". That was one of Christian and Tori's first word's as well. Keeps them occupied during the school year drive to the sitter's.

So far he hasn't cried when I've dropped him off. Yesterday he had Maya to play with and today, he was the first one there, but showed no sign of fear or crying about being there by himself. He walked from the car to the door, knocked on the door and we went in. He was ready to go and wasn't concerned that I was leaving him. I guess he's getting bigger and used to being with the sitter more. This will definitely make him a bit more of an independent person since he'll have to do more on his own. He won't be too lonely though and will have a lot of his own stories to tell us now.

All Alone

Eli was not happy to see his brother and sister go this morning. I should have taken him inside with me, which I will do this afternoon if we have time. I wonder how today will go--I guess it all depends on whether Jayden is there or not. Eli is not real keen on being by himself, but I guess he will learn. Sharon will probably take him places more now.

Not A Happy Camper

Eli was not happy at all to see his uncle yesterday and ended up going with us to kindergarten. He whined and cried much of the night until his sister started playing with him. Then he was all smiles. He stayed in his bed all night long and seemed a little bit better this morning. Boy, is he gonna miss the kids next week when they start school.

All Is Well

Eli had his two-year-old checkup and all is well. He still has some eczema and a ton of bruises, but other than that, he is fine. He is a very active, who catches on quick. He can go up and down the stairs like nothing and unlock the slider and let the cats and himself in and out! So far, that has not been an issue, but I keep waiting for him to sneak out on his own. He ran after his dad on Monday but I caught him before he tried to run across the street. Keeping my fingers crossed he doesn't take to sneaking out.

On a different note, Eli is becoming more verbal, with "ori" one of his latest new words. The T in his sister's name eludes him, so for now, Tori is Ori. He appears to eb ableto say Mya too, a little girl at the babysitter's. Ollie just came naturally to him. Go figure. He loves his big brother. Tori, on the other hand, well that's a tossup. She can make him laugh and she can make him squeal, When he has had enough of her antics, he tends to give her a big slap on the head or the arm--most often in the car. We can't wait until we get a larger car and can separate the two!

Birthday Boy

Eli turns two on Saturday. We are going to be out of town, so he got his presents yesterday. Huts had already bought him a Wonder Pets car thing. He picked out a new Mickey Mouse firetruck rider, a cup, a squishy ball and a Tickle Me Elmo, which his sister promptly clothed once we got home! We are taking him to a water park in Cape this weekend and having a little party for him with cake. He is all set to have a blast, and is already showing signs of his terrible twos.

The latest is fits. "No!" he screams as he stamps his feet. He's gotten a few swats for that one. He also like to hit and pull hair. Yes. he's a handful, but our world would not be the same without him.