Elliot Updates

Elliot is rocking and rolling on his way to two. He is at the stage where he picks up new words and phrases every day...his newest ones include "That way!" (to tell you where he wants to go), "Army guys" (in relation to Henry's toy soldiers), and "A-B" (said whenever he sees letters anywhere). His first full sentence the other week was "no bite mama". He has FINALLY started saying Henry's name (somewhat - still usually just "Hen") which makes Henry very happy. When Henry is doing something or eating something that Elliot also wants, he beats on his chest like a gorilla and yells "ME!!!!!!!!!!" He knows most of his colors and will point them out correctly when asked, but can only say "Blue", "black", "white", "brown" and "purple" so far.

Elliot is a touch possessive. He is NOT a fan of sharing. In fact, he likes to run into Henry's room and yell "MY ROOM!" at Henry - ha! Henry still adores Elliot and is very protective, but also very much enjoys teasing him, so sibling fighting is fairly common these days. Elliot's new favorite trick is pulling the kitchen stool around to turn on and off the lights. He thinks he is VERY funny when he turns off the lights when I am trying to cook dinner.

Elliot is great with the physical skills - easily goes all over the playground equipment and has learned to jump recently. He loves walking backwards. Still not the best sleeper - he usually wakes a touch before 6 each day (not terrible) but isn't a great napper. There are still mornings I need to go in and sleep on the floor of his room so he will go back to sleep (I never once had to do that with Henry!) and I still need to rock him to sleep most days for naps. He went through a glorious sleeping until 6:30 AM plus 2 hour nap stage a month ago, but alas it was short lived.

He doesn't eat. He is a tiny little guy and just doesn't seem to care much about food. He doesn't eat any bread, which I find bizarre. He will suck off whatever you put on the bread (butter, cream cheese, etc) but won't touch the actual bread. He also doesn't like chocolate milk, peanut butter, or nutella. He may not really be a Powell.

He loves books. Any books about trucks, cars or construction are still tops, but he also recently found Henry's old "Berenstein Bears" books and has become enamored of them. He also loves any toys more appropriate for a 7 year old boy. 2 year old toys are WAY too immature for him. At our weekly playgroup he only wants to hang out with Henry and his friends, and follows them around wherever they go.

He takes Music Together and My Gym class each week and loves both of them. He is a ham in music and gets up to dance in the middle of the circle. He has fotten great with the routines and knows exactly when it is time for the hello song, time to put instruments away, time to lay down for the lullaby, and time to sing good bye. In My Gym he runs around like a crazy man chasing all the balls. His favorite activities are the balance beam, and the trampoline (here relaxing on it with his friend Ben):

Only 2 more months until we officially enter the Terrible Twos!