Next stop: toddlerhood

For anyone who might think that Elliot is still a baby, we've got news for you, he has definitely entered toddlerhood! Not only is he running around causing all sorts of trouble, but he's starting to show his dissatisfaction when he doesn't get what he wants by whining, crying, and making his body go limp (he especially likes to 'plank') when he'd rather be carried than walk. Oh yes, the terrible two's are approaching!

Mostly, it's pretty fun. He's starting to say more and more almost-words and generally do more funny things like spinning, gesturing, and emulating what we do. Man, it's fun having a kid. I mean, sure it's exhausting, especially with this particular wild child, but it sure makes every day more charged with life :)

We're also starting to potty train and he's been pretty good at going in the potty, although sometimes he gives us a sign that he wants to go and then when he gets on it he doesn't go. Sometimes he sits on it backwards. Sometimes he cries just at the sight of it if he's not in the mood. And sometimes he actually just goes and then says bye-bye as we flush the pee down the toilet. Now we just have to teach him how to hold it and use toilet paper.



Yesterday, I had the day off and we got an early start to our family fun day because SOMEbody decided to get up at 6am and not go back to sleep. It worked out well though because it made the day seem longer when we went out to lunch, and then to the Museum of Natural History where Elliot very efficiently ran from one display to another. He's not one of those boring people who pretend to read the description, oh no siree bob, he just comes along and goes 'ahhhh' and then just as quickly runs along to the next one. The true highlight of the day was down in the marine life area, on the kid floor beneath the giant whale where there was an adorable little girl named Eden who was running around in circles and enticed Elliot to do the same. They ran around like a couple of electrons, then did some weird yoga stretches, then hugged and kissed, and then ran around some more. It was pure entertainment.

I don't know how or why but boys naturally take to violence. My mother opened these water guns and went 'pew pew' once and from then on he's been shooting up the whole house! He's shot me multiple times, although he now knows that he has to bring me back to life with a kiss after doing so. And he picks up other objects, aims them and makes the shooting noise too! Why is this so natural?

Happy Valentine's Day bubbie, I love you!