Lessons

Yesterday on our back deck:

Elliot: "doh?" (points to grass)
Daddy: "grass. that's grass, Elliot"
Elliot: "doh?" (points to tree)
Daddy: "tree. that's a tree, Elliot"
Elliot: "doh?" (points to bbq)
Daddy: "propane tank, Elliot. propane is derived from petroleum products and we burn it to release heat energy which we use to cook food with."

Ahem.

The Arts

Elliot is understanding so much of what we say now. It still astounds me when we ask him to do something like put toys in a basket or brush his teeth that he'll start heading for the basket or crawling toward the bathroom. Of course, this doesn't mean that we can get him to stop throwing food off of his tray, but that's another story. When he wants to be picked up he usually grunts an "uuuh!" but Vrim got him to say "up" a couple of times. He'll use the first letter of the word he's imitating, like "muh" for more or "duh" for dog. His response to verbal communication is increasing and his response to routine is steady.

His naps can still be a bit of a struggle but bedtime is a comfortable routine. At 7-7:30pm, after getting changed and brushing his teeth, he leans in for kisses to and from Daddy then starts waving goodnight. We rock and sing for 10 minutes and I give him a kiss, lay him down and say goodnight. We usually don't hear another peep until between 5 and 6 am. We then get to snuggle in our bed all together for another hour or two depending on the mood of our benevolent dictator before getting up for the day.

Elliot's always been masterful at the Art of Sock Removal. Shoes are the only thing that keep his socks on. Like many his age, he finds his toes both fascinating And delicious. Of course, people my age find his toes fascinating and delicious as well.