Being 20 months.

(handsome Eli at Rosh Hashanah)

Elias,

This week you are 20 months.  You are a delight, but have definitely kept us on our toes.  You want to do EVERYTHING that Jonah is doing, but you forget that sometimes your body doesn't yet know how.  It is adorable though to see you imitate his speech, the way he does everything, even walking where he has walked and touching things he has touched. 

(Eli and Jonah at bathtime.  Please try to imagine the noise level that accompanies this photo.)

You two are starting to play together more and more often, and Jonah asks you all kinds of questions relating to his pretend play world that you don't understand--to which you just usually shake your head yes or say a tiny "no, no, no" in your sweet little voice.  Speaking of no, you are definitely finding your voice and learning to speak your mind.  The cute no, no, no just yesterday became an emphatic and pronounced and drawn out, "NOooooooooooo." Yikes.  So not ready for the terrible two's (it's been my least favorite stage).  The tantrums and the stiff-as-a-board body antics have already begun. 

(Eli serving something "haa" to his animals)

You LOVE playing with balls of any kind (and you are quite good at throwing and kicking, actually) and you LOVE being in your play kitchen, making all kinds of meals and telling us it's "haa" for hot and then feeding us.  It can occupy you for long stretches of time.  Anywhere we go--if there's a play kitchen--you are in it.  I think that is AWESOME. 

You understand so much of what is going on, and really very nuanced things, that it really astounds me.  You don't talk a ton yet (just a dozen words or so) BUT you clearly communicate your needs through facial expressions, gestures and then responding with a head shake when we ask you a question.  Your absolute favorite word at the moment is "me, me, ME!" which you say often when I talk to Jonah about the plan for the day, or ask if he wants something to eat/drink/wear/read/watch, etc.  You definitely don't want to be left out.  Don't worry kid, as the second born,  I TOTALLY GET IT and you will never be left out. ;)  Just this week you have started imitating our words, and we've been having your practice "trick or treat".  It's totally incomprehensible, but you sing the words exactly as we sing them.  It's great and I predict you'll get LOTS of candy for Halloween. 

You sleep in a big boy toddler bed (you began that at like 16 months), which is kinda crazy, but totally works for us.  You share a room with your big brother and you are a great sleeper.  I can imagine that in 6 months or so we'll hear both of you talking up a storm to one another. 

(Eli looking a little worse for the wear, but still with a smile on his face!)

You seem to be a bit accident prone.  I think it's because of the aforementioned "keeping up with Jonah thing", but  it's taking years off my life.  We've already had way too many injuries with you. Just this past week you fell outside on the sidewalk and scraped your face, and then 3 days later you fell off a stool as I was cooking soup and caught the sharp corner of the cabinet on your forehead.  The pediatric triage nurses and I have an intimate relationship.  I could do with less bumps and bruises and more sitting still.  ;) 

You are a total joy and bring so much love and light to our life.  Being with you is easy.  Experiencing life with you is so much fun and it's true what they say--I can't remember a time before you were a part of our family.  Thanks for blessing us every day with your spirit. 

Love you more than all the cars, trucks and balls in the whole world,

Mama

Comments

[rhonda]

So wonderful and so sweet! I can't believe he's so big and handsome already. I miss you guys! xoxo

[Nikki]

Love this description of Eli and all of the pictures! Did inspiration strike you very early in the morning? Can't wait to trick or treat with them on Monday!