Step Aerobics the Eli Way!

Elijah discovered that he can “walk” over the step from the kitchen into the tv room a few days ago. We’ll be holding his hands while he walks and he just keeps wanting to go up the step and then turn around and go right back down the step. Then up the step. Then down the step. Then up the . . . well, you get the picture. He thinks this is just the greatest thing. And today, while he was with Grandma he discovered that’s its fun to push your walker over the edge of the step too! Grandma said he made it down fine, with her right nearby, but he couldn’t quite figure out how to make the walker go back up - he kept trying to lift it but it just wouldn’t work. Guess we’ll just have to keep walking him up . . . and down . . . and up . . . and down . . . ourselves!

Look who can turn all by himself!

Elijah has been doing great cruising around the house with his walking toy, but has always needed help turning when he runs into things. Not anymore! Eli figured out Tuesday how to back the toy up and turn it to make it go the direction he wants. He made two complete laps around the island in the kitchen without needing my help at all. And Grandma noted that on Wednesday Eli only needed help a few times, when he got into corners, but besides that was able to turn and get back to cruising around all by himself!

Like Nails on a Chalkboard

Elijah’s developed a nasty habit, which Jon and I (and Grandma Amanda) really want him to stop – he grinds his front teeth together. Over and over. The sound goes right through you, like little tiny nails going down a chalkboard. My skin is crawling just typing about it! We keep saying, “Eh eh eh” and “Icky” and “Don’t grind your teeth” while placing our hand on his jaw, but he’s not getting with the program yet. We’ll keep trying, because, not that our little angel could ever be annoying, but that sound is getting on my nerves!

Careful, your face might freeze that way, Elijah.

We were eating dinner together a few nights ago, with Elijah happily feeding himself while Jon and I were talking, when Eli started closing his eyes, tipping his head back and scrunching up his nose, with a big grin on his face. He’s done this silly face a few times before for Mom, so I (Missy) said, “Show Daddy your scrunchy face!” Eli looked at me and then looked at Jon – and then did it! We of course started laughing, which prompted Eli to go into a laughing fit, punctuated by him turning to each of us, repeatedly, and scrunching up his nose. It was so adorable to see him trying to make us laugh with his silly face. I think our little family is going to have some fun times together! Especially since all three of us are just big goofs. :)

Walking with mommy and daddy, and feeding myself!

Eli's less than two weeks from his first bithday now, and he's continuing to do new things all the time!

Today Eli had his first meal where he fed himself essentially the entire meal. For a while now, Eli's meals have a been a combination of finger food (typically Cheerios or small pieces of fruit) and spoon-fed food (fruit or veggies usually mixed with baby cereal). Today, though, Eli ate lunch with Missy, Mom Koorndyk, and I at the table, and fed himself his whole meal (all finger food)! We were eating "Chicken with Rice", one of Missy's and my favorite recipies. Eli had small bits of chicken, clumps of rice, broccoli, and bits of sweet potato. It was really nice to have lunch with Eli and not have to spend as much time feeding him as I was feeding myself!

Eli's also now into walking around with Missy or I, holding one of our fingers in each hand. He can easily stand up now with just a flat surface (like a wall) to use for balance. I wonder how long until he tries to free-stand?

Missy had her wisdom teeth out this past Friday morning, and she's still in the process of recovering. Mom K. stayed with us for the whole 3-day weekend to help with Eli and around the house, while I took care of Missy. She was such a huge help! Thanks so much, Mom! :-)