Dear Eliot: Two Years, One Month

Dear Eliot,

There are so many details that I feel like I left out of your letter last month.  There are so many funny, quirky things that you are doing and saying lately.

You're a sweet boy and almost always say "thank you" when we give you something.  A trick that is especially cute is when a waiter brings us drinks or our food.  You always say "thank youuuu" in this adorable voice.  I love it!  You have started saying please when you ask for things, which helps calm down your frantic toddler demands and makes you look really well-mannered too.  And it usually works to help you get what you want.  Also, you say "bless you" when someone sneezes.  Of course, afterward, you start fake sneezing.

You're very considerate too.  When the oven is on, we warn you that it is hot.  You understand and keep your distance.  We one of us goes to put something in or take something out of the oven, though, you point and yell in a very concerned voice, "Hot, dada!!!  Hot!"  You are quite worried that we're going to burn ourselves.  Thanks, Eliot.

One of your favorite things in the world is a trusty flashlight.  You love to take flashlights around the house, explore dark closets, and look under furniture.  Here's the kicker:  your dog, Dexter, is obsessed with light, so he follows you everywhere chasing that light.  You think it is hilarious--I think you're going to give the dog a heart attack one day.

I don't know what it is about red solo cups, but you have to have one with all of your drinks.  One day, we put your sippy cup inside of a red plastic cup as a joke.  Ever since, you have demanded one with your drinks.  "My cup!" you yell as if you are offended that we forgot.

Your love for art continues to grow.  You love to color, draw, paint, and play music.  If you find a pen, you must draw.  And everyone must draw with you.  We have fun drawing big scenes together.  The funniest thing is that you try to draw sharks, gasp, and yell, "Oh no!  Shark!"  You expect us to pretend to be scared with you.  You really seem to be left-handed....  You're really good at playing the harmonica and also play piano.  The other night, you were playing on the piano while singing, "Daddy, Dexter!" over and over.  I think you'll grow into a creative boy.

You love doing everything we do, especially the things your dad does.  You copy his every move.  We were eating once and your dad dropped his fork.  You immediately threw your fork on the ground and looked to him for approval.

This month, we learned that your growing sibling is a baby boy!  I can't imagine a more beautiful gift to give you than a brother close in age--not that I have the power to decide these things.  I am just so excited for you two to grow up together.  I think you will make an amazing big brother.  You have helped with so much with the baby already.  You helped us put his crib together and paint his room. 

 
And you love playing with the baby too.  You play cars on my tummy while saying, "Baby brother!"  One night, I was cleaning the kitchen when you brought all of the baby and receiving blankets out of your dresser one by one.  You said, "babyyyy" and wrapped each one around my tummy.

Earlier this month, we had our first (and probably last) snow of the season, which was your second snow.  You loved it!  You would have stayed out there shivering all day with your sled.  It's a good thing you had your dada to play with you because I was not braving the cold for too long.

Eliot, I think you are the prettiest little boy.  You're so special to us.  You make us laugh every day.  You push us to grow in our patience and communication every day.  And I think every day about how you are so incredibly handsome.  You make me proud, Baby.  It's been two years--and it keeps getting better.