Sunday, July 27, 2014

2nd Birthday Letter to Elliot

Dear Elliot,
Tomorrow you turn 2. TWO. I am a little baffled by how that happened. You still seem so little to me, like such a YOUNG two, that it's strange you will meet your LITTLE brother in a few short months. How can anyone be littler than you?

But I've also seen so much growth from you recently. You're starting to talk more (YAY!) and seem to be enjoying the positive feedback. You're learning how to communicate not just through yelling and throwing things, which is a very nice change.

You're developing such a sweet little personality. You're starting to get silly, and inquisitive, and able to entertain yourself a little better. You love big Legos (Duplo) and figuring out how to take them apart and put them back together - either bringing them to me with an "Eh eh eh..." when you get stuck, or angrily throwing them across the room - especially any of the ones with wheels. "Cah! Cah!" (car). Still can't get you to say truck or bus or motorcycle or bike or boat or wheel - it's all still just "Cah!"

You still love Lily to death. And it is SO mutual! That girl will go out of her way to do anything for you. She LOVES getting you out of your crib in the morning or after your nap - something about hers being the first face you see that makes her feel very special. And I can't say I blame her ;) You bring her your cup, insisting, "Wah-wah! Wah-wah!" and she happily scampers off to fill your cup with water, shaking her head and grinning, "Oh, Elliot!" You fall down, and she drops to her knees to make sure you're OK - even if you're angry about falling and throwing things and yelling at her to leave you alone.

Actually, you're pretty tough. Always have been. You were never the kind of baby to cry after falling down or getting knocked over unless you were REALLY hurt. You just shake it off and get back up and keep going, like you didn't even notice - like it was part of the journey. Of course, if someone comes and SHOVES you over, I'm pretty sure you'll be very vocal about that (forget this crying nonsense - you are a YELLER), though I can't remember seeing that happen. The getting knocked over, now, is a daily occurrence. Comes with the territory of being #4, and you handle it splendidly.

You and Jacob have such a special relationship. You guys love to GIGGLE together. It's the cutest thing. You play side-by-side quite nicely, and he enjoys building towers for you to knock over, and ramps for you to drive your cars through. And oh the tickling! Sometimes he gets frustrated because you're eager to knock things over that he is not done building, or that he does not intend to have knocked over, and we're trying to teach him to work through TALKING to you about that, instead of just getting mad and carrying you out of the room. Usually when you understand his plan, you're good at going along with it.

Your relationship with Jacob has changed a little recently. It was a very strong PEER relationship, but in the past month or two, you've realized, "Hey, wait a second, he's a BIG kid...he can be in charge of me and help me with things and hold my hand when we walk through the parking lot." And you're letting him be that big kid, which is so good for Jacob. He really needs to be your big brother.

And oh, that Samantha. What shall I say. It seems you've both to some kind of truce. In your younger days, you were an avid hair puller - nowadays, you only pull Sam's hair, and only when she's not letting you get your way, so it's maybe weekly instead of many, many times daily. And she, in turn, has finally discovered that you are, in fact, a TODDLER. Not a preschooler or a peer who understands more fully what he's doing. Now, like Lily and Jacob have always done, she sees your shenanigans and just grins, "Oh, Elliot!"

She also just recently started taking an interest in mothering you. She has taken it upon herself to be the bathroom door closer, so you can not get in and splash around in the potty or take your matchbox cars there for a swim, and has recently started insisting she can take you out of your high chair when you're done eating. Of course, more often than not, that results in both of you in a heap on the kitchen floor, wondering what exactly went wrong and giggling as you scamper away. She also now insists that she's big enough to walk you places, and you will let her (sometimes) take your hand and lead you around. The transition from unpredictable slightly-older sister to 2nd mother/sister is keeping you on your toes.

You get sooooo excited every time Oma and Opa come to visit. You hear the other kids shout, "Oma and Opa are here!" and go running to the front door, yelling, "Oma! Oma! Opa! Opa!" louder than any of the rest of them. You love your Opa to carry you around allll day, and you love your Oma to read you books (over and over and over) as she snuggles with you on the couch.

You love Kacki to death. Her name was one of your first words - dare I say, before "Mama" was a regular? - and sometimes when you wake up, you will call for her to come get you from your crib, as if the mere mention of her name will magically bring her to your house.

But the first name you call when you wake up is "DAHHHHH-DY! DADDY!!!" over and over and over. As if every day was the weekend and he was always here to come get you out of your crib. When Daddy does not respond, you usually move on to calling for Kacki, and when that doesn't work, then you might call Mama as a last resort. Which is amusing, because 90% of the time, it's me or Lily taking you out of your crib.

It's good to dream big, kid.

In addition to your increasing vocabulary, your appetite has improved slightly in the last couple of months. You no longer live on air and water and animal crackers. You will eat real food (in moderation) from a bowl with a spoon or fork, just like a real live little toddler. You are still the pickiest eater I've ever seen, but this small improvement has me hopeful.

We love you so much, little guy!