Talky Talkerson(s)

Both kids are turning out to be of the L-OW-D (as Eli would say) variety. Maddux has definitely found her vocal chords in the last few weeks. Now she squeals and lets out little baby exclamations during most, if not all, of her wake time. And of course the beach trip has her refusing to nap for any extended period, but looking back at Eli's sleep patterns at this age, he was the same. Maddie can also hold her head up fairly well which means she enjoys tummy-time more these days. She can also grab at some of the dangling toys which makes her day much more interesting and entertaining.

Eli has not seen his older Chinese friend at school for a few weeks now. I'm not sure if he's moved on to an elementary school or what, but he's been MIA in Eli's life and Eli is sad about that. It has not stopped him from becoming a leader in his class though. When I went to pick him up on Tuesday, the leading teacher had moved back in the line to help another child, which left the front of the line 'un-manned'. Eli was at the front and he led the whole class down the breeze-way by himself. That's a first-born for ya!

Eli is filling in the blanks during songs a lot more too: he will still fill in letters when we sing our ABC's, and he will sing the missing words in "You Are My Sunshine" and "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" every time. He asks for both songs by name: Tun-tine and "Take. Ballgame." He also tells me about "Ha-weeen" when he sees pumpkins. (I think they briefed him at school this week which always gets through more to him than when Mommy talks about things.)

We met Eli's friends, Tyler and Noah, at a park yesterday and I witnessed something new for Eli: sympathy. Tyler walked under one of the structures and bumped his head, as kids this age do since they get taller each day, without warning. He cried and Eli came over and patted his (Eli's) head and frowned. Then a few minutes later while Tyler's mom was comforting him, Eli said "I tarry Ty-Ty."