Walking!

About a month ago Eli took his first steps, but now, he is really walking! Check it out!

Belated Birthday Boy Blogpost

I'm finally putting up a few pictures from Eli's first birthday. We had a great birthday party for him. Dad and Berta came, along with lots of friends. Jenny and Jake donated a crawling tunnel for the kids, and everyone brought wonderful toddler food. Patrick made a great lasagna, cake, and chocolate meringue mini pies. I made pumpkin soup. Eli wasn't into his birthday cake at all. As soon as we placed it in front of him, he promptly picked it up and attempted to drop it on the floor. So I caught it and ate it myself!

Happy Thanksgiving

Here is proof of what happened to the green beans- I caught it on film!

Tantrums End

Today Priya had a temper tantrum that lasted about an hour. I don't know where she got the energy to scream for that long. It doesn't really matter what it was about- a combination of not getting the snack she wanted, not wanting to get dressed, not wanting to go outside, then once outside, not wanting to come back in... nothing was going her way no matter what we said or did. I'm feeling kind of down about the whole thing, like somehow we are not providing something for her and she has to express it that way. She finally calmed down when her Poppy went in the room to bring her a sandwhich and talked to her, and then I put her down for her nap. Anyways, this is what I found just now when I went in to peek at her sleeping- proof that she really is a bookworm:

ladybug

Earlier today I noticed something was in Eli's mouth. I did the modified "finger sweep" of his mouth to see what I could find. I pulled a half chewed ladybug out of his mouth! A little later, when Sheila came by, I asked her if she thought that ladybugs were poisonous. She said no, they just taste bad. How did she know this?

Play

Tonight Priya and I went for another "night walk" after Eli went to bed. I love our night walks because we get to have one on one time, and she is so much fun to talk to during those walks. Tonight she was looking for pandas and squirrels. She kept stopping to pick up the "pandas" and had me put them in my pocket. She said we would take them home for Bopa to play with.

Priya also had her friend Django over to play today! They are one month apart in age, and had a blast together. He is very spirited, talks a lot, and seems older than he looks. Here is a video of them together:

Siblings

It makes me happy to think that Priya and Eli will have each other as they grow older. These days they are becoming better playmates. This video shows one of their recent interactions..

Pictures

Here are some more photos.. The first shows one of Priya's new pass-times: turning herself into a "walking pillow," a couple pictures from China and Bill's wedding, and a Halloween picture of our little chicken, our panda, and her panda.

More pictures

This pictures shows you how meticulous Priya can be.. She makes these perfectly neat block stacks, or "trains."



Trying on a silly wig..
Eli with his "Nana"
Hanging out in the laundry basket..