Our big boy

I am proud to announce that Eli is wearing big boy underwear everyday, ALL day, except for at bedtime!!! We still have an accident here and there, but since last Friday, he has done really well. He had been wearing pull-ups for months, and potty learning was quite a struggle. Turns out Eli is one of those kiddos that if he is in any form of a diaper, he will use it as such. Any attempts to convince him otherwise would result in yelling "I don't want to sit on the potty!!!!!" While he still has a way to go before he is COMPLETELY potty "learned", he has made an awesome first week of it! Choosing his underwear each morning, reminders, and then rewarding with M & M's have been the key....and the fact that he doesn't like wet underwear :) So, congrats, big boy, you are doing awesome and we are so proud of you....and so is our pocketbook....pull ups aren't cheap!!

Eli has morphed into a big boy in other ways, too. It is so fun to have a conversation with him as he can actually hold one now. Some sentence structure issues, but it is so cute to hear him correct HIMSELF! He can spell his name and write it...sometimes. Sometimes when you ask him his name he chooses to say his whole name "EliJAH!", he says. He is super inquisitive and asks about literally everything and anything he wonders about or comes in contact with. Sometimes I just have to say "I don't know, Eli, it just is."

Eli continues to love Anna to pieces....literally. He has inherited the Holly Bidney (Hettinger) "I-want-to-squeeze-you" gene and has to be reminded often that Anna is a person, not a toy. But at the same time, he showers her with hugs and kisses and loves to exclaim "She's my baby sister!!" to anyone who will listen. She laughs at him often and finds his rough play amusing...most of the time, but is getting better at pushing him away and squawking when he is going a little too far. I continue to look forward to seeing their relationship grow. Although I think when she can crawl and get into his toys, another adjustment period will occur :)

Eli is such a social kiddo. He LOVES attending preschool and tells me often "I love Ms. Stacey" (his teacher). He also loves all his friends and tells me often "I want to give (Jack, Callie, Quincy, etc., etc.) a hug" before he sees them. We are still working on his rough play, though, as he often times pushes a little too hard or tackles a little too often :) We talk a lot about listening to others by what they say AND by their facial expression/body language. His friend Jack is in his preschool class and when they play together at playdates, it is cute to hear Jack say "No, Eli, please stop hitting me." Or I'll hear Eli say "Jack, do you want to play with me?" Such manners....at least most of the time.

One of Eli's favorite things is to play with the boys in our neighborhood. I've mentioned them before, and I am so happy that they are sweet boys. They play well with him and include him in their play...at least some of the time. We've had about 6 inches of snow recently and the kids have been out of school for 3 days straight so a lot of sledding has occurred. Eli has enjoyed the snow a lot and has already mastered sledding down our little hills in our neighborhood. Here are some pictures and video of his skills:













Eli has also had another growth spurt and is wearing primarily 4T clothes, with a few 3T. In fact his winter coat is 3T and may not last him the entire winter....we will see. At his 3 year appointment he weighed 38 lbs., so I would guess he is about 40 lbs. now. He has a great appetite most of the time, but can be picky. We are sure to keep him well fed, though, as he can become quite the grump and more melt downs happen if he is hungry.

Our afternoons have been filled with a variety of activities and it is awesome how Eric & I's schedule have worked out. Eli is home with daddy & Anna M & W mornings and then in preschool T, Th, & F mornings. Then throughout the week in the afternoons Eli, Anna & I:

*attend the library for story time and checking out books/videos
*go to Paradise Park (a fun indoor play place that Grandma & Grandpa Clarkson bought us a family pass for!!)
*bake
*do crafts
*do science experiments (just started this week but Eli will LOVE this)
*play board games (Eli currently likes Memory, Candyland, Chutes & Ladders, & Kurplunk...not necessarily by the REAL rules, though ;)
*attend or host playdates
*play at the mall play area
*help mommy clean
*run errands
*attend appointments
*do pretend play

While "3's" have been a struggle with melt downs and a strong desire to be independent, maybe 3 1/2 will be a little more calm (in February). He is certainly persistent, perceptive, intense, and can be energetic. A book I am trying to read describes kiddos like Eli as "spirited", which I agree. I am learning better ways to parent Eli but overall REALLY listening to him and recognizing WHERE his behaviors are stemming from make a difference. Often times he is just wanting to do something in a different way and choosing my battles as a parent with him is key. I faulter, though, and can lose my cool. Giving him choices and making sure he knows the consequences of his choices is also important for him. The hard part for me is consistency. But, we will make it, and I am confident he (we) will be just fine :)