Defining moments with Eli are really beginning to shift to a new level. I'm noticing that my so called toddler looks, acts and definitely speaks like a boy and some times old man trapped in a child's body. The count down is on and he will turn 3 in just under 8 weeks.
Being a first time parent that didn't read all the books...in fact I don't believe I really completed any books. Rather I've played with and used my penchant for the Internet and searches to discover information and articles in bite sized bits that fit my interest and need.
Eli is no longer a toddler...according to the information he's becoming and is a preschooler. The label kids in the 3 to 5 year old category receive so they can be compared to the stats of other 3 to 5 year olds.
He keeps telling me he's hungry at the strangest times, and can inhale a whole pork chop, 1/2 and avocado, a significant amount of broccoli and in less than an hour act like he's a starving child.
What I do know is that according to the stuffed giraffe measuring chart he's grown another inch in the last couple of months and his 2T clothing has mostly given away to a full wardrobe of 3T.
Were also beginning to discover some new things about Eli, his own penchant for words and information and re-purposing it to fit the moment. His vocabulary continues to amaze not only me (yes it's suppose to because I'm the mom bragging about her child) but others that continue to ask, how old is he? wow, that's a big word, or he already understands that?
I of course love when I brag and he then acts like he doesn't want to be seen with me (which may be preparing me for the teen years), what I say is wrong (what do you mean no chocolate bear cookies before dinner or I just want you to buy this with your money NOW, it's in your purse), and when asked about some thing he proves me wrong by pretending he doesn't understand what was asked and responds in either 2 or 3 word sentences (his norm being 9 to 12 - yes I do count) and with words that are made up.
Some recent Eli acts - remember he's 2 going on three:
- I couldn't find his shoes...and when I finally did I asked, how do you think they got there? Eli's response..."I don't know mom, it's a mystery." I quizzed him on the word mystery only to find out he fully understood the concept.
- We went to our favorite store REI to buy more shoes so that Eli could "run faster and have new jumping shoes." At least that's what he tells any one that will listen to him. They also have a great kids play area with a kayak slide and a big tree slide. Eli was standing a the top near the tree slide and I asked him how he liked his new shoes (which he was wearing before I purchased them) and he looked at me and said, I like them, "their blue like blueberries."
- Later in the car he asked me, mom are these really girl shoes. When I asked him why, he told me because the color is like a girl color (a light slate blue). Hmmm, how do you answer that? Because it is true...it's an either way color. I asked him what color "Lia's" shoes where...thankfully she is a girl that loves pink...and Eli was satisfied that his shoes were definitely not the same color as hers.
- He invites my friends and his too, to see and play with his "big train collection."
- He peppers sentences with..."actually....I was thinking...the reason this is like this is because..." early on I learned to not answer the question "why" and turn it back on him, "why do you think X, Y, Z?" and I know have a thinker on hand.
- I kept worrying about the potty thing....would he EVER use it? He definitely doesn't care how wet or poopy he is and prefers to keep playing. I've learned that a sticker chart can some times help, but the real factor is...he's in charge not me. He can go, when he wants to. He just doesn't want to and "don't tell me to go." And yes I've learned...you don't get away from talking about your child's BMs for years.
- His belief that if he says please really nice, many times or loudly...he will get what he wants.
- He's getting the concept of colors and shapes. Look a purple triangle, it has 3 sides. And most colors are pretty much related to food: red like strawberries, yellow like lemons, blue like blueberries, and green like grass. Although he is still perfecting his choices at times.
- His love for the number 5 and cinco - even though he can count to ten
in both English and Spanish his first response when asked how many are
there or how many he would like of some thing his answer is usually
five.
- His made up words and games: we often play "pillow patch" which is a form of a pillow fight. Scrabe which is a scratch on the floor that you can rub out with your sock - and no it is not a scratch, it's a scrabe.
- His imaginary friends, his favorite is Otsy who has 5 dogs. We even open the front door when they come over to play with Eli.
- Being told to "stop, be quiet" this is my game and I'm doing the voices...stop...that's not what he said. Yes willful and lots of imagination. Now I've learned to ask questions and intently listen with curiosity before barging in.
- Eli telling stories with eyes big a saucers...I mean his eyes are big any way and his stories simply exaggerate them. My recent favorite was the other morning when he told me he went to the jungle with Ney Ney (his Aunt) in her red jeep (which she does have) and Georgia (her dog) to see the jungle creatures. They saw elephants, giraffes and these funny skunk monkeys. They drove fast in the jungle because the tiger was coming. It's fun to take it all in.
- My all time favorite is that he doesn't fully get that people on the other end of the phone can't see what he is looking at, and constantly tells them see, look at this!
Being a mom is great...life continues with it's defining moments with Eli and I continue to reflect, learn, smile, feel a bit cranky and absolutely love my little preschooler!
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