22 Months

Eli's speech continues to grow by leaps and bounds. He is putting words together and starting to speak in full sentences. I first noticed this when he said “ Nala's chasing buggies.” I looked outside, and sure enough, Nala was chasing bugs around the yard. Eli is quick to remember when we correct his speech. He used to say “hold it” when he wanted to be held. We would say “hold me” when he said that and eventually he corrected it. Now he deliberately says “hold. Me.” I can see how much he is concentrating on saying it right. Some words I let slide. He calls “chipmunks” “me-munks.” I don’t care if he says “me-munks” forever!

He is learning more and more Swahili, although he speaks mostly in English. One of the greetings in Kiswahili is “Shikamoo” which is something to say to someone older than you as a sign of respect. We have been teaching Eli this and today outside of our gate, he said it unprompted to a little girl passing by. She laughed and said “marahaba” (the response by the younger person). It was so funny. He is now starting to say “thank you” (or “asante”) unprompted as well which melts my heart.

Eli remains very friendly and loves to see people. He knows the names of all our friends, neighbors and acquaintances. His memory never ceases to amaze me. We were looking at photos on my camera and there was one of him with kids at church. So I said, “church” and he said “no, Edita's party.” He was right! We were at church, but it was for a party for Edita (more details in another blog).

Eli cracks us up all the time. One time I was on the couch and asked him to come so I could change his diaper. He promptly sat down in a corner near he was playing and said “time out.” Ha! He put himself in time out rather than get his diaper changed!

Here are photos from the last month...

I used to have to wait to do certain chores until he was sleeping, but now he can come along and “help.” He loves to sweep and clean. Laundry is especially fun for him.



He likes to be a big, independent boy. Pushing the shopping cart is very exciting for him.



He was fascinated by the fridge repair man. I had to banish him to a chair after he continually invaded the repair man's personal space.



His hair is out of control. We have no idea what to do with it. It's all different lengths. Some curly, some straight. We have tried to put spray in it to bring out the curls. Combing it doesn't work well. He twists his hair at night so we have had to cut off some ends that got badly tangled. I am tempted to shave it and start fresh, but George would kill me.



Eli loves time with Dad. He loves to go on errands with him and follow him around the house.



He is so social and loves to play with kids.



This is our neighbor, Wahida (Ida, for short). They love to play together. She is the cutest little thing.



It has been cold here so he has had to bundle up. Here he is wearing a pair of slipper socks I bought in high school! Those things are the best!



Eli is very sneaky. One morning as I was getting breakfast ready, I noticed he was very quiet. He had found lotion and taken it onto the porch to play with. Fortunately, I discovered this before he squirted any out. When he saw me he said “Bye Mama!” which is what he says when he wants to be left alone to his mischief.



Don't even think about taking these shoes away!