The Big Brother

Meanwhile... the new big brother is doing pretty well. I haven't done an Eli update in a while because our camera broke. I think you Facebook followers of George get photos from his ipad and get to see Eli in all his cute glory.

Eli continues to be a joy and delight. He is talking so much and is hilarious. George and I laugh all the time at the things he comes up with. I need to write them down so I can share them with you. He loves to build things, fix things and do housework like mopping, sweeping, raking and dishes. He also enjoys cooking and playing musical instruments. He is really turning into a big boy now. We are working on potty training. Some days he does great. We haven't ventured out of the house without a diaper yet, but we should soon. He is motivated because he LOVES his big boy undies.



Eli is becoming more and more independent and opinionated. He loves declaring what he does and doesn't like or want. The other day he just started declaring what he didn't want for breakfast... "I don't want eggs... I don't want cereal... I don't want bananas..." He was very passionate about his statements, although I don't know what prompted his speech since it wasn't breakfast time and no one asked him! He tests us every now and then, but we try to be consistent with time outs and never giving into tantrum. Even if we were going to give him something, the second he throws a tantrum, he loses out on that thing. Overall, he is good. Just a normal (almost) two and a half year old.

During the hospital stay, Eli was very confused and kept thinking Julia was still in my tummy. We walked him down to the NICU and when we told him he couldn't come in, he was devastated he couldn't see Baby Julia. When I got home from the hospital, I said "Eli... Mama's home... guess who I have?" Then he shouted "Baby Julia!" and wouldn't settle down until he could hold her. Since then, he has been confused once again about her. One day he said "this is not Baby Julia. Go back to hospital." He was quite serious about it. He just doesn't understand why he has to keep a distance from her right now. He just wants to love and hug her and gets frustrated when he can't. I think he is having a little trouble sharing us which is why he has been a bit more emotional lately. Things will be much better when Julia is stronger and more durable and Eli can be more involved with her.

I am just glad our family is home together. In the hospital I ached to be with Eli and would just cry thinking about him. (OK... what didn't I cry about??!!! Although I have written about how much I cried, I promise I upbeat and positive more than I was upset and crying!). I remember thinking "what will I do with a boy?" when we found out Eli was a boy, but I am so thankful God sent us Eli just as he is. He is simply wonderful.