Bon Anniversaire!!

March is a pretty busy month for our family. With our wedding anniversary on the 11th, Eliot's birthday on the 12th, my birthday on the 25th, and Little Brother's birthday any day now, there is a lot going on.

Since Eliot is out of town right now, Spencer and I decided to celebrate our anniversary with a visit to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) followed by dinner at a little French restaurant a friend had recommended. We have been to the ROM a number of times but always with Eliot in tow which means that we've spent most of our time in the kids' area. These have been delightful outings, don't get me wrong, but it was nice yesterday to loiter through an exhibit and soak it in a bit.

I wished Eliot a Happy Birthday over the phone and got the same silent treatment that many of you have experienced when Eliot is on the other end of the line. We're planning on having a little celebration when he returns at the end of the month. He's too young to know the difference right now and with a new little baby in the home it may help to have a special little party for him.

Changes Ahead

Our little family is quickly headed for a big change in the form of a little bundle. With the count-down in the single digits, preparations have begun. The hospital bag has been packed. The infant car seat has been installed. The bassinet has been assembled and stocked. The 0-3 month clothes have been brought out and hung in the closet. And Eliot has left town. Noni and Grand Dad came up early this week to pick him up and this morning Eliot left with them to spend some quality time with friends and family in Milwaukee so that Mommy and Daddy could spend some quality time preparing for and getting Little Brother settled. It hasn't even been 24 hours and I miss my little guy so much. The apartment is ringing with silence, and even though I have been able to get a bunch of things done today (including some much-needed rest) I miss the little interruptions to read a book, offer a snack, play with cars, etc.

Enjoying a good book.

Watching a hockey game with Daddy.

Helping himself to a raisin oatmeal cookie.

Before heading south of the border, however, Eliot had the opportunity to entertain Grandma and Auntie Ange who came out for a visit at the end of February. He had a great time playing with them, reading to them, and showing them around Toronto. We also had the chance to head out to Burlington (about an hour west of Toronto) to have Sunday dinner with Spencer's Uncle Thom and his family. I think Spencer and Angela really enjoyed being able to catch up with cousins.

So You Think You Can Dance

As many of you have probably seen on an earlier post, Eliot loves to dance. It is one of his favorite things to do with Daddy and when Spencer gets home he (Eliot) often requests a dance. As you can see from his moves he may also have a future as a trainer on "Biggest Loser."

Ah-la-you

Today Eliot learned to say "I love you." When I put him down for his afternoon nap I told him I loved him and he parroted back "ah-la-you" with a big smile on his face. As I left the room I could hear him in there calling "ah-la-you, ah-la-you...!" We repeated this little exchange when I put him to bed tonight. What a great way to end the day :)

Out for a walk in the snow. A favorite book just had to come along.

Pausing to watch a snow plow.

Back inside and "reading" a book to Mommy.

Eliot's Lexicon

Eliot's vocabulary continues to grow and he enjoys pointing out all of the things he knows the names for (especially lights). He received a set of alphabet magnets from GrandDad and Noni for Christmas and has been learning their names. Some of his favorites are S, T, P, M, N, and R. One of my favorite new words of his is 'pineapple'. He combines two foods he loves and says 'pie (pause) apple'. He has a couple of phones that he enjoys chatting into. Unfortunately once it comes to a real phone, with a real voice on the other end, his mouth forms a silent smile and he'd rather just listen. But for all of those who have spoken with him over the phone, here's what he would say if he weren't struck with wonder:

Books!!

Eliot loves his books and enjoys perusing them whenever he can. There is also a bookcase full of Mommy and Daddy's books that has captured his fascination. I think I've finally broken him of the habit of pulling them off the shelves and hurling them down the hall. I'm just glad I was somehow able to do it without discouraging his interest in them.

He particularly likes looking through Merriam Webster's Vocabulary Builder. It's probably the fact that the pages are gilded in yellow, but it's fun to think that he's just trying to work on his growing vocabulary.

Eliot has also started "reading" books aloud to himself and others. His version of the story is always so much more interesting :)

Got Rhythm?

Eliot loves music and his dance moves make me smile every time.