There is no better way to spend a hot evening in late July as a 15-month-old, make that multiple, continuous hot evenings in late July as a 15-month-old than being NAKED! How did we miss this naked phase with Belén? Our favorite pastime these days is throwing some water in the kiddie pool, putting a swimsuit on B because she insists on it and then stripping Eloise down to her birthday suit for some fun in the backyard shade.
And if one is not in the mood for the outdoors, what does one do? Why, a naked dance party before bath time, OF COURSE!
Seriously, if I was at a party and was being forced to describe our summer in three activities before they would give me a glass of wine, I would say, playing in the kiddie pool, dance parties and camping and then find a better party that didn’t play such ridiculous games.
On top of resorting back to the attire of a newborn, Eloise is up to a lot more at 15-months of age.
For one, she has perfected her praying mantis walk/run.
You see the resemblence, right?
You might even say it is a bit T-rex-looking.
She is becoming an expert walker and has picked it up to a run, especially when she knows she is headed in a direction I don’t want her to be going. We are still working on the jumping. She cannot achieve any air unless she is holding onto someone’s hands at which time she gets a jump on steroids with the help of her grown-up friend and belly laughs with delight. One thing I have noticed (and I knock on wood while I type this) is she “gets” stairs a lot more than Belén did at this age. I am not sure if it is a second child thing or what but she does not freak me out like Belén did as she seems to have reasonable approaches to both going up and down the stairs.
Delight is still the name of the day unless Eloise is scolded for doing something she is not supposed to (but who really likes being told they are doing something wrong?) or, of course, if she does not get her way. Yes, Miss Weezy continues to be quite stubborn and strong willed. We have no idea where she gets either of these…
As you can see from the earlier picture, Eloise is a resident breeding ground for teeth and nearly has all of her chompers. In fact, I stopped keeping count of which canines are in and which molars are out. All I know is that she has a mouth full of teeth and chews her food spectacularly.
Thats not to say that she even considers eating everything we put in front of her…not even close. I made steel cut oatmeal in the crock pot yesterday and she wouldn’t even take a single bite. Same story with the chili I made. She didn’t touch the dried apricots I put in her lunch to help make her daily affirmation a bit less, um, challenging. And if you are a grape, blueberry or God forbid, a pineapple, you are safe on the plate of Miss Eloise. I swear I will not raise picky eaters but I think this one is going to be challenging if this keeps up…
There is clearly a lot going on in Eloise’s brain but her list of words doesn’t exactly showcase that activity. She’s still a big fan of, “boo,” “mama,” “nana,” “papa,” “moo,” “up” and the Vandal fight song, which she has now taught to at least three other kids in her class at school. There are a few new word recruits but they aren’t used often. “Milk” and “please” and “no” are definitely on the horizon, as is the ABCs. She babbles a lot though and I fully expect that babbling to turn into real words quite soon.
I would say the most entertaining aspect of Eloise these days (besides the belly laugh and praying mantis walk) is her expressions. Her brain is processing so much and becoming opinionated in her old age and as one would expect, she has not learned to hide any of her emotions. Instead her face telegraphs exactly what she is thinking. Even though she has not said such words yet, I will translate what I believe her looks are telling us:
Food-related:
Um, no thank you. (blueberries)
Um, disgusting. (pineapple)
There is no effing way I am putting that into my mouth. (chili and oatmeal)
Do you think I am stupid? That is not edible. (avocado)
Now that is what I am talking about! (french fries, pizza without pineapple on it, ice cream, whipped cream, anything bad for you, etc.)
Anything her sister does when they are not fighting (oh, yes it is glorious, they fight now…my favorite is when Belén gets “hurt” from something Eloise does):
THAT IS THE COOLEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN!
When on a swing at the park:
Have you people tried this swinging thing? Oh Em Gee, it is, by far, the coolest thing EVER!
When hanging out outside of the kiddie pool, not too sure about getting into the water:
That water looks interesting, but it might get me wet and I am not sure how keen I am on that idea.
When there is a stranger around:
Mommy, get me the hell out of this place or perhaps I will just look away and therefore make myself invisible.
Then, of course, my favorite, when I am holding her for awhile as she is warming up to a situation, she looks up at me very seriously:
Just making sure you are still there. Thank you for being here and holding me. I love you.
As you can tell Miss Eloise continues to charm and amuse us. She is a sweetheart with attitude…we couldn’t ask for more.
Related posts:
- Talking About My Babes (Belén 35 Months, Eloise 11 Months) The girls dancing with their own reflections in our hotel room this past weekend I am going to try something...
- Weezy Woo at 14 Months As a blogging mother, I am feeling guilty I did not write about Eloise at 13 months, but I suppose...
- Three Months Old In only three months since your birth you have transformed over and over, introducing a new version of yourself each...
- Six Months Old Things are a-changin' in your GI tract and it seems as though your habit of only pooping once every five...
- Eloise is 4 Months Old! Enough about 34, once I get over the sadness of an expiration of newbornhood, four-months-old is heavenly. The hands grab...
Comments on this entry are closed.
{ 1 trackback }