Mr. Independent

No, I'm not talking about Lou Dobbs. I'm talking about Mr. Eli Oakley. His most used phase these days is "Eli do, Eli do." Which I know I have posted about this phase a few weeks ago but we are at full force!! He wants to do everything himself. It's very awesome though that he finally can say the word help, and I ask him to use it before he gets frustrated. It's helped so much! So when he struggles with something I ask him, "Do you need help Eli?" He says "No Mommy, Eli do". Okay baby, tell me if you need help......"Help Mommy". It's adorable. We definitely have more conversation than ever before. It's incredible.

Along with this independence is an overwhelming cooperativeness in cleaning up, getting ready, etc. He LOVES to throw garbage in the garbage can. He loves to pick up stuff he's thrown on the floor. He is starting to get the hang of pulling up his shorts/pants and it helps getting dressed a little smoother. He's also unfortunately learned to help me take off his diaper. A few times he's tried to get my attention and I wasn't sure why. A minute later he would come to me with his diaper in hand! I couldn't tell he wasn't wearing one because his shirt is practically to the middle of his thigh. Thankfully he didn't have a poopy diaper! So I always have to put pants on him to avoid the diaper coming off. At bathtime though I take off his diaper and he runs through the house laughing and saying "Naked baby, naked baby". I chase after him and pretend to spank his butt....hmmm, I wonder if this is why he loves to take off his diaper? :) Oh well, makes for a great story.

Dare I say that the throwing phase seems to be ending? And screaming at the cats? I have told him the only way we talk to the kitties is to say hello, hi, or meow softly. He has gotten WAY better at controlling himself. I try to praise him often.

I am really trying to start teaching Eli his manners. He can say thank you. He has said thank you unprompted by me a few times so I think he gets it some. Please is gonna take some time. He likes to push me off the couch sometimes and he says "Move" while pushing me. I told him I'll move but he has to say move, please.

I said "Hey you" to Eli the other night when he was getting into trouble and now he walks around saying hey you with a huge smile on his face.