One Sick Puppy....make that 3

Eli has not been feeling too great the last 5 days or so.  He got a mild case of the flu, despite having both his flu shots....BUMMER!  The doctor assures us that it would have been much worse had he not gotten the shots, so I guess that is better than nothing.  He's been pretty pitiful, but seems to be rounding a corner today.  His fever is almost gone and he has more energy and appetite than he's had in days!  On top of it all, Matt and I decided to catch the stomach flu at the same time.  It  seems to have run its course, and we hope that is the only part of the flu we catch!!

 
         Cuddling with Grandpa while sick                                                 A rosy-cheeked flu baby

I've been meaning to update and fill everyone in on Eli's latest and greatests!

He is a quick little bugger!  He loves to run and play.  He doesn't always pick his feet up all the way, so we've had a skinned knee and a scraped head from playing outside.  He'd rather be outside, on the playground, or in the sand/dirt any day; climbing on stairs, up slides, on chairs and tables.  We're working on teaching him the appropriate places to climb. :)  He also has MANY dance moves...he's a mover and a shaker.  When not banging on his drum, he's bouncing to the beat, tapping his hands on his lap, worming back and forth, spinning, stomping, or clapping.  He'll even sing along..."do, do do."

He has really picked up a lot of sign language the last couple of months...he signs many foods (the important stuff, right?) like apple, water, fish (goldfish), and cereal.  He is also picking up on manners with please and thank you (we're still working on the latter...)  He's always friendly and waves to other children and adults.  When he sees a baby, he signs by rocking his arms back and forth.  Very cute.  And then waving and blowing kisses good-bye, of course.  And he still keeps up with his original signs too.  He's up to 15+ now!

Language-wise...Eli's coming along.  Animal sounds are probably his favorites.  Dog was his first and is still his #1.  He can also give the sound for monkey, kitty cat, and cow.  Sometimes we'll get a "qua" for oink and he'll imitate and elephant trumpet.  Fishie faces are fun too.  His favorite word right now...and recently learned...despite Mama's efforts to use other words...is "no."  His little "no, no, no, no, no" is precious as he shakes his head.  He can nod, yes, but not say it yet.  His other favorite (who taught him this????) is "mama."  He says it NON-STOP while driving...especially when he wants something and Mama can't get it for him because she's driving.  UGH! (in a good way! :) )  Of course he says "dada" too.  And dog, hot (while doing the sign...), ball, book, shoe, sock, banana, blueberries, etc.  Many of these words can only be understood and translated by Mama or Dada, but at least he's communicating.  Another cute one is "go."  He'll say it when he wants to go outside, and he even made up his own sign (like he's driving a car!)  He also says it as a question with his hands up like "huh?" as in "Where did it go?"  And sometimes that is followed up with him singsonging..."here it is."  Not really saying the words, just singsonging it the way we do.  We are adding more to the list everyday!  

Now, Eli understands much more than he says.  He knows where all of the parts of his face and head are, his toes and belly button too.  He CAN follow directions....when he wants to.  For the most part, he's a good listener.

I've gone on for too long, as many mothers do.  Hope I didn't bore you!  And last but not least, a link February's pictures.  There are tons from our beach trip...so peek at those you want.  

Lots of love from the Carson Trio!