Looks like we're going to have two talkers on our hands. So far Ella is saying some version that we can understand of no (which is usually nononononono), mama (which she rarely says and ONLY when she's whimpering or wailing because she's not getting what she wants), daddy, poppa, baby, ball (the girl LOVES balls), dog (she says doodoo!), up (I hear this one a LOT through the day), please, more (which she recently started signing and now uses any time she wants something), cracker, book (which she'll say as she drags book after book to you for you to read), socks, hat (you can see her putting things on her head in many pics--she loves to pretend everything is a hat), dance (I know, in a Baptist home!), and hop (one of her favorites right now...she'll say it and giggle away as she tries to get Ethan or one of us to hop for her). She's pretty good at parroting back some version of most things we say to her these days (and unfortunately sounds like a parrot on many of them). Last night she was pretty funny trying to say chicken. I honestly can not imagine what it's going to be like around here with both of them talking our ears off.
She's still not close to walking, but can do the military crawl with the best of them (and has carpet burn on her arm to show for it). She loves to do the itsy bitsy spider motions, and begs for this little piggy over and over again. She loves puzzles and has pretty good fine motor skills....she'll clap for herself as she finishes something successfully. She "sings" along with Ethan on many songs, especially the ABC's (as this is still his favorite song to sing to her). She loves to crawl/"hop" up the stairs with Ethan, so most of our trips upstairs take a while.
As Brent says, we have an eater and a sleeper, and they're both the same one! Ella likes to be unpredictable on both counts. She LOVES avocadoes, cheese, and fruit, and some days will chow down on meat. Veggies are another story. I keep serving them and trying creative ways to make them appealing, and we get some in her, but it's been a surprising challenge after having Ethan eat anything you put in front of him.
Ethan is also keeping us busy and entertained. He has become quite the attentive older brother. One night at dinner when I was telling Brent about how Ethan was protective of Ella at the library (when a little kid was trying to crawl over her, etc.) Ethan absolutely melted my heart as he announced "I'll always take care of Ella!" He is indeed very sweet with her most of the time, although her increased mobility has increased his stress level greatly. She wants to be right in the middle of anything he's doing, which is obviously a problem when you're trying to build the tallest tower ever. He has learned pretty well that hitting is not an option, but tries to grab her feet and scoot her away when I'm not looking. He also thinks it's pretty funny to watch and/or assist Ella in getting into things that he knows are not allowed (like pulling the toilet brush down off the shelf for her), and then just waiting, quietly giggling, for me to discover the naughtiness.
He loves helping to cook, helping with the dishes, loading the laundry, going to church, playing with his friends, blowing bubbles, riding his tricycle (which he is finally starting to be able to ride somewhat by himself), playing with playdoh, and coloring. Lately he frequently asks for help to "draw my name". He's also currently infatuated with the Backyardigans, and asks to watch a particular episode repeatedly. (As a side note to Ohio family, this episode is called secret mission, and he always asks for the "secret michigan"---too many times of saying beat michigan? ) At least we figured out what he's asked for; the first time he asked about it we had no context and thought he kept asking Brent for a secret mexican, which made no sense and would have been a slightly uncomfortable conversation in any public place.
He made a lady laugh in the grocery store this week when he excitedly squealed "bok choy" when I picked him some lettuce (he had helped me pick some out the week before; the excitement was all about thinking he had recognized something, as we discovered I am the only family member that likes bok choy). He and Ella then proceeded to laugh and say "bok, bok, bok" like little chickens for the next 5 minutes. Maybe this is why the most frequent things I hear from strangers are "you have your hands full" and "are they twins?" (which I still don't understand, as they are clearly not the same age---17 months difference!)
Off to try and prep dinner before I have two "helpers" for the process. As Ethan responds to a farewell of see you later, alligator.... after crocodiles! to you all.
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