Two Cuties

Eli and Clara are turning into such great buddies and I LOVE IT!  It seemed like Eli just woke up one day and all of a sudden, instead of freaking out and getting bent out of shape when Clara came toward him, he started not minding it at all, (even enjoying her company!).  I will be holding them both on the floor and Clara will "dissect" Eli's face, and he just smiles and giggles and happily tells me, "Clara loves Big Brother!"  And he lets me know quite frequently how much he loves her, too.  Don't get me wrong, the two definitely still have their squabbles, but overall they have fun together, and it sure makes my heart happy.

Cute video of them bouncing on couch cushions together.

Eli has gone through a period of being quite fascinated with the mailbox/mailman, and mailing letters.  Most days over the summer he would sprint out the door when he heard the mailman coming.  He'd often pick flowers (dandelions) to give to the mailman when he stopped, or would decorate envelopes or rocks and place them in the mailbox.  One day I suggested we write letters/draw pictures for the grandparents and send them in the mail.  Of course he thought that was the coolest thing ever (especially when he was sent letters back, and also got to see his pictures hung on their fridges.  So EVERY DAY he would beg and beg to mail envelopes.  He even knew exactly how to put the stamp on.  It kind of got a little out of hand, but was sweet how taken with it he was.  He had a little kid mailbox, but he was always sad that envelopes didn't fit in it.  So one day I bought him a large wooden mailbox.  I thought he could decorate it how he'd like and then fit mail inside.  He loved going back over several days and adding more colors to his box.

Clara's napping has been a little more hit-and-miss lately.  Some mornings she won't sleep, other mornings she'll take a long nap.  But she's definitely a much sweeter baby when she gets a lot of zzzs.  She and Eli have both been battling colds and coughs.

When she's had good sleep and feels well she's an awesome, happy girl.  But she's also dramatic and throws herself to the floor when she doesn't get her way.   She's been fully weaned for close to a month now, woohoo!  I stressed a lot about it, but taking it slow worked well for us.  For a while she wasn't getting any feedings during the day, but then would wake up and nurse in the night.  She didn't seem to like cows milk, then finally she did.  Now she's barely wanting any milk.  She's such an awesome eater (including dairy foods), that I'm not worried about her not wanting milk.  She eats WAY more than Eli.  She'll probably outgrow him one of these days!  :)  Since she's been weaned she's really slept so well at night, always at least 12 hours straight.

 She also easily climbs out of the highchair and shopping cart while buckled, and climbs on the couch and coffee table like it's nothin'.

Her non-verbal communication is pretty good.  She understands me well, and conveys what she wants through gestures.  I keep meaning to learn baby sign language so I can teach it to her.

She is often clingy at home, wanting to follow me around everywhere and usually wanting my attention and focus (which I love and hate).  But out and about she's not afraid or very shy,

This video is a few months old, but I forgot to post it before.  Daddy taught Clara a trick!

Clara loves playing inside cupboards.  Naturally as soon as she climbs in, Eli wants to go in, too.  She also opens and destroys the contents of any drawer she can get into.

The picture on the right was I believe our last time using the water table til next year, as Fall has decided to come early.  Can't help but feel sad about that.  Even though I mostly love Fall, I could have used more warm days.

 

Video of them playing in the sprinkler--

So with the cooler weather, we have started taking afternoon walks, which I definitely love!  Neither Eli nor I enjoy walks when it's hot and humid out, but they are perfect for this weather.  Eli and I have great conversations while we walk.  We take our time and stop and look at anything and everything that he discovers along the way.

Clara's not crazy about our walks and gets a bit fussy, but I think she just wishes she could walk, too!  (Nope, she's still a crawler only, though she will now stand for a few seconds on her own.)

Eli found Bumblebee!  He is absolutely obsessed with the show Transformers Rescue Bots.  Even though Bumblebee only appeared in one episode, that was enough to make Eli a major fan.  He talks about Rescue Bots ALL THE TIME, and always makes sure to include in his prayers, "And thank thee for Rescue Bots and how much I love them."

Clara took her first real bath last week.  It was with Eli and they had a ball together!