birthday pictures

I finally got a few birthday pictures up on the gallery. It's the first folder in the "Eliot's Third Year" album! You know what that means?! Eliot is entering into his THIRD YEAR OF LIFE! Unbelievable.

the good, the bad, the adorable

It's so exciting to see Eliot's development in action. Every day he does something new that amazes me. You'd think I'd post more, but usually it's just one little "you had to be there" kind of thing. For example, he's taken to saying, "you have to practice!" but he lowers his voice and makes it very scratchy and guttural. Not unlike a 60-year-old smoker urging his piano student along. I have no idea where he came up with the phrase, nor the voice. It just happened one day and cracked me up.

I also love how he puts "mommy" and "daddy" into all of his sentences. "ok, Mommy, I coming!" or "I'm in here, Daddy!" or "wear BLUE shoes, Mommy."

His imagination is developing. Sometimes I'll ask him something just to see what he's thinking. "what's your stuffed dog's name?" "Charlie." I have no idea where "Charlie" came from, I don't think he knows a Charlie, but, ok, why not? Or sometimes he'll pretend that some random item (say, a banana) is a telephone. He'll say, "hello (pause) um-hum (pause) ya, ok..." I just have to ask who it is. Usually it's Holly he's talking to, but occasionally it's Deenie.

He is, of course, asserting his two-year-old independence by proclaiming NO! to most everything, whether he actually wants that thing or not. It's maddening, but we are trying to accept it as two-year-old behavior, while still correcting him as needed. The bad part is that he also knows the sign-language for NO! so he not only screams it, but he'll snap his fingers together at you to emphasize the point.

The best part about this age, though, is that on occasion, rarely, but every now and then, he'll run up to me out of the blue, fling his arms around my neck and whisper, "I love you, Mommy!" into my ear.

creative headgear

When Brian picked Eliot up from school yesterday, he had a scarf on his head, pirate-style. He was a little upset to have to take it off and leave it there, so when he got home I asked if he would like to put another bandana on his head. He replied in the affirmitive and walked away from me. I followed and repeaded, "Do you or do you not want this bandana on your head?" "YES, Mommy" but continued walking away. Well, stop walking away from me so I can put it on you!" He stopped just short of the kitchen sink and pointed up to our hanging fruit basket. "Banana head!" Laughing, I got the banana out of the basket and handed it to him. He put it on his head and smiled, "BANANA HEAD!"

morning antics #1

The other morning Brian's phone rang as he got out of the shower. Knowing it was a work emergency, he rushed from the bathroom to answer it. Right as he said hello, Eliot jumped from the bed and hollered, "DADDY'S NAKEY-NOO!" Trying to hold back laughter, Brian rushed to get a towel while balancing his cell phone in one hand and miming "shh" with the other. It did not deter Eliot one bit, who just pursued Daddy yelling "DADDY'S NAKEY-NOO! Hey Mommy! DADDY'S NAKEY-NOO!" So much for Daddy's professional dignity!

Christmas pictures

I finally got the Christmas pictures up on the gallery page. You know, pretty soon we'll be starting the "Third Year" folder! Wow! Time FLIES!

a new holiday

First thing this morning Eliot informed me that today is Lauren Day. "Lauren Day?" I asked, "what do you do on Lauren Day?" "Play Hide and Seek!"

fun with musical instruments

On New Year's Day we went to my mom's house for greens and blackeye peas. We stayed a little late, so I decided to go ahead and put Eliot's pj's on him. No sooner did I get him undressed and his diaper off, and all of a sudden he was up running around the coffee table screaming "NAKEY-NOO! NAKEY-NOO!", his little behind shining. It was incredibly cute, I have to admit, but I got a little nervous that he might have an accident on Mom's carpet. So I asked if he wanted to go to the potty. He went, like a good boy, and then, of course, I had to do the Potty Dance. Embarrassed as I was to have to do The Dance in front of Mom and Gaines, he DID go, so I was obligated. I danced around cha-cha style singing, "tee-tee in the poh-TEE!" Eliot grabbed his maracas and danced around with me (still just as buff as the day is long). Soon Gaines joined in. Mom laughed and laughed, but decided not to join the dance. Daddy was also taking a break from the revelry, but a well-deserved break, considering he is usually requested to do The Dance before bath.

A Christmas Story

Christmas at the Cornett house was merry and jubilant, to say the least. The whole season started with my mom's annual Christmas party, the Sunday before. Many of the family friends that I've known all my life converged in my mother's house for chicken spaghetti and toffee. 'Round about 8:30 or 9:00, our friend Jim Aycock breaks out his guitar and we sing carols. Honestly, this is probably my favorite thing about the party, and maybe even the whole Christmas season. Singing carols at Mom's party really puts me in the mood. I mean, really. How many families do YOU know that actually sing carols together? This year Eliot was old enough to understand what was going on. He was shocked and amazed that everyone knew the same songs that he did. Jim even broke in to some other kid's songs that weren't holiday-themed (Old MacDonald, Itsy Bitsy Spider, etc.) He let Eliot decide which animals Mr. MacDonald had on his farm. Then Eliot would look around with a huge grin as everyone complied with his animal pronouncement and sang this song that, apparently, he thought he had made up all by himself. Eliot stayed up way past his bedtime, but was having so much fun that we hardly realized we left the party at 10:45!
The next week, Eliot was fighting off a cold. By Friday he broke out in a fever. Rather than spending the next few days pushing Motrin and hoping for the best, we decided to take him on in to the doctor. They gave him a shot and some antibiotics so we could make it through the next few days. That Friday was very busy, as our OUR annual Christmas party was that night. All of our friends came over that evening, including the kids. We ate some dinner, drank some wine, and then it was time for PRESENTS! All of the kids had lots of loot to open, which, of course, resulted in chaos! Paper flew every which way. There was much screaming and yelling and delighted squeals. Brian read Six to Eight Black Men, which is a really funny story that always makes me laugh around Christmas time.
Christmas Eve day we went to Brian's Aunt Mavis' house for lunch. Eliot always loves to play with his cousins. Unfortunately, we had to leave a little early. What with the shot and the fever and the late night, he was worn down. We thought it best to have a quiet evening at home with plenty of rest so Christmas morning could be enjoyed.
So. Here we come to the best part. I heard Eliot stirring in his room at about 7:45 (his Chirstmas gift to us - we got to sleep in!) I brought him into our room. I said, "Eliot, do you know what today is?" He smiled, "Christmas!" "Do you think Santa came to visit last night?" I asked. Eliot nodded, his grin got bigger. "What do you think he brought you?" Eliot whispered, "pigs." (For weeks leading up to the day, I'd ask what he wanted Santa to bring him. His reply had always, consistantly been "pigs.") I asked, "Do you want to do downstairs and see?" Of course the answer was a resounding YES.
As soon as we rounded the corner Eliot saw a huge pile of new things. He quit smiling for a second and just stared. Then as if a light went on in his head he pointed and squealed "SANTA". Suddenly he understood that the story he'd heard about this "Santa" person was real. He put two and two together and everything made sense. Of course, he ran over to his toys and commenced playing as Mom and Dad got some coffee!
About 10:00 or so, Grandmother, Aunt Gaines, Aunt Kate, Deenie and Gigi came over for brunch. Eliot proudly showed off his new toys and opened more. Grandmother gave him a Little Red Wagon, which Brian put together quickly. Gaines and Kate took him for a ride outside, while we got the food on the table. Before we knew it, it was time for nap. Everyone left and Brian and I spent a few hours relaxing, and feebly attempting to clean the mess.
Christmas night we went to my mom's house for dinner. If you can believe it, there were even MORE presents to be had! By far the highlight of the evening was the Band in a Box that Aunt Gaines and Aunt Kate gave him. Indisputably a wonderful gift, but one which must remain at Deenie's house! We had a fabulous dinner (as usual). Afterward, Aunt Gaines and Gloria helped Eliot open his instruments and showed him how to make Much Noise. There were cymbals and moraccas and a tamborine, just to name a few. We sang loudly in the living room while Brian and Deenie retreated to the kitchen to talk like adults. Again, we were having so much fun that we didn't realize how late it was when we left.
With all the Christmas fun over we had a liesurely week off the following week. I will post pictures of all of the events just as soon as possible.

Bedtime Excuses

I need some broccoli.

Bear-bear’s not working.

I got a booger.

Have you seen Mike Wazowski?

My hug's worn off.