Eli - not so terrible two?

A blog post from Boyd:

It has been fun watching our little Eli achieve his two year birthday. He has come along way! He still doesn't talk much, but I suspect he knows more than he lets on. He and Gavin probably have intellectual conversations after we turn out the lights at bedtime. When he grins, Eli has that little mischievous twinkle in his eye that says he has just hatched his next scheme. Even though he doesn't speak much, he has his phrases: "Me too" or "I do" or "I want this" whenever Gavin has something he wants. But mostly it's just a pointing finger, a jumbled indiscernible phrase, and a definitive "yes" with a nod of his head after we've recited the correct interpretation of his request.

He loves food. He has a healthy appetite and will usually eat a second full dinner when Daddy comes home from work. Mommy swears that she fed him, but you wouldn't know it the way he plops himself down in daddy's lap to divert bites on their way to daddy's mouth. He can eat fruit - apples, berries and watermelon - nonstop. He can fish a snack out of nowhere and will make you sorry if you refuse to open the packaging for him.

He is physically gifted. Since he could walk, he was the fastest and most fearless roadrunner in central park. Keep an eye out because without warning he will take off running through the trees. He may hold the record for laps around the apartment in a single day. He already rides Gavin's scooter very well and is no longer content to sit in a stroller or carrier out on the town.

For much of his life he has seldom reciprocated our affection. Not that he didn't care or love - he just was too interested in making his way around the next bend. Sure, he gives precious kisses all around as part of the bedtime routine (and will almost plow you over with a hug when you walk through the front door). But spontaneous, self initiated gestures of affection? Don't hold your breath.

But Eli aged two seems to have paused to notice the rest of us. In recent weeks Emily has receive several unexpected, heart-melting hugs. This morning, first thing after climbing out of his crib (another new trick), Eli crawled into bed to give daddy a tight embrace, tenderly resting his head on daddy's chest. 20 minutes later he returned to give dad a bowl and fork to use for breakfast (hint hint). He seems concerned that we all have what we need when we need it, whether a shoe, a cup, a grape or a hug.

Now if we can just lose the pacifier.

An evening out

When Boyd and I were dating, he gave me a gift for my birthday. Three or four weeks before my birthday, he told me he got me this gift and he couldn't wait to give it to me. He kept bringing it up. I kept speculating on what it could be and of course for a girl who loves surprises, I could hardly wait for my birthday. I didn't expect it be a ring at that point, so I am not exactly sure what I thought it would be. The big day came and the time for the unveiling arrived. I ripped the paper off to find... A picnic basket... I was dead silent. Now, don't think I was ungrateful for the picnic basket. I thought it was very romantic, but I think it the moment, I was unable to act as elated as I think he hoped I would. I guess I had been imagining many things in the all the work up for the day, that a picnic basket just didn't have the "surprise" factor. I guess I am telling this story because we finally used it for the 2nd time last night and it was perfect.

A very kind friend offered to watch the boys while we went to the free New York Philharmonic concert in the park. We have gone every year, but in the years prior we have sat way in the back and we have had the kids. We have never lasted more than a half an hour and we had never seen the fireworks that come after the concert. So this year, I decided to make it a romantic date for the 2 of us. I wanted to sit closer to the front. Diane told us that most people who get front spots got them early in the morning the day of and put blankets down and then leave. I was a bit hesitant to do this since I wasn't sure if that was a fair way to save seats (Monica, I am sure you won't be happy with me). But, I decided that since that is how most people do it, I am going to follow the crowd).

I got there early to put a tarp down, but I was informed by other seat savers that tarps aren't allowed and that the parks people will take the tarps if they see them. I decided to leave it anyway. When we returned an hour and half before the show, the crowds were so heavy I wasn't sure I would find my lone tarp. I luckily spotted one after climbing through crowds, but there were people sitting on it. It turns out it wasn't my tarp, my tarp blew onto the blanket front of the one they were sitting on. How convenient for them. We were about to leave, but a guy that I met earlier when I was there earlier saw me. He told me he saw my tarp fly and saved us a seat on his many blankets. What a nice guy.

We sat on our new friends blanket and pulled out our dinner from that special picnic basket and enjoyed a romantic evening together amongst our fellow New Yorkers..

It was cut short by lightening, so once again we missed the fireworks. Next weekend will be our 6th Anniversary and I am sure that we will have many more years of our own fireworks!