WORDS.

Just wanted to start an inventory of things Eli says so I will be less freaked out at his next well visit when his pediatrician asks about it:

So, in no particular order, Eli's words at 16 months are...

1. "Ba" for ball
2. "Ba" for block

3. Mama

4. Dada

5. "No" for nose (this is always accompanied by a finger up the nostril)

6. "Ho ho ho" whenever he sees a picture of a Santa

7. "Geh-tuh" for "gentle", whenever he wants to touch something he probably shouldn't (he hears that word a lot)

8. "I-yin" for Simon

9. "Meh" for milk, he uses this from time to time
10. "Hi!"
11. "Buh-buh" or "Bye!" 

The next are all going to be animal sounds.

12. "Nehhh" for a horse

13. "Oof Oof" for a dog

14. "Owww" for a cat

15. "Rahhhrr" for any wild cat or bear

16. "Hoo Hoo" for an owl

17. "Oooooh" for a cow

Other things he is doing:

+ Says, "MMMMMMMM!!!!!!!" very, very dramatically when he sees food that he wants, or pictures of food in books or magazines or various signs/ads when we're out and about.

+ Turns his hand in a [somewhat of a] circle when he hears the record player (mimicking the record)

+ Holds his hand out and says, "Ahhhh!" at the Christmas tree after a couple times of me holding my hand out and singing, "O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Treeeeeee!" when I plug it in

+ Uses a sing-song voice if you ask him to sing, "Itsy Bitsy Spider"

+ Brushes his hair if he gets ahold of a brush or comb

+ Pretends he's talking on our cell phones

+ Opening doors...

I may remember some other things and add them later...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

How could I forget?!

18. "Ba-Ba-Ba" for a chicken!  This was his first animal sound.
19. "Muh" for mouth.  This is new!  He will now point out his mouth and ears, along with his nose (if he's in the mood)

Thanksgiving, a 15 month check up, and a flat tire.

Here is a photo of Eli on Thanksgiving day in my grandparents' dilapidated courtyard.  It was a good day despite the rushing around!  He thoroughly enjoyed all the foods traditionally served at family Thanksgiving, as we figured he would.

Thankfully I could borrow my parents' d40 to capture some photos via DSLR but I am anxiously awaiting my new lens to arrive for use on Christmas.  It should come tomorrow!  

Eli also had his 15 month check up on Monday.  It was delayed due to rescheduling because Rob has a new job, again, and so the insurance didn't go into effect until December 1.  Naturally, though, the insurance cards didn't arrive in time (still don't have them...grr) but luckily his pediatrician's office was understanding and I can just call in the information when I get them.  Anyway, Eli is 33 inches tall and 24 lbs 5 oz.  When I entered this information in the WHO calculator that puts him in the 97th percentile for height and the 81st percentile for weight.  Little boy is moving his way back to the top of the charts!

On this same day, I got a flat tire.  Like, completely flat and from driving on it I had to get a new tire entirely.  I have performance tires so I was severely dreading paying for a new tire (expecting anywhere from $100-$200) on top of all the camera stuff I just dropped hundreds of dollars on and the new Xbox that Rob just had to have and then, obviously, Christmas shopping for everyone.

My dad came and put on my spare and I drove to my mechanic, who dropped me off at my parents' house (he's right down the street from them).  He dropped off my car several hours later after the tire shipment had come in and left no bill but called and said he'd let me know what the charge was when he knew what he would be charged.

Well I will tell you yesterday evening he called and said the bill would be $32.56!!!  When I went in to pay it today I found he only charged me from labor and a $10 part I needed for the tire.  So, I do actually think my mechanic is the best.