MWAH!

I handed Eli to Daddy this morning, all ready to head out for a fun day in the toddler room at daycare! Daddy asked Eli for a kiss. When you ask Eli for a kiss, he puts his head down and gently head butts your lips, a kind of "you may kiss me now" gesture. Of course, when given permission, you must oblige or you get an "I'm waiting" look.

Daddy gave Eli a big "mwah" on his forehead. Eli leaned back, looked at him, grabbed his face with both hands, and gave him a big kiss on the lips, complete with a big "MWAH." IT WAS THE CUTEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN!

We're in trouble...

The little monkey totally knows how doors and gates work - now he just needs the physical strength to actually open them! (He has started saying something that sounds like "open" when a door or gate is opened...I know what you are thinking - that kid is brilliant!)



You can't really tell from the picture above, but that gate used to be raised up a bit so the cats could easily sneak in and out of the room where their kitty litter, food, and water is. However, one morning, Mommy was on the computer and Daddy was watching TV, both secure in the knowledge that our little man could not get into anything he shouldn't. Our mistake: being secure in any knowledge of Eli's ability. All of a sudden, Daddy started laughing and I looked around the corner - Eli was looking at us from the other side of the gate! He slid under it! At least he was so proud of himself, he yelled, allowing his slacker parents to catch him before he did a swan dive into the kitty litter. Did I mention he has a taste for kitty litter?

Also, "on your bum!" has become the second most common phrase in the Scott household, surpassed only by (picture it being said like counting to three) "Eli...Eli...no...!"

Here is the most common location of the "ON YOUR BUM!" command/request/plea.



The "on your bum" request is often given when dancing and clapping are occuring at the same time as standing on something you shouldn't be standing on, making being on your bum that much more important when balance is not your strong suit yet...

Basically, Eli has proven to us that, no matter how hard we try, he will outwit us. I think taking him to the ER when he burned his hand may have been a mistake - it taught him all our threats are empty and there is someplace he can go to get put back together again. He'll only be sorry for a short time and then he will be spoiled rotten out of the guilt that we couldn't protect our poor, innocent baby.* (see foot note)

Eli's current Mount Everest is a 4 1/2 foot baby gate originally designed to keep the gigantic dog in the kitchen. I fear that, just as with Reggie, this too will be ineffective:



Look at the look on his face. You can see him thinking, "It's only a matter of time..."




* I WOULD NEVER NOT TAKE HIM TO THE ER IF HE WAS HURT AND DO NOT REGRET TAKING HIM WHEN HE BURNED HIS HAND. (I actually had to stop myself from asking to be admitted so they could take care of cleaning and dressing the wound. I also had to stop myself from hugging and kissing the doctor who treated him and calmed me down - I felt that was also inappropriate - he was clearly married.)

Who needs dessert???

The Scott men had some fun in the dining room after dinner while Mommy got everything ready to put Eli to bed. When I left, Eli was on Dave's lap and pretty fussy. When I came back, he was happy as a clam, having climbed up on the table. His main source of amusement was a plastic cup and his toothbrush (and Daddy and Grampy, of course)!



And for those of you concerned about everyone's welfare, Dave did the cooking, so no worries!

Baby in a Box!

While waited for yesterday's storm to hit (and waited...and waited...and waited...), we found some new ways to have fun. Of course, the free toys are the best! Eli had a blast in his diaper box:







Here are some more pics of us playing around in February!

Daddy's going to get you!



Future Calvin Klein model or giant baby???



And here are some of my favorite pictures from January, but I was too lazy to post them until now. Now that the big guy is on the move, Mommy is tired!

Big boy on a bike!



He looks so old in this pic...



I know it's in here somewhere...



Don't turn your back on him, Momma!



Hmmm...what to get into next...



Sure, Daddy. You'll be able to take a nap...



I love that curl! No, Daddy - you can't cut it!



And Mommy will promise to stay on top of her blogging! Belated New Year's resolution.

Bad Luck Charms???

Let's go, Patriots!

Mommy and Eli donned their matching Pats jerseys...much to the dismay of Patriot Nation. The Scotts seem to be bad luck for the Pats (see post from 10/15/09)...the score was 27-13 in favor of the Pats when I put on my jersey. It ended badly for the Pats, but I think the Texans appreciated the effort. I think Bill is ordering a hit on me through his headset on the TV...

Uh-oh!



I have to admit, I only feign interest in football. I actually can't stand it. In fact, the last one to wear my jersey was Reggie on Halloween in 2008. Don't believe me?



Reggie is as excited to be wearing the jersey as I am on any given Sunday from September to February. After this, Dave thought Reggie was so cute, he wanted to buy him his own jersey. I put my foot down as I refuse to dress our dog. I let him get the Red Sox leash and collar, but I like the Red Sox and can at least follow baseball. But I digress...

Go Pats!

Christmas 2009

Well, Eli's second Christmas was eventful!

We started the day by opening our presents at home - Eli got a drum set and blocks from Santa and books and a toy remote control from Mommy and Daddy.

Daddy put a bow on his head after the first present was open and it fell off at the end...









The, we went to Auntie Heather and Uncle Joe's house for presents. He loves spending time with his cousins!

His big present there was a bike from Auntie Heather, Uncle Joe, Jacob, and Jillian. Jacob picked it out of a catalog, then the Wells family braved Toys R Us on a Super Saver Day to pick it up!






(Daddy did not get the memo about wearing your Christmas PJ's...)

We came home for naps and showers, then headed back to Heather and Joe's for Christmas dinner. We didn't make dinner, though. Eli touched the wood pellet stove in the family room and we ended up at Mass General's emergency room with second degree burns on most of his left hand...our poor little guy! They rushed us through because he was in so much pain.

After being treated, he calmed right down and we went back to Heather and Joe's for some quick food and to let everyone know he was alright.

We have to keep him bandaged up for a while, but he has been a trooper. He started using it the next morning and hasn't cried since we first changed the bandages! I get upset when I get a paper cut! Here is our tough little patient the morning after his accident.



He is clearly miserable from his injury!

Daddy wanted to take pictures of the actual burn because he was disappointed Eli will not remember this lesson...Mommy vehemently vetoed this idea!

This will not become one of the Scott family Christmas traditions!

Snow!!!

We had a big snow storm over night and through most of the day. When the wind and snow calmed down, we brought Eli outside for his first time in the snow! He basically sat there. He did tip himself face first into the snow, but didn't seem to mind. We made him a snow seat.

Cutest baby ever in the ugliest snow suit ever - but you don't have much choice when you wait until the last minute! I am lucky I found boots yesterday.




Reggie ran around with Mommy, which made Eli giggle.



Snow buddies! Reggie licked snow off Eli's face and hat after he tipped himself backwards. They are going to love chasing each other around.



Later on, we were inside while Daddy was outside with the snowblower. Reggie is petrified of the snowblower and paces the house, shivering and drooling all over the place. Eli watched Reggie from his play yard and laughed himself silly over poor Reggie's panic attacks. My poor pooch!