11 MONTHS OLD

So Eli still pulls himself up on everything. He likes to try and walk with us when we hold his hand, although he usually takes really big steps and has a hard time walking straight. We have tried to have him walk by himself, but he only dares to take one step, and then he either gives up and falls over/sits down, or grabs onto anything he can reach. But he'll get there, no rush!

He tries to "talk" more and more, but still no real words other than ma ma, da da, and ba ba.

Also, good thing he is such a good-natured kid, because Olive can be very rough with him and even mean to him when she thinks Eli is invading her territory or perceived property. But usually Eli just ignores it and keeps playing. Either that, or he still doesn't understand her intentions and thinks she is just playing :) But mostly Olive really loves her Eli and Eli really loves his Olive, and they give each other lots of hugs and smiles and laughs. And Olive is slowly getting better at "sharing" her toys with Eli by giving him a turn. She will either do it in the beginning with no prodding by giving him toys he didn't even want, or end up letting Eli have a turn after she already took a toy away from him and made him cry :) Progress is slow, but happening!

Eli also gets really excited when he sees Shade, Kellen, or me. But especially Shade. He sure loves his family!

He has started giving open-mouth kisses, which I LOVE. He will either open his mouth, "ah"-ing and waiting for you to put your mouth or face on his lips, or he will smash his open mouth onto whatever part of your face he reaches first :)

And he still has those adorable fat rolls and gorgeous dimples. We sure love our Eli!