Thoughtful and caring. And just plain talkative.

Eliana: Mommy has noticed over the last few days that I am using more two-word sentences and less word. stop. then. another. word.

For example, yesterday when we want out I told her I wanted "big stroller" (my big-girl seat in the new double stroller) and when we got to the pool I pointed and said "pool there."

I have also started using some expressions I must have learned from my teachers, such as "oh boy," "oh my" and "geejob" (good job), which I learned from Mommy and said when Coby ate the cereal I spilled on the floor this morning. I also spilled some juice on myself and said "ceam." Mommy didn't understand because "ceam" is usually "cream" so I clarified by telling her "ceamup" - "clean up."

When I want something I say "want it!" And there is one three-word phrase that I like to use. "No want it!"

When we were leaving for my swimming lesson yesterday Mommy told me I couldn't bring my beh-beh (blankie, which I now sometimes call "bankie"). She gave me some choices - I could put it in my crib, on the couch or on a chair. I decided to give it to Ami so he would have something to snuggle while I was gone. Mommy said I'm a thoughtful and caring sister.

After my lesson I took a shower with Mommy. When I was all clean and she was ready to get out, I told her to "go!" I was enjoying the hot shower so much I wanted her to leave me there. That's becoming a trend, actually. Mommy sometimes tells me it's time to go and she's going to leave if I don't come with her. I call her bluff; I smile, wave, and say "bye bye."

There are a few new expressions I like to use. If Mommy or Daddy ask me to do something and I don't feel like it, I tell them I'm "busy." Hey, if it's a good enough excuse when they can't do what I ask them to do, then it's good enough to use on them too!

When I want something and I'm told I can have it "later" or "soon" I demand that I get it "NOW!"

I have also started saying "mine" and "gimme." Obviously things I learned at preschool. I no longer like to share my food with Mommy and Daddy. I tell them it's mine. Although I don't mind if they finish what's left after I'm done.

Here I am eating a burger and fries for dinner, which I told Mommy was "mine" and refused to share. (When I was done she ended up eating most of it, though.)



Today Mommy and I were at the fabric store and I was showing her fabrics and buttons that I liked. I chose one fabric and told her "love it." Then I tried to take it down off the shelf and said "buy it." I told her I "love" several other things too, including the t-shirt I was wearing.

Here we are at the fabric store in our new stroller.