A Sudden Loss Of Air

I wanted to drop a couple of quick Elliott stories from the past week.

Elliott and I have this little routine where he lets the air out of my stomach. Whether I’m sitting on the couch or lying on the floor, he likes to climb on top of me and lift my shirt high enough to expose my belly. Then, with his forefinger, he pokes my naturally inflated stomach, triggering a sudden abdominal collapse and the loud hiss of escaping air. He has become so practiced in the routine that he can now perform the poke and the hiss on his own; I need only provide the deflation.

Early one morning this past week we were preparing to leave for grandma and grandpa’s house. Our gear was loaded and the only box left unchecked on our pre-departure checklist was giving mama a kiss goodbye. She was still in the bathroom getting ready for work so we gave her a shout. Elliott heard her coming down the hallway and he ran to meet her. He was within inches of meeting her when he came to a sudden halt. He gave mama a quizzical look, then reached out with his forefinger and poked her on the belly, complimented by a soft hiss.

When he realized the poke didn’t have its normal flattening effect, he considered trying it again. But somehow I think he remembered that baby Ian was in there and opted instead to complete the original mission; he gave mama a kiss goodbye.

He worked hard on his letters with his grandparents this week. We were riding home Wednesday night and he randomly recited letters of the alphabet the entire 40 minute trip. After several of the letter recitals, he would shout “cat”, as if he had just completed spelling a word at the national spelling bee. I’d like to brag, but I’m afraid he would have been eliminated on all attempts.

Later that night, Elliott and I were completing the bath routine. I laid him on his big floor pillow. I was preparing to put his night clothes on when his eyes opened wide and filled with excitement. He sat up and pressed his little fingers against my chest before I had time to flinch. He moved his hands swiftly across my shirt and again began reciting random letters. I looked down at my shirt, quite curious as to what he was up to. I had forgotten. In bold red letters across the front of my grey shirt were the words Cincinnati Reds Baseball. When my mom got me the shirt at a thrift store, I’m sure she had no idea it would add fuel to the fire of Elliott’s phonics addiction.

We are making the move this weekend. Elliott will sleep in his new room tonight for the first time. He has been infatuated with his “new woom” since we assembled his toddler bed in there weeks ago. Lest we forget, there was also that painting project. We’ll see if the infatuation translates into a good night of sleep. Stay tuned.