Let me tell you about my best friend

People, let me tell you 'bout my best friend

He's a warm-hearted person who'll love me to the end

People let me tell you 'bout my best friend

He's a one-boy, cuddly toy

My up, my down, my pride and joy

People, let me tell you 'bout him, he's so much fun

Whether we're talkin' man to man

Or whether we're talkin' son to son

'Cause he's my best friend

Yeah, he's my best friend

-Harry Nilson

These words ring so true when I think of Elliott. I genuinely believe he is one of the kindest, bravest, and most loving souls I have ever known. From the time he was a tiny baby, he has always had a strong presence. I think he will take that with him wherever he goes, no matter what challenges in life he faces.

Elliott loves to make others happy. He will do anything to make you smile. He already has a personality that is witty, and he loves to tease and to be teased. He has a laugh that you can hear from across the room, and it is beyond contagious. It is the kind of laugh that, if he gets going hard enough, gives him the hiccups.

He finds the most random things hilarious, too. Things like watching Bentley (our dog) swim, watching Harper try new foods, getting tickled, or chased around the house, making up songs, or wrestling matches with Daddy. Any of these things, and many more, can bust him into absolute hysterics. His giggle is so very infectious for anyone who hears it.

E also loves to be around people. Anybody. This can be strangers at the park, my adult friends, his toddler friends, doctors, therapists, family members — he loves the energy. He gets that from his momma ;) He is a bit shy at first and observes all situations before he jumps in, but once he's in, he's all in.

This goes, as I am learning, for relationships with him, as well. When he's in, he's all in. He will be your ride-or-die friend. He will be loyal and have your back, no matter what. I am already seeing these traits emerge, as he has taken on his new role as big brother very seriously. He understood before Harper was born that it was his sister in my belly and he would kiss her (me) all the time.

As Harper has grown over the last 6 months, Elliott has preferred to call her Harpy, a name she gladly answers to with eyes of adoration and love. She is bombarded by E from the moment she wakes until the moment she goes to bed.

Every morning, he runs into her room yelling, "Harpy, eye oh!" meaning "Look, Harper's eyes are open, let's play!"

Throughout the day, Elliott is constantly kissing and hugging her, always by her side, giving her toys, helping with diaper changes, and teaching her any words that he knows, at random. He absolutely adores her, and it makes my heart burst with joy to imagine what their relationship will continue to blossom into.

In addition to Elliott's little personality quirks, he also has a fascination (um, obsession) with trash trucks. Tuesday is trash day in our neighborhood, and it is a day he quite literally lives for. Every week, he counts down the days until Tuesday. Then, when Tuesday comes, he waits at the front window of the house until he sees them and then literally shrieks (screams) with joy as if he has never seen one before. After we watch the trucks dump out our trash cans, we get in the stroller and follow them around the neighborhood. It is quite the production. We know the drivers, and the drivers know us. I have actually stopped booking doctors’ appointments on Tuesdays because this is such a simple joy for him that I just refuse to be too busy for it. Trash trucks are life for us right now.

So, on the days we aren't chasing trash trucks around the neighborhood, we make believe he IS a trash truck. Watching his imagination grow has been so fun for Nathan and me. The cleanup of this newfound obsession with trash trucks is not my favorite, but I will choose to focus on the benefits it provides to his imagination, rather than the mess. Another of his favorite imaginative games that Elliott plays right now is with his friend Bia — the shampoo bottle.

Bia is a boy, and he wakes when Elliott does. He has to get hugs and kisses from all of us every morning. He watches TV with us, goes to the park with us, goes to bed when Elliott goes to bed, and, you guessed it, he chases trash trucks with us. Bia has become a part of the family, and we love him.

Toddlerhood is fun. Hard and very weird, but also so fun.

Speaking of toddlerhood, when Elliott found out I was writing this blog about him, he wanted to be interviewed, so I will end this with Elliott's own personal take on himself:

Who is your favorite Sesame Street character?

Elmo

What is your favorite activity?

Park. Swing. Underdogs

What is your favorite animal?

Pink Pig

What is your favorite food?

Cookies

What is your favorite number?

One

How many brothers and sisters do you want?

Five (OKKKK, crazy kid)

What is your current favorite book?

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, or "CataPalla."

Who is your best friend?

Harpy

This boy, I tell ya. He is a force of nature, a game changer, a world saver, and as the lyrics say, a warm-hearted person who'll love me to the end.