jingle bells

You have found your voice. Whether it's a song you are singing for the hundredth time or something you can't wait to share, your mouth is always moving. Usually the volume is cranked up and we have to remind you to turn it down a bit, but you are definitely heard. It's fun to see how much you love playing with and terrorizing your sister. Being a big boy is very important to you and you always point out the things you do that make you a big boy like using the potty, standing on the escalator, and walking instead of riding in the stroller. Of course you have your moments and I cater to that baby side of you, but that's my job. You love being on the move and take any opportunity you get to get out of the house. Trucks and cars are still the toy of choice but coming in near second are the dollhouses and accessories because Eve will let you play with her. You were able to experience your first snow storm and eventually learned to just wear the gloves even if you despise them. It's been tough trying to keep you from eating the snow, which wasn't a problem for the first day or so after it fell, but now a week later, it's not so fresh. You're looking forward to showing grama your new trucks and toys and making her watch Yo Gabba Gabba with you.

harry and horsie

The time has finally arrived when you really enjoy reading books and want to hear just one more story over and over before bed. You've always sat and listened to the books we've read, but recently you've discovered that when you open the cover of a book that you've already read you actually remember some of the words. Now we read all your favorites over and over so you can learn every word and read them again after we've put you in your bed. Some of your favorites right now are Harry and Horsie, Maybe a Bear Ate It, Harry the Dirty Dog, and How Will I Ever Sleep In This Bed. I love seeing the satisfaction on your face when we've finished the book and everything happened just as you suspected. You are very excited about going to the library and storytime and it even makes bedtime a little easier knowing that you'll get to pick out a few books to read. Don't think that means your love has diminished for anyything mobile with wheels, but at least we get a break from playing with the parking garage and train tracks for a bit. You think maybe we can try using the potty sometime soon?

learning from sissy

You wanted to sit down yesterday and build garages for every car you could find. It didn't matter what size the car or garage, each had to have a gate to keep the car in that was in the shape of a triangle. Fun times. We've been working on puzzles and no doubt there will be many puzzles completed in this house in the next few weeks. It's fun to watch how much your skills improve each time you put together the same puzzle. Way to go little man!

solo artist

You've found your singing voice. I don't know if it's the age, the new playschool, or just your personality, but you love to sing. You are definitely a hip hop fan and pick up on the repetitive lyrics and repeat them. You were sitting at dinner eating last night and started singing...a little bit of uh uh. You also really like singing "The Wheels on the Bus," "Ring Around the Rosie," "Twinkle, Twinkle," and the ABCs. Of course those are adorable but don't get quite the reaction as when you start singing like Outkast. You are now a professional stair climber since we live in a four story house and have only managed one fall resulting in a small rug burn between your eyes. For some reason you have become insanely clumsy. We can pretty much assume that if you are on foot walking or running you will fall down. Dad has suggested buying you a helmet many times to wear for everyday activities like walking to school and going to the park, but I'm just hoping it's a phase.

You've started a playschool that has been great for you. You now like to talk about all your friends and had no issues with being dropped off with 7 other kids and two adults for a few hours twice a week. Your conversations skills have really improved and you really like talking, which is such an improvement over the frustrated screams you were previously using to get what you wanted. We're looking forward to seeing everyone in Kansas in a week and showing everyone what a big boy you've become. If only we could get you to start using the potty...

Hey little man! Well you're not little anymore! I got to talk to you for the first time on the phone the other day. You were telling me that you were 2 and you went potty! You were competing with your sister to talk to me. We did get to bond when you made your trip down to Coffeyville this summer! You wanted me to swing you for hours and play I'm going to get you. We also sat in poppie's jeep for 30mins and you didn't want to get out. You thought it was pretty cool to sit in the front seat of the jeep with the top down. You are very independent like your sister and love animals, and matchbox cars. You did warm up to Uncle Dustin and you let him play with you. You and him played catch with the football and you loved it. He can't wait to teach you how to play. We miss you very much and wish we got to see you more. LOVE YOU AUNT E

got soul

I had to share that we borrowed a car for a few days in exchange for dogsitting and have been listening to their music. I didn't realize that we don't listen to much mainstream music, however that may soon change. You and your sister were rocking out in the car to the mixed CD that was in the player. While we were having Eve's birthday lunch in an Irish Pub today, you belted out "I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier." That may join in the list of dance party songs that are on the computer, because there's nothing cuter than a little surfer singing about being a soldier.

Happy 2nd birthday!

Grama made a surprise visit for your mom, your sister, and your birthdays. You are growing much to fast and you talk ALL the time! You are as fashionably picky as your big sis. But when someone is as handsome as you.....it's OK to be picky.

This picture of you with my eyeglass case was a game we were playing in the hallway. We called it "Funny Coins". I put coins in the case and you would snap it shut and shake it and just totally crack up!!!! We had a great time together. You asked me to read you the smash crash book every night before bedtime. You still love anything to do with cars or trucks! You also love ketchup! You don't even need anything to dip in it...your fingers will do. Ketchup is not your only sweet vice - anything sweet is your vice! I can't wait to see you in October. Your whole family is coming to Kansas! Until then, try to get along and share with Eve and try not to fall off your parent's bed when you are jumping on it! I love you, Grama

happy 2nd birthday

We celebrated with your best friend Gunnar and had a cake with all pastel decorations because those are the colors you chose. You are pretty much into trains full time for a bit and spent much time standing at your new train table from grama. That is one place that you share really well, at least if the others that are playing with you will walk circles around the table with their trains and leave you alone. It's been a blast for the last year and I look forward to the new and fun things that we have to come. Happy Birthday Little Man!

echo machine

You are all about doing and saying everything you see and hear. You repeat everything your sister says and she enjoys making you say very silly things while she just laughs at you. You both enjoy laughing and usually the whole family is smiling by the end of the conversation. You finally understand that the word love means you really like something and you are constantly reminding us that you love pizza and love candy. You've been more independent and show it by not only wanting to do everything by yourself, but by refusing to do random things that typically don't bother you. I guess we could always bribe you with pizza or candy.

Almost 2 going on 12

Ben, what can I say?......You are adorable! Even though you wear your big sis's dress up clothes - you are definitely all boy!!!! You came to Grama's house and all you wanted to do is play with your match box cars. I think you came with 4 and left with about 20! The bad thing is you would decide which of the 20 you wanted and finding that particular one was sometimes tough! You would NOT accept any replacement. You love watching movies and playing with Harley the Cat. Also, in Grama's back yard "park" all you wanted to do was sit on the slide and roll your cars down it saying "Go get it Grama". We did this for what seemed like hours! Like your sis, you love animals and books. Putting you both to bed in the same room was very interesting. When Grama was babysitting both of you in the hotel room, I would put both of you to bed and you would say, "NO SCREAMING"! Apparently, you have heard this somewhere before! HA You love to climb and it scares me, but your momma tells me to let you do your thing. Needless to say your are sometimes one big bruise! You will be 2 years old in less than a month! Your hair is starting to show and you are very blond. I hear you on the phone and usually you are eating and yelling for more! Grama is not used to boys, but having you around makes me want more! Can't wait to see you in October when your family comes back to Kansas. Love, Grama

vroom vroom

It's funny that despite you having your toenails painted, wearing pink crocs, bathing with mermaids and Barbies and loving to dress up in your sister's princess outfits, you have a serious obsession with Matchbox cars. You constantly have two in each hand and after you have covered every curve of the car with your fingers, you are ready for a replacement. The cars are stashed in the diaper bag, stroller, pockets, purse, and anywhere else that can fit a few.

You have been getting frustrated when you don't get what you want lately and since you are pretty demanding, we experience a fair share of mini tantrums. Of course you usually snap back to your super friendly, attention loving self in no time.

One thing that has not been very enjoyable is your hatred of shoes. You will gladly put on your sister's crocs (which are too big anyway) but never want to leave them on very long and we can hardly get you to even put another pair on your feet. Fortunately on the last day of your stay in Coffeyville, grama found you a pair of Lightning McQueen shoes that you will actually put on for short periods of time. Hopefully this is a short lived phase because being barefoot and living in a city don't really go hand in hand.

Your vocabulary has exploded recently and you've been enjoying reading and talking, which has made you sister very pleased. She has started asking you questions now too instead of always quizzing mom and dad. You mostly just answer with an Uh huh, but it's a response which is all she is really looking for. It seems you two will be good friends and nothing makes me smile bigger than when the two of you get each other laughing.

Wanted to let you know that a bird, possibly the size of a pterodactyl pooped on you yesterday. Obviously you weren't incredibly upset about it and I didn't even realize it until I was trying to get you out of the stroller.

Other than getting pooped on, you've been busy building up your vocabulary. You're learning new words daily and love talking.

By far, your favorite thing is your rapidly growing matchbox car collection. You carry two around at all times and after you've run your fingers over every curve of the car and driven it on the nearest surface you are ready for two new cars. You will gladly play cars with any willing body which has been a hit with the other mothers at Eve's school when it's time to pick her up. You will sit and play cars with anyone except mom while we're all sitting at the play yard.

It's been fun watching you and Eve fight and play and fight and hug. You refuse to leave Eve at school or go to bed without a kiss first, which makes up for all the frustration that is caused by the fights. Another nightly routine for you is to say, "I love you, goodnight" which could melt my heart at any time.

like a weed

Every time someone sees you recently they make a comment about how big you've gotten. Perhaps it's because of the recent hair growth or the usage of words or that you've grown inches in weeks, but everyone is noticing. You want to use your words all the time and use every opportunity you get to talk to someone (especially if they are a pretty girl). You've developed a true love/hate relationship with Eve. You want her around all the time, but that is only so you can fight and scream at her. It's entertaining and frustrating, but part of being a sibling. Believe me, I've had my fair share of sibling fights.

We had a mommy/son day today and went to Target together. We didn't have to bring home any toys, just played with the cars and firetrucks while were there. You were thrilled to have rice cakes to snack on and we had a great lunch together. You loved my green bean salad with salmon. You will try anything when we go out to eat and always manage to charm all the ladies in the process.

I've been taking slack about letting you wear what you want to wear, which happens to be what your sister likes. So you like to wear pink crocs or fancy dresses or ballet slippers occasionally, no biggie to me as long as you're happy!

it's potty time

I recently was running low on diapers and wanted to get through the weekend
before having to get more so I put a pair of training underwear on you. You thought it was very cool and were very enthusiastic about putting them on. You proudly strutted and waddled around in them. I noticed you acting different so I asked if you had gone pee in them and you looked down and said in your adorable voice shesh. Sure enough you had gone so we changed them and you happily went on your way. Later on you did the same thing and I noticed that you came to me the second time they were wet and wanted a new pair again. I was curious how you'd react to sitting on the potty and was correct in assuming you were not very excited about it. You wore a diaper to bed and the next day we tried the underwear again. You were dry for a few hours and then brough a pair of dry underwear to me while I was reading. They were the underwear you had been wearing obviously because you were naked. I asked if you wanted to put them back on and got a shesh in return so we did just that. Dad walked in and said that you had peed on the kitchen floor. You were so sneaky. You took off your underwear to pee on the floor and then brought them to me to put them back on again. Well I guess you showed me. And to think I was assuming a boy would be more difficult to potty train. You're practically halfway there and all I did was put you in underwear! Way to go little man. Let's see how the next few weeks go. We still have yet to get you to sit on the potty, so maybe we'll try something else. This could get interesting.

This was a field trip day for you and we did it right. We made a trip to the National Air & Space Museum which took you less than 30 minutes to navigate. You saw the airplanes, rockets, and an astronaut and were ready to leave. We grabbed a quick lunch from McDonalds (your first Happy Meal) and had a picnic in front of the Capitol. Here you are eating your chicken nuggets in front of the Capitol building. Classy. Your favorite part of the day was playing with Doc Oc that you received in your Happy Meal. Good times.

all boy...well not quite

You can be such a boy.

Take today for example, while you and I were out enjoying the nice weather we sat at a small cafe and had a snack while you watched construction workers for about an hour and still didn't want to leave. You held tight to your Thomas the train and pointed out every time the digger started moving again. I enjoyed seeing you study the big machines and get excited when new big trucks pulled up to the site.

Another thing you do that I attribute to boy behavior is informing me every time you toot and giggling about it. I can't help but giggle back.

Yes this is you dressed up in Eve's new dress. You were very adamant about wanting to put one on and gladly helped put on this pretty outfit. You happily danced around the living room to "The Little Mermaid" soundtrack with your sister. She was ecstatic that you were participating.

One of our neighbors walked by while you were wearing this fancy dress and even referred to you as a girl. It wasn't until she walked back into the building that she did a double take and asked if you were Ben. It was all pretty entertaining.

You'll be taking your first real train ride this weekend to visit your good buddy and hopefully it all goes smoothly, but I can't imagine you would be unhappy on a real choo-choo train.

Talking, talking, talking!

Baby Ben is really no longer a baby! He is now a little boy! I hear you talking away when I am on the phone with your momma. Sometimes, I even hear you say Grama! When I visited you over Christmas, you were such a happy boy. You are always smiling and showing off those big dimples. You also just love looking at pictures on the computer. I think you could do it for hours! You want to do everything your big sis does. Whether it is jumping on the bed, running, eating or dancing! Just you and I went for walks and even ventured to the Botanic Garden to see the train display! It was a special time for me and you and I will never forget it! Get ready because I am coming out for another visit in less than a month. I am sure we will go for lots of walks and to the park! Can't wait! See you soon! Love, Grama

life is hard

It seems you are finally discovering how hard it is to not get everything you want. Mom and dad can't hold your hands and let you jump on their bed as many times as you would like. You can't be carried upside down through the hallway endless times. Worst of all, you can't have unlimited cookies. Once you realize that life isn't so bad again you still charm. You are starting to really want to hang out with your sister more. You get up in the morning and from naps talking about your sissy and don't know what to do when she is not at home.

You experienced you first snow and loved it. You put on your coveralls and shoveled and ate snow until your hands were frozen. You loved putting on your snow boots and stomping around. Mom loved seeing it.

something is going on

I know you are on the verge of something big. You have not been yourself these past few days. You even woke up during the night which rarely happens for you. There has been much frustration and screaming which is totally out of character for you. Maybe you will wake up tomorrow about 6 inches taller or using full sentences, but I hope this little phase doesn't last too much longer.

You really gave grama a dose of your silly personality while she was here. You were so smily and goofy and had no trouble going to the park or to see the trains with grama. You are constantly carrying around your cars and dragging dad into the hallway to through balls or play lacrosse.

Bath time still remains a favorite time and you've taken a real interest in playing with other children. You and Eve have developed a little bit of a competitive relationship and don't want to share mom, dad, or grama's attention. You've discovered that you can recognize yourself and your family in pictures and well as some animals so enjoy looking at pictures on the computer and pointing out what you know. You've also started pointing out facial parts on yourself, mom and dad.

You've been learning a lot from your big sister which is obvious is your playtime. You have been coerced into princess dress-up clothes and even choosing your own accessories. Recently you won't even leave the house without a necklace. You're a well rounded little boy, that's for sure.