It's that time again

It's wildflower time again in central Texas, and I was not surprised to confirm that getting a dashing toddler and flowers into the same photograph was a bit trickier (and more fun) than taking last year's pictures.

Also, I've lately come to the (probably pretty obvious) conclusion that one of the reasons transitioning from nurturing a helpless baby to raising a happy, well-mannered toddler is so difficult is this: babyhood is all about trying to figure out and provide exactly what the baby wants. Toddlerhood is all about helping this growing human being learn that he can't always have exactly what he wants. This sure makes a mama re-arrange her mind, and get ready for some gotta-just-get-through-them upsets!

On the wild side

NOT interested in horse kisses

Ben and I had an incredible, animal-filled week with his Auntie N ("Nic"), who was visiting from Ohio. Then his Uncle Matt ("Unk") and Aunt Sandy ("AnSan") joined us from Houston for the weekend. I don't think Ben has ever seen as many animals up close as he did this week. We all visited the San Antonio zoo, Fiesta Farms (a farm animal petting zoo), and the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch (a drive-thru hill country safari). It's going to be hard for Little Bit and I to go back to hum-drum every day life after last week!

first carousel ride

"elfint!"

In other Benito news, Ben said his first sentence last weekend: "dog go woof" he also now says "truck go noise." He is getting better about telling us when he is done with his meals; instead of throwing his plate/food on the floor when he's done, lately he hands me his plate and says "all done." This is a pretty fantastic skill! We've been trying to work on manners, too. Having him say "please," "thank you," "excuse me," and "you're welcome." All of these, except "you're welcome" have worked out pretty well. He's gotten "thank you" and "you're welcome" mixed up, so that when we ask him to say "thank you," he now proudly says "welcome." Ahh well, Ben's development is definitely a wonderful, long-term work in progress.

safari kisses

petting zoo action

I will probably jinx his sleeping habits just by saying this, but Ben has now slept two whole weeks without needing a night-time bottle. This means, that for the first time since before I was pregnant (and having to wake up and go to the bathroom all the time), I have gotten some solid sleep. INCREDIBLE!

best way to view animals

"Unk" swing!!!!

backyard dance party with "AnSan"

watching the fishes with his best bud, Audie

trying to escape the park

& some mornings we all just lay around

... and his sense of humor is developing a bit more too :)

I wanna hold your hand

Ben is developing all sorts of interesting and slightly frightening talents lately. His newest favorite words are "elfint" (elephant), "arpane" (airplane), "cumber" (cucumber), and "move" (which he tells to our cats all the time). He no longer uses a high chair at home, and at restaurants he can use a booster seat just fine (especially if the food doesn't take too long to arrive!) He is FINALLY getting compliant with holding my hand when we are out and about, so now he walks (very proudly) from the house to the car, the car to the store, etc. I keep having to adjust how fast and where I walk with him though because "obstacles" like curbs are exciting challenges he wants to stop and conquer with joyful zest. 

Speaking of challenges, Ben loves climbing play equipment ladders and often wants to climb much higher than I am comfortable with (for example, the other day he climbed to the top of the red ladder in the playground picture below--with me standing underneath and trying not to have a heart attack). Another not-so-happy talent he's developed is often refusing to nap during the day and then being very cranky when when Clay gets home from work. I'm hoping that is just a phase! However, over all he's such a pleasant, happy little guy these days.

the scary red ladder Ben climbed

artful madness

first time sitting in a booster seat

dapper Ben

wanted his "baby" to eat breakfast too

floor nap 

Recollections: real & rose-colored

As Ben moves further into a more delightful and happily-independent little-boyhood, I've been thinking a lot about the different stages he's already gone through, as well as his birth. I've been feeling pretty sad that his birth was so far from the "ideal birth" I'd imagined, and worrying about what I was eventually going to tell him about his birth. I want his birth story to be joyful and magical, but I also want to avoid out-right lying to Ben, ever. 

The other day I looked back over my early blog posts about Ben's birth, and I was reminded of some of the facts that I'd mentally tucked away (or completely forgotten). Not only did I have a unwanted, frightening C-section (because labor did not progress after 16 hours post induction), but I also developed Preeclampsia during birth (where blood pressure sky-rockets to seizure-dangerous levels). The hospital gave me magnesium sulfate for the preeclampsia before the birth and for at least a day after the birth. No wonder I felt like everything was a scary, blurry haze until about a day after Ben was born. It helps to be reminded a lot of that was drug-induced!

Anyway, after being inspired by reading some beautiful stories other c-section moms told their children, I decided to see what I could do to make ben's birth story happy AND true. Writing, thinking, reconsidering, and re-writing about his birth was one of the most healing experiences I've had. (Plus, I love painting and crafting!) 

Now I have something special to read Ben about his birth that makes me think of it in a new perspective too! (see video link below for whole book)

Ben's birth book

... On another topic, Ben has been learning to blow his nose. He's trying it out on tissues, the couch, and (my "favorite") on his boiled eggs from breakfast!

Indiana Ben and the Temple of Lost Toys

wanted to try a big-boy swing; a little unsure about the actual experience

no need to go to the real rodeo when you can ride a cat for free!

my two favorite people

coloring "with" mama

Shorty?

monkeying around

Ben's physical growth has slowed a bit, according to today's 18-month check-up. In the last 3 months he has grown half an inch in height, and put on 1 pound, 9 ounces in weight. At his 15-month check up his height was in the 76th percentile, but now it's only the 50th percentile. (His weight remains at the 25th percentile). 

playing with Grandpa

reading with Gramma

I guess most of his calories these days go to brain gymnastics and feats of physical prowess (like executing two-feet-off-the-ground hops and swinging from toddler-sized monkey bars). Some days it seems like Ben acquires at least two new words a day, and is constantly delighting me with new connections he is making.

In a way I'm glad he hasn't grown too much taller this winter, because it would be a shame to have to buy him all new winter pants when warm weather (and shorts-only attire) is only a few months away. In fact, the pants that fit the best in the waist are his 12-month pants. At this rate, maybe he can wear some of last summer's shorts for a while!

This past week Ben and I had a lovely three-day visit with my parents in El Paso. Benben loves reading with Gramma and playing with "Papa". We took a late flight back to San Antonio, and Ben really enjoyed having the whole mostly-empty airport as his playground. (See video below).

making some (not too sweet) music

snugs

dashing through the empty EP airport

tomatoes are finger food, right?

EIGHTEEN

clown car

Today Ben turns 18 months; he has been the center of our universe for exactly a year and a half. In celebration I've written 18 tidbits about my incredible son.

1. He is scared of the (sound of) the garbage truck.

2. He says "frrrrr" (frog) whenever he sees a pic of Yoda (in his Star Wars ABC book).

3. He does a little Gangnam-style skip-hop when he's dancing (or when he's especially happy).

4. He will sometimes sit for more than half an hour silently "reading" his books.

the stair Master

5. He takes anywhere from 20 minutes to two hours every night to fall asleep, but then wakes up only once (or not at all) until morning.

6. He loves the power of naming as many things as he can, starting as soon as I get him up in the morning with "nose" & "moufth."

7. He has been on an airplane more times that I can count (mostly to El Paso to see my family).

8. He uses words to describe the world, and not just to get his basic needs across (for example, the other day he pointed at a yellow-headed woodpecker in the backyard and said "hat," and then said "eat" as it pecked at the bird feeder).

climbing to worrying new heights

9. He often gets apprehensive when he gets to the top of a slide, and decides to go back down the way he came.

10. He consumes anywhere from 30-50 ounces of whole milk a day/night.

11. He has crazy morning bed-head (just like his momma).

12. He can climb ladders with almost no help and can sometimes climb up stairs without crawling (if he's got a running start).

Benben's best friend

13. He loves throwing balls, but they usually go behind him instead of the direction he's aiming (I think he gets that from his momma also).

first train ride

14. He understands what the phrase "What is this book about?" means, and can tell you that the book with the teddy bear in a towel pictured on the front is about "bath."

15. He can climb onto the dining room chairs (and table!) with no assistance.

16. After I made such a big excited deal about him calling broccoli "brock-o-lee-uh," he started adding "o-lee-uh" to the ends of a lot of words, like "milk-o-lee-uh."

17. Speaking of food, he will often joyfully eat sardines, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and all sorts of meat; and other times he acts like they are poisoning him.

18. He gives the best starfish-clingy hugs imaginable.

(HUGS)