Sunday, July 21, 2013

Summer Cold

I am currently fighting a summer cold. Maybe that developed into an ear infection? I don't know. My ear hurts, that is for sure. Because of that, we had a low key weekend.

Benjamin grows up a little more each day. Today he drove his own cart at the grocery store for the first time, and he absolutely loved it! Of course, he likes driving just about anything, so that was to be expected. He is able to get on and off his bike now (its big wheel style), though he is still too short for the pedals, he can push on the ground w his feet. Bigger action (running, climbing, etc) means bigger accidents! He is currently sporting a scrape on his forehead from a wall on the sidewalk, and took another tumble tonight when trying to climb onto his bike, but no marks from that one.

He always wants to be carrying something. In the car or stores it usually is a matchbox car. If we go for a walk (which we do often, nearly every day, sometimes multiple times a day), he will pick up a pine cone and/or rocks so both hands are full. While he still occasionally tries to put a rock in his mouth, I tell him I am going to take it away if he does it again and he usually stops. He does eat sand at the playground and daycare though... can't seem to stop that.

His patience for car rides has decreased... just in time for us to take our big trip that involves driving and flights and more driving and more flights. Wish us luck. I am trying to put together a good toy kit for on the road, but we will see what happens.

We have gotten good about brushing his teeth everyday (something we were doing occasionally but not as a habit). He thinks it tickles. I tell him its my turn first and make sure to get everything brushed, then say its his turn and give the toothbrush to him, at which time he dips it in water and sucks/chews it.

We just got out his potty. He is interested in sitting on it... in his clothes. I guess that is a starting point?

I am sure there are other things to say, both about new things Benjamin is doing, and about life in general, but I just felt I should get SOMETHING down on "paper". Hopefully I feel better soon...

Friday, July 5, 2013

18 Months Old

Benjamin is 18 months old today! One and a half years. Hard to believe!

He changes so fast. Its hard to keep track of it. I think I am rapidly running out of "monthly" update material.

Benjamin loves to be outside. He likes to go for walks There is a creek a half block up we go and look at, or the playground, or the intersection to watch the traffic and press the crosswalk button. He also likes playing on the porch with his truck and big-wheel style bike (he sits on it, too little to reach the pedals). He likes to pick up rocks and hold them for a long time and (hopefully) not put them in his mouth.

Reports from daycare are amusing. One day he is screaming for fun and making a racket. The next he is holding a friends hand while they go on their daily walk. The next he is imitating another kids bad behavior.

He still loves to eat. If you don't feed him quickly when he gets home from daycare in the evening he gets really grumpy! His favorite meal has changed - its no longer pizza, its Brinner (like pancakes and sausage). He also LOVES coleslaw, beans, cheese, bread, and butter. OH of course the butter. Sometimes if he doesn't like dinner much he starts pointing at the kitchen and just asking for butter. We usually put it on bread. Usually. LOL.

Benjamin loves ANYTHING with wheels. He loves bikes, trucks, motorcycles, trucks, cars, and he trains, along with telephones and xylophones (they sure put wheels on all kids toys...). He drives things with wheels around our house, over and over and over. Its pretty adorable. He likes to carry cars with him, or toy trains, to the point that they get redistributed away from the house - to daycare, to the diaper bag, to the car, to my purse. 

He keeps making this ridiculous and hilarious puckered lips face. I have no idea why, but it is really quite adorable.

His sleep has been slightly better but he still is not sleeping through the night on a regular basis. We plan to work on that more soon, and maybe head towards weaning finally if he is up for it.

Parades the Thing

We had a fabulous 4th of July. First, we took a long walk as a family, with Benjamin in the stroller. It was very pleasant. Then we went to the parade in Superior, WI. While the crowds did remind me of why I hate parades, having Benjamin enjoy it made it SO worth it. He especially loved the motorcycles and fire engines. He was doing his fire engine noise for a good 20 minutes after we left.

The whole parade experience, along with some friends stories lately, have made me reflect on how children give us new eyes, a fresh way to view the world. Something that we might experience every day, or think is bothersome or a pain in the butt, is awesome and wondersome and new when you see your child enjoying it.

Anyways, after the parade we went to a local burger place called "Gronks" where I had the Patriot- a burger with bleu cheese and hot sauce. It was delicious. We then took Benjamin home where he took a nice long nap while we relaxed. Then we headed over to my parents house. Benjamin got to see the barn and tractor and dogs, all of which he loves. All the running wore him out! We spent a nice long time chilling on the front steps, when he actually sat still for awhile. Then we had a yummy dinner. Back outside Benjamin enjoyed playing in his Auntie K's car and running around more while the pool got set up. By the time we got him in the car it was WELL past Benjamin's bedtime, but he really did great.