One and a half

I know that I am supposed to be teaching Benji how to be a little person. But really, I think he has taught me more about life than I can ever hope to bestow on him.


This morning we were on our way out the door. I was going to work and Benji was going to daycare. It wasn't any more hectic than our usual weekday morning, but we were running a little short on time. There was a large pile of leaves which had drifted up against the bottom step. Benji said, "oh boy, oh boy," eagerly stepped into the pile, and gathered a large pile of leaves into his arms. He threw the leaves in the air and giggled as they floated down and around him.



There have been many times when I have wondered if I am doing this whole Mommy-thing right. But seeing his little beaming smile as he cherished his little perfect-fall-morning moment, I thought, "I guess we're doing all right." I wasn't worried about being a few minutes behind, or that we might show up at daycare with leaves stuck to our pants. I was just enjoying the perfect fall morning with my wonderful little man.



Sometimes I get a little weepy when I look at Benji's baby pictures. He's not that tiny little newborn ball of chub. He doesn't really coo any more, and he doesn't have those adorable little crossed eyes any more. And he stopped gazing over my shoulder at his "baby angels" a long time ago...although that was admittedly a little creepy during middle of the night feedings.
He's a bona fide toddler now, not a baby. It's a little sad to know that one chapter is ending. But Benji has certainly taught me how much there is to enjoy when you take life as it comes.




The toddler years have been their own kind of terrific. One of the best things by far is that he is able to love us back! There is nothing like the welcome he gives when we pick him up from daycare. He gives the best spontaneous hugs and kisses. It's also very cute the way he loves on his doll or the cats.
Benji is in his element when we are outdoors. When I need some exercise we'll take a long walk in the neighborhood with Benji riding on my back. He'll point out all the airplanes, cars, and buses we see along the way, and we'll often stop at a playground for a bit of climbing, sliding, and exploring. Or, we'll take a walk at Benji's pace. We may not go far or fast, but we sure don't miss anything. It's really a lot of fun to watch him discover his world, and see how he interacts with his environment.




He has been starting to "pretend" which is precious to see. He likes to cook at his little kitchen set, and offers me a taste of whatever he has made. He makes the animal puzzle pieces moo and cluck and oink, and he flys the plane over his head.




He is a man who knows what he wants. In the mornings, he is underfoot and chanting "banaNAAAAAA...naNAAAAA." I fear the morning I wake up and we are out of bananas! I think we have been able to avoid many a tantrum by teaching him to sign a few words, but now he's starting to indicate what he wants or what he's thinking verbally, as well. His vocabulary is growing daily, and it's wild to hear a word suddenly pass his lips and be as clear as day.




Currently, he can say:
keys
quack
tree
bath
bubble
kitty cat
puppy
fish
baby
Baby Katie ("taytee" his new cousin)
cheese
bird
water
please
Mama
Dada
more
banana
apple
bag
hat
head
belly button
Callie (his friend from daycare)
cow
snack
waffle
ball
book
night night
airplane
bus
"beep beep" (his catch all for cars, trucks, vans)
bye bye
where did it go? (sort of)
eye
bump
star
shhhhhh
woosh (while waving his arms and showing what the wind does)
oh boy, oh boy!




He also makes several animal sounds and signs several words. Listing it out like that makes me realize that he is doing/saying even more than I thought!
In "short" he's a great kid and I'm so very happy being his Mommy.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad