A 2 year old update on Ben

I started this post a LONG time ago - like back when Ben turned 2 in December.  And then I updated it when he was like 2 1/4 and ... now he will be 3 in December in a little over 4 months! I can't believe it - 3 sounds so big.  But in light of Kate's arrival and blog attention, I figured I should finish Ben's update.  I am leaving the pictures from previous renditions of this post and I'll just update some things about what he's into now at the bottom. 


These pictures are all from the first couple months after Ben turned 2.   Can't remember exactly why I uploaded this one - maybe to show how Ben likes to skype during meal times

documentation of B throwing an all-out fit - thankfully we don't have too many of these anymore when he throws himself on the floor.  Right around 2 years old has been the hardest (so far) for Ben's behavior.  That certainly doesn't mean it's easy now but it was still tougher then.  So we are grateful to at least have gotten through that phase with some consistent discipline and a lot of patience =)

 

Got himself dressed! (notice the pants pockets =) )

Helping Mommy cook - he still LOVES to do this

In his rocking chair from Nana with Micka Mouse from Uncle Michael

loves the library!

The slack pediatrician mom finally took B for his 2 year old check up in May about 5 months late =). In my defense, I knew he was doing great and I really didn't want to take him to the doctor during the middle of winter with tons of sick kids when he had remained remarkably well throughout a bad cold season (only 2 colds/fever illnesses during the whole winter).

His weight was up to the 15th %ile for the first time ever!  And I joke that his genes finally remembered that his Dad is 6'5" - his height %ile jumped from 50th to 90th!
Weight - 26.6 lbs (15%)
Height - 37.5 in (90%)

And of course the very morning of his appointment, he ran into the kitchen table so he had this beauty on his cheek for the doctors appointment.

Life at 2.75 years:
- Ben talks nonstop and has very clear, hilarious conversations with us.  We have a little book that we are writing funny things down in but even still, we have missed recording a lot of them.  We laugh every day at the things he says and always have stories to tell each other about his little thought process.
- His sleep patterns are a little less predictable.  Usually he still takes a good 2.5-3+ hour nap during the afternoons but he has very random days when he just won't nap.  They are totally unpredictable and result in a very early bedtime =).  But he still stays up in his bed for usually about 2 hours even when he doesn't sleep.  His bedtime is about 7:30 on average but he can definitely handle staying up later if something is going on.  And his wake up time is still early - usually sometime in the 6:00 hour, average about 6:30 and then he lays in his bed and doesn't start calling for us until closer to 7.  And when he's ready to get out, he starts yelling "WANNA GET OUT"  over and over and over and over!  But he doesn't ever get out of bed until we come get him.  He sits right on the edge of the bed, ready to hop out the minute the door opens
- He still loves to color and draw, play with play-doh, build towers and trains with his blocks, ride his bicycle (which he's really good at) and help dad mow the grass.  He has recently really gotten more into watching TV and movies so we have to be more diligent about monitoring how much time he watches.  He loves to read books and Fridays are his favorite days - trash day! He LOVES to watch for the trash man and give them sodas on hot summer days.  Our favorite trash man's name is Kenny and he always high fives Ben and honks the horn a few extra times
- He's still an ok eater - eats great some days and nothing other days (even if he ate an entire plate of the same thing the night before).  He would eat a hot dog every single meal if allowed. He loves macaroni and cheese and grilled cheese and most fruit.  He will eat broccoli or peas about 50% of the time.  And his favorite restaurant is Chick-o-lay!  He definite has a sweet tooth also =)

some random pictures from recently -

He's got a great imagination and told us he is driving a motorcycle in this picture

this is a picture of his spider he drew (with a few extra legs more than 8)

- We think he's really smart and funny but we know that mostly is because he's our kid and we are biased! His personality is stubborn and strong willed and already remarkably devious at times.  But he definitely has a very sweet side as well and his teachers at school and church have both remarked that he is particularly compassionate when other kids are hurt or sad - he tries to hug them or help them and always asks what's wrong. 

We love our almost 3 year old so much!