Bennett: 21 Months

How is this boy almost 2?!  In some ways, I feel like he's older than 2, but in others he still seems like my baby.  If you ask him though, he would tell you he's a "big boy!"  Although he's not above acting like a baby - he loves to pretend to cry and get swaddled in a big blanket.

Bennett is a social butterfly...I don't know where he gets that.  I prefer to be home and have it quiet, but he loves to have "Friends over!" and be around people.  I think Brad is more like that.  Ben LOVES to be out and about in stores, preferring to walk, not be carried or in a stroller or cart.  We've had lots of visitors due to Eleanor's birth and our friends wanting to meet her and bringing us meals.  One day we didn't have anyone coming over and all day Ben kept saying, "Friends over?"  Thankfully he thinks our basement guy, Mark, is a friend so that got him pretty excited.  He kept saying, "Hi Mark!" everytime Mark came up/down from the basement.

Bennett's eating has started to be a bit of a challenge.   He only eats carbs, dairy, fruits, and "treats" and won't touch meat, veggies, or most of the meals we have for dinner.  It makes for pretty routine foods.  I still almost always put veggies on his tray and give him some of what we're eating, but more often than not, he eats grilled cheese, cheese quesadilla, or mac and cheese (sense a pattern here?).  He will drink milk and water but loves "Juice" (a tiny pea-sized amount of juice mixed with mostly water).

Sometimes he throws temper tantrums at the dinner table wanting to be "All done!" but we've realized we can't let him down until we're done, or he cries and tugs at us to come play.  He's had to go in his room a few times when he just wouldn't stop screaming.  Honestly, sometimes it feels like a mean joke when both of my kids are screaming/crying at once.  Then I have to remember that Bennett is not even two yet, and still allowed to cry/scream/have tantrums occasionally (although he will still get timeouts for the tantrums!).

Bennett's vocabulary and talking has really taken off lately.  Not only will he repeat things we say, but he's starting to have 2 and 3 word sentences.  He often says things like, "Bennett turn!"  or "Mommy -play!"  Lately he's started using the word "too" correctly, as in "Elephant book too!"  He listens to whatever we're talking about, and will often repeat words we say when we don't even realize he's listening.  He also laughs when we laugh, pretending to be in on the joke.

Bennett LOVES to read, and he often wants to read books in his crib to his bear before bed and naps.  It helps to make him not cry and he falls asleep usually within 10-15 minutes.  He knows most of the books we have, and can say the last word on most pages from memory.  Speaking of bed, he is on a pretty consistent schedule and now with me being home is starting to sleep in *a little* bit longer.  He normally sleeps 7:30pm-6:45/7am, and naps after lunch from about 12:30-2:30 (sometimes more, sometimes less).  I'm thankful for a consistent and reliable sleep schedule for him!  He goes down pretty easily too - a few books, a few songs, prayers, and right into the crib.

Bennett also loves puzzles, blocks, coloring, tickling, running/jumping (he can jump with 2 feet now!), and songs/music.  Lately he wakes up in his crib either calling for everyone he knows, "Daddy!  Missy!  Kyle!  Mommy!" or by singing 'Twinkle Twinkle' at the top of his lungs.  He's also starting to get into trucks, trains, and though I'm not happy about it, TV.  He gets to watch about 10 minutes of TV most days, usually after his nap if he's crabby, or in the morning, or when we just need a few minutes of peace.  He loves "George Curious" and thankfully those are on Amazon Prime.  He can't watch for more than 8-10 minutes without getting bored and starting to play instead though.  

Some toddler challenges are: temper tantrums, getting in the carseat (he straightens his legs and it is impossible to force him to sit...usually we have to wait him out or point out how nice Eleanor is sitting in her seat), and not standing/climbing/jumping on everything.  We use timeouts with him and they go fairly well.  He stays on the kitchen rug really well for the most part, although he's started yelling, "Sorry!" right away.  He knows what he's not allowed to do, and he'll look at you and point to something and say, "No no," or "Mommy say no."  But don't think that means he doesn't still do it!  Another challenge but also something that shows growth is that Bennett is getting super independent and often says things like, "Bennett do!" or "Bennett turn!"  If it's something he realizes he can't do, next he'll say, "Mama turn!"

Bennett and Eleanor's relationship probably deserves its own post, but it's growing and changing pretty much daily.  I'm very curious and nervous to see how he does when Brad goes back to work on Monday and he no longer has a 1:1 parent ratio.  I think more jealousy might set in.  Usually when I'm feeding Eleanor he brings his baby doll over and feeds him next to me.  He loves to "hug" (read: hold) Eleanor - with help of course!  When she cries, he often says, "Honey!" which I must say to him or something - it surprised me when he started saying that! :)  But then certain times when he needs/wants his Mommy and I'm with her, he'll cry and it's pretty sad.  These times include when he's hurt, tired, or when he wakes up from his afternoon nap.

We love our boy so much!  And we can't wait to continue watching him grow and learn!