We took our little monkey to another neighborhood park (Stude Park) – he had a good time staring at and playing near the big red sculpture. The hard part about taking Benjamin to any playground/park – is that we have to leave. He doesn't really like the leaving part. If he had it his way – he would stay much longer.
CHILDPROOFING
He's figured out that the oven door opens. His favorite trick is to pull the handle down and open it. Doh!
This week it would seem to be easier if we lived in a rubber room with no windows, no blinds, no doors, or other hazards.
SWIMMING LESSON PROGRESS:
Ben's 3rd swim lesson went well. He is pretty much doing a repeat of what he has learned with his prior lessons. He continues to improve with the dunking and walking the edge of the pool. He also doesn't complain as much when he is on his back “floating”. He still doesn't like it - but he tolerates it.
Ben's 4th lesson showed improvement with his kicking. He smiles when he is held by the instructor and kicking has become fun. He even gave the instructor a high-five (which up to this point – he refused). He seems to feel more confident with his skills. We are very proud of him. It is very rewarding to see your child show progress.
TRICKS
He gives kisses - big, open-mouthed, slobbery kisses. If you love baby wet kisses – then let him show you the love.
He is starting to convey his emotions. We can no longer take things from his hands without a loud grunt or strong disapproval. This is a politically correct way of saying temper tantrum. We leave the room when he is on the ground kicking and turning in circles on his back. He doesn't receive the energy that he desires so the tantrums are short-lived (for now).
We have discovered that Benjamin likes to reciprocate a trick we have done for quite some time to him. Instead of us blowing on his cute little belly – he now knows how to blow on Papi's belly.
Gas – Boys are full of it. Flatulence is now something Benjamin notices. It used to be an innocent sound that he never noticed – but now, he is cognizant of his bodily noises. He hasn't realized that the noises are funny (yet).
Mysterious cut/scab on the nose – we aren't sure what he did to get the wound – but it's there. It adds character to his cute little face.
MILESTONES
New word this week: This ties in with the whole playing with the oven trick he recently discovered. We say “hot” when he gets near it so now he walks around saying “hot without the t sound” so it sounds like he is hacking. We suspect he thinks the oven is called hot. We will work on that later.
We have known that he understands what we say – but to really see it in action – to watch that light bulb turn on – is a fascinating process. He can now point at pictures in books when asked. As much as we would love to say he is a prodigy child – (as most parents think their children are). He isn't so advanced that he knows everything – he just knows where the red balloon is in his favorite book – Goodnight Moon. He carries that book all over the house and thumbs through it and talks while he stares at it. (Thanks “Aunt” Heather for gifting the book to him).
We also have had a milestone breakthrough with his nighttime ritual. He knows his ritual and readily goes to bed and no longer whimpers/cries when we leave him in the crib. It used to take a while to calm him but now he knows the routine and he is ready to sleep. We are very proud of ourselves for this accomplishment. Putting a child to bed is a task that requires patience, time, and effort and when your child cooperates – it is extremely rewarding. Now, we realize that this process will continue to evolve and that nighttime ritual doesn't end now....it just changes as he gets older (the potty training, the stalling effect, etc.). But, for now things are going well with Benjamin's sleep. After all, he is related to his Papi who is notorious for sleeping very easily.
We are anxiously awaiting news with regard to Hurricane Ike. We hope everyone weathers the storm well.
Till next week.
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