Being a cutie boy...

My list of ten cute random things 15 cute random things that Ben does:

1. takes off his shirt + rubs his tummy (all while looking at himself in the mirror)
2. shows off his muscles... by pointing at his cheeks
3. the yummy wrap-arms-right-around-your-neck hugs
   
4. how much he loves to help out (he'll bring plates to the kitchen, his laundry into the laundry basket ... and he'll even put away groceries!)
5. when he randomly asks to use the broom to sweep up the kitchen floor
6. how he moves furniture around the room so he can get up to see out the window/reach light switches
7. when he points out every firetruck, bus and streetcar (as if we didn't see it first)
8. when he reads the last word of every book
   
9. he's able to finish Toopy's sentences and gets upset when Toopy is upset
   
10. the way he dances
11. when he asks to dip everything in apple sauce
12. that he randomly points out letters on license plates, stop signs, and our sony speakers
13. when you tell him he looks handsome, his first response is to run to his mirror
    
14. that cats say "beooww", dogs say "bowowow", grandma says "bad-da-boo-dee" and Adam + I say "do that" (as in ,...Benjamin -- don't do that)
15. he assumes that saying 'please' and 'thankyou' will get anything his heart desires

...and usually it does... because he's so darn cute.

Is it seriously February already?

Where has the time gone?

Seriously.

The past 2 weeks have been oh-so-crappy in our home. Ben decided to get his 2 year molars (although we still haven't seen anything remotely teeth-like, I'm still convinced they're there,... lurking.) I forgot what getting up (EVERY SINGLE NIGHT) was like. I love that Ben sleeps through the night,...and waking up with him every night while he bawled his eyeballs out was horrible to watch. The best part about teething now though (if you can think of a positive in the whole experience) is Ben being able to communicate his feelings a lot clearer than a year ago. Yay for words.

While Ben was teething,...I had a wee cold. Nothing too harsh... nothing to really complain about. That was until Friday rolled around. The cold decided to hit me full force. Probably all of the sleepless nights were catching up to me.

I have been SO STINKIN' sick all week. I missed 2 days of work (and could have missed all week if I wasn't so stubborn)...and even went to the doctor's. I seem to be on the mend now (just in time to work on report cards! yay.) So far,...Ben hasn't come down with anything. He has a bit of a runny/stuffy nose, but I still think that's teething related.

Adam was an awesome help while I was sick (which means a lot because he was ALSO SICK TOO! just not as bad). He cooked + cleaned + did laundry + took Ben outside so I could rest + did the dishes + played with Ben. Our relationship is built on give + take... and we share the household responsibilities 50-50. Although Ben tends to favour me when he's sick (or teething), Adam shares an equal part of the parenting duties. This past week, I'm sure it felt like he had two babies to look after. Thanks, Ad! ♥

Speaking of Adam... (and what better way than to brag about him on here)... his paper got accepted to CISS in Princeton! AND! Even better... the conference falls during March Break, so Ben and I plan on tagging along! A road trip! Woot!

No idea what there is available to do in Princeton. Adam says it's a university town with not much to do. As long as there is a park with 1 swing... I think we should be okay. :)

Mark the date in your calendars!

Ben peed in the potty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yippee... such a proud mommy and daddy moment.

We were getting Ben ready for his nap when Adam noticed that his diaper was oh-so-dry. I figured, why not, and we stuck him on the potty seat (the one that fits on the toilet). Adam had me turn on the tap (to inspiring peeing?) and sure enough, within seconds, he started to go! We were so excited that we all started clapping (kinda wish I had the camera at this point). I'm sure it might take another year for him to go regularly in the potty, but it's definitely a start!

Yay Ben! Such a big boy!

Ben ... (and his "I'm busted" face)

What happened to the kid that would eat everything?

(well everything except solid fruit -- but that's another story)

All of the sudden, Ben has decided that he hates the veggies that he used to love. It's like his taste buds have gone on vacation and he has no interest in his staple favourites. Broccoli. Brussels sprouts. Carrots. Mushrooms. Zucchini. :(

And since Ben doesn't like fruit (unless it comes in a fruit cup)... we're at a loss. We did discover that he has a small thing for raw carrots (no longer cooked)... and yellow peppers (in moderation). But this is seriously ridiculous. The toddler taste buds are nothing like his baby taste buds.

He loves hot chocolate though ;) especially if there's waffles to dip in it.

Yesterday (when he wasn't eating his dinner), I asked him what he wanted instead. (I said I would never have a kitchen that was like a restaurant, but at that point, I just wanted him to eat something,...anything). His reply was "pancakes". Maybe he can have pancakes for breakfast instead.

Happy 2010!

Here's to another year with Ben... we've enjoyed the ride :) Hope you enjoy these tradition pictures. We started taking New Years pictures since Ben was just a wee shrimp.

boys will be boys.

...which means they'll play in dirt, sand, gardens, and toilet bowl water!

WHAT!?

I turned my back for a second (to wash my hands after flushing the toilet), only to find Ben splashing in the bowl water. He was having the BEST TIME EVER. Shirt, pants, hands and face were then washed. Boys. Fun times.