Five Days Down. I am still alive.

So today is my 5th day without a binky. I only get them for sleeping. Overall, I've been doing really well. I have moments of misery, and I really don't like "checking out" of the crib. I have to surrender the binky to get out in the morning and after naps. My Mom was convinced she was crazy trying to take me to the zoo on Wednesday - only my second day sans binky. But I did great. Today at church I did remarkably well too. I usually have a hard time because sacrament meeting is during my morning nap time, and we are usually still at church when I should be having my afternoon nap. I even had a bit of a cold this last weekend and I did better than expected. All in all, I think I will hit that two-week mark and be a champ without the binky.

Rescue Me! I am being Tortured!

Who thought it would be a good idea to take away my binky??? I wanna know who told my Mom that this was a good thing to do. OK, truth be told, I think my Mom just did it. I think she was tired of trying to get me to give it up, so today, she took it away. I am only allowed to have it in my crib, she says. So I got it for my nap this morning, and then had to give it back to get out of the crib. Same thing this afternoon, except I didn't take a very good nap. By 4:00 my Mom said she wanted to cave - but that she is going to be strong. She thinks that in 2 weeks I'll be a pro at no binks. But I am strong too. Strong and stubborn. Have you ever met my parents? MUTINY! That's all I have to say about that.

I'm Stuck, Help Me & a Haircut

I wanted to show off some new pictures...

My new phrase is "I'm stuck, hep me!" Which means, I'm stuck, help me.



This is me. Stuck in the swing, pleading for help. Cute, no?



This is me with a new haircut. I wouldn't sit still long enough to get the front finished. But it looks AWESOME from the back!

Kisses and Cuddles

My Mom just adores that I am in an affectionate phase. The Tuesday before she went to camp I finally puckered up for a kiss. Something that until now I turned away from; I was only too happy to oblige with my cheek, but never the lips. Tonight, I just let loose though. Since Tuesday kisses had only been for my Mom, but I gave kisses to Grandma, Grandpa and Daddy tonight. Also, I've been generous with hugs lately too. Grandpa was at our building today for church because he had to give a high council talk and I greeted him with a hug. This is all new for me, but I get lots of encouragement and people seem happy when I do it, so perhaps I'll keep it up. Good night!

O-Wunge

It's a funny thing. I am starting to talk more and more, and everyday my Mom is trying to teach me new words. Today I REALLY wanted a "ball" off of the kitchen counter. My Mom told me it was called an "Orange." We went back and forth - "ball," "orange." That must have lasted five minutes. Then I said it, O-wunge. But not just orange, "owunge ball!" I threw it around the living room and then decided I should try to eat it. The peel sure was yummy!

Future Rock Star

Yesterday Mom and Sofia and I were dancing around the house and singing waiting for Daddy to get home from work. My hair is getting LONG, and since I was wearing my new t-shirt that says "future rock star" on it, Mom decided I needed a rock star hairdo. A little bit of water, some hurried styling and I am rocking the mohawk. The best part was Mom trying to teach me to do air guitar. I was strumming my shoulder and patting my belly. Mom was cracking up!

Yes, I do.

My Mom cracks me up. She swears she was never going to be one of those Moms who kept tabs on milestones and would be anxious if I hadn't met one. I've met them all, so I don't know why she doubts me. Lately she is nervous that I still take a pacifier. She is afraid that I won't talk, or that I won't say things because I have a plug in my mouth. I can see how this is a realistic fear, but today I proved, AGAIN, that my Mom has nothing to fear.

I woke from my morning nap binky-less. When my Mom came in to get me I was pointing at a binky on the floor. She asked me, "Do you want that binky?" To which I replied, "Yes, I do." For those keeping track, those three words form a complete sentence. With appropriate punctuation. Yes (pause), I do. Sure, it's more of a yesh, but I said it, and my Mom thought I was cute. I got a big hug and a kiss. And then, embarrassingly, my Mom said "yes, I do" over and over and over again. You gotta love her. She is so funny sometimes.

The other sentences that escape every so often are: "What dish?" (What is this?), "What dat?" "Go tee Dok" (Go see Dominik), "I like dish" and "Wii Daddy." So, I like playing Wii with my Daddy and seeing Dominik and Jackson. Lately those are the highlights of my life, though I have been shopping a bunch in the last week - thanks largely to the IRS who finally sent an economic stimulus check, and per my Grandpa's advise, we are having fun with it.

I had a fun 4th of July and LOVE being with my friends and family. It has been so much fun in the last little bit. I don't get out of the house as much as I'd like, but the times I do get out are packed with fun, so I won't complain. I'll write about more adventures soon.



Love,
Ben