For the first two years after Ben was born I did monthly photos, and after the age of two I decided to continue do them every year for as long as these boys are willing to tolerate it anyway!
Here is Ben, at three years old. My sweet boy! He has grown so much, it kind of kills me. But, he gets sweeter and sweeter the older he gets.
Every year on his birthday I also measure his height on the door frame inside his closet. I love little traditions like that!
Ben! You are growing at warp speed right now my boy. Not only are you growing physically, but you understand SO much already! You are like, way smart kid. Unreal. I'm half expecting you to bust out the algebra one of these days.
In two short months you will officially enter your terrible two's (though in my opinion you decided to take that role a little early, but whatev) and I'm so excited for you! The past few months you have felt like a different person to me. Like an actual person! Every day you seem more and more grown up. STOP IT. Ok, don't stop, but slow dowwwwn.
We have much to do in these next few months little one. Your wee brain needs a LOT of stimulation and I'm hoping I can give it everything it needs. We're going to do all kinds of fun things, and soon we'll get to be outside for more than just a trip to the grocery store or a quick walk. I want to see you running around the park and looking at the sailboats down on the water. We thought last summer was fun...this one's going to kill last year! Lets try to convince daddy to rent a cottage this year, what do you say? YESSS.
Anyway, my love, you are more and more perfect every day. Even when you're being a cheeky brat. Which is like a lot of times on most days. Still. Love you more than ever sweetest Ben. Thanks for being so cool and fun and adorable.
I'll spare you my usual groaning about the cruelty of time and just say YAY! My little man is growing up before my eyes and he's getting more sweet and lovely with each passing day, for real. Ok, so he can also be a screaming lunatic and is not sleeping through the night yet (I don't think he EVER will!) but we love him to bits just the same.
Ugh, he kills me. He's so gentle and loving and he's a really great cuddler. You know those sappy greeting cards that talk about babies being a piece of your heart walking around outside of you? Yep. That. Truth.
Anyway, happy birthday to my son, Benny. You're the absolute best thing of all.
Days late, again. Why can't I get these up on time? I don't know. But, here he is in all his toddler glory. My sweet little guy!
I wish I could record everything that comes out of this kid's mouth these days. His current favourite words are painting (yep, really), monster, ten, and he is very into saying "Papa, Grandma, Dad, Mom" all in a row, all the time. No idea why. But he thinks it's great.
His sleeping patterns WERE really great, until Monday night, and now we're a mess again. You can never get too comfortable with anything. Ever. But, he keeps us on our toes!!
The biggest change is how fearless he's become, which is TERRIFYING. He likes to climb on our bed and jump and dive and the whole time we're surrounding him just waiting to make sure he doesn't fall off or hurt himself. He runs around with this little unsturdy legs and I wait for the fall and the tears. Thank goodness so far he's proven to be pretty resilient!
I can't believe there will only be four more of these pictures. Crazy!!!
So, um, ya, this is like really late. But what can I say, today Ben wasa good napper so I finally had a chance to get some things done. So, here he is!
Let's just say it, his hair is weird. I mean, we're at a weird stage with it, we don't want to cut it, but he has my horrible cowlick and so it looks like this. Yes, he's still adorable, but I don't know what to do with those long blonde locks!
Ben is a talking machine these days. He is more and more affectionate (which I LOVE) and he's so funny. Like really, really funny. Still cheeky. Of course. But amazing overall. We love him to bits.
Ben's past monthly pics so far.
Benjamin is a mover, as all toddlers are, and so his monthly pics will likely always look like this until this little project is over. Not gonna lie, I won't miss it. I know I'll be thankful I did it, but what a pain! Toddlers and posed photos do not mix. Also, sorry for his hair. It's in a weird mullet stage which is actually really cute but on this particular day wasn't at it's finest, and when you get him in that chair, hair is the least of your concerns.
At eighteen months Ben is hilarious, cranky, kind, crazy smart, and a handful to say the least. But a really, really great handful. He is talking up a storm...recent favourite words include 'skunk' and 'greaaaat' with a sarcastic tone which he hears Billy and I say all the time. He says 'please' a LOT because he has figured out that it will get him something. Cheeky buggar. He's shy as ever which I think is really sweet. He gives a kiss if you ask for it (and if he's in the mood). All in allhe's pretty awesome. Love that kid.
I gave up early this time. I think this was the best I was going to get anyway. It's such a perfect picture to convey what life with Ben is like these days anyway. HE DOESN'T STOP.
He also has decided that he hates all food, sleep, being carried, not being carried, and being told that he can't put something in his mouth. The only thing he continues to love....The Bubble Guppies. Bless them on days when I need five minutes.
Sorry folks, there were zero smiles during this photo session. I am slightly worried that ALL future monthly pics are going to resemble this. Hopefully by the time he's two he won't have mastered any cheeky hand gestures, otherwise that could very well be what we see in that last 24th picture.
The last few weeks with Ben have been a mix of great times and really tough times. Many nights where teething makes it impossible for him to sleep. Lots of extra cuddles, lots of extra time in the big bed (which is where every baby wants to be according to the wise Honest Toddler). But, for the most part, he's a pretty happy little man. Just love that face, even if it's not a smiley one.
Labels:
Benjamin,
Benjamin's Monthly Photos
