Bean: 22 Month Update

   This space hasn't seen too much Bean action as of late, not.ok. The man is almost two, eating like a teenager during football season, and keeps us on our toes all the live long day. I try to snap photos and write each and every sweetly hilarious anecdote down, (This Fall: Instagram is the new Blog?), because this whole childhood thing is a BLUR! I barely have time to filter that face before he's off to the races again. 

   As a child of the late 80s, I have a baby book, some toys, special clothes, a few VHS tapes, and maybe 32 good-ish photos of myself from the ages of newborn-18 years old, to encapsulate my formative years. I'm also a 2nd child, so a few of those "photos" might just be hand drawn pictures of my face... 

   I guess following Bean in his moments of discovering life and the world has made me appreciate those fleeting moments. Even in the mundane. 

   He has a talent for making the mundane exceptionally exciting. 

   For example, farting in the middle of a quiet Target aisle yesterday morning and then loudly exclaiming, "TOOT!!!!!!" Just in case anyone was wondering who did it or hadn't actually heard the loudest fart ever in the first place. No shame in this family. 

   (Kind of reminds me of one of those "Convos With my 2 Year Old" YouTube videos. Reenact with a full-grown man...not cute anymore)

   His first memory might not be of that one rainy afternoon where we sat in a homemade tent full of twinkle lights, 

(my 1st memory is watching the Indiana Jones show at DisneyWorld when I was three. Seriously. The earliest recollection that my brain can piece together is a giant ball rolling after a Harrison Ford look-alike), 

but I hope he will always remember how loved he is. 

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Bean is 22 Months old. 

This is what he's like most days: 

PLAY: Trucks and trains and anything with wheels! Books, puzzles, music, painting, sports, etc. He's a jack of all trades. A man's man. 

SAY: Recognizes full ABC's, Counting 1-20 (every time up AND down the stairs), points out several colors, loves saying names of things, stringing together words. 

Some new favorites phrases: 

"What is that?" 

"Where'd "insert name" go?" 

"There "insert name" is" 

"C'mon! Let's Go!" 

"Ready! Set! Go!" 

"Oh man! Awesome!"

"Ooooh, Nice!" 

"Mmmm. Smells Yummy!"

"How are you?" 

He knows so much. Blows my mind. When he gets focused on learning something, his brows will furrow and he'll ask you over and over to repeat something until he learns it. 

Example: Thomas Train Book/Bird Book. Names like "Skarloey" and "Kookaburra." Outrageous. 

EAT: Knows what he wants, when he wants it. Still loves meat, cheese, bread, fruit, pasta, etc. Became super picky with vegetables, (always a fan of squash, zucchini, potato, sweet potato, tomato, lettuce) a recent victory was telling him that broccoli are "little trees!" He will eat "little trees!" 

FAVORITES: DEEDEE!!!! (his lovey, I'll have to blog about it), playing hide-and-seek with DaDa, drums, dancing, (especially to Eric Hutchinson: "The People I Know"), slides, sandbox, tools, bubble baths, books, firetruck footie pajamas, closing doors, being "helpful," kisses, getting into everything! 

DISLIKES: Brushing teeth! It is usually a battle, right before bedtime, (How are kids so strong?!), sharing toys, (only child much?), if Dada or Mama hold another baby, (only child much?), when a train becomes disconnected and he can't fix it, (future engineer?), if his pants are too long, (that's a new one thanks to a summer full of shorts), and getting into his carseat.  

Valentines Schmalentines

{From My Heart to Yours}

Oh Valentines Day. What am I going to do with you? I understand the love/hate relationship we all have with you. What's not to love about a holiday that focuses on romance, chocolate, and flowers?

Then again, if you find yourself hrrumph-ing in the Hallmark aisle, feeling forced to pick out the perfect card for your significant other, (or spacing out that Feb. 14th has anything special about it and getting hrrrumph-ed BY your significant other), it kind of takes the "love" out of what it attempts to represent.

On the other side of the spectrum, maybe you feel forced to stay at home, eat pints of Ben & Jerry's with your girlfriends, (or by yourself), and watch a plethora of rom-coms. Preach it sister! I've been there too, (hey, it's kind of fun).

Sometimes February 14th just doesn't involve all of the love we hope it would or the world tells us it should.

When I think of love, I think of memories. Instances in my life where someone did something for me or said something to me. In those moments throughout the year(s), I felt tinges of love. It's something tangible I can hold onto. That's what drives me to feel loved, be loved, and ultimately, love others.

{Our 1st Valentines.2007}

Of course, since it's my 1st married Valentine's, I'll get a little mushy with the stud hubs and relish in my flowers and chocolates, (ahem. Daniel: Reminder, it's the 14th and caramel chocolates por favor). But I'm excited, because I know this isn't the only day I get loved on. It's just a small moment in life to make a little love memory, and even though Daniel is my life, he isn't my everything, if that makes sense.

My God, family, and friends show me little and big examples of love on a daily basis. So, my heart is full.

As Valentine's approaches, no matter what your situation or relationship status is, don't be afraid to feel loved and represent love. You can even start doing it, right...now, because it overflows and encompasses you on a daily basis. Even if you don't recognize it. Remember, it's the little things.

Now bring on the chocolate!

Be Loved today!

xoxo

{Bon Bon}