Ben :: Two

Dear Benjamin,

You are TWO (it happened yesterday)! A mere 24-months. It's so crazy how much bubs learn and grow in that 24-months. You're getting so big, but you are still little too. You went from my little swaddled bub to a talking, running, crazy little dude. I want to always remeber you as this little person who is always always by my side. Here are some of those things:

Your favorite things in life include; buses and trucks, particularly the rubbish truck (affectionately pronounced Labish truck). We live above a busy bend and you scream for buses. The moon - you really really love the moon. Dinosaurs (saur saurs), choo choo trains, stickers and bubbles. Peppa Pig and The Wheels on the Bus.

You require lots of cuddles (uddles). Often you'll just come running up to me and throw yourself at my legs and strech up your arms and demand cuddles. I'll pick you up and then after a bit I'll sit down becuase you are just too heavy to hold for too long and then something will catch your eye and you will go about your business. If I'm sitting on the floor you often just sit your bottom in my lap (Dad's too) and hand us a book to read. We read at your pace, which usually means we never actually finish reading a page before you are on to the next.

You have always been a chubby, squishy baby, but you are starting to slim down a bit. And while it hasn't been easy to always to carry you around the squishyness has always been pretty irresistible. You are still a good eater, but you have recently started turning your nose up to certain foods. You eat most things, with the exception of cooked veggies. You'll eat raw carrots, cumber, tomatoes, avocado, so you get most of those things in a a little salad every night. You do love corn on the cob. You'll eat a egg for dinner, but do not like one for breakfast. You love bread and cereals and oatmeal. You LOVE fruit. Of course, you are game for anything sweet. And in typical Aussie fashion you like Vegemite, sausage roles and meat pies. 

You've been doing that cute thing when you close your eyes and think no one can see you. Cleaning up is still a game to you and you like making animal noises. You give the sweetest kisses, including butterfly and Eskimo. You are incredibly shy and will look down or place your head on my shoulder when someone new says hello to you. You talk a lot and try new words all the time.

You are a solid sleeper. At home (we had some hiccups in Bali). Your minny (bunny), blanket and the sound of the ocean put you to sleep. You like your day sleep.

Of course not everything is cuddles and sweetness; you despise sharing and you use the word mine way to often. You always want what your sister has and she often takes the brunt of your frustration. You hate having your teeth brushed and like tasting rocks. You have never been a big fan of being in the car and the same is still true.

I have the best time hanging out with you (most days). We have a nice little rhythm when it's just the two of us. You get a little sad when we drop Annmarie off at school and go crazy when we pick her up. She loves you so much and told me the other day she thinks you should always stay a baby, but that you should start talking in complete sentences like a five year old.

We all love you buddy.  

Happy Birthday! Hip Hip Hooray!

Love you to the moon and back,
Mommy xx

 (birth, 1 year, 2 year)

It was not easy to take your picture, here are some of the outtakes.