OH Brother!

Benjamin Edward is becoming quite the fantastic helper, and slowly but surely adjusting to his new role as Big Brother.  My mom and I were talking and I don't know if she said it or I just thought it, but as great as Benjamin still is, having a sibling has definitely taken away his "angelic" status.  Let me explain:

Pro's:

• Benjamin is a great diaper changing helper.  He loves bringing me diapers and wipes
• Benjamin is also great at putting stuff away in the basket under her bed
• He loves playing "round a bit" and giving kisses
• He is great at playing "this little piggy" with her little toes!  

Con's:

• Benjamin has started hitting things (usually harmless objects like tables) when he's angry
• Benjamin has recently turned his cry into a high pitched scream when the cry isn't effective
• He gets very jealous of Violet being held, especially when he thought it was "his time" to play with momma
• Occasionally Benjamin has cried only because Violet is crying, and it just seems to be the thing to do!
• Benjamin has begun telling on himself.  I know that his motives were pure naughtiness when he finished doing something, looks at me, and instantly attempts to distract me by saying "baby, baby"

Over all Benjamin is doing well, and I'm excited for Joel to be back, for T.V. time to be reduced, and for him to not be neglected - in attention/love and discipline!  He's started to figure out that Violet is here to stay, and often asks for her first thing when he gets up!

Speaking of sleep...Benjamin is giving me a solid 11 or 12 hours at night and usually a 2+ hr nap.  He's obsessed with the alphabet, and between Dr. Seuss's ABC's book, Word World and Wheel of Fortune, he's  repeating letters fantastically.  He can accurately identify the letters O and Z every time, and the letters C and P are close behind.  All the others he repeats pretty well, with the exception of U, V, W, X and Y.  Those are pretty tricky, and our attention span doesn't last long enough to get to the end of the alphabet!

He has started talking on the phone pretty well.  Joel was in CO this week, and got some pretty great "ellOO"'s and other ramblings.  He didn't do great on our many car trips during the week, to my parents and sisters, but I'm attributing that to Mommas lack of drink/snack planning.

As always one of my favorite things about him, is his obsession with books, and ability to entertain himself for pretty long periods of time, reading and singing to himself.  

We can't wait to see how the little man does over Christmas and the excitement it will bring! 9 more days!