18 Months

Ben turned 18 months today. I know I've said this before, but this is definitely my favorite age. In the last few weeks, Benjamin is becoming more of himself, I guess. He is the greatest delight of my (our) life. His personality continues to emerge and it is just so much fun. In the last week, the floodgates to his language have been opened. It has been really amazing. He literally went from 5 or so words to many words in one week! He continues to sign a lot, too, but uses the words also. I will write out all that I remember (only so that in going back, I will remember). This blog has served as my journal, since I don't really keep much of a journal anymore. His words this week are:

• On
• Off
• Mama (mommy)
  
• Daddy (daddy)
• Nana
  
• Papa
• Hot
• Hat
• Puppy
• Spoon
• Egg
• Eye
• Arm
• Baby
• Door
• Bath
• Duck (more like Guck)
• Book
• Yellow
• Fish (shoosh)
• Night-night
• Ice
  

He is becoming so interactive, playful, mischievious and remains gentle, kind, and sweet. I know that soon he will become more willfull and begin to figure out the boundaries of who he is versus what the world holds. I know this will be challenging, too. I'm thankful for all the great stuff that balances it all out.
For those of you who know that we've struggled with sleep, we really think we may have reached a breakthrough. For the past several days, we can lay him down (AWAKE), tell him to go night-night, and he goes to sleep. This may not seem like much of an accomplishment, but for us it is monumental. We used to spend 20 minutes to 1 hour soothing him to sleep, now its minimal. I hesitate to even write it for fear that it won't continue...even if it is a positive trend, I am encouraged. Thanks be to God, literally, for this amazing gift. We're thrilled!
I feel so blessed to be a parent. It is a great gift. Despite the challenges that at times threaten to break me (mostly with sleep deprivation, so far!), it is the greatest thing ever. I love this boy insanely. I think he's absolutely the best. I hope someday he knows how I (we) feel about him. Happy 18 month birthday, my precious, lovely son.