Benz is one of Ben's many nicknames. We thought it was very fitting, as Ben is indeed the Mercedes among the two-year-olds ;) And we are talking twos now. Big boy puts on his shoes and jacket (and scarf and hat and helmet and backpack and what not) alone and wishes no assistance, not even with the zipper. So it does take him a while until he's ready to leave the house. And where exactly are you going, Benzi? To hang out with other cool and independent two-year-olds? Without your mother? You don't say. And are you driving this car?
I'm sure you would if we let you.
Ben at the 'Krabbelkiste'. It seriously is as tiny as a box and sort of resembles a shabby youth center where infants hang out without their annoying parents. Once a week Ben enjoys a morning at the toddler center and basically spends two precious hours eating. And also playing with other kids his age. Mom in the meantime is stranded at home alone missing her son dearly. When it's time to say goodbye, Ben makes no fuss at all. One big kiss for the mother and a shove towards the door. And she's gone. Yay! And once again separation anxiety strikes. Big time. On the side of the mother.
Has she left yet? Finally. Chew, chew.
He's become pretty independent, our little one. He does like his peace and quiet once in a while, when he reads a book out loud.
(Peace and quiet. You get it.) And when he reads his story, he uses silly singsong words that sound like meditation chants. It's an interesting way to cover up a small vocabulary (that is almost exclusively related to wheels), but Ben is slowly moving beyond his basic linguistic survival skills. Every day he is surprising us with new words, and he's also saying first small sentences that actually do make sense. "Opa Peter weg." Genius!
Have I mentioned Ben got rid of his pacifier? When you look this gorgeous, you do want a flawless smile, straight teeth and all. On his very first night as a two-year-old Ben agreed that all pacies must go without delay. And so they did! And were never seen again. (Only once on the necklace of the pacifier fairy. Oops.) He's now working on getting rid of his diapers. I haven't even started to think of potty training, but Ben doesn't wait for the starter's gun to be fired. He demands to sit on the potty when he feels like it. Which he basically does every time he has pooped into his diapers. And why not? He likes a 'clean business'.
The Benz and his Dad share the same passion. Cars. Here you see the boys looking at some new Mercedes Benz models. Haha.
Cuddle bug Ben on top! The smallest part of one big loving heap.
Four crazy birds, one shouting "Watch the birdie!" behind the scenes. Not that anyone is looking. They are all too busy with 'da love'. Next time I want to be part of this, too. So that you'll get the whole picture. Cause that's where I am every single day. At the center of one big loving mess.
