Totally Two

Happy Birthday Ben!  

I still can't believe this little babe is 2 years old.  Where did that go?  He sure does act like a two year old though.  Most notably, his talking has taken off.  He repeats everything especially if Isaac says it first.  He tries on every word possible and some of them are super funny.  He says granola, noyayaya, or something like that.  He repeated January so clearly when we were discussing when daddy's birthday was.  It was so funny to hear it so clearly.  He says "Santa" and "ho ho ho" and he called our Christmas stockings boots.  Adorable.  I was, however, a little sad to hear him say "Isaac" accurately.  He used to say "zozzie" and then one afternoon it was Isaac.  When I asked him what he just said he looked at me and said Isaac again like I was a moron.  I'm sure since he's heard it for two years saying it right doesn't seem that novel to him.

He has started getting more and more independent.  He has ideas of how he wants things and if they don't go that way then there is the typical two year old melt downs.  He was throwing a pretty good tantrum the night of his birthday because he didn't want to go to bed.  "No bed! No bed!"  I also hear the same thing at nap time "no nap, no nap."  

He's also still very sweet and snugly, when he wants to be.  He loves playing with Isaac and it's really fun to see them playing so imaginatively.  They can play together pretty well for short stretches of time.  It is really fun to see them getting along and growing together.

For Ben's birthday we celebrated the traditional Brunson way, with a birthday snake and special birthday plate and bowl.

We also tried to get some birthday boy photo.

But that's hard to do with an older brother who likes to be the center of attention, all the time.

And he must show off he is "two!"  Holding up just two fingers can be hard.

We made a "car cake" for Ben.  He loves cars and pretending he is driving.  He'll sit on anything he can and hold his hands out in front of him to steer his pretend wheel.  So cute.  He kept saying "car cake" over and over all day.  So excited about it.  

His car cake is complete with head lights, tail lights, wheels, and license plate with the number 2 of course.

There were also plenty of presents to open.

Isaac was especially excited for Ben to open his play kitchen because he helped me build and paint it during Ben's naps.  Well, some of it at least.  Most of it was done after both boys were in bed.  Much easier without a little helper by my side.

And then after dinner of "mac cheese" and green beans, the birthday boys request, we enjoyed cake and ice cream.  Ben can say few food items very clearly, bananas, fruit snacks, mac and cheese, and chicken nuggets.  About right for a 2 year old palate.

I didn't get the real blowing out the candle picture but Ben was happy to hold one and pretend he was blowing it out for me.  Love him!

Grandma and Grandpa Brunson gave Ben musical instruments.  The boys have both loved playing with them.  Not sure where Ben was but maybe running around the house as part of the marching band.  He especially loves playing the maracas and can say 'racas' pretty clearly.  

We certainly love our little Ben.  So happy he is part of our little family.