Or, “To the household of Benjamin Krug,”… Daddy just saw a piece of mail addressed as such and remarked – “It sure feels that way some days.”

Ben, sweetie, as you grow, you become more and more…shall we say…vigorous…direct…expressive… So much so that my ever patient, loving, fun mom even said…”My my my, you DO have your hands full with him.” I’m relieved that someone else can appreciate what it’s like to be your mother, Benjamin! I don’t think I said Sam’s full name at him in remonstration until he was close to 3. Or maybe even 4. But you earn a “BENJAMIN!” just about every day. Perhaps not today – I prayed quite vigorously myself last night to be a better more patient, loving, accepting mother. But Ben, sometimes I can only hope to survive a day with you.

I love you dearly, of course, but right now it’s a different kind of love. It’s the kind that wears a thick skin (because you’re biting a lot), the kind that expects to have hair ripped out (Sam is getting a bald spot in the middle of his head because you grab him every time he tries to buckle in)… You’ll know what I mean when you read this some day. The cutest noise you make is your cackly-hissing growl (like a mountain lion crossed with a snake). The sound I could really do without is your big “AAAAARGH!” every few seconds while eating. It’s just about enough to do me in most days.

The sweetest time of night is after bath when you’re naked in your little towel and we’re walking around cuddling. You calm down then, enough to be sweet, because you’re so worn out from your own antics all day. During the day you are like trying to dress a chicken covered in slick syrup.

Daddy just said “Remember to emphasize the sweet side of him.” Ben, you have a ready smile and a huge laugh. You do like to tease. You like to interact. You love people and experiences. You are ready for anything. And you’re very observant – you are a sharp cookie. Twice in the last day I moved something out of sight when you weren’t looking. You came back looking for it and really cried in sadness when it wasn’t there. As soon as I gave it back, you calmed. You’re learning about shapes and colors. You recognize words like “doggie,” “bus,” “truck,” “spice.” Spice? Yes, you still love your Hawaiian 5 spice jar. You know to take only that one – it’s yours and it’s plastic – and “drive” it around the house.

You are continuing to crawl very fast and pull up all the time to a stand. You can stand almost on your own, with something to lean on when you get topply. You love to stand at the workbench and play (our coffee table is the “workbench”). You love to meet other kids – you reach right out and go up to them, trying to touch their face. You are gentle to the doggie, but your exuberance gets the better of you sometimes.

Ok – now the stats. You’re 23 lbs and 29.5 inches long/tall. You sleep 8pm-7am and two naptimes – morning (45-90 min) and afternoon (90-120 min).  You’re basically eating toddler food now – little noodles, peas, cheese, etc.

We love you very, very much. And for the record, I know who I’m really describing here…someone who is eager for adventure, someone who loves to meet new people, someone who is ready for anything and always up for mischief. YOUR MOTHER. So I take full “credit” for your silly self and know I had it coming to me 🙂 I LOVE YOU!!!!

~ your mom