Ben's milestones (November 2005)

Today is November 28, 2005, Ben is 3 years and 5 months:

You talk really well. I definitely understand everything that you say. You say some of the cutest things and have your own language. I have to start jotting down your phrases they are so cute.
You still have some issues with listening.
You love dinosaurs, and tractors.
You are really smart and do well in school w/ABC’s and all the academic side of things.
You are learning to write your name.
You love William and constantly are concerned for him and worry that he is taken care of.
You love to wrestle and have fun with him.
I think it’s totally the age but you are quite fond of your penis. Little disturbing for mommy and daddy – but the pediatrician says it’s completely normal.
Any chance you get, you love to do the “naked dance.” If William is ever naked too, you both run around and you say “look, two naked boys. And you both do the naked dance.”
Your drink of choice is chocolate and strawberry milk.
You are still a picky eater.

Ben's milestones (September 2005)

At 3 years and almost 3 months, today is September 10, 2005, you are:

· Talking really well. Your vocabulary has expanded and I can understand 100% of what you say. You’re saying new words everyday.
· You are in the Pre-K, Pre-start program at WCA. Your teachers are Deidre and Jennifer. You love it.
· You are having a problem w/listening right now. When we tell you to do something, you ignore us – until we have to get really upset w/you. I’ve tried something new – I tell you or ask you once – if you don’t do it the first time, you go to time-out. Hopefully this takes care of our problem.
· You are very sweet for the most part. You are kind, considerate, empathetic, loving. But then there are times when you are a boy - rough, disobedient and loud.
· You love to be loud and scream really loud. You just love it.
· You are putting puzzles together w/the jumbo pieces. You have three right now (a firetruck, a dump truck, and a dinosaur one).
· You know your address.

I was putting you to bed. I asked you if you had a good day at school, and you said “Actually September 22, 2005
I did.” I couldn’t believe you said the word actually and used it correctly. You said it
Many times since then. Very smart boy.
Daddy took you to Applebee’s for dinner – it’s your favorite place. I think you just like that September 26, 2005
It has Apple in the name. But you always ask to go there.

Ben's milestones (July 2005)

Your 3 year check-up: July 1, 2005
Weight:
Height:
Dr. Betty says that you are far more advanced than a 3 year old. She’s impressed that you can dress yourself, that you are completely potty-trained, that you know your ABC’s, that you know who is a boy and who is a girl (including you and your family), she’s impressed that you know your whole name, she can understand most everything that you say

You told me today that when you get bigger you will chew gum, drive daddy’s truck, get a July 13, 2005
Wallet, keys, a work shirt and go to work
Your first swing set. Daddy bought it for you on July 10, 2005 and it is being delivered and set July 14, 2005
up today. We got it from Creative Playthings.
Your 2nd trip to Sea World w/mommy, daddy and William July 17-21, 2005
We actually went to Sea World on the 18th & 19th, and then went to the San Antonio
Zoo on the 20th. We were at Aunt Michi’s on the 17th and 21st. You enjoyed Sea World
A lot this time. You were 3 yrs old and this time you actually got it a little more. You had a lot
Of fun.
You got hand, foot and mouth disease. We think you caught it from Sea World. But you had July 23, 2005
Red bumps on your butt, legs, sores in your mouth. You were so miserable, but you kept
going around asking everyone “you see my bumps. They hurt.” It took about a week for
everything to clear up. William caught it from you, and then mommy from him.

Words of a 3 yr old:

· You say “I got a great idea.” Then we say “what is your great idea?” You say “My great idea is ____.”
· You say “Can I ask you one question (if I’m on the phone)?” I say “What is your question?” You say “my question is _____.”
· If we furrow our eyebrows you say “Why you put those together?” We explain to you that we are thinking, etc. and you say “Why are you mean?”
· If we ask you how old you are, you say “I am three whole years.”
· “Daddy, you are my best friend.” “Yilliam is my best baby.”
· You say to daddy when he comes home from work, “I missed you so very much. I love you so much.” It’s so cute and sweet. We just love it when you do it.

Ben's milestones (June 2005)

You figured out how to open the locks on the cabinets. Not good. Now we have to move all June 19, 2005
The chemicals and medicine out of your reach.

At 3 years old you are, today is June 20, 2005
· You know your ABC’s. You can sing the song.
· You can count 1-20
· You speech is getting much better. You say more words and say things clearer. People can understand you on the phone now.
· You have trouble when you start a sentence with “What” or “Where” … it almost seems like you are studdering a bit. The doctor says it will clear up and you’ll be fine.
· You say “thank you” “please” “yes ma’am” “May I ask you a question” “your welcome” Mr. and Mrs.____” …. We’re working on “yes sir” and the not interrupting.
· You are into bob the builder. You love big trucks, cars, trains, dinosaurs all things boys love.
· You love scissors and your goal is to use big scissors when you get bigger… you told your teacher that today.
· You go to Frog Camp at WCA right now, Tuesday and Thursday from 9-2.
· You are sassy and do your share of talking back.
· You spend a lot of time in time-out and do get spankings b/c you don’t like to listen or do as you are told.
· You are sweet, loving and compassionate.
· You love your baby brother. You tickle him and make him laugh… he loves it. You love to wrestle and tumble with him.
· You love to pretend and to build things.
· You are still taking naps, I pick you up early from school so you and Will can take your naps at 1:00 at home together. You both sleep 2 ½ hours.
· Your favorite thing to say is from Bob the builder “Can we fix it Daddy?” “Can we cook it Daddy?” “Can we grill it Daddy?” It’s so cute…
· You sleep in your own bed – you go to bed between 8:30 and 9:30. Some nights, you end up in our bed around 2:00 a.m. and sleep the rest of the night w/us.
· You are in your Britax car seat, and when the car stops you unbuckle yourself and then unbuckle Will.
· You are such a big helper and love to help w/everything.
· Your favorite color is still orange.
· You love to help Daddy do whatever he is doing at the time.
· You love to talk and ask why. You want to know what everything is, why we are doing it and what’s going on.
· You have a great memory and remember things months later and then love to talk about them
· You love riding in daddy’s truck.
· You can dress yourself completely
· You are completely potty-trained (except at night)
· You know who is a boy and who is a girl
· You know your first and last name & mommy’s, daddy’s and Williams first and last name.
· You know Uncle Bubba’s name is Eric Wilson
· You love to play outside
· You love it when daddy or mommy play with you
· Whenever someone comes to visit, the first thing they must do is “play with you”.
· You are drinking about 24-30 ounces of milk a day and must have it mixed w/chocolate and strawberry mix.
· You are a very picky eater, but love cheetos, eggs, corn dogs, pancakes, coke.
· You drink milk from a sippy cup, and then from a regular cup if we happen to eat dinner at the table.
· You love the water. You love playing with the water hose, playing with the water toys, the baby pool. You are so happy in the water.
· If I am singing to William, you join in. You love to sing.
· When we are driving and I turn on “Old McDonald Had a farm” Will looks at you, and the two of you go nuts dancing. You sing loud, Will squeals w/excitement. You move your arms and legs rapidly, and Will moves his head back and forth and kicks his legs
· You can carry on conversations with us as if you were an adult, and you can definitely argue your point.
· Your favorite movies to watch are “Land Before Times” about Dinosaurs…which you love.

Ben's milestones (May 2005)

At 2 years and 10 ½ months (today is May 15, 2005)… somethings to add to above:
Still not potty trained at night. We have to work on that.
You love to sing. You sing “Jesus loves me” and “I am very special”
You love when mommy sings “Give thanks” and want me to sing it over and over
You talk so well. You are getting more developed in your speaking. You still can’t say “f” on words, you say “t” instead… like “tone” for phone, “tood” for food.
You are into “working” now. Daddy has a poker set and you carry it around and say “It’s your poker job” or your tool set and say you have to work to make monies.
You still love “Yilliam” but mostly call him baby. He annoys you sometimes when he’s crawling all over you. You are still very concerned about him and want to make sure mommy gets him milk, or a toy, or takes his picture too. You don’t want him to be left out.
You are still in your Britax carseat… but hate to be buckled in. You always want to buckle yourself and do everything yourself. You are very independent.
You love chocolate/strawberry milk right now.
If you have an accident and pee in your pants a little – you’ll go get new underwear and shorts and dress yourself.
You can wipe your butt on your own… but mommy still needs to spot clean you : )
You are rough and tough like a boy. You are all boy for sure.
You are kinda obsessed with knives, guns, and scissors right now. I hope it’s b/c you are forbidden them… not sure if that’s normal or not.
You are a BIG helper and love to help. You help the neighbor Mr. Kratz w/his lawn work or whatever he’s doing outside at the time. You love to help mommy and daddy cook, clean or whatever we are doing.
You always say “that’s for little guys” meaning it’s for you. Or you say “that’s for big guys” and you give it back to me, b/c it’s not for you. Very smart!
You love to take pictures w/mommy and daddy’s camera.
When mommy brings out the backdrops to take pictures, you jump on them and start smiling… you always want your picture taken – for a few seconds anyways : )
You love Kuma and Katy and want to take care of them.
You go to Mother’s Day out, 4 days a week at Wesleyan Christian Academy. Your favorite friend is Kaden... I think you prefer him over Conner.
You are in swimming lessons and doing very well. You can swim 15 seconds under the water, swim a good distance alone and you can climb out of the pool when you want. Good for you!
Still into Bob the Builder and Baby Einstein. You like watching Baby Santa’s.
You still come into mommy and daddy’s bed in the middle of the night.
You are still taking naps. Shorter at school, but about 2 ½ hours at home.
You are a very picky eater. You don’t eat much at all.
When you talk you say “I am do it” “I am not do it” “I am want it.” You put “am” after “I” for some reason. It’s very cute…
You say “please” “thank-you” “I’m sorry” “Excuse me” “Mr. or Mrs. ____” “Your welcome”
You tell your daddy and I “I am love you guys.”
When daddy comes home from work you get so excited and scream “Daddy home. Yea. Daddy home.” And you run outside. You do the same for mommy if I’ve gone somewhere.
You love to pretend to work or fix things. You love to help.
You are into golf. Daddy bought you your own custom golf clubs. You love them.

Ben's milestones (April 2005)

You got your first bike today. We got it at Wal-mart. You started riding the neighbor April 5, 2005
(Christine’s) bike and so we decided to get you one. Daddy took you. You found
a rubber mallot hammer that you wanted. Daddy asked you which you wanted, the bike
or the hammer. You said the hammer. Daddy bought you the bike anyways and the hammer.
You love riding your bike, and still do ride your tri-cycle.
Mommy took you to see Thomas the Train at the Railway. You had a great time. April 8, 2005
You wiped your own butt. You used the whole box of Kandoo wipes. You were so proud April 16, 2005
And so was mommy.
You and Will slept through the night in your beds. (Although it didn’t last long for you). April 21, 2005
It was nice for one night.

Ben's milestones (March 2005)

You, mommy and Uncle Bubba were going to get dinner and a movie (Daddy was at home with March 5, 2005
William). You started counting to 10 and then you counted from 11-20. You skipped 14-17.
Mommy’s going to start working on that with you.
I had to take you and William to the hospital today (you had to have a sonogram on your March 7, 2005
stomach and Will had to have one on his lungs (still wheezing). I think you have reflux.
Have to wait for the tests. (Results: You didn’t seem to be refluxing, but they put you
On prevacid.)

At 2 years and 8 ½ months:

§ You are still signing the words (more, please, bath)
§ You are still into Bob the Builder. You love wearing your Bob the Builder clothes to school.
§ You love to sing – especially the Bob the Builder song. You’ve learned so many songs at school (Twinkle, Twinkle little Star; Jesus loves me; ABC song)
§ You love Thomas the Train also. You have a couple shirts; the trains; a suitcase.
§ You are still always in time-out. You don’t listen well at all. We are hoping it’s your age and that soon it will pass.
§ You still bother the cat. I wish you would leave her alone. You go into time-out for hitting, chasing the cat; you get out of time-out and have to go right back in a few minutes later. Makes mommy and daddy very sad.
§ You speak SO well. You talk in sentences, carry on conversations. It’s so wonderful. You have trouble with ‘f’ you say “tone” for phone and “tood” for food.
§ You call William your baby. And you say “Yilliam” but you can say “Will”
§ You LOVE Your baby. You love to play with him, hold him, kiss him, hug him. You love making him laugh. Your favorite thing to do is sit on top of him. Surprisingly he loves it. It makes you so happy when he laughs at you. You are still very concerned about Will and want mommy to get him from the car first, get him if he’s crying. You are very sweet when it comes to him. You share your toys with him very well.
§ You love trains, airplanes, tractors and construction vehicles.
§ Favorite color is still Orange. You have lots of orange things (shirts, shorts, your shoes have a touch of orange (which you picked out). Your second favorite color is still Pink (mommy’s hoping you grow out of that).
§ You know your ABC’s by site and their sounds and you know your ABC song. YEA for you!

We started seriously potty training you over Spring Break. You’ve done so well. You are out of March 10, 2005
Diapers during the day. You still wear them at night and for long naps. You are doing so
Great and you are so proud of yourself when you go to the potty by yourself. I am so proud
Of you and so impressed at how well you have done. When I started this, I told you that your
Teachers would be so proud of you when you went back to school wearing underwear. You were
So excited by that. I think that’s what helped you with it. You have just done beautifully. Thank
You for making it so easy for mommy and daddy.

Your first day to wear underwear to school. You were so happy and proud of yourself. You March 21, 2005
Did great. Your teachers said you didn’t have any accidents. YEA for you! I told your
Teachers how hard you worked and they made it extra special for you and praised you
A lot. YEA FOR YOU!

At 2 years and 9 months (a couple things to add to above):
§ You are potty-trained. Just have to work on nighttime! YEA!
§ You know your ABC’s and you can count to 20. You skip a few numbers, but you are doing great.
§ You can recognize your name by site.
§ You know mommy’s name, daddy’s name, William’s name, Your first and last name, Uncle Bubba’s name.
§ You talk so clearly. Your words are getting clearer and you are getting much easier to understand. There aren’t too many times where I don’t understand you.
§ You still enjoy playing with Conner, but also like playing with the next-door neighbor girl, Christine.
§ You love to pray at night to God and sing your songs to Jesus. It’s so wonderful to hear.
§ Still a picky eater and don’t like to sit at the table to eat.
§ Your favorite drink now is chocolate milk.
§ You’ve started waking up in the middle of the night and coming to mommy and daddy’s bed.
§ You like renting movies from blockbuster and watching them.
§ One of the things you enjoy now is playing Playhouse Disney games on the computer.
§ You aren’t really sleeping with any lovey’s right now. You have several you like; your kitty kitty, your whale, your blue elephant (big and small). The green golf pillow ripped and mommy hasn’t sewn it up yet – hopefully mommy will get to that soon : )

Ben's milestones (January 2005)

You had your pre-op for your second surgery for your undescended testicle. January 6, 2005
You had surgery for your undescended testicle. You actually stayed most of the day January 7, 2005
In the hospital. We could have stayed the night, but you wanted to go home.
You did so great this time. You didn’t get sick at all. Much different than last
Time. You were so brave. This time you had your sea bands on, and I think they
Gave you less anesthesia. You had fun in the hospital talking w/the nurses,
And playing w/the tools and watching Blues Clues. I was so relieved everything
Went so well.
I started working w/you on signing the alphabet. You know “R” & “B” January 10, 2005

At 2 years and 7 months – today is January 25, 2005

You are counting to 10. You can identify the numbers by sight.
You are singing the ABC song (not all the way through, but you tune into the parts you know. You know all your ABC’s by site and the sounds they make.
You know a lot of colors. (red, blue, yellow, green, orange, white, gray, black, purple, Pink). Your favorite color is Orange, 2nd favorite is pink. I’m hoping you grow out of the pink.
You are speaking SO clearly. You say whatever we say in complete sentences. You speak your mind. Tell us
What you want and argue your point. I can understand about 99% of what you say. You are learning so much and speak so well.
§ Mommy is teaching you to sign the alphabet. You know “a, b, c, d, r”
§ You are really into Bob the Builder right now. You have one outfit that you love to wear all the time. You have a couple books that you love reading and 3 videos that we watch all the time : )
§ You are still a very picky eater. We have a hard time getting you eat. Your favorite is of course, French fries.. but you don’t get that too often.
§ You favor mommy right now. You love Daddy very much – but mommy’s the one you prefer to be with.
§ You LOVE your baby brother. You love to play with him, hold him, kiss him, hug him. You love making him laugh. It makes you so happy when he laughs at you. You are very concerned about Will and want mommy to get him from the car first, get him if he’s crying. You are very sweet when it comes to him. You share your toys with him very well.
§ On the other hand, you are not minding very well. You are constantly in time-out and get spankings often.
§ You still bother the cat and the dogs when they are in. You chase them and tease them and you get time-outs for that.
§ We are having a constant night-time battle w/you getting up during the night wanting to sleep w/mommy and daddy. We put you back to bed and you still wake up throughout the night. We are hoping for that to change soon.
§ You are into trains, airplanes, tractors and Bob the Builder.

You got a stomach virus when you went to visit William at the hospital (he was there for January 30, 2005
RSV symptoms). This was the worst stomach virus you have had. You couldn’t hold
Anything down. You became dehydrated quickly. I had to take you to the ER at medical
City for dehydration and to get fluids by IV.