it all began with Ben and a bbq: 21 months and DANGEROUS

I know I sound like a broken record, but the months lately feel like weeks they fly by so fast. I'm hoping that when 2 arrives and Ben is just "2" for a whole year rather than measuring his age in monthly milestones, that maybe it won't feel so frighteningly fast.

I'll get to the DANGEROUS part of the post in a moment, but first the monthly update.......

We wrapped up dance class last week and not only did Ben gain a love for several new songs, but when we practice them at home he does lots more than he did in class and shows he learned quite a lot.

He is now mooing, cock-a-doodle-dooing, Bert laughing (from Sesame Street), and saying baby on command. He is also signing please in the last week and I hope is coming to realize it will be required with regularity by this Mama. While he is asking to be read to less, he still loves books and the favorites haven't changed. He has really been enjoying his Hallmark recordable storybook from Tante although I think I love it more:). Just last weekend he started carrying around his Ikea stacking cups (that he's had for months) like they are gold, or candy, or Jellycat reincarnate. He stacks and un-stacks but mostly holds onto them tightly nearly every minute of the day. For now it's quite entertaining.

Physically, he's still running everywhere but getting quite adept at using hand rails up and down stairs rather than the hands and knees method. We still request the "old way" on long or steep flights, but he's gaining confidence in this arena everyday.

We have some travel and a big move coming up so we don't have any organized activities on the books right now. We take a nearly daily trek to the nearby open space right before lunch for some fresh air and exploring and with school ending there are more kids at the park we frequent. I am quite anxious to find a house for many reasons, but finding a preschool for the fall is at the top of the list.

Ok, without further adieu, the DANGEROUS....

"No!" continues to be a struggle for all of us living with Ben. Not only does it barely faze him, it usually produces a huge grin and a second attempt at whatever you have asked him not to do. Removing him from situations and taking things away from him unfortunately does little to hurt his feelings or his ego. Lately we have tried to teach him to ask for our help with the stereo (although he can do it all), so no further damage is done to it by him. In the last couple of weeks, I've gotten more firm with him when he helps himself to it. When the situation escalates and I move him away from the entertainment center he initially would hug my legs and look up and smile. I would reiterate that I loved him but that he was still to ask for help. This "loving" quickly escalated and now the hug is followed by a plea to be picked up and a big wet kiss followed by a head tilt flirt!! OH boy!! I am so in for it! and yes, very, very afraid!!! That this reaction is innate in my 21 month old is fascinating and awesome and so wonderfully disconcerting.