More!

I think I need to hire a secretary....I just can't seem to get to this computer to blog regularly about what Benjamin is doing. It is because Benjamin is always "doing" that I find this reflective time simply lost in the shuffle. Fear not - Benjamin is doing great, despite my lack of blogging of late!

Benjamin has taken a liking to saying and signing "more" at any and every opportunity. The sign language book I studied emphasized that by teaching him to sign, especially things related to needs and wants, we would bridge a communication gap that occurs because he is not able to speak and be understood. I completely agree. Ben is able to let us know that he is thirsty or hungry, that is he tired or hurt, or that he is ready to leave a location. The book failed to mention that by teaching the sign for "more" we were going to create a needy little monster. He wants MORE of everything, even things we can't offer for a second or third time. We went to the circus and saw them blow tinkerbell out of the cannon. A hush settled upon the crowd as the smoke cleared and we waited to see her pop up from the mat. Almost a hush - Benji was yelling "MO! MO! MO!" and emphatically making the sign for more. Uncle Jason popped around the corner to say a surprise hello in the family room - MO! The smallest piece of chocolate I could stand to let him try, and not yet finished with the morsel - MO! An airplane zooms overhead - MO! You finish reading a book for the 15th time that hour - MO! A favorite song finishes on the radio - MO! Cookies, pretzels, food of any sort that is on your plate and not his - MO! An impossibly challenging physical act, such as raising him overhead, helping him bounce high on the bed, swinging him around til you are dizzy- MO! (I tell him "Benji - that makes Mama tired - let's do something else." I get a stunned look with a heavy dose of disappointment before he resumes with his favorite word - MO! And MO it is - -)



I have decided to make MORE my mantra for this summer. Every summer needs a mantra, I suppose, so why not embrace this desire to have it your way, all of the time? That is what summer is all about, right? The hot days? We want MORE! The thunderstorms that knock out power - MORE! Just kidding. I don't really mind those side effects when I cherish the other MOREs that Benjamin brings with him this season - more laughing and giggling. More independent play time when I can watch him read a book to himself or talk to his stuffed animals. More outings that involve dropping my purse and chasing him down Aisle 5. More words that mean something to the rest of the world. More family adventures, including the beach, the road trip to Ohio, the national parks, the museums and the zoo. More time getting to know Benjamin as a person with his own thoughts and opinions. Yes - let's have MORE.

In honor of this new season of bounty, I have included several videos, a huge chunk of new pictures and more photos on the right-hand side of the blog. More blog postings will eventually follow - stay tuned for MORE.