Speaking of boys

Let's talk about the one who isn't currently the size of a lemon and kicking my butt from the inside. Bean is 19 months old, and just like I've said about almost every other month before it, this is definitely my FAVORITE AGE. Living with Bean is absolutely hilarious, it's like having a pint-sized Mel Brooks running around. (And of course I mean the "Blazing Saddles" and "Young Frankenstein" Mel Brooks, and not the "Dracula: Dead and Loving It" Mel Brooks.) He seems to appreciate both the finer points of physical comedy as well as the delicate timing of a one-liner -- or in his case, more like a one-worder. It seems that 85% of the conversation between me and DH is "Remember when Bean did ..." and "Isn't it hysterical when Bean ..." Unfortunately, at this age, it's hard to translate all this toddler humor into amusing blog posts, because describing how he runs around the house with a bouncing high-step and swings his arms with his elbows bent so much that he almost punches himself in the face with every step -- well, it really isn't the same. I suppose I could upload some video, but... yeah, that's too much effort right now.

So I'll compromise and be completely unamusing in my update of what our little munchkin is up to these days, then I have a full stock of cute pictures. Feel free to skip down, I'll never know. Anyway, Bean is an absolutely precious, sweet little boy -- pure sugar with goofy spiked blond hair. One of the reasons we picked his name (his real name, not Bean) is because I have a positive association with it from a boy I used to babysit for many years growing up. I prayed that Bean would be as good hearted as this other boy, and he certains seems to be so far. He is gentle and kind to everyone, even to the other little kids who grab toys from him at playdates, and to the pooch, whom he likes to softly pet and kiss while she eyes him cautiously. He loves to help cook and clean. Sometimes he will pour his sippy cup on the floor just to go get a towel to wipe it up. He helps with laundry and loves to throw things in the garbage can when we ask him to. We'll see how long this lasts!

I hate to jinx myself with the Terrible Twos on the horizon, but so far he's fairly decent at listening to us when we say no, and his tantrums are relatively short-lived and infrequent. And although he will wake up occasionally at night if he has a bad dream or a tooth emerging, he always goes right back to sleep when Mom or Dad come to comfort him. He's been going to bed a bit later these days (7:30ish) and he's been starting to sleep in until 8 am. Praise the Lord! Also, I love how Bean is so careful, he's a thinker. While he frequently comes to different conclusions than I do about, say, the appropriateness of writing with pen on his pantleg -- I appreciate the fact that it's a well-considered decision. I imagine it's easier to teach him better ways to think as opposed to how to think at all in the first place. Let's just hope this is a permanent quality for him.

Deserving it's own paragraph is mention of Bean's new obsession: football, or "buh-baw." How it began, DH and I are totally clueless. While DH loves the sport (especially Big 10 college football), he almost never gets to watch it. First, it's rare to see a game that interests Midwesterners out here on the west coast, and poor DH has been so busy in the past, oh, 19 months that he hasn't had the opportunity to spend a lazy weekend on the couch watching large men fall into piles. And certainly it's not *my* influence. Otherwise his newest obsession would be home remodeling. But no matter where the love began, Bean expresses his manliness by changing the channel to ESPN (I have no idea how he manages this), pointing at the screen and saying "buh-baw," and then yelling "go! go! go! go! go!" in great earnest. Now to be fair, sometimes he yells this at the referees or coaches or sportscasters in between the action. And maybe *ahem* the occasional commercial. But still, it's quite amazing how this all developed seemingly from nowhere. As follows, his favorite toy is the small Seahawks "buh-baw" that his Grandpa B. bought him when he was just weeks old. Hmmm... maybe getting an idea where this football obsession came from.

On to the pics!

Sometimes he seems to get the general idea of the potty...

... but other times, not so much.

I have absolutely no idea.

I swear I did not put him in there. Tempting as it may be at times.

We have been transitioning Bean out of his high chair and into a booster seat. I would have done it earlier, but they fly off the shelves like hot cakes at our BRU. When I got my greedy little hands on this one (last one in stock) and was headed to pay, another shopper came up to me asked me where I found it. I growled "MINE!" in my best Excorist voice, shoved her into a stroller display, and bolted for the cash register. They've asked me not to come back, but it was totally worth it. Look how much Bean enjoys his booster!

All those toys, and still the storage bins are much more fun.

Does this remind anyone else of the famous scene where Jennifer Beals gets doused with water while performing in the movie Flashdance? Do they show stuff like that on Sprout?

Yes, I know he's not in the beloved booster seat for this one, but look at the kid use a fork. His coordination is unparalleled. Also? He caught a football today. With his hands. I'm pretty sure he'll be a surgeon.

One of the moms in MOMS Club sent an email that she was getting rid of a playset that her daughter outgrew, and the first person to respond who would pick it up could have it for FREE. Since I neglect household duties to continuously check my email happened to be online just then, I snagged it. I think Bean enjoyed the preparations more than the playset itself. First he very seriously mowed the lawn with his Daddy.

Then he spent at least an hour soaping up and washing the various components (DH pitched in here and there).

Finally, time to play! It is slightly too big for him to climb on without a hand from Mom or Dad, but he can always throw tennis balls and rocks on the slide.

WEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

The person in the family who loves it the most so far is Evey.

But it still gets a smile from sweet Bean.