Spring

I can't believe how fast time is flying, and it's not looking to slow down anytime soon. I feel like the whole year is planned out already! I'm just trying to savor each moment. Ben turned 19 months and is talking up a storm. He learns several new words every day it seems, and words he's been saying for awhile are now said with perfect pronunciation. Just yesterday he started saying "water" (though for now it's more like "why-er") even though he's been signing it for nearly six months. And he's always said "dada" but just this morning it turned into "daddy" (like da-deeeee).

 He's still going through a pushing phase which is very challenging and exhausting but it does seem to be getting a little better. Of all his phases this one is the worst because I feel like he's judged as a bad kid and I'm judged as a bad parent when he goes up to another kid and shoves them over. I really think he just want to play rough, but he has yet to encounter another kid his age that wants to play that way. Yesterday at the park there were two older boys roughhousing and he ran right over and tried to join it.  We're working on it, and I guess that's the best we can do. I've noticed that it gets worse when he's hungry or tired so I try and plan outings around naps and always armed with lots of snacks.

We're getting ready for a parade of company starting in a few weeks which is exciting. Zach's aunt and uncle, grandpa and parents are all coming, plus my mom. It will be nice to have the help not to mention the company. Have I mentioned that not having any family around for thousands of miles is a little lonely? Because it is.

I'm so excited that spring is here. Not that the weather is ever terrible here but spring means blooming flowers, fun trips, baby animals and most importantly more daylight! It's so nice to still have it be light out until after dinner. I remember not so long ago having to leave the park at 4:30 because it was too dark to play. Suffice to say, we're over that!