It seems like Ben has developed in huge leaps over the last few months. He can understand pretty much anything we say to him. He is very good about following directions ("Ben, put the raisins back in the pantry and close the door. Ben, put your binky away and we'll go downstairs."). He loves to play find-the-stuffed-animal, hear the ABC song, count his fingers, do hand motions to songs, give us five, talk jibberish on the phone, and dance in circles. When he toots in the bath, he covers his mouth and gasps (I taught him that the other night). He gets really dramatic while giving and receiving tickles. He laughs hard at monkey sounds. He refuses to speak words but uses sign language. He spends hours looking at books.
Ben enjoys the nursery full of toys at church but really gets excited when it's time to take communion: He squirms out of Ickie's arms and nearly pushes people out of the way to get up to the rail, climb on the kneeling pad, and open his mouth for a piece of bread. He's just such a well-natured kid! Do you think he'll always be so?
