Ben the amazing

Posted by spots (Singapore, Singapore) on 26 March 2008 in People & Portraits and Portfolio.

Meet Ben the Amazing. It's as if a light bulb got switched on when he turned 1 (in Feb).

Example #1. A week ago, I put my shoes in the shoe cabinet. I walk away and when I turn around, Ben is padding up to the shoe area. He picks up Dan's shoe, opens the shoe cabinet, dumps the shoe in and shut the cabinet. Turning around, he stares at me and claps his hand.

??

Example #2. Ben is always trying to grab our cups, but we tell him he has his own straw bottle. So one day, (witnessed by Husband) apparently, he walks up to his straw bottle, UNSCREWS the cap, lifts up the bottle filled with water and sips from it, without spilling it! Then, he walks away.

??????!!

Example #3. After Dan pees in the potty, I always wash his hands, just so that the good habit is established. So, upon finishing washing his hands, I tell Dan, "OK, go wipe yours hands dry." Ben who is standing within earshot immediately walks up to the hand towel and wipes his hands on the towel, as if drying it!

????????

And Ben can also understand and obey simple commands like, Go and get that book and bring it to Mommy. Give Mommy the book.

Is it just me, or do second kids really mature faster in terms of their understanding and ability? I don't remember blogging about Dan in this way, till he was slightly older. See this entry.

Ben has certainly walked faster and seems to be understanding things slightly faster than Dan. But he is slower verbally. As of now, he can say, "Mama", "Dada", "Brea!" (for bread), ""No more", "ish" (for fish), "Truc!" (for truck). He's definitely quieter than Daniel - but you know, given how noisy Daniel is, we're actually enjoying the quiet, for now!