Grandma Bragging Rights

            Last week I saw firsthand that in the two months since my end-of-August visit, Benjamin has learned new and exciting things:

     When Dana signs and asks him, “Do you want to eat?” he touches his finger to his mouth, the sign to eat.

     He gets onto all fours and sometimes moves one knee forward before splatting on the ground.  Or he hangs out in the push-up position, balancing on hands and toes.

     Last Friday, he explored the kitchen for the first time.  I have video to prove it. 

     He is much more intentional with his toys, for instance, operating his Leap Frog music tables in a favored sequence.  Once at the “ABC” song, he looks to me with his hand out, ready for me to start clapping my hands in rhythm with the beat.

     One evening holding him on her lap, Dana says “clapping” as she taps out a beat with her hands.  For the first time, Benjamin claps his hands independently.

            As expected of any two-year-old, Benjamin does have a few less endearing habits as well:

     He grabs the wet wipe straight out of my hand as I attempt to change his diaper.

     He incessantly grinds his teeth. 

     When I pick him up, he tucks his head into my shoulder and chomps down with those razor-sharp teeth.  It’s like a reflex, no harm intended.  But he drew blood once, and I have the scar to prove it.