Bunny Bear Hits 2!

 

This Bunny Bear is not for amateurs. It has taken a lot of effort and prayers to get him to two years of age and what a year it has been! As my friend and his babysitter puts it: Some babies climb, some babies put things in their mouths, some babies scribble on walls - this guy does everything! He is so busy and so adventurous! He loves to color - on paper, books, walls, doors, the floor and with anything that resembles a writing tool. He loves to climb and jump and bounce and run and be chased by his brothers. He doesn't like wrestling with his brothers yet since they outweigh him by quite a bit still. He loves putting cleaning product squirt bottles directly in his mouth. He's interested in seeing what exactly fits into electrical outlets. He's interested in eating berries from strange plants outside that turn out to be poisonous and require a trip to the emergency clinic. He loves to go outside but he hasn't learned not to run in the street yet so I had to buy him a harness. Yes, I take my baby on walks with a leash. That is who Bunny Bear is.



COVID-19 birthday cake!

He loves sorting things, lining toys up, ordering and reordering again. He loves his puzzles, especially the shape one. He loves Duggee, blocks and cups, bubbles!, balls, car, cuddling when he wants to, his paci and blankies (all the blankies) and other soft things, like his brothers' stuffed animals. He loves books - reading them, drawing on them, stacking them. He recently just let me start holding the book and reading to him; otherwise, he would need to be in total control of the page turning which made reading impossible. He loves sitting in boxes; sitting on blanket forts (they're blankets and comfy); being chased by the Pumpkin; happy feet dancing; follow-the-leader when he is the leader; sitting on the couch and vegging out to cartoons; being left alone when his brothers are too rowdy or stealing his toys; personal space; hugs and blowing kisses and high fives; the Splash Pad; running with complete abandon and talking without ceasing.

He's a pretty good eater. Mr. Independent will go in the pantry and try to grab the item he wants. If he can't reach it, he will come and grab you or cry. He's learning to open the refrigerator which is scary. He loves milk (lactose free for right now), candy, anything with a straw, steak, hamburger, watermelon, grapes, bananas, peanut butter crackers and will do his best with some corn on the cob. Spaghetti was good, slushies are delicious and pudding will make him lose his mind.

With all his activity, speech has been on the backburner. We're virtually seeing a speech therapist right now, during the Coronavirus lockdown. At two years, they assessed him at an 18 month level. I already think he's making a lot of progress but he's a tough cookie. It's hard to tell how many words he knows because he'll say one once and never say it again. His independence doesn't help with the speaking part either - who needs to say 'banana' when I can just climb up and get one myself? The family is beginning to think he takes after his hard-headed Polish relatives a little too much. He cries when he is thwarted in any way or told No. The terrible two tantrums have hit and he has been perfecting his throw-down (always being careful not to bang his head on the ground though).

 

We're still learning about this guy - what he likes, what he doesn't like, if he'll be happy, melancholy, shy, outgoing, organized, goal-oriented, risk-taker, etc.. So far the Bunny Bear name is matching his personality - he's pretty even-keeled and fiercely independent. He has his passions and will fight for what he wants but he's okay with taking a backseat at times. Sometimes he loves the crazy, loud life his brothers can bring, sometimes it is too much, and sometimes he falls asleep in the midst of it. He seems okay with meeting new people or being in new places if Mom or Dad are there within hugging distance. Then once he is okay, he forgets he has parents. He bounces from project to project but idle Bunny hands are the devil's workshop. His therapist asked if he ever knocks down towers that he builds and he doesn't; he's very methodical and focused with his building and lining up of toys. He likes it when his brothers play with him but not when they take over - who can blame him! He is sweet, is starting to show his sense of humor, has a heart-warming smile and has been unanimously voted the cutest in the family. We love our little, mighty Bunny Bear!