18 months...

I think I could write quite a lengthy post about all the reasons I love this age with Bennett. Along the way, friends have shared with us how each stage is unique and just when it can't get anymore rewarding, it does. Bennett is so inquisitive and is communicating more clearly every day. We love helping him explore his surroundings. It is the little things he finds so amazing...a birdie or two flying off our balcony railing, the ants disappearing in the cracks of the sidewalk, how a bush tickles his hands. And the affection Bennett shows for his mommy, daddy and doggy is contagious. His nighttime routine is not complete without many hugs and kisses. Not that there are not challenges...him challenging us, that is...because they definitely happen, but we happily take the little bad because there is so, so much good.

Here are a few (okay, a lot) pictures from a little 18-month photo session we recently did. Our plans to go to Holcomb Gardens were switched up because of soggy weather, but the IMA suited us just fine. As busy as he is, this had its share of challenges, but I think captures Bennett's little personality quite well.

These columns made for great hide-and-seek.

Sitting still...for just a moment.

We were trying to allow him to explore the many beautiful flowers. I am not sure this poor flower survived. Instead of gently touching, smelling, etc...B decided to just take it down. He resembles the dino on his little john-john. So appropriate.


Another moment where he both sat and smiled just long enough to snap a few pics.

His shy smile. My favorite smile.

Exploring a bridge and fallen tree limbs after the storm. He loves nature...rocks, sticks, bugs, water, dirt, mulch...all of it. He asks to go "side," a.k.a. "outside" multiple times throughout the day. He will grab anyone's hand willing to take him there.

We were fully christened over the weekend with "summer" weather. Hot days were cooled with dips in the pool, freeze pops and strawberries. The child can eat a quart of them in one sitting and tries his darndest to say "strawberry". We have already removed 3 splinters from the bottom of those little feet. I love seeing his toes too much to always put shoes on them.