DId he understand me?

Bennett is at that funny stage where he still can't communicate all that much (verbally anyway) but all of a sudden he can understand a LOT. It daily takes me by surprise. Today he actually started saying "Thank you". Well, in Bennett-hua (that means Bennett language) anyway. It sounded more like "Day you". There have actually been about 3 or 4 times before I thought "Did you say thank you? No, I'm sure he couldn't have been." But now I am sure and Chris heard it too and confirmed it. One of Bennett's favorite things to do right now is to "give" you something he is holding and then take it right back. He will give me his cup, his Lego, his ball, etc. over and over and then want it back and so I always say thank you when he gives it to me. Actually, a lot of times I say "xie xie" which is Chinese for thank you, because Austin learned to say that before the english. But Bennett is his own person and wants to say the harder word. He will give it to me and then say it. I haven't been able to video it yet but I will try. He also says "zai jian" for bye bye (it sounds more like "dai di" but ...).

But that was a tangent. Onto understanding a lot. Now Bennett will see someone put their jacket or shoes on and start waving goodbye. Or I will say "Give that to Daddy" and he actually will give it to Chris. Or I go the bathroom and he sits outside the door until I come out...knowing I will be out again soon. Or he will hear us say a word he knows in a sentence that is not directed at him and respond (like I was talking to Austin about a monkey in a book and he starts making the monkey sound). It is the beginning of the end of his being a baby, which is sad but also it is fun to see him learning and growing and just getting so many things. He also loves putting things in and out of containers and opening and closing things. He spent about 15 minutes the other day taking playdough shape cutters (like cookie cutters) out of a container, then putting them back in, then putting the top on and then...repeat. He will "help" put toys away in a basket now if Austin and I are cleaning up. I think his vocabulary will expand rapidly in the next few months.

As for the health update, Bennett is somewhat better, but still having diarrhea once or twice a day, if he eats anything. I talked to the doctor today and he said it can take a week or more, but as long as he is hydrated he will be ok. But no food for now. I am glad it was Bennett who couldn't eat for a week and not Austin though...Austin would have wasted away be now but while Bennett looks thinner for sure, but had enough padding to make it through.

Chris is away for the weekend and it got COLD today...very gray, drizzly and cold. I am wearing a jacket in the house as I write this. I am thinking of making some pumpkin bread or cookies tomorrow to contrast with the dreary weather. Well, I am off to bed...Bennett has been waking SO early since being sick and I can't pass him off to Chris in the morning.