Obsessed Much?!

What continues to amaze me as a mom, is how different each of my loves are and how so much of them can be so similar!  From twins, to a close in age sister, to the "baby" of the family... they all their own personalities that show similarities and differences.  

Ben is a unique breed!  This action packed toddler is ready for action ALL THE TIME!  He has expressions that melt my heart, make me laugh and make me wonder "What is going on around here?" His voice is the perfect mix of innocent and quirky and hearing his growing vocabulary these days is over the edge of insanely adorable!   

One of the things that makes Ben be Ben is his obsession with colors.  Before every object Ben wants or needs, he tells you the color of the object.  Everything has a color name and he uses the color name EVERY SINGLE TIME he talks about the object.  I guess you could say he is Adjective Happy!  While it is great that he is so specific so that you know exactly what item he is desiring, this can also be a problem because there is no tricking this little love!  If the child says he wants "white Mater" to play with then you better show up with "white Mater"!  Don't try to sneak a "brown Mater" in their hoping he won't notice!  No such chance!  He is color conscious and very aware of what he asks for!   

Around our house everything has a color name!  We have basics like red juice, blue shoes, blue ridey car, or green turtle.  But then we have some very specific items that although their names are "plain" sounding- you better get it right because this kid knows his items and their colors!  

The three most important items for the little love are typically always connected to him or very close by! 

"Brown" Foo Foo 

Now, he really only has one (the "brown" foo foo) that he sleeps with, eats with, travels with, plays with, carries everywhere and can 't live without.  However, he refers to him as "brown" foo foo just in case you aren't clear on his request! 

 

"Blue" Blankey 

Another sidekick of Ben's.  "Brown" foo foo and "Blue" blankey are like BFF's!  They are usually always together or close to one another.  They like to hide together under couches.  They like to lay together on swing sets.  They like to be shoved into the compartments of riding toys together!  But the only thing they rarely get to do together is get a bath together!  Because separation from these 2 items is typically a problem so we have to do their washes secretly and at alternating times!  You know... so the "baby" won't get upset! 

 

"Pink" Passy 

Many who know Ben are VERY familiar with "pink" passy!  To say that I have attempted to rid Ben of his strange fixation with this particular passy is such an understatement!  I have let him pick out the passes.  He has had baseball ones, red ones, dinosaur ones... not a single one will really do!  "Pink" passy is extremely special and can make your night ruined if he is lost!  I am not sure how his love of the "pink" passy happened but it certainly did!  This obsession has been going on since the springtime! Ben knows every crevice, dip and feel of the "pink" passy.   So, if you do happen to find yourself in a predicament and can not locate "pink" passy, you better he ready!  Replacing this passy can be brutal and might not even happen leading to a long night for Momma!  

The problem is, Ben doesn't realize "pink" passy cannot talk or scream for its life when it is left inside a Ninja Turtle van, or lodged between the couch cushions or hiding under the train table!  Take for example the picture below!  Recently, while searching, searching, searching for the ever so loved passy, I found it located hanging on the stove knobs in the kitchen!  Just the place I would always check first for such an item!  

I really don't know if I can convey the true amount of love for "pink" passy.  Honestly, if he does lose it and has to be convinced to use "blue" passy, when "pink" passy is relocated and given back to him, the kid's face lights up!  He loves his passy!  REALLY loves his passy! 

 

"Red"  

Ask Ben which item he wants and he will more than likely say "The red one"!  It would be great if there always was a "red" one but there isn't always this luxury.  The kid is obsessed with RED!  

Red shirts, red cars, red juice, red colors, red trains, red cup... the list is endless!  

Recently, when asked what kind of milkshake he wanted- his response "A red one!"  Again, please don't think this love can be fooled- he will become extremely unhappy if you offer him a white, or brown or orange item.  

He is particular.  You can definitely say that! 

 

"White" Mater, "Blue" Car, "Red" car, "Brown" Mater.... 

Not only is Ben obsessed with colors but he is also super obsessed with cars and trucks.  On the normal day, Ben's arms are filled with at least 4 - 6 cars or trucks.  Of course, brown foo foo and blue blankey are there too so his hands are always full of his most prized possessions.  This summer, his lunch time routine has been lining up all his cars and reminding me of their colors.  

I love it!  This is Ben.  

"Red" Button 

Ben is also obsessed with Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story.  Thanks to his older brother's hand me downs, Ben has sported a great pair of pajamas that are almost like a halloween costume!  Ben LOVES these pajamas and would wear them 24/7 if I would let him!  

The more he has watched the movie, the more he has learned about Buzz.  Not too long ago, Ben learned where Buzz's "red" launch button is.  One of the greatest things and one of the things Ben loves to do while wearing these pajamas is press his "red" button and race out of the room yelling his version of "To Infinity and Beyond"!  

Again, this momma's heart melts into a pile of sentimental ooze every time simply because it is so precious!  

 

And last but not least 

"Red" sucker!  

At one point this summer, Ben probably could have been the spokesperson for Dum Dum pops!  But I bet you can guess it- Ben was very specific in which sucker he wanted.  He always wants the "red" sucker!  So of course, on desperate occasions we have found ourselves unwrapping the mystery dum dum flavors to give the precious baby his "red" sucker! 

  

I don't think there is a family member around that won't remember how Ben has loved colors!  Especially red!  This little detail of his personality is one that I truly cherish!  I know it won't last forever and I know he will grow out of he love for colors and his current obsessions.  But for right now, I want to be in the moment, savor his fascination and relish in the innocence of this little 2 year old ball of energy!  

I am guilty.  He is the "baby" and I do find I can't let go of things with him like I did with the other 3.  I don't want anything to end too quickly or change and me forget!  I love it and I love each and every day with these loves!  One of my biggest fears is forgetting.  Hence this blog and my blog books.  I want to be 95 siting on a couch in a nursing home with my grandchildren reading me these stories of the babies I love with more than my heart could have ever imagined and remember it like it was yesterday!  

Ben, you are one of a kind.  You make me smile each day!  There is not another one like you, that is for sure!  While your nickname might be "Taz" and your energy level might never seem to lower, you are one of the best blessings our lives have ever seen!  You are so loved -  lots and lots!