Jonah now shares my lip balm obsession. And for some reason he calls it ‘raindrop.’ So I’m getting ready in the morning and he comes in and asks me for a raindrop. He removes the cap, smears it all over the lower part of his face for a few minutes, then puts it away. Benjamin calls it something equally odd: pineapple cream. I cannot find the connection for either of these terms.

Benjamin is now the most polite little boy you’ve ever seen – I’ve never heard so many “thank yous” and “you’re welcomes.” Is he the only altruistic toddler on the planet? No. This behavior just allows him to cram more verbal interaction into his day. And if he says ‘thank you’ and you don’t say “you’re welcome,’ he’ll call you on it immediately:

Benjamin: Hank you, Jonah.

Jonah: [silence]

Benjamin: Jonah, say ‘you’re welcome’ to me.

Jonah: You’re welcome.

Benjamin (nodding): Yeah, like that.

* * *

When Benjamin has something to ask me: “Mama, I have to tell you a question….”

And who is Pooh Bah’s human friend? Crispin Robin.

* * *

They're back to taking naps in the same room again.  They are allowed some play time when they can talk and throw things back and forth between their cribs, but then it's Quiet Time when we Rest and there is No Talking.  Without the talking, Benjamin goes right to sleep.  Leaving Jonah to shout for the next half hour:  "Benjamin!  Benjamin!" and sing various songs from their Babar video.... until I tell him (very quietly and lovingly):  "Benjamin is sleeping.  NO TALKING!"

And then sometimes they want to share a crib to fall asleep.  These slumber party photos were taken over the last several months.