Dear Bently,

Ah man am I behind on your letters. I had 2 weeks off of work and I did pretty much nothing productive. Okay that's not entirely true! I spent tons of time with you and organized a couple cupboards. So that was good! ;) Anyways I'll try and catch up and remember everything...


The first thing is a couple weeks ago, before California, I got you naked for a bath. I then said go get into the bath tub. I was shocked when I watched you climb easily into the bathtub. I know it doesn't seem like a big deal but watching your little toddler butt go up and into the bathtub hit me hard in the face. You're a big kid now. You can actually do things by yourself. I love watching you learn and grow but it is a little bitter sweet! :(


We went to California! It was fun but stressful. The driving to and from were the worst!!! We drove there in one day and it was rough. You did better than Olivia but you started to loose it by the end. the worst was trying to put you to bed that night. You were so wound up from sitting all day. Plus we were in a new environment. But you like I said you weren't too awful on the drive. You were actually pretty cute most of the time! You would wear the sunglasses the Hyers got you so you could be like Mom and Dad. Then we would all sing songs together! You love to sing! Love it! And you actually sing more words more clearly than when you talk. You know more of the words to the songs on the radio than I do! I absolutely loved watching you sitting in your car seat with you bed head and your sunglasses on singing your little guts out! Adorable!


You got to meat your Great Grandma and Grandpa Stetson while we were there! Grandma and Grandpa Stetson hold a very special place in my heart. Number one because they are amazing people who are always giving and number 2 because I feel like they are a small connection I have with my Dad. It's always fun to look at them and try and imagine which traits my own father would have. You loved Grandma and Grandpa and we had a ton of fun with them!


We also got to go to the graveyard and see my Dad's grave. It was such a beautiful and peaceful day! The sun was out and I just sat on the grass and took it in. I had a goal to make it without crying but that didn't happen. As I'm sure you will learn it doesn't take much to make me cry. It was the first time I "talked" to my dad at his grave. It was a little strange but it felt good to say things to him out loud. You mostly ran around the cemetery. You didn't understand and that's okay. I tried to explain this was my dad Papa Tim. You melted my heart as we walked away and I said "Say goodbye papa Tim" And you did loud and proud little man. I know you would have loved him! I'm so grateful to know some day you and me will get to see him again! :)


We also took a little trip down to San Francisco. I actually had a lot of mommy guilt this trip. I realized while in San Fran that the whole trip wasn't exactly filled with Bently friendly activities. I felt bad that you had probably been bored the past couple days. I realized it hadn't been the funnest trip for you and I'm sorry little man! I promise next time I'll plan more kid friendly activities! You did enjoy looking at the bridge and walking around in the rain. We also got to look at some seals which was fun! They are extremely stinky though! ;) You were so adorable the whole time! I just love going and doing new things with you. I get more excited for you to do new things than for myself!


The last thing I need to catch up on is we tried potty training! I was so excited to start potty training. We're pretty poor right now and having that extra money would be awesome! I set up a whole party for you and I talked it up. I bribed you with the zoo and talked all morning about going on the potty. Then I brought out a present for you. Big boy underwear. Now I was thinking before hand it might not go well due to you never really talking positively about the potty. But I took off your diaper and put on the underpants. Immediately we were in melt down mode. I managed to distract you with my Nook for about 2 seconds before it got worse. You were screaming so hard your face was starting to turn purple. You were thrashing around going from me to your dad to me again. I was totally confused and didn't know what to do. Your Dad said, "maybe he has to go potty." So I pulled down your underwear and sat you on the potty and immediately you went. Just like that you peed in the potty! I was on cloud nine! Your Dad and I screamed and jumped for joy! We were so happy! We gave you a treat. I thought for sure now that you had done it I figured you would want to do it again. Oh boy was I wrong. Now sooner was the treat gone than the screaming continued. Finally after a good 10 minutes of trying to convince you we put you back in a diaper per your demands. "No underwear. Diapers!" I guess we'll try again later. I want you potty trained before three but we'll see if that happens!


I love you handsome! I hope you always know how much!


Love,
Mommy


P.s. Recently you started calling my Mommy instead of Mama and I LOVE IT!!! Seriously was so excited when I heard you call me Mommy! :) Made my whole day! I don't know why it makes a difference but it does! :)