Also Known As...

CANDY CANE BOY:

One Year and One Month Old

Benjamin is a walking, talking, laughing, and dancing toddler. This fall has been pretty rough on him with ear infection after ear infection and then pneumonia, but he is doing much better now (knock wood) and has been a total delight through it all.

Benjamin loves music and a good dance beat. He raises the roof, sings and dances! He says, "Wow!" all the time! He finally calls me mama, but has brought home the old saying, "be careful what you ask for..." At two am, "MAMA!" is not nearly as appealing as I thought it might be! Benjamin loves kisses and hugs and especially loves his brothers! It's amazing to see him imitate them and strive to be just like Daniel (the horror! KIDDING!!).

Ben Loves Grandma and Grandpa!

Ben has very much enjoyed having Grandma and Grandpa here from Virginia.

Proof That He Walks!

Happy First Birthday to Benjamin

Halloween

Benjamin was a happy chicken for Halloween. He wore his costume like a champ, and thought all the other people were quite interesting to look at!

HE WALKS!

Psssst: Don't tell Jeannie, but Ben is walking now. It just made me cry. OH, my baby is so grown up!!

Eleven Months Old

Benjamin is growing up! He took his first few steps two weeks ago to his Aunt Lindsey. He says a lot of words vocally and some in sign language. He refuses to eat baby food at all. EVER. Benjamin loves both of his brothers very much and seeks them out for different and multiple reasons. He loves the bath and he really likes books (to eat). These days, Ben is sleeping in his own bed in his own room!! His favorite part of our new home is the staircase; he takes off up the stairs at every chance he gets! Late in September, Benjamin had his first airplane flights when we travelled to Dallas to visit Aunt LaVerne, Grandmommy, and Papa.

Ten Months Old

Today, Benjamin turned ten months old. He smiles all the time and laughs a lot! He is cruising around furniture, singing, waving, teasing me by saying dada every time I say mama, and he is now totally weaned. I stopped breast feeding him on Sunday the 26th of August. He is doing ok with a sippy cup, but refuses a bottle from anyone but me. Oh well, he's not losing weight, so I am not going to worry now...

9 Months Old

Benjamin turned nine months old in Kentucky! We stayed with Walter's sister, Laurie, and her husband, Al, when we first got here. Ben was afraid of their dog, Arnie, at first, but got used to him and even crawled after him to pet him when he was finally comfortable with him!! Ben continues to be a delightful baby. We spent some fun days this month in Aunt Laurie's blow-up pool in the backyard. Ben is a real water baby - he loves the water and splashes bigger and better than Ethan and Daniel ever could have!!

Laughter Is My Best Medicine

Sweet Baby Ben

Jeannie Rocking Ben to Sleep

Ben in the Tub

Ben and Mommy

Eight Months Old

We travelled to Louisville for a family vacation and ben had a blast. He has two new teeth on the top, can pull up with no assistance, walks on all fours, crawls like a champ, says "dada" all the time, crinkles his nose when he smiles, flirts with girls, wants real food, and more. Ben is a really delightful baby!

Seven Months Old

Benjamin is seven months old! He is crawling forward, backward, sideways, etc. He can get to whatever he wants if you give him enough time and space! Ben says, "dada" all the time and even calls me dada too! He makes a lot of noise and has a super growly squeal that is horror movie worthy! He has two teeth on the bottom now and is working on his two middle top teeth. Ben eats like a growing boy should, loves sweet potatoes and corn and hawaiian delight. I wish you could all see how he's changing each day. He's a real delight in our family.

Rub a dub dub, three boys in the tub!

Ben and Bubbles!

One happy baby!

Huggies commercial!

Ben and Dan playing in the crib.

Teething/Cleaning up!

So Happy!

Benjamin=Beautiful!

Six Months Old

Ben has had his first cereal, his first sippy cup, has his first tooth, first double ear infection, and now his first haircut. He's a cutie and very loveable. You should come hold him!

Toe Sucker!

Ben has found his toes!

First Cereal!

On Saturday, we fed Benjamin his very first rice cereal. He liked it, but was not super enthused about eating from a spoon. He did like chewing on the spoon! I can't believe that Ben is already more than 5 months old. Time really does fly by!