Ben's Blog: June 2012

Thursday, June 21, 2012

8 Months!

Ben is growing like a weed and learning new things every day. Here are some new things in his life this month:

He had tubes put in his ears last week due to his chronic ear infections. Surgery took 10 minutes, but we were nervous wrecks!
Still not walking but coming closer every day.
Every toy/object he picks up becomes a car for him to slide on the floor (magazines, teething rings, boxes, shoes, pacis, etc.).
Speaking of teething rings, his top two teeth and a few on the side are coming in all at once. It has made for some sleepless nights, but he is still so sweet, even when his mouth hurts.
He said "Mama" clear as day last weekend. Unfortunately, my mom was holding him at the time. Hurt feelings, anyone?
He loves the swimming pool but hates his earplugs (see item #1).
He loves his new walking toys and is really skilled at problem-solving. He got backed into a corner last week and patiently did a 5-point turn with his walking toy until he got out. Any other baby would have given up.
He is very tenacious (see above) and patient but will get so mad if you take away something he is interested in. The fit is brief but powerful.
He still loves to dance and clap. He has pretty good rhthym.
He LOVES his cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.
He adores his daddy and jumps up and down when he comes home from work. He has to climb in his lap right away for cuddles.
His favorite song now is "Rockin' Robin."

Here are a few pics;

Loving cousin Becca

Cutie pie on the river cruise we took this week

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Here are some pics from Memorial Day and our neighborhood block party. Ben had his first dip in the pool on Memorial Day. He spent about 20 minutes in the cold water, and he didn't cry. He didn't do much of anything actually. He was completely blank, which is unlike him. He couldn't seem to fathom the enormous bathtub we had placed him in. He enjoyed it a lot more the next day. He splashed and played. He especially enjoyed being pushed back and forth between us.

Some new things he can do:

He started clucking his tongue.
He can clap his hands when you ask him to (and is very proud of this accomplishment!).
He is dancing all over the place.
We have set him free from his "gated community" and he now has access to the living room, bedrooms, and kitchen (Hello, cabinet latches and outlet covers! Goodbye, knick-knacks, vases, and cords!).
He loves to be outside, even if we're just sitting on the porch.
He loves cereal puffs now and starts grunting if he sees them (which is why they are hidden or disguised).
He gets sweet comments from strangers everywhere we go because he is so happy and good-natured.
He now has to "warm up" to new people instead of happily going to everyone he meets.
He loves to give me kisses which means he puts his forehead on mine and then leans in on my face with his mouth open.
He loves baby food -- sweet potatoes, bananas, green beans, carrots, squash, and mixed vegetables. Not peas, though!
His top front teeth are starting to break the surface!
He loves to wake up on his own and sit in his crib talking and singing softly, usually to his paci. It's very sweet.
He is talking gibberish a lot. Lots of "g" sounds and some "b's." We keep waiting for mama and dada but they are usually produced by accident.
He loves to play peekaboo with Daddy. In fact, just about everything Daddy does makes Ben laugh.
I have to do the mean stuff like administer medicine, take his temperature, clip his nails, and wash his hair. Daddy just doesn't have the heart to do anything that upsets Ben. I can see a pushover in our future...
He is growing so fast that I have to clean out his closet and dresser every two weeks. He will be 8 months old this week and is wearing 18-month clothes!
His curly hair has fallen out and has been replaced by a monk-like bald spot on his head. Sigh...
He is so excited when I open the back door of the car, whether it's been one minute since we've seen each other or one hour.
He is waving bye-bye intermittently.
The girls at daycare have taught him how to highfive.
He is still obsessed with pulling (out) my hair. It hurts.
He wakes up at 7:00 a.m. every morning, no matter how much or how little sleep he (we) got the night before.
He is the best thing that ever happened to us, and we thank God for him every day!