A Day in the Life of Ben: January '06 Edition

Big stretch!

Feed me!

Mommy and I watch the news. It's supposed to be warm today. Do you think I'll ever get to wear my snowsuit?

Notice how my jammies, bib and teether are all color coordinated.

Playing in my exersaucer.

Snoozing in my swing.

After I wake up and get dressed, I practice rolling over in my crib.

Then I play with the baby in the mirror.

Oatmeal is my favorite...yum!

After a spit-up incident, I have to change my shirt.

In the car and ready to go.

Running errands wears me out.

I think I'll try some yams, at least it's not squash.

After more spitting up and a diaper blow-out, Mommy decides it's time for a bath.

Daddy's home! This is my favorite part of the day.

I like to bounce.

Where did I go?

Reading helps me unwind.

I'm sleepy, see you tomorrow!

Rolling Over

After lots of practice, I've finally mastered rolling over. Now I like to show off and do it all the time. Mommy and Daddy can't leave me alone for a second or I'll end up on the other side of the room. Here I am in action:

Thinking about rolling over...


Here I go...


Whoa!


That was fun!

Veggies? Maybe not.

I don't like squash.

Are you ready for some football?

6 month check-up

Can you believe I'm six months old already? Yesterday, I went to visit Dr. Sanders for my six month check-up. I now weigh 18lbs, 2oz and I'm 27 inches long. I'm getting so big!

New Year, New Talent

I can sit up by myself!

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas! Hmm....what are these things? I've seen them sitting under the tree for awhile, but I didn't know I could play with them.



The wrapping paper stressed me out a little because it made lots of noise. I found the bows much more exciting. Opening presents is hard work, so I had to take a nap shortly after I started.
I spent the rest of the day playing with my new toys (or at least the ones that Mommy and Daddy could assemble quickly). I had lots of fun in my exersaucer.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

This high chair is good for something.

I've been sitting with Mommy and Daddy at the kitchen table for weeks now and I am always very fascinated by the food that they eat. I was beginning to wonder if they were ever going to share or just keep it all for themselves. Today I got to try out some rice cereal for the first time. Finally! This is what I've been waiting for! I was a little unsure of myself at first, but once I realized it was food, I was psyched. Of course, most of it ended up on my face and bib. By the end of the meal, I had the process down and I tried to grab the spoon and do it myself. Mommy doesn't understand my need for independence so she kept moving my hands out of the way. It was great, I can't wait to try it again tomorrow. Now that I've had cereal, I think I'm ready for brownies (Mommy made some last night and they smelled REALLY good).

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

Today my play group had a Christmas party. It was lots of fun. Here are a couple of pictures of me and all my friends.


(L to R: Alexandra, Evvy, Lily, Me, Katelyn, Clara, Zachary and Cadence down in front) Aren't we an attractive bunch? Can you believe nobody is crying?

Alexandra and I were being cute and holding hands. Then, forgetting all my manners, I thought she was a toy and started chewing on her hand. Sorry, Alexandra, I'll try to remember to only chew on my own hands next time!

Christmas, one week early

This weekend we went to my great-grandparents' (who will be known as GGMa and GGPa from now on) house in CT to celebrate Christmas with the extended family. Of course, I was the center of attention and nobody noticed that my parents were there also. They didn't mind.
I got a Snoopy toy that is almost as big as I am!

Me and GGMa. Yeah, haha, it's Christmas, I have a bow on my head, I look like a present. I get it. You people think you're sooooo hilarious, don't you?

Me and my Great-Uncles (gruncles) Pete and Bill. I'm not quite sure what to think of these two. They were pretty loud and I couldn't follow their conversation. (Editor aka Mommy's note: "Neither could anyone else"). Something about Norse mythology and Futurama?? Yeah, I don't know. I just smiled and pretended to get it so that they'd think I was cute. Then I passed a lot of gas in their general vicinity.

I finally got to meet this Uncle Mike person that everyone keeps talking about. I was beginning to think he was a figment of my mother's imagination. It was a little overwhelming.


Whatever, Uncle Mike, I'm so done with you.


But I would like to put that camera in my mouth.

We had a fun time in CT. I was exhausted from all the attention so I took a long nap on the car ride home.

Hello, Big Boy Car Seat

Lately, I've been getting too heavy to be carried around in my infant carrier. I've been feeling a little cramped too.
This is me the day I came home from the hospital. I was three days old...

And this is me now at five and a half months...


Daddy installed my new car seat this week. It's very roomy and much more comfortable!

Hey, How YOU doin'?

I'm too little for cookies

Today Uncle Andy came over and we made Christmas cookies. Y'know, I thought he was a nice guy until he started taunting me.
Dude, that's so not cool.

There's a tree in my living room

I have vague memories of falling asleep in the car and waking up somewhere where there were a bunch of trees. Mommy and Daddy woke me up and carried me around in the snow as they debated which tree to bring home with us. Then I fell asleep again. The next morning there was a big tree where the couch usually is. I find this very interesting and I want to grab the branches as much as possible.

Mommy is decorating our house for Christmas. Decorating is okay, I guess, but grabbing and chewing on things is more fun.

I'm not sure what to think of these lights.



I like tasting the ornaments (mmm....glitter)...




...and playing with stocking that my great-grandma made for me. Isn't it pretty?



Mommy decided that maybe it would be better to finish decorating after I went to sleep. Maybe next year I can help.

To my friends...

I want to give a shout-out to my peeps from my playgroup, since they were disappointed I hadn't yet mentioned them in my blog.

Evvy: I love you in blue, it brings out your eyes.
Cadence: You have such nice hair and always wear pretty outfits.
Katelyn: My mom wishes she had your eyelashes. Thanks for letting me play in your jumparoo today, it was awesome.
Alexandra: Bald is beautiful, Sweetie.
Max: I was kind of hoping to be the only boy at the group again this week, but it's still a pretty good ratio, don't you think?
Ryan and Lily: We missed you this week, hope to see you soon!

It's time for my bottle and "Goodnight, Moon" so Nighty Night.

Me and Santa

Mommy, Daddy and I ventured out in the snow and braved the crowds at the mall today. There were lots of shiny, sparkly decorations for me to look at. We stood in line with a bunch of other kids and their moms and dads and I finally got to meet this guy....





I decided to embrace the Christmas spirit and give them one smile, but no more!!

Not quite there yet.

Today, I practiced sitting up (as opposed to "spitting up", which I've already mastered).