12 Months

Mom & Ben at the zoo

Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, TX

Benjamin Robert entered this world one year ago. He has enriched our lives so much more than we could have imagined. He has a wonderful little personality, a sweet smile, and the cutest laugh. He has grown into a compassionate, strong, smart, and loving little man.
This month Benjamin went to the zoo for the first time. He was such a good boy, looking around and taking everything in. I think he liked the little monkeys and the aquarium the best.

Playing in the sand with Daddy

We also went to the gulf. We drove 4 hours to Port Aransas, TX. He had an absolute blast at the beach! He was crawling and walking, and pulling his Dad into the water. Checking out seashells and playing in the sand. It was great to see him so excited!

Benjamin walks very well now, obstacles don't trip him up as easily any more and he's much more confident about getting where he wants to go on his 2 marshmallow feet. At a size 6, it's harder to find shoes for him! Luckily,  I found some cute ones with velcro so it could adjust a little.
Benjamin says "mama" "dada" "done" and "yeah". We've also taught him some silly sounds, too. He loves to bang on things, to squeal and if there's a bucket, basket, or bowl he loves to flip it over to dump whatever is in, out. He's become very good at pulling off a bib, so he rarely wears one these days. It makes for a lot of laundry, but I don't mind. He has completely mastered drinking from a straw, and can hold his bottle himself. His favorite food is cottage cheese. He loves Goldfish and raisins, plums, watermelon, and peaches. He's not too keen on vegetables, but will eat corn on the cob like an adult. :) He does still like broccoli and potatoes.

New Outfit & shoes!

He is a very good sleeper, many days he takes 2 nice naps during the day.
Benjamin got his second hair cut this month. His hair is starting to come in thicker and faster now, so I'm sure it will be a more regular thing. He's also getting more teeth. His first year molars and his eye teeth (canines). This will make 11 teeth when these all come through. He has a beautiful little smile.






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Alistair (15mos) & Benjamin

This cake was the top to the baby shower cake. 

We had Benjamin's first birthday party at Amy's Ice Cream. I made a cake shaped like a guitar and a couple little cakes shaped like stars. I think he had a great time at his party. He got to spend time with his Grammy who came from Maine for a visit. He hung out with some of his friends and his cousin, Alistair. It was a hot day, but everyone enjoyed some ice cream. I think all Benjamin ate the whole time was french fries and ice cream! :) He received lots of fun gifts. A couple drums, an awesome hand made frog diaper, and tons of blocks. Benjamin loved the balloons! Mama and Daddy got him a pop up tent, teepee, and tunnel that connect!

Eleven. Exactly. One louder.

This past month has been quite exciting. Benjamin's little personality is developing more and more each day!

First Haircut!

We have a shoe rack in the livingroom near the front door. For some reason Ben decided that this rack of shoes is the best toy in the house. Dirty, smelly old shoes! I'm constantly telling him not to put them in his mouth and to stay away from there but half the time it doesn't work. That's how it goes with a baby though. Well one night I was in the kitchen and could see him crawling towards the rack. I came around to the door way, pointed to him and said "I'm watching you!" He, standing at this point, points back at me with the biggest smile on his face! He's never pointed at me before so it cracked me up and his mocking me was quite cute!

Sticking out his tongue is his new favorite thing!

Nearly every night I give Ben his night time bottle, rock him, and sing to him. A few nights ago after he finished his bottle we were in his room rocking and I started to sing. He put his hand on my mouth and proceeded to do the singing! "dadadada dada dadada..." until he closed his little eyes and fell asleep. Melt my heart!

Playing with Natalie at the splash park!

He's getting more and more confident with standing and cruising. On August 14th he took his first step! He was walking along using my fingers, let go and took a step all by himself. He then proceeded to sit down and crawl to his Daddy. We were both so so proud!
He loves Elmo. Sometimes in the morning before breakfast I'll put on Sesame Street and since Elmo is the last thing on we'll watch some of it together. His favorite color has been red for a long time, so I bet Elmo is just awesome to him. A couple months ago we got him a small stuffed Elmo for the car and he holds on to him when we're going places. He also puts Elmo's eyes in his mouth, but I'm sure Elmo doesn't mind.
Ben's teething again. I can see 7 total.
He's getting to be more and more into climbing. He thinks it's great fun to climb up the stairs so we follow him sometimes. I've been working with him on how to scoot on his bum down the stairs. He does okay, but he gets so excited to get down faster he'll trip himself up. So we just go slow, one step at a time.

At the circus!

Benjamin went to his first circus! Ringling Bros put on a good show. He saw tigers and elephants and clowns. He had a good time, other than when the Ringmaster was making announcements, it was so loud and scared Ben a little.
He has figured out how to open the baby gates! We have to be sure to actually lock them now because the little bugger knows if he lifts the handle it will open! He's too smart for his own good!

My little boy is going to be a year old soon! <3