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

Ten Fingers, Ten Toes, Ten Months Old

My little boy is 10 months old. I can't believe how time is just flying by.

Benjamin is very confident in crawling now, he really can crawl very fast! He also has a knack for a "peg leg" which is basically crawling with one knee and one foot. He is constantly pulling himself up on things- the couch, chairs, tables, our pant legs. Anything he feels he can get a grip on, he's standing up. Then he cruises. Along the couch, from chair to table to the changing table to the crib. Around his room holding on to things and walking along. He's also gotten very good at standing not holding anything. He can sometimes go for a few minutes at a time just standing on his own. I'm so proud of our son.
Nothing gets him down, he always has a bright smile on his face and just when you think he's done he smiles a little bigger. Showing his 6 teeth and those chubby cheeks. His eyes get all squinched up when he smiles big like that.

Benjamin & Alistair ready for the 4th

This kid loves water, he squeals in delight when we bring him to the sink to wash up. He tries to "run" when we bring him to the splash park. He just loves it!

At the splash pad in Southpark Meadows

He's been working with a new sound. Rob calls it yodeling, but I think he's just having fun exploring all the sounds he can make, quiet and loud. He also gargles effectively. It's so funny that out of the blue he'll just make gargling sounds while playing or in the middle of a meal.
He can wave now. I've been practising waving "hi" to him for a few weeks and he waved back with his big grin. It's like he was so happy in thinking, "Yeah Mom, I can move my arm all funny too!" Now he does it all the time, waving his little arm in the air when he sees me or Rob. He hasn't quite got all of "Gallette Gallette" but the clapping part, he likes to do.

Benjamin and his best friend Jett.

This smart cookie also knows how to test me. When I'm cooking in the kitchen I have him in the living room to play. I can see him from the kitchen so it's not a problem. I'll catch him playing with the shoes by the door and tell him "no". He stops, drops the shoe and waits. I go back to cooking and watch him. He pauses, looks for me, and if I'm not making eye contact he'll slowly go back to the shoe. I'll catch him again and again, tell him no. He stops, crawls a couple feet away and waits for me to stop looking directly at him. He then slowly crawls back to it. If I go and move him away from the shoes he'll stay where I put him as long as we're not making eye contact, but then he hurries right back over. It's cute now, but I'm sure it won't always be cute for me!

Time in = Time Out

I think the first year of a child's life is full of constant change. Something new happens almost every day. I love getting up in the morning and wondering what new thing Benjamin will discover or accomplish today. Sometimes it's as simple as finding the door stop and playing with it for several minutes to hear the "boing" that I recall from my own childhood. Other times it's looking over to find your just barely 8 month old son climbing the stairs! He started pulling up on things- chairs, the couch, the baby gates a few days after he started crawling. He loves walking around with us holding his hands.

Benjamin shows such determination, such willpower, and such drive. When he sees something he wants he goes after it. He loves chewing on the rubber case to my cellphone and when he sees it on my phone he reaches and stretches and pushes- maneuvering towards it. If something it just out of his reach he'll push just a little harder and let a little grunt to get it. Nothing stops this kid. You can try to hide it on him, but he's sharp he'll go after it! Now, this isn't anything new, he's been doing this since before he could crawl; but seeing him on that first step of the stairs made me realize- nothing was going to get in his way.

BenBen also has a great baby physique. Many people have commented on his chubby parts and how cute they are. He is not a picky eater and is very healthy. I love that, because I was a pretty picky eater as a kid and often times I can remember being dissatisfied with food.

Blackberry Grin

His newest love is for berries. Especially blueberries. Benjamin would eat a pint of blueberries if you let him! (Of course we don't!) He also loves getting fresh blackberries from the Farmers Market that we visit nearly every Saturday. He loves the outdoors and loves to explore.

Often he practices clapping, or as a tradition in my family a little french rhyme that includes some clapping action. He's so smart!

We got him a little kiddie pool, he went in for the first time this month. He would rather get out and explore the yard- all the grass, bugs, and dirt. He did seem to enjoy it some, if not just to cool down.

With Dad at the Splash pad

      We brought him to the Splash park for a little while. He had a BLAST! He was rushing us towards the spouts of water and getting wet. Giggling and shrieking the whole time! He loved watching the other kids run around and putting his hands in the water.

Getting Around

Family Pic at the Rockland Breakwater

At 7 months and 6 days old, Benjamin started crawling! I was trying to take pictures of him and he kept getting up and crawling to grab the camera! A new adventure has begun with little man on the move! He then crawled over to a chair and pulled himself up to a stand all by himself! I was so so proud, but we've definitely got to babyproof the whole house!

Since he started crawling we've done quite a bit of baby proofing. He would much rather explore with his new found freedom than play with his toys! He found that the door stop on the wall makes a cool sound when you pull on it and let it go. He'll sit there and play with that for several minutes. He's pulled on one of Rob's boots on the shoe rack that tumbled on him, scaring him. Ah, the learning process, the disrespect for gravity, and pure innocence!
He's very vocal with "bababababa" and "mamamama" and "dadadada" which is all so cute to hear. We love the little squeals, the shrieks, and the laughs. Oh the laughs melt my heart every time!
He's working on 2 more teeth. The drool factory has been turned on.

Ben got his first cold and ear infection this month. He's pulled through like a champ though, and does very well with taking medicine. Of course, grape flavored liquid is quite the treat!
We went on our first trip with Ben this month. We went to Maine for his aunts' college graduation and to visit with family. Many of which he hadn't met yet! He did pretty well on the plane ride to Maine. We had a layover in Houston, and he was awake from Houston almost all the way to Boston. He was crabby for about 20 mins of that flight. I think partially because we were in a weird place and had to get up at 3:30a to catch our flight.

Benjamin in his Baby B'air flight vest

Auntie Em, Ben, & Mary

When we got to Boston we rented a car and drove to
"Pops'" house. There Benjamin met Mary, Auntie Cassy, Suze, Emma and Uncle Mike. Pops made us dinner- broccoli, mac n cheese and chicken cordon bleu.

Auntie Cassy, Uncle Mike, & Ben

Auntie Suze & Benjamin

From there we went to Memere and Pepere's house where Benjamin played on the floor with Memere and found some new toys. That evening Benjamin's Great Aunt Donna and Great Uncle Chris came with cousins Devon & Emily. It was a long eventful day! The next day Benjamin got us up quite early. We had breakfast and just relaxed.

Pepere & Memere meet Ben

On the tractor with Pepere

Ben met more family- Great Auntie Helen, Great Uncle Greg, Apryl and Andrew.
The next day we went to the Portland Civic Center for Auntie Cassy & Suze's college graduation. Ben did very well, sitting with Daddy and Pops and walking around with Great Auntie Donna. Then we went back to Memere and Pepere's and enjoyed some watermelon and strawberries and took a long nap with Daddy!
Those 2 teeth we thought were coming haven't made their appearance yet.

We then went to see Grammy & Grampy Paradis & Uncle Peter. They had a big family get-together there and Benjamin met lots of people!





Benjamin went to Amato's and the beach for the first time on our trip to Maine. He loved the beach! He wiggled his toes in the sand and even tasted it!







We had a great trip and can't wait to see everyone again!

Even pearls are dark before the whiteness of his teeth.

That's right folks, we're up to 4 pearly whites in the little man's mouth!



These two top ones coming in made for a very stressful teething time.

One night of constant crying was more than I could handle!



Benjamin has become more vocal this month. Mastering some "babababababababa" and of course, the one that melts my heart, "mamamamamama." He also likes to practice "fffffffffffffffffffffffffffssssssssssss" and "mmmmmmm mmmmmmmm mmmmmmmm"  It's pretty cute!



He's also discovered that he can get up on his hands and knees and rock. He will get on his belly and use his arms and legs to spin 360* and squirm around a room. I swear I saw him take 2 crawling "steps" last night, but I dont think he realized what he was doing because as soon as he was able to reach the toy he stopped and reached for it on his belly with a little squirm. That's okay though, he's SO close!!

Because he can get up on his knees he's also really good at sitting up by himself. A few times in the past several nights I've gone into his room after putting him down for the night to find him sitting up in his bed playing and talking to himself! I've not witnessed how he goes from his back to sitting, but it really makes me want to get a camera in his room!

We got a new stroller! The one we got to put his carseat in had become cumbersome. With a 21lb baby to tote around, it's much easier to leave the carseat in the car. Plus this new stroller drives like a dream compared to the old one!

Half a Year, a Whole Lot of Love

Can I just say how much I love being a mommy?? He truly is our sunshine. I feel so incredibly lucky that he is a wonderful happy healthy baby! Nothing gets him down. He's such an inspiration and a joy.

Benjamin will be 6 months this week. SIX MONTHS! A half year! He's rolling both ways now and when he's motivated he'll squirm about the room. Where I lay him to play is rarely ever where I pick him up! I've ordered another baby gate for the top of the stairs because it won't be long before little mister is crawling! He's already trying to get up on his knees. He is determined!
He got a tooth! Two teeth actually! A few days after he turned 5 months the first bottom tooth on our left popped through and the next day the one next to it did. I'd love to show you a good picture but it really requires 6 hands. He's determined to no show them! I'll keep trying!


Broccoli



Eating steamed squash
when Molly licked his foot!



Ben is such a good eater. He still doesn't like avocado, but that's fine- neither do I! We started something called Baby Lead Weaning/Solids. It's basically where you give baby what you're eating in finger food portions and let them feed themselves. We're still breastfeeding, so he gets most of his calories there; but he's getting a chance to explore real food. So far he's tried: sweet poatoes, squash, peaches, pears, broccoli, chicken, steak, pasta, toast, and plum. It's going well and he's really taking to it like a pro. Unfortunately though, he's learned that what we eat might be something he can also eat so many meals are shared. And MESSY! :)



At the park with Daddy





Benjamin also tried the big boy swing at the playground for the first time!



First time in the swing!



It's spring in full force here and just lovely. Greens and flowers blooming everywhere. My favorite season here in Texas.



Mr. Benjamin's 6 month stats: 19lbs, 28.5". :)



We don't have to go back to the doctor for shots or a check up until he's a year old!