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.