Beaver Baseball

Hood River

Grandma Kathy, Benjamin and Kristen went to visit Renabe in Hood River. We took a walk to visit the school where Renee teaches and Benjamin got his first tire swing ride. Thanks for showing us around Nay!

Those Troublesome Teef

None on the top...

There they are!

8 Month Recap

Here are the stats: 21.5 pounds and 30 inches. His growing has tapered off these last few months perhaps because, drum roll please....HE SLEEPS!!! We went from waking up every 2-3 hours to eat (for EIGHT months) to all of the sudden one night (February 13th, thank you very much Mom & Dad who babysat that night) sleeping eleven hours straight ever since. Yes, I do believe month 8 has been my favorite so far. :)

He is getting close to pulling himself up to standing, and enjoys walking around holding onto our hands. This month door stops and drawers are a source of endless fascination. He got his two bottom teeth and this has not been pleasant for mom who is still trying to breastfeed. We also started him on proteins and I think he is going to be a meat and potato guy like his daddy. He babbles and smiles and sings, so much so that I often get comments in stores that he is going to be a singer. Not sure where this chatterbox came from with such quiet parents. He also got his first haircut a la mom.

This could seriously provide 20 minutes of straight entertainment.

Ladies take note- muscles and music.

Benjamin (8 months) and Aiden (1 year). Aiden's mommy and Ben's mommy went to Linfield together and it was so fun to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon with their family.

Lincoln City Beach in SUNNY February!

What is this sticky stuff?

Sadie was so excited for attention and exercise!

Mom, you make funny faces at me to get me to smile, and I am going to make them right back at you...

The photo of us taken by us.

Army Crawl? Kinda.

Delicate Load

Month 7

He is in a constant state of motion now. Getting good at sitting and reaching for things. Started army crawling with his arms only. Favorite game is to toss a toy in front of him and crawl to it, only to toss it again. He is picking up objects and examining them from every angle. He loves to play alongside other kids. We've seen hints of anxiety around strangers, but he's still a super easy going kiddo. Gives slobbery kisses. Still loving all kinds of food.

High Five!

Mmmm...Food!

Sitting?

UP...

...and DOWN.

Water Boy

Six Month Recap

Time is in warp speed. Month 6 passed faster than the rest! At his six month appointment Ben weighed 19.6 pounds and was 29 inches. He's more than doubled his birth weight in six months. If he keeps this up, he will be 160 pounds by age 2. His favorite daily activities are playing with rattles and grabbing pretty much anything. He loves to jabber and goo at his mirror image. Bath time is a hit as he army crawls around the tub after toys and we've taken him swimming several times at the YMCA. He is showing signs of being able to sit on his own and knows food is coming when he sits in his high chair. Sweet potatoes and carrots are his favorites so far, and green beans got a big thumbs down. And, best of all, he is sleeping!!! He only wakes once at night and the house is blissfully peaceful and rested. :) The cliché is true, all mom wanted for Christmas was a silent night!

Benjamin Meets Santa

I love this picture! Benjamin loved everything about Santa; his furry clothes, RED, the abundance of hair to pull (he's got some grip and that beard was real!), the jingle bell on his hat, and everyone making funny sounds to get him to smile. Happy 1/2 year birthday to my little man. It is a joy to watch you grow.

Ready or not, here comes CHRISTMAS!

The first weekend in December started out with a trip to get our Christmas tree in Newberg with "Grandma Kathy" and coffee at Chapter's book store. We had our Sunday School Christmas party that night. Benjamin needed a little caffeine to keep going, but it clearly was not enough!

I wanna hold your hand...

Baby Ben and Baby Kira (born Sept. 20th). Kira's mommy and Ben's mommy are good high school friends and think it is so neat that their kids are the same age.

Thanksgiving Weekend

We spent Thanksgiving at my Uncle Tim's. It was great to see everyone on my mom's side of the family. Then, Luke, Benjamin and I went to Redmond for a relaxing weekend reading books, sitting by the fire, playing guitar and baking. The last time we were in Redmond, Benjamin was very "colicky" and this trip was MUCH more relaxing!

Practicing his rolling technique in front of the fire...he loved watching the fire.

Proud to be sitting up in Grandpa's chair!

Five Months

So I am behind in posting as our little guy is almost SIX months now, but I will catch you up. Month Five was a blast. Ben is learning so much and hits new milestones daily it seems. This month he learned to roll over with purpose, he "talks" to us (saying "da da da da," but I don't think he's associated it with Luke yet), he is reaching out for objects of desire (mom's hair, mom's necklaces, food on our plates, anything that sparkles or has lights, cell phones, etc), he can sit propped up, and his feet and hands (anyone's) are a good source of entertainment. He is teething, and we have seen the start of a bottom right tooth, although it hasn't broken the surface yet. He loves it when I sing ANYTHING...I'm getting good at making up random songs. His favorite book is "It's Raining Pigs and Noodles."

Neglected Dog

It has been brought to my attention that we are lacking in recent photos of a particular granddog. Here is proof that we still do love the poor neglected Sadie.

• Sadie makes Ben giggle like crazy.
• Sadie has to touch me at all times, and when I am upstairs (where she is not allowed), she waits patiently...touching my shoes.
• Sporting Ben's cap.
  
  
  

First Time Rolling Over

So, please, please, please ignore the audio on this video! I had been trying to catch him rolling over all day (his first day really rolling) and the baby talk is not really flattering. :)