the week.

This past week we were in Ocean City, NJ, with Chris' side of the family. Mister Ben had a wonderful time crawling all around the place we stayed in... hardwood floors, cabinets galore to open and close, and lots of sand to eat. He also had a ton of fun with his cousins Lizzie, Jackson and Hannah.

In the middle of the week Ben and I drove to see Grandmommy Suzanne and Granddaddy (Byron) in Maryland. The occasion was a very sad one. Suzanne's dad passed away and Ben and I wanted to see Suzanne in person and give her some hugs. Ben's got a way of making people smile, so it was nice for them to have him around, I think.

Grandmommy Suzanne and Granddaddy also watched Sophie for us for awhile this week. We're driving down to meet them at a rest area in Maryland to pick her up. We have missed her little snorting self so much. I have said it before but I'm so glad Ben has her for a pal.

Below are some pictures of the week, including a couple of Lizzie and Jackson:





Earlier this week I recorded Ben (again) while he was eating. I love that he can sit and entertain himself. He tells stories, practices his sounds, practices waving (he mostly still waves at himself), among other things. It's pretty apparent which of us (Dada) he thinks about the most. You will see what I mean.

wishful thinking.

I was feeding Ben his dinner tonight and decided to record a bit. At first, I was really excited to document the fact that he was eating lima beans, without being coaxed, but then I got this gem. I had walked out into the living room from the kitchen and he wasn't happy about being left alone - or without food, which is probably a better explanation.

It's your call. I know he's not really calling me, but it IS the first time I've heard him say an 'm' sound consistently. Baby steps. Oh and by the way, he cries a bunch, so my apologies in advance.




Oh, and also? I've watched this video 234,978 times already, because it makes me so happy.

the kids

First, a quick picture I took of Ben yesterday. He let his Phillies cap stay on his head for a record 2.2 seconds. It's worth noting, because he hates anything on his head (I'm anticipating trouble this winter when I try and make him wear his knit beanie). Notice also how crooked the hat is. He doesn't let me adjust it or fix it or make it look good. So I should be happy with what I've got here.


Here's a kind-of-lame video I took today of Ben and Sophie. Not anything out of the ordinary. Sophie is so good with him.

There is a moment about 23-25 seconds in where you see my unabashed dorkiness that I have with Ben. It's hard to contain my smiles when he's smiling and laughing and enjoying life so much. But because I'm a cynical, jaded adult, I don't always allow my inner child to come out like it does when I'm with my son. I figure I can leave that part in and you won't make fun of me too much. If it's worth anything, I still get red and break out in a sweat when I watch the clip.

And my favorite part is about 45 seconds in, when Ben realizes he's got Sophie's fur in his mouth.

bathroom humor.

Dutch over at sweet juniper has compiled a pretty exhaustive list of cool stuff for toddlers to watch on YouTube.

The video below is a short segment from Sesame Street. I am really looking forward to being able to watch this one with Ben. It gave me a good laugh this morning.

Sunday.

Ben was kind enough to take two good naps today while we got some work done around the house. At dinnertime, though, Ben gave me some good material to share with you.

The first part of the video shows me giving Ben some carrots and walking into the living room to talk to Chris, while Ben stays in his high chair in the kitchen. It also provides documentation that Ben is trying to buy Sophie's love. You can't see Sophie, but she's off camera, lower right. Notice that our son is already sneaky.

In the second clip, Ben debuts his 'fake cry'. He's done this a lot lately, and I've been calling his bluff every time. Usually I know that if I can get a smile out of him, he's faking being upset. The second clip also shows why Ben makes me feel like a million bucks. He smiles at me, humors me when I'm trying to make him giggle... In his eyes I'm pretty fun (for the most part, except when I wipe his face and pick his nose). His Dad is Numero Uno, of course, but that's how it goes.

Also notice the frat-boy chug he practices at the end there. He's a piece of work.

videos.

Ben and Sophie are fun to watch. They each play with their own toys. Sometimes Sophie tries to get Ben to play with her, but he's not really interested. There's too much to see and do. Here are a two videos from playtime today. By the way - the soccer ball Sophie's playing with? I bought it for Ben, but she's trying to claim it.






And here's another from today. Notice how Ben reacts when he sees his handsome face on screen.

sunday in the park.

Ben woke up super early from his afternoon nap today, but couldn't get back to sleep, so we put him in the stroller and took him to the park. We've learned that a couple pushes on the swing can really lighten Ben's mood. As long as it doesn't get old for him, it'll never get old for us.

Another thing that doesn't get old is blowing bubbles. I swear I have more fun with the bubbles than Ben does, but that's alright.


And here's Ben's latest trick. It's hard not to laugh when he does it, but I try my best.

the apple doesn't fall far...

I'm embarrassed to admit this, but sometimes I snort when I laugh. What can I say - I'm a huge nerd.

Now, for the first time, I have documented proof that Benjamin snorts when he laughs. The first few snorts were mine, to get him going, but the majority of them in this video belong to him. I was playing peekaboo behind the camera and that seemed to get him going. My dad called me a goon when I was younger, and Ben's got some Byron in him, for sure.

video.

So I took a video today of Ben and Sophie. Like most of the other videos I've taken, this is in our dining room, and Ben's playing with his Leap Frog table. I just want everyone out there to know that Ben does see other rooms of our house, and I do take him for walks, and he does play with different toys. It's just that this particular one keeps him busy for long enough for me to take a video.

It's long, and maybe boring, but it's of Ben and Soph, peacefully coexisting.

finally.

YouTube decided to cut me a break today.

Below, you'll see what happens pretty much every morning after Ben's breakfast. I feed him and then put him down on the floor to crawl around a little and hang out with Sophie. He's gotten good enough at crawling that I can't leave him alone for a second. Just this morning he was on our bed, with the two of us, and he still managed to almost crawl off the bed. He's fast.

Sophie also likes this time of morning. She's already stolen part of his wheat bagel from his hands, and now she gets to lick his toes. And just so you know, I don't condone this sort of behavior all the time, and yes, Ben will be bathed and scrubbed this evening. We do have manners in this house, I promise.

videos

So I mentioned that Ben's feet are like Chris'. I tried to take some video of Ben's while he was eating tonight. He usually wiggles a lot while he's eating, so I thought you'd be able to see how funny his feet are. I wasn't incredibly successful, but I have documented one of Sophie's favorite hobbies: licking Ben's feet.




In the video below, Sophie is pretty intent on getting close to Ben's diaper (yes, he needed to be changed). I like that Ben's aware of her and just puts his hand behind him to keep her at arm's length, like, 'not now, Soph.'