11 months old

Yep, our little guy is just 1 month from being a year old. We've had an eventful month. Benji cut 2 new teeth (top two) within a day of each other. He has become more and more inquisitive about his surroundings, exploring everywhere and trying to pull everything off of shelves and any flat surface. He is also VERY close to walking. He uses furniture, walls, people, toys, etc to barely keep his balance. He often walks with us holding just one hand. We got Benji a push and ride toy and a short 2 weeks ago he wasn't able to walk behind it (it moved too fast). We got home from 10 days away and off he went. He is independently taking steps on a regular basis but gets very excited and falls down.

We had a great trip visiting Grandma Wendy and Zayde Mike while they were in Tuscon. Jeff stayed for a few days and then went off to an SCA war (Estrella) for 5 days. While there, Benji was his usual happy self for most of the time. Enjoying being around people. Benji missed his Papa while he was gone, becoming increasingly fussy and unconsoalable the last 2 days and was very happy to see Papa return (after being angry for a few seconds). He did really well during our 8 hour car rides, needing to stop only 3 times each way. We celebrated Benji's 11 month birthday with a cupcake, since Grandma and Zayde won't be able to be at Benji's 1 year birthday. Benji enjoyed the cake quite a bit. Pictures will follow soon, but have to wait since our camera got left in Tuscon.

As far as other things, sleep is going well. I feared we were slipping back into old habits in Tucson with tears at nap time and many waking at night and refusing to go back to sleep. Once we got home, Benji slept very well through the night (waking our usual 2 times) and had just gone down for a nap with no tears. Benji is a very good, big eater and has started to feed himself with a spoon. At breakfast this morning, Benji fed himself after I filled the spoon with cereal. Grandma and Zayde were very impressed with Benji's ability and joy in eating table foods.

So, Benji is growing, thriving, changing, smiling, giggling, amazing.

First Step

Just a quick note of excitement. Benji took his first independent step today at Gymboree. He's been cruising furniture and walking while holding onto our hands, but this was a definite first. It was one step in my direction before he fell into my arms. He also did really great pushing and walking behind the air log at Gymboree. I think walking is in our future very soon.

First trip to Disneyland

Benji had his first trip to Disneyland yesterday. It was a spontaneous trip with friends Mel and Theresa. Theresa works for Disney, so she was able to get us into the park for free on her pass. We had a lovely time and Benji spent a lot of the trip just observing everything going on around him. I really was expecting to just walk around the park, but we got to do several things. First, we headed to Sleeping Beauty's Castle where they have opened the ability to walk though and see the story told though pictures. Our first ride was the Merry-go-Round and once we got going Benji had a very serious face on (biting his lower lit). Next, we headed over for some food and then stopped by The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Benji seemed to really enjoy the ride and looked around at everything. As we got off, we saw a character meet and greet with Pooh and the line was quite short, so we headed over there and Benji got to meet Pooh and Tigger. He wasn't so sure what to do about them.
Our last stop before heading out was Pirates of the Caribbean. Benji was a little clingy on the way to the ride and got a bit scared/unhappy during. He also fell asleep near the end of the ride and then again on the way home. It was very nice, all in all. One last thing on Disneyland for those who have little ones. At the end of main street in Disneyland and near the Tortilla factory in California Adventure they have a baby center. In the baby center are high chairs, baby food and supplies available for sale, a quiet area with rocking chairs for nursing, and very nice changing tables and small people toilets. A definite plus on finding it while there.

Other news/things since our last post: Benji is exploring his surroundings a lot now and goes just about everywhere in the apartment. He is not yet walking but getting more comfortable with his balancing and moving. We had a wonderful visit with my parents (Bubbe and Zayde). Benji enjoyed spending time with them and cuddling with them. We also had fun celebrating Hanukah (a few pictures available on Picasaweb). Benji enjoyed looking at the candles and by the 4th night really had the hang of tearing paper. He didn't care about what was in the paper, but it was fun to tear it off none the less. There is video of that, but I need to upload those when I have a chance. The last thing was Benji and Jeff had a great chance to bond and spend more time together over the holidays as Jeff had off of work for 2 weeks.

I am amazed to think that Benji will be 10 months old this week. I love all the developments, his sense of humor that is developing, his love of music, his observing people and things around him. I still wonder where my baby went. He has grown and changed so much in the short 10 months. Quite amazing.

Nine months and a day

Benji is 9 months old now. He has cut 2 teeth and is eating a bunch now. He really is quite an amazing guy. Nearly every food he has been offered he has liked immediately (except carrots which took some time to like). Our schedule has helped a lot and we are now getting sleep. Nap time is still a little bit of a struggle, but we are at least getting two 40 minute naps. I'm hoping we will be able to move bedtime back a bit (it's at 5:30 pm right now) as sleep has improved.

EC is going well and Benji is letting me know in his way when he has to go and he usually waits to have a bm until he is offered the potty. I try to always offer after sleep, when I notice he needs to have a bm, and occasionally other times. He nearly always goes a little but often is dry and goes on the potty. I must say, the best part is not having to change poopy diapers.

Benji is often very adventurous and has been trying to stand independently for some time now. He even can manage to get to standing pushing up on a low basket on the floor.

That's about all for now. Hope everyone is well and enjoying the winter season.

9 month doctors visit

We had our last visit with the doctor we chose before Ben was born. I chose to not change doctors before this visit because of Ben needing to get one of his 6 month shots again (it spilled last time). Everything that happened at the visit reinforced my decision, so next week we will be interviewing a couple of doctors.

Basic stats. 28" long, 18 lbs. 13 oz, 46.5 cm head circumference

We are struggling with Ben and sleep. He has been refusing to nap at times, fighting going to sleep at night and waking often. I have read 2 different books and tried many things. Hopefully something will help him get the sleep we all need. Naps have at least happened this week and I am getting him to bed a little easier. We shall see.

Bumps and Lumps

Ben is getting around like crazy and pulling himself up on everything. He hasn't figured out how to get down yet. So, we have lots of bumps and bruises happening on his head the last week or so. He does seem to have crawling down and runs into things much less while doing that.

I've managed to get the last month's worth of pictures and videos uploaded to Picasa and YouTube.

Our trip to Indianapolis this last weekend was very nice. It was great to see extended family we hadn't seen in 3 or more years. Ben got to meet his Great Grandparents, Great Uncle and some more cousins. He also got to spend nice time with Zayde Mike. Grammy Wendy wasn't able to make it and we all missed her but love the outfits and toys she sent with Zayde.

8 months old

Well, Benji is 8 months old now (as of yesterday). It has been a month of changes for him. He started moving around by rolling and then started fully crawling on Saturday the 8th. Wow, can he get around now (and get into EVERYTHING). He started pulling himself to a stand on the 13th on anything he can get his hands on. He is starting to communicate with us using signs. He has told me he wants to eat and use the potty several times now. He is also eating solids very well and prefers to feed himself, even when the food is fed by spoon. EC is going very well. We had one day where Ben's diaper was dry for nearly the whole day (a bit of wetting when waking from his nap). He definitely looks forward to pottytunities and was upset this weekend when we traveled without the potty and he needed to go.

So, our little guy is now mobile. We are loving Gymboree (which is all about exploring and climbing and learning to move). Jeff and I are doing well. Ben keeps me on my toes and we are finishing up the crawling level of babyproofing. Jeff's work is going well too.

And He's Off

I can no longer look where I left my baby boy and find him. Not even in the same general area. He has realized that movement, almost anywhere he wants to go is possible. He can crawl, with enough motivation (such as getting some kind of electronic like the remote or phone). His favorite mode of movement, other than being carried, is still rolling around.

He continues to be very adorable. As it's getting chillier (I refuse to use the word cold in LA) I realize he needs to start wearing sock, or shoes, or slippers and pants (which is rare when we are just around the house). Today he's wearing the bunny slippers his Grammy got for him. They are absolutely adorable.

As far as other things. Ben is truly enjoying foods and is regularly eating 2 meals a day. We also have been doing very well with EC and regularly catch 3 to 5 pees and at least 1 poop each day. We went nearly a week without a poopy diaper and on Sunday were able to keep a dry diaper from 7 am to sometime during the afternoon nap (probably around 2). However, now that Ben is becoming more mobile, he is a bit impatient and doesn't want to stay on the potty. Hopefully we will be able to continue to catch some eliminations on a regular basis.

Gymboree costume party

On Tuesday we attended one of the costume parties held by Gymboree. We had a lot of fun. Ben dressed up as a turtle (thanks to Aunt Cristin who sent us costumes Taylor and Cody have worn).
More pictures are available on the picasa link to the right. Here are a few favorites.

Movie crazy

Well, I've been a little crazy with making movies of Ben over the last month or so. Friday and Saturday I uploaded 5 to youtube and I took another today. I'll try to load it to the computer soon.