Bath Time - Still a Favorite!

Benjamin has loved his baths since his very first one...well maybe since bath #2 when he knew what would be happening!

He's moved to the big boy tub now and gives Daddy heart failure every time he scoots around the edge like a pro!

We think Benjamin would sleep in the bath tub if he had the option. We just love watching him have so much fun and of course we love every additional opportunity we get to nibble on those thunder thighs!! :)

HAPPY NINE MONTHS!!!

Happy Nine Month birthday to our sweet Benjamin!

Our beautiful birdie tops the charts weighing in at a whopping 24 lbs at his nine month appointment and growing just as fast in height too!
For those of you who wagered when Benjamin would be crawling, this will have to be a "draw."
If you consider scooting across the room at rocket speed using one leg and his belly as crawling then you win the poll if you said nine months. If you want to wait to see when he'll be taking off from his stance on all four knees (currently doing the Benjamin knee dance :)) then you'll have to wait to see what happens next! :)
All Mama and Dadda know is that if brother Stanford is anywhere in sight, Benjamin will reach him! No matter how he gets there! :)
We just can't believe how fast you have grown baby Benjamin...once a warm little, swaddled bundle in the bouncy chair and now a little mover and shaker, wanting to discover every new inch of your house and life. There is no one who can make us as happy as you do! WE LOVE YOU!!!

I'll take this Mama...

First Crunchy Crunches :)

Look closely...they have arrived!!! Benjamin's first tooth appeared (lower right) and then, only days later, the second tooth (its partner in crime!) decided to pop up too.
We affectionately refer to these beauties as Benjamin's crunchy crunches (or sometimes his toofies for short) :).
Benjamin is very proud of his new additions and the powers they bring :) (bring on the cookies!)
(And Mommy and Daddy are happy to have a little relief from the teething pains!)

You saw it here first...a quarterback/pitcher/shot putter in the making!

Benjamin has discovered a new talent for throwing! It started one day when we were innocently showing him the balls on the pool table. And from that moment on if a ball is within reach, it's ready to be pitched. Our favorite part is how intensely he makes every throw...watch the toe twirls (for extra focus :)) and the body power that goes with each toss (and note the arms for balance :))
We play like this for hours because Benjamin is AMAZING!

New discoveries...

Benjamin's world continues to bring new discoveries. And with each one, Mommy and Daddy are reintroduced to the simpler things in life that bring such a beautiful little person such joy and wonderment. Like an umbrella, for example.
How often do we use an umbrella without really looking at it??
Benjamin got to snuggle with Mommy under his first umbrella at the Laze Days Art festival in Cary. Never mind the gorgeous arts and crafts (and Daddy's kettle corn), what could be more amazing than an umbrella?!
Another discovery has been all of the little house projects Dadda likes to work on. Benjamin is first in line to help with anything that Dadda is doing. My boys spent some time working hard together lowering Baby Benjamin's crib. Benjamin was the best little assistant ever!
And we can't forget Brother Stanford's discovery - this little guy thinks I'm a horse! :)

Not funny brother!!

HAPPY EIGHT MONTHS!!

Baby Benjamin is eight months old! Look at how fast our baby is growing!!
These signs aren't going to last much longer! :)

Farewell to Summer

Benjamin enjoyed some of his favorite summer activities one last time before the baseball season ended, the pool closed, and the cool fall weather set in. He was a home-run at the ball park :) (Mommy and Daddy's FAVORITE kind of home run!)

And got to spend a special summer evening with his thousands of adoring fans (at the Duke Gardens concert

series).

He spent lots of happy hours in the pool and enjoyed relaxing so much that he didn't quite mind when his little baby butt crack made an occasional appearance!

Benjamin enjoyed summer dusk with Mommy on the hammock - what a wonderful place to cuddle!

We had so much fun with our summer visitors too!

Grandpa John got lots of smiles from Baby B and is there any doubt Benjamin loves the pretty ladies?

Do we see a pattern emerging here?!?

It was lots of fun to meet Benjamin's second cousins too.

And of course, Gwamma and Gwampa! We love when we get to play with them and try out new toys! :)

Phew, such a busy end to a wonderful first summer! We can't wait for all the adventures fall promises to bring...