On the move

Ok, so work has been extremely demanding lately and with the holidays looming and Ben crawling, it's been impossible for me to get everything done that I'd like to. So, having said that, I apologize for the lack of updates recently, but, I've needed to prioritize.

Yes, Ben is crawling. He figured that out about a week and a half ago. Since then, it has been a LOT of fun around here. He's very mischievous and is loving his new found freedom. This weekend, he starting pulling himself up into a standing position so we've had to re-adjust the way we do things around here. He's bound and determined to figure out how to climb up the stairs! And, of course, he's taken a few spills because he thinks he can just go anywhere now!

He had an ear infection a few weeks back, so for about 8 days, it was not fun for any of us. There was one stretch where I don't think any of us slept for 5 nights straight...at least I didn't. Ben loves to play with Daddy but for those 8 days, I was chopped suey. He wanted momma to hold him. Actually, that's how we knew he was better...he wanted Daddy again. You see, playmates are no good when you're sick! ;)

So he's saying "Da-da" like it's nobody's business. He says "Ba-ba" once in a while and is definitely communicating with us a lot more non-verbally. He's been making a lot of different sounds though and I keep assuring Jenni that "Ma-ma" is right around the corner!

We're excited about Ben's first Christmas...Jenni had his gifts under the tree and I put a big stop to that. Afterall, Santa doesn't deliver those until Christmas Eve! I know he's too young to understand, but I've been waiting a lonnnnnnnnng time to play this role. So, they're safely hidden away until the time is right! I'll be sure to post again shortly after Christmas so everyone can share in our first Christmas.

So that's the quick update. I know it's been a while so if anyone has any questions, feel free to post them and I will respond.

Go BUCKS!

Ben lovin' life!

"Lookie what I can do, Ma-ma and Da-da!"

"Not only that, but I can pull myself up all by myself!"

So precious.


Merry Christmas!
Jeff, Jenni and Ben

Finalization

For those that don't know, Thursday was our Court date to finalize our adoption of Ben. By law, the adoptive couple must have the child placed in their home by the adoption agency for six months prior to finalization. Everything has gone according to plan and on Thursday, the Court made it official. So, it's legal. It's binding. It's forever...

The Magistrate was nice enough to sit in on a picture with us following the Court hearing and let Ben bang the gavel!

Words cannot express the joy that we feel as a family.

Happily ever after...

We love you all and thank you for your support!
Jeff (and Jenni)

Halloween '08

Ben's first pumpkin in the center...and that big honkin' 36 pound pumpkin on the left is the Great Pumpkin we found at the pumpkin patch!

What should Ben be for his first Halloween?

Should he be a green-haired punk rocker from Mars? Noooooo...

Perhaps a rastafarian with dreadlocks? Nooooooooo...

How 'bout Tigger?! Yayyyyyyy!

Ben and his cousin Morgan hangin' out before Trick or Treat.

Paul, Mandy, Morgan, Jenni, Ben and me ready for Trick or Treat!

Ben with our neighbor, Dorothy...errr...Caitlynn. ;)

Boo!
Jeff (and Jenni)

Searching for the Great Pumpkin!

We took Ben and cousin Caroline to the pumpkin patch looking for the perfect pumpkin!

Having fun with Ben and Caroline on the hay ride.

Here Ben gives a little love to a donkey!

Ben and momma!

2 more to go!
Jeff (and Jenni)

Random fun

Kitty loves to curl up to Ben when he's napping...I just couldn't get to the camera before he woke up!

Born and raised a Buckeye! Go Bucks!

Ben loves to play with his ball...and he's suprisingly good at it!

Ben swingin' with Momma!

More swingin' fun.

I got like 3 more posts to do,
Jeff (and Jenni)

Zoo Trip Deux part deux

Yo!

More eye candy. Don't forget to check out the first part posted below!

Here's Kenzi and Ben watching Bee Movie...or playing with feet.

One of my new favorites...how many favorites am I allowed to have?

This one comes pretty close as well. I love the expressions!

Hangin' out with Grandpa Breckenridge and Toby during the Buckeyes win over Wisconsin. Go Bucks!

Because wearing cupcake liner hats is how we roll!

See ya next time!
Jeff (and Jenni)

Zoo Trip Deux

Yo!

Ok, so the camera fiasco has been resolved and now I have some really good pictures to share. Last weekend, our Friends Magan and Nick were in town with their 2 year old daughter, Kenzi so we all decided to head over to the Zoo for the afternoon. Kenzi had never been to the Zoo and we were sure that Ben would get much more out of it this time around. Were we ever right?! Once again, he was most interested in those things that dwell underwater but showed a lot of interest in most everything. Kenzi had a good time too!

Also, Ben has contintued to shock us and amaze us everyday with the little things he does. He's sitting up on his own now and loving to play with his toys while he does. He has begun sucking his thumb as well and, well, it's cute. Just last night, I handed him his pacifier backwards on purpose. He tried to put it in his mouth which didn't work so well. So, he lifted up his other hand and manipulated it until it was orientated correctly. Then, calmly, he put it in his mouth and looked at me as if to say "What? That was easy". I know I keep saying this, but it is soooo much fun to watch him grow. We are all three very happy. Enjoy!

Mommy and Ben checking out the gorillas!

Ben loves everything aquatic. Daddy loves this picture!

The whole family!

The whole gang!

Daddy's and their children. Stay tuned. Part two coming up...

Jeff (and Jenni)

More Florida pics

Hello, everyone!

Ben continues to shock and amaze us everyday. Watching him grow is sooooo much fun. He is now sitting up on his own with little and sometimes no support. It's crazy to see him sitting there reaching for his toys and playing with them the way he does. He also loves to pet the dog and cat. He starting sucking his thumb the other day...it's amazing how cute something like that is. Jenni and I are having the time of our lives being parents!

Enough jibba jabba. Here are some more pictures from our trip to Florida.

Here's a cool picture of mommy holding Ben at the acquarium.

Grandma got Ben this play mat at the acquarium. It has water in it with several plastic fish. He loves to swat them!

Here he is getting so excited about it that he's drooling milk!

Cuteness.
Daddy horsing around with Super Pooper.

Bye for now!
Jeff (and Jenni)

Finally...

Yo!

I had totally intended to post sooner, but we've had some technical difficulties with our dinosaur digital camera that finally went extinct. Oh well, I wasn't liking how some of the pictures were coming out anyway and no time to Photoshop them all. So, we've borrowed a camera and are working on getting a new memory card for it. In the meantime, we had the pictures from our Florida trip pulled off of the old memory card so I've got plenty to keep you all busy. Here's the first batch. Back to most more in just a couple of days...promise! Have fun!

Ben loved flying on the airplane. He didn't have any trouble with his ears at all. Here's a picture of he and I gazing out the window on our descent into Tampa. He stared out the window the entire time. He let out a squeal and a huge grin with the jolt of the airplane landing. Wheeee! That's fun! He's all boy!

Ben and Daddy chillin' at Grandma Breckenridge's house.

Ben and Mommy...my new favorite picture...by far.

Grandma Breckenridge showing off our huge mass of a child! By the way, he was over 19 lbs at his four month Doctor appointment. That was a month ago. He has since underwent a massive growth spurt both in weight and length. Not sure what he weighs right now but it's enough to make me have to switch arms a lot more frequently! What I do know is that he's wearing 12 month pajamas and they're not big on him.

Here's Daddy showing Ben the stingrays at the aquarium!!! The aquarium was one of the things I was most excited about for our trip because I knew Ben would dig it. The shark exhibit was closed and that was LAME. But Ben loved the entire day and it was a lot of fun. How cool is this picture? We actually got to watch them feed. They were all flopping around in the water around the keeper's legs. Ben just stared and let out several loud "OOOOOH"s (pronounced like the letter). Adorable.

I saved this one for last...you all remember Hammy the Hammerhead Shark, right? It's basically become Ben's woobie. Well here's Ben getting a birdseye view of the REAL Hammy in action. The main shark exhibit was closed but we did get to see a few in this tank.

See ya!
Jeff (and Jenni)

Jump around! Jump around! Jump up! Jump up and get down!

Ben's fine motor skills are really starting to take off. He's really into grabbing hair right now...Grandma Dale is glad to oblige!

"Yo yo yo!"

Aunt Sue and Ben hanging out...this is a great picture!

Ben's favorite thing right now is his jumper. Sometimes we think he's going to jump himself right out of it and blast off to the moon!

A fitting outfit for his jungle-themed jumper!

Mommy and Ben...my two favorite peeps in the world!

Look for a pretty cool post in about a week and a half. We are all going down to Florida to visit Grandma Breckenridge over Labor Day weekend. There will be lots of firsts...first time on a plane...first time in a pool...and so on. We're taking him to the Tampa Aquarium too which should be pretty cool...he's fascinated with fish.

Until next time...love,
Jeff (and Jenni)