Last Wednesday, when I got home from work, I came inside (anxious as usual) to see Ben. As I do everyday, I said "Hey, buddy". Well, for the first time, he looked right at me and grinned ear to ear. At this stage, it's difficult to tell whether he's responding to you or just having another pleasant farting experience. But it was different. See, when he farts, he kind of looks off into space as he smiles and does his business. The smiles are usually short-lived and fleeting. Very cute, by the way. This was different. This was him looking right into my eyes and smiling at me. Happy to see me. I wonder if he's as happy to see me as I am him. I can only imagine.
So after work on Thursday, I was curious to see if I would get the same reaction. To my delight, I got the same long, sustained grin that I got the day before when I greated him. This carried on throughout the weekend as he has begun responding more and more with smiles and attempts to speak. He has begun cooing at a pretty feverish pace. It's really, really good to be a father.
The second thing I wanted to talk about is this past Memorial Day weekend. My mom flew in from Florida to spend some time with us and the baby. We had a fantastic time. Lots of quality down-time with my Mom and I haven't had that in a long time. It was nice to spend a relaxing weekend at home hanging out with the family. It was also nice for her and Benjamin to have some time together. It meant a lot to me.
The final thing I wanted to discuss is our ongoing relationship with Natalie. We didn't really hear from Natalie for a few weeks. Understandably. We heard that she had been having a hard time...not regretting her decision, but just dealing with the sadness of the loss that she has experienced. On Mother's Day, Jenni and I wanted to make sure that we sent Natalie a very nice Mother's Day email. On our end, I was boiling over with the anticipation of finally being able to buy my wife a Mother's Day present and a card. On Natalie's end, I can only imagine that must have been a difficult day. So, we wanted to let her know that we were thinking of her and that she was in our hearts for Mother's Day. We got a very nice response from her saying that it meant a lot to her that we thought of her. We've since corresponded a few more times and it makes me happy. And I just hope that she's doing ok.
Ok, enough words...here are the pictures I promised:
Three's company!
My mom took these pictures while she was in town...I love them!
One more...
Daddy and his little buddy!
Jenni decided to get more creative with her picture taking. I'm glad she did. I love the way these have turned out!
Another Jenni original. Possibly my favorite.
She's gettin' all Willy Nilly with the angles and perspectives. Love it!
Another good one.
Don't you just want to squeeze the proverbial mud out of him?
Shopping at Easton during Memorial Day weekend with Ben, Jenni and my Mom.
No, we're not giving him solids...he just likes to hang out with us!
Jenni, Ben, Natasha and her daughter Nyla.
Nyla: "Ava?! Ava, who?!"
More Memorial Day fun.
He's probably sick of kisses from Daddy.
Takin' a little snooze together...didn't plan on falling asleep...ended up with a nice little neck problem...but worth it for this priceless picture!
Grandma Breckenridge and Ben during Memorial Day weekend.Hope you all enjoyed, bye for now!
Jeff (and Jenni)
