03.01.09 - Post Two

One thing I forgot to talk about in the first post was something that happened just a couple of days ago. I was sitting on the floor next to Ben playing with some toys. Bailey, our Black Lab, came over and sat down next to me hoping for some lovin'. Without warning, Ben reached out, patted Bailey on her side and said "Good Girl". Well, ok, it sounds more like "Gud Grrr", but it's definitely what he's saying. I'm guessing he's probably heard us say that to the dog about a million times in the past 10 1/2 months. This is so cool cuz it's the first phrase he has said that wasn't the same syllable just repeated like "Da-da" or "Ma-ma". He's extremely proud of himself and now likes to say it just about anytime he sees Bailey.

More pictures!

First day of swimming lessons! We all had a blast!

Ben takin' a stroll with his shopping cart.

Standing around just because he can!

Ben loves playing guitar with Daddy. I try to get it out at least once a day for him because he gets so happy. He knows how to pluck the strings with his fingers and how to play the strings with a pick. Guitar Hero in the making?

This kid has ornery written all over him! Here he is getting into his toy box.

Climbing up the stairs...the kid loves to climb. He is all boy.

Til next time!
Jeff, Jenni and Ben

03.01.09 - Post One

Hey, everyone! It's been a while so I thought I'd put up two posts...plus, we have so many pictures and so much to talk about that one post just wasn't realistic!

Ben is really turning into a little man. It's so much fun to watch him develop likes and dislikes and even more fun to watch him react to them. He's walking around like crazy right now and extremely proud of himself! He squeals with delight as he strolls across the floor and then claps for himself when he finally does go down. We also took Ben to his first swimming lesson just yesterday. He loved it! He was, by far, the happiest, most outgoing baby in the class! Many of the other babies just sort of hung out and watched Ben cuz he was sooooo entertaining.

Anyway, lots to say but pictures say it best. So, without further ado...

Bathroom fun! Ben gets pretty excited when one of us is taking a bath or a shower. He is also fascinated with the potty!

Ehhh, what's up doc?

Ben has this little pose thing that he does sometimes for pictures...leaning to the side. Very senior picture-esque. He definitely knows how to ham it up!

Daddy with Ben and cousin Morgan!

Ben and cousin Morgan at Grandma's house for Christmas.

Here we have Ben listening to some sage advice from Uncle Paul...oh man, we're in trouble!

Don't forget to check post #2!
Jeff, Jenni and Ben

Post #2: Milestones

It seems when Ben reached 9 months of age that he really started to develop at a rapid pace. He's mimicking us a lot more now which is incredibly fun...but also means we have to watch ourselves more than ever! I can't even begin to explain what a fun ride this has been. As I mentioned before, "Da-da" was his first word. He's also saying "Ba-ba", "Ma-ma", and just a few days ago, "Ball". He's really starting to sound out a lot of new words...even if they're not real words. He also now has 8 teeth and uses them quite a lot! He has become so fast at crawling that we can barely keep up with him. As you'll see in the pictures below, he's trying to walk, albeit, not very successfully yet. His childhood seems like it's just flying by. I can't slow it down...all I can do is try to enjoy every second and not miss a thing. I want to make sure that when he's grown, I can look back and say that I spent as much time with him as I could and that I taught him everything I know.

Here he is getting brave. He pulled himself up on the couch and as luck would have it, I was able to snap a photo just as he was letting go and trying to stand on his own. This is one thing that he is very focused on right now. He's constantly trying to maintain balance on his own two feet.

Case in point. Here he is making his way over to his Leapfrog table (with a little help) which you can see in the bottom left of this picture.

I mentioned in my previous post about Christmas that Ben's favorite toy is his football. Here is a picture of him throwing it with me. He absolutely loves to play football and will clap for himself and "give me 5" after everytime he throws it. He's not throwing a tight spiral or anything, but we're working on that! ;)

Here's a great picture of Ben and Mommy. We are all so happy!

Here's another great picture of Ben and Grandpa Breckenridge.

Bathtime...probably one of his favorite times. He loves the bubbles and giggles and claps if we pick some up and blow them at him. He loves playing with his bath toys and splashing around. He's started this new thing where he likes to stand up and fall down on his butt. It makes a big splash and he thinks it's incredibly funny! He's right. It's amazing how good it feels to hear his laugh.

Til next time,
Jeff, Jenni and Ben

Ben's First Christmas!

I have to admit that I wasn't quite sure what to expect with Christmas this year. Ben was only 8 months old, so despite the fact that I had waited a long time for this, I just knew that I had to temper my expectations. "He's too young to understand" is what they all told me. Maybe so, but he squealed with delight with every gift he opened and seemed to have the time of his short life. I'll let the pics do the talking!

Here's Ben cheesin' in front of our tree. Ho ho ho!!

It was fun to watch him get excited about his new toys! Here he's opening his new shopping cart which helps with the whole walking thing.

Here our boy is riding his new Tonka truck!

I enjoyed this immensely. This is Ben and me on Christmas morning opening up one of the toys from Santa.

Ben and Mommy opening up even more presents!

Ok, so Mommy thought Santa was nuts for bringing an 8-month old a football. Turns out it was, by far, his favorite present. Looks like we might have a little football player on our hands.

Much love!
Jeff, Jenni and Ben

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)