FREE Day at the Zoo!!

Who knew there were FREE days at the zoo!! Our ward went for the weekly playdate. Of course it was packed so Tahnie, Brynner, Ben and I stuck together and explored the zoo while occasionally bumping into people we knew. We had a blast. It was hilarious to see Ben actually react to the animals this time. He would point at them and say "OOOhhhh!" while sucking in his breath. It was awesome. He is turning into a little boy more and more every day!

This is Ben riding a monster catapillar.

He wasn't too sure how he felt about being a turtle

But riding a crocodile was awesome!

Obviously not at the zoo, but how can you not love the naked bum running around! So mischievious this one!

We are getting a new washer and dryer next week which I am beyond thrilled about. But poor Ben has no idea that all of the knobs on his favorite toy are about to disappear! So sad!

What a Month!

It seems that Ben has grown up all at once this past month! He stood up in his crib all by himself for the first time. He sleeps ALL the way through the night. He waves bye-bye. He has two teeth on the bottom. He has figured out how to crawl, peg-leg style and is working on climbing the stairs. He babbles on and on all day. He has decided he does not want to be rocked before nap time, just a hug and a kiss will do. And he has successfully weaned himself and is loving real people food, especially cookies.


When I came in to get him from his nap, he was standing up clapping. So proud of himself

He loves to stand up and then plop on his bum in the tub.



Here are some other fun Ben facts:

Favorite Foods:
Oatmeal, graham crackers, apples, mac and cheese, juice, pizza, monster "pumpkin" oranges (thanks meg and luke!) cookies, and ice cream

Favorite Things:
Fold laundry, rides in the car and jog stroller, playing, hiding from daddy, tubby time, being carried by mom (as much as possible), anything involving dogs, turn lights off and on, play with the knobs on the washer, open and close doors

Not so Favorite:
He is TERRIFIED of door stops. You know the boingy things on the back of doors. He HATES going through the car wash


The "Peg Leg" Crawl.


Ben's babbles.

Christmas Favorite Moments

So I decided that to give the Christmas post its full glory, would take me almost a lifetime to complete. So I am now just posting highlights because let's face it, it is February already and Ben is doing hilarious things right now that I really want to show off. But don't worry I will still post my latest attempts at "photography" from S. Congress Street sometime soon.

This is what happened when someone else tried to hold Ben while I was around. Total meltdown.

Yeah for boats!


Ben really really did like swinging . . . the second time around.

Ben loved presents. Sally was such a great helper. She showed Ben how Ollie the pig oinked.

Ben and Weston in their big boy jammies. Wow. This was as close to still and happy and it got for the two of them at bedtime.

Cooking with Grandma!

Tutus for the nieces. Made by yours truly!

Ben thought the back massager was best used for tickle torture!