merry christmas

We celebrated your first Christmas today. Actually we've been celebrating for the last two weeks, since the shipments of presents have been arriving in the mail almost daily. You could care less, but your sister is really enjoying opening your presents. She has thoroughly played with all your toys and you can have them now and you received some cute outfits. You did get a copy of the Constitution from poppie which we will start reading soon. We went over to Jackson's house for Christmas dinner and you got to sit at the table and watch everyone eat. About halfway through, you made me feed you, but everyone else carried on with their dinner. You tried a piece of dinner roll and didn't care for it.

Your dad and I also took you and your sister to the park today and you had your first experience in an outdoor swing. He packed you in with his sweatshirt and a blanket so you wouldn't move. You didn't seem to enjoy it or hate it, so we may keep trying with that and see how it goes. You were mostly just happy to be out of the house.

You also graduated from a bassinet to a pack-n-play. Lucky you to have almost twice as much sleeping space, even if our closet is still your bedroom. You had your arms stretched out to both sides during your nap today like you were trying to enjoy every inch of space you had.

We also tried some oatmeal cereal with you two nights ago. It was messy and adorable and you even ended up with a little in your mouth (I think). Eve was very concerned that food was running down your chest and onto your diaper. Of course you smelled like oatmeal and breast milk when we were finished, which is not the most pleasant scent. We aren't going to do that every day just yet, but maybe at least on bath days. You are still smiling and friendly with everyone you see, which is very unlike your sister and hopefully when grama gets here tomorrow, she'll be able to hear that adorable giggle of yours without having to watch a YouTube video.

In the last few days that dad has been off work you have also visited the Capitol Christmas tree and the National Gallery of Art. You mostly sleep through these things, but you were there. There will be many more trips to come, so don't worry about missing anything.

it's almost here

You don't quite realize how spoiled you are yet, which is still a good thing. You have been receiving presents in the mail now for a few weeks and they have been slowly opened by your very anxious sister. If the present is cool enough, she claims it for herself, but if the present contains clothes or something she's not interested in, she decides you can have it. I think as of right now, all your toys have been claimed by Eve, but the clothes are yours.

The time keeps sneaking up on me. You'll start doing something new and I will ask myself when did you start doing this. For example you will sit up on my lap without leaning back on me at all and just look around. When did that happen? I never taught you to do that. I guess you just learned that on your own. Another thing you do is grab my face when I pick you up and just squeeze and hug me. You are so excited to be picked up that you squeal and pinch with a huge grin on your face and try to give big slobbery kisses. You are still a very happy boy! Even with all the diaper rash that mom can't seem to get rid of you are a happy kid. You are probably happy because I let you lay around naked all the time and you pee all over everything. I think most of the time you do it on purpose. You only wait until I have turned my back before you start peeing and soaking everything in your range.

You really like the ring sling and will just lay against me with your nuk for extended amounts of time, especially in the evening when you are tired. Speaking of which, you have started this new thing where you want to go to bed around 6-6:30 at night. It's crazy, but if that is what you want to do, I will sure allow it. You have been waking up more at night and if that keeps on we may have to start you on some solid food, which I am in no hurry to do.

Daddy bought me a new camera for Christmas and you have become the guinea pig! I take so many pictures of you and they all turn out so adorable. Dad said I'm biased and I keep telling him no, you're just really handsome and take wonderful pictures.

You can now move the walker all through the house, even without Eve pushing you. Still no rolling over, but I'm in no hurry.

Grama is coming out to visit you in a week and I'm sure there will be more to talk about after her visit, but I just wanted to write and let you know how adorable you are.

Growing and Growing

Well little Ben it seems every picture I get it seems you have grown more and more each day.  You have become quite the little handsome man especially when you show off your big dimples!!!  Your mom always talks about how sweet and happy you are all the time. I  really hate that I haven't even met you yet.  You probably think I am a bad aunt, but I would if I could kiddo.  It may just have to wait until Aunt E's wedding in may.  We have been chatting on the computer with your mom and your big sister and have set up a video so we can see eachother.  So far we haven't seen you yet because you are always sleeping, but soon enough we will.  Eve seems to really love her little brother.  She is always hugging you and petting you as if she owned you!!!  It will pay off some day.  Your mom is my big sister and boy if anyone even looked at me wrong she would scare them off.  I felt pretty safe with her around and still do!!!   Well I gotta run, but I hope to see you soon!!!

Love you!!!

Aunt Jill

hey little man

You went out in your first snow today. You slept the whole time we were out today except when we went to the Dunkin Donuts. You did wake up to eat while we were there and hung out for a bit while we drank our coffee. You are now mobile, at least when you are in your walker. You like to spin the toys that are in front of you and watch the flashing lights. You are almost too big for your swing and your bouncy chair, but you like the jumparoo that hangs in the doorway to bounce around in. Eve has been very helpful while you are in your walker and likes to push you around the house running you into walls and chairs. You don't seem to mind much. In fact any time your sister is around you get a huge grin on your face, hoping she will try to hug or kiss or even talk to you. Any attention at all makes you smile. You love being tickled and actually laugh out loud every time you are tickled on your sides or your neck. You must be getting teeth because you seldom take your fist out of your mouth. Last night while dad was holding you in an airplane over his head while he laid on our bed, Eve and I would wait for your drool to drip onto dad before cracking up and saying Eeeeewwwwww. Eve thought it was great. You are probably seeing stars still from all the camera flashes you've been seeing lately. Dad bought me a new camera and you're the poor sucker that has to endure endless pictures throughout the day. I've really caught some great pics though and I have to say you are the most handsome little man I know! Love you.