All grown up and quite the charmer

Baby Ben, you are the happiest little boy ever! You flash that big smile and those dimples pop in and no one can resist you! You change daily and seem to be the type of person that will be up for any adventure! You are daring and definitely all boy! (Except for that very high pitched squeal you have) You can pick up a football and then you just hurl it! Uncle Dustin will fix you up when you are older! You don't just walk now - you RUN. you run so fast that you usually end up flat on your face. But that doesn't stop you; it's up again and 100 miles an hour. Even though you play hard you are a very loving baby. Grama even got a kiss from you!!!

You love going to the park and swinging. There you go again! Simply irresistible! You also love animals (just like your big sis) If you see or even hear a dog barking - you smile and start barking too. Don't worry about playing with Eve. Right now you want to do everything she does and play with her toys. Sometimes she lets you but a lot of the times you end up crying. I know you will be the type of brother to watch out for her and be very protective and be the best of friends. She sometimes is a little rough but she loves you so and calls you her little buddy.

Like I said you may go down but you always get back up! I think this can be attributed to the amount of fruit you eat. I have never seen a baby eat like you. You polished off at least 1/4 of a fresh pineapple, if not more, in o ne setting.

You and your Aunt Teen became fast friends! I know you will have no trouble in any social settings. My visit was not long enough, and I cannot wait to spend more time with you. Keep smiling and stay just as sweet as you are! I love you, grama

the machine

You really enjoyed your grama and Aunt Teen's visit last week. You did so many shocking things that your dad missed while he was in Boston for two weeks. When he returns tomorrow, he'll be surprised at how independent you've become. You have discovered that you know what you want and can assert yourself. It has been a fun experience.

First of all, you had your first trip to Chuck E. Cheese and had a blast. You loved the tiny carousel and teacup rides and wore yourself out so much that you passed out on mom's lap for about 45 minutes during the Chuck E. concert. You had your first trip to IKEA and loved exploring the model kids' rooms. You and Eve received a new tent to play in that has been a total hit. You run full speed into it and fall on top of Eve and squeal in delight when she shuts you in and lets you back out the door again.

If someone comes to the house to visit you, it's a safe bet that you will be carrying a wooden screwdriver around the house. It seems to be your favorite toy and you love it. There are a few others that you frequently tote around as well such as Eve's fairy baton, a ball (any will do), or your glow worm.

There's no doubt that you are a fruit fan, but it seems your favorite could be watermelon. Aunt Teen and mom were shocked at the amount of watermelon and hot dogs that you could put away. You can consume portions of both of these that seem unhealthy for an adult let alone a one year old at one sitting.

You definitely charmed grama and Aunt Teen with your happy demeanor and turned them into total suckers for doing things like bounce you over and over on their laps singing Byo baby byo.

You've been sleeping full nights, which is much appreciated, but that could be because you go about 95 mph all day on your fat little feet. I say that because I had to buy you another new pair of shoes because of your little Fred Flinstone block feet. You seem to like them and will even carry them around when you are ready to go bye-bye.

I look forward to reading what grama has to say about her trip to DC. Now I should probably start planning a birthday celebration for you and your sister. Love you little man.