Our Republican Lion Cub

Halloween proved to be a bit traumatic for our little lion. He thought his mommy and Aunt Brie were beautiful Disney princesses, but Doug dressed up as Obama, and Benjamin ran screaming and crying from him. Doug says this proves he is a Republican.

The Brie is coming, the Brie is coming!

Benjamin and I are anxiously awaiting his Aunt Brie's arrival tomorrow morning... We can't wait to see her, and to celebrate Halloween! In the meantime, he's been enjoying getting surprises in the mail from all of his grandparents and GiGi. He now expects that every day the mailman will deliver him a present.

He has a 9th tooth (finally!), and still loves his bathtime. I'm attaching a video of his favorite bathtime game- cheering for himself when he gets his brush to suction to the tub.

Once & Again

Sweet Home Alabama!

The bipedalist and I headed to Alabama this week to meet up with Ellen & Daphne, and despite returning to the Stone Age (We had no cell phone service! At all!), we had a grand time. Benjamin loved playing with Daphne! We stayed at a house right on the lake, and this morning we looked for shells on the shore (read: ate dirt).

For those of you who haven't seen Benjamin's walking, dancing, or talking in person, I'll post a couple of videos. And additionally, for those of you (ahem, Kellen) who might point out that one of my videos is sideways, yes, I know. And no, I can't figure out how to fix it.

Walker, Texas Ranger

Attention, ladies & gentlemen: Benjamin is bipedal!
For those of you concerned that we have dropped off the face of the planet, have no fear. We have not stopped blogging, we are just busy chasing a boy who now tries to eat beetles. In the month since his first birthday, he's been growing increasingly mobile and hilarious. We are having such a great time! I promise to post pictures soon- hang tight!

The Big Zero-One!

What a week it's been! Benjamin turned one on Sunday, and we spent the week celebrating. He had a party at school last week, and then a party at home on Saturday. His Nana, Papa, & Oma all travelled from Oregon to share his special day.
In other news, he took his first steps on Monday (well, just one, between a couch & table). He has begun to give himself rounds of applause. And he can use a fork! Not a baby fork, but real silverware, and with surprising skill (followed, of course, by clapping & cheering).
He also had his one-year portraits taken (I've posted a few at the end).


Playing with Nana
Playing with Daddy

Playing with Oma

Smiles & giggles

With Nana & Papa on his 1st birthday

Opening gifts at his party

Eating cake at his birthday party

With Mommy at his birthday party

Mr. B's wading pool

Benjamin's birthday party- z00 themed!

Riding in his new wagon- a gift from Nana & Papa

With Papa

Benjamin's party at school

With Daddy

One-Year Portraits

Early Birthday Video

So the second installment of Aunt Brie & Uncle Kellen's gift arrived today, and it, too, was a hit.
Words cannot describe how much Benjamin loved the tool bench he received from them yesterday. He worked at his bench for an hour, sawing with the chop saw, drilling with the drill press, and apparently learning how to fit the screwdriver into the top of the screws (he proved his proficiency at this today to Aunt Brie & me!). We didn't think any gift could beat this one!
Today, however, challenged that theory. When the box arrived, part of the flap was torn. And a sneaky little guy (whose name starts with B) figured out how to tear the rest of the flap up & remove all the packing material inside the box in order to see what was inside! He found a Radio Flyer retro rocket, complete with realistic rocket sounds! And standing outside the box leaning in, he pushed its buttons and petted its beautiful red paint, saying "Oh! Oh!" When his daddy finally arrived home, he was allowed to "open" his gift officially. I've posted a video...