Prague - December 2016

 

Benjamin - 9 months

NINE! Just like that y'all! It has happened so fast!

Unfortunately this has been a month of fevers, runny noses, coughs, bumps, and bruises! You've been sick off and on for almost 3 weeks. It's been hard on you but on me too! You've been reaaaaally clingy and fighting sleep, even though you desperately need it! 

So I can't blame the bumps and bruises on the fevers but I can blame it on this! Pulling up on anything and everything. Especially things that are top heavy, or on wheels, or that are just prone to falling easily. Things that shouldn't be pulled up on include side tables with drinks on them, doors that move, and 2.5 year olds! So you've had a few tumbles, a black eye, and tons of head bonks, but that hasn't deterred you. The countdown to first steps has begun! My money is 1 year or sooner!

You celebrated your first Thanksgiving here in Norway with some fantastic friends. You loved the turkey and dressing the most. You're eating like a champ and growing MUCH too fast! In fact, you're wearing the clothes Xander was wearing LAST WINTER! Ya'll! This is not OK! My 9 month old is wearing 12 - 18 month clothes!!!

Those gloves really do fit! Ha ha! You're just too much of a pro at pulling them off. We've upped the bundle game since it's winter and its pretty cold most days. I think you are just adorable all cozied up!

Tandem cheerio snacking in the morning. This is something we've passed down from when Xander was your age. We'd put a handful of Cheerios on a chair to keep him still and occupied long enough to get breakfast ready. You seem to enjoy it too and I guess monkey see, monkey do!

You make the BEST faces! You totally crack me up all day long with your squinty eyes and wrinkly nosed smile!

I have no idea where you picked it up from but I'm going to snap as many pictures of it as I can before you grow out of it!

My little B. You're such a mess (even Xander calls you a mess now!) You're into everything. You're a little bit ornery already (heaven help us) but you give the best cuddles and slobbery (snotty ewww!) kisses. I love that you pat me on the back while I'm holding you. I love that you look for your brother and that you crawl to you dad now for cuddles too. Happy 9 months sweet boy!

Baby Swimming - Benjamin

Thanksgiving 2016

Benjamin - 8 months

Its been a loooooong month! When I look back on these pictures I can't believe it was only 4 weeks ago. We've made some great progress though and life is getting rosier, even as the days get darker and colder.

I'm almost certain "Xander" will be your first word. You worship him. Anything he does is the funniest thing you've ever seen. Any touch from him, even when its a little too rough, makes you melt into giggles. I don't think Xander has any clue how lucky he is to have a little brother who loves him so unconditionally.

It's getting cold in Norway and that means we've gotta start bundling up. You're pretty vocal about hating the dressing process but darn-it if you don't make a cute baby when you're all snuggly in your wool and knits!

Personality for days y'all. Benjamin makes Xander look chill. And although I grumble I secretly love it. I love that even though you yell and protest about pretty much everything I can usually tickle you into submission. I understand...you've got a voice and you want to make it heard. But Lord help us when you're a toddler.

The big question on everyone's mind though..."how is his sleep?" Folks, I am proud to say we are finally making progress. I was beginning to think I was never going to see a more than 3 hour stretch of sleep again. But something has clicked. Is it the 6 new teeth? Or maybe the fact that you're eating your weight in everything we put in front of you. Whatever it is I'm so thankful! You've slept over 10 hours a few times this month, going to bed has been easier, even naps have been less of a struggle. We've got more progress to make but I'm hopeful that we'll all be sleeping through the night on a regular basis in the next month or two.

Bahaha! Bath time. Your favorite part of the day. You love chewing on the bath toys and laughing at your brother's antics. You've made it clear we are NOT to skip your bath at night...no matter how late we end up putting you to bed. And it's fun to see you so happy and relaxed. Plus, who doesn't love and warm, clean baby!

These faces y'all! I can't get enough of how silly you can be. You seem to take a lot of pleasure in cracking us up...

...which results in you cracking yourself up too! Our little comedian!

My sweet B...its been a rough go for you the first 8 months. Now that you're sleeping so much better we are seeing a side of you we haven't seen before and we all love it! You're snuggly and sweet one moment and a barrel of laughs the next. Happy 8 months! xoxo

Halloween 2016

Benjamin's Baptism

I failed miserably to get some pictures of Benjamin's baptism. But it was a very special day shared with our closest family and friends. On this day, we pledged to teach our son, this gift we have been trusted with, to walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Someday we pray he will affirm this decision by his own walk of faith, with the help of his Godmothers Charlotte and Kim.