Way Behind

What a whirlwind May has been. I haven't had a moment to blog at all. I'll try to bring you up to date over the course of a couple of blogs. So a week or so after Mother's Day my dad came cross country from WV to commission one of his cadets at Berkley and was able to stay a couple of days with us. I was super bummed my mom couldn't come, but she's a working girl like me and couldn't get away. Anyway, the kids had a blast running all over Papa. He and Adam and I played tennis one morning after taking Olivia to school and then Saturday afternoon we went for a nice 3 mile hike to a place called Hidden Falls (I think that was the name). Benji got super dirty playing in the red dust and kept trying to dive into the river and eat the gravel. He didn't enjoy bare feet in the frigid water though. Olivia did great on the hike, Benji too. Adam front carried him on the way down to the falls and I front carried him on the way back up.







Olivia is schooling Papa at Blink. (Great kids game, like speed, matching numbers, colors or shapes.)


Benji is now 8 months old, has two teeth, with a third hovering under the gum, he's 20 lbs and crawling faster than some kids walk. He pulls himself up constantly and is trying to cruise. Childproofing seems to be a constant activity as we find a new hazard just about everyday. Of course, he's usually sporting some sort bruise on his face. His sleep habits have seem to have gone awry, starting with teething and mobility. We've had to re-sleep train and I hope we are making a little progress. Some nights he cries himself to sleep and some he just goes to sleep. Some nights he wakes up once and other three times, usually just wanting to be held or nurse. So, we've had to be meanie parents and just let him work it out himself. His naps are less than stellar too, which probably leads to the next problem. He has recently started exhibiting separation anxiety and clingyness, usually in the evening. It's hard to cook dinner with a baby wrapped around your leg, but it's even harder when you hold him. So, he's usually in the high chair crying. This has done wonders for my stress level. I'm only mentioning this and complaining about it because this is new to me. He's always been so chill and I swear Olivia didn't do this. Well, for all the whining he actually is still a really easy baby. It is so fun to watch him grow and learn and discover. He's been perfectly healthy and he is growing cuter by the day. We are grateful for him and love him dearly! So, here are more pictures.

He loves the park and swinging!

If you notice in the picture below with the orange bib he has a nice bruise on his forehead and a fat lip on the top right side of his lip. The other pictures in him going to town on a pizza crust.

Why is this picture so cute?! In case you were wondering, he has Adam's bum and my thighs.