What a beautiful day! The sun is shining and it's already 70 degrees with a Spring-like breeze. I woke up invigorated, opened the windows, and then vacuumed and dusted the whole house! Days like today remind me how much I enjoy living in Wilmington. I know this weather is not a fluke and that Spring really is just around the corner for us.
Mr. B. is taking a nap right now. I've been working with him on being able to drift off to sleep without me nursing him the whole time. I still read him a story and nurse him before naps, but before he goes to sleep I put him in his crib with his animals and a book. Then I turn on his white noise machine and a lullaby CD, say night night, and shut the door. The first couple of days were hard, and I would usually go back and get him out of his crib because I can't stand listening to him cry. But today (and yesterday) he just played and talked, and by the end of the 45 minute CD he was asleep. Ideally, I'd like him to take less time to fall asleep, but it's a start. I'm so excited we've turned this corner, and I didn't have him "cry it out." I know that HE knows I'll come back and get him if he needs me. Because he's almost 10 months old, there's an element of trust there that I don't really think exists at 5 or 6 months. I've also been having Joel put him to bed at night, and that is working out really well. It's so freeing!
This past week has been huge developmentally. Benjamin just pops up everywhere, and it's fun to see everything through his perspective. He is crawling and pulling himself up, and has figured out he can actually move from room to room. It's so funny to hear the "slap slap" of his little arms and legs as he makes his way down the hall. The whole world has opened up for him and he is happy to be here! Right now he loves to climb up the three steps from our den to the living room. At first it made me nervous, but he's a solid climber. Now we need to work on teaching him how to get down the steps.
These are pictures from this week. It's funny to look at these and contrast them with pictures from just a month ago, when he was sitting most of the time.
He's crawling after Ladybird's ball, his new favorite toy. Yuck! Dog germs! I keep out on the porch now so he can't get it. By the way, why don't they make bright red squeak toys for babies?
Ladybird looking at Ben with her ball. She know she's not supposed to take anything from him, so she just gets depressed and has resigned herself to the fact that Mr. B. rules the roost.
This is blurry, but it's Ben and Ladybird. It's hard to keep them separated because they're both so fascinated with each other. Most of Ladybird's fascination stems from the fact that Benjamin frequently has food in his hand.
Playing the piano
Here he is at the fireplace. He's definitely not supposed to be there, and I took this picture quickly before moving him. So far I think I've said "no" and redirected his attention from here a total of 50 times, with no result. Unfortunately it's just the right height for a climbing baby. He doesn't get mad or cry when you take him away from things, but just calmly turns right around and tries again. I have to admire his focus, since I lack that in my own life!
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