Benjamin 1 Year

I don't have much time, but thought I would post these pictures. They aren't that great. I think we stopped using the camera after the birthday celebrations. We'll get more, I promise!

Benjamin woke up from his nap the other day crying and feeling upset for some reason. Of course, like most good mothers, I quickly ran to get the camera so I could take a picture of his crazy hair. 

By the way, remember when I spoke about Benjamin trying to eat Ladybird's food, and I said I should just let him do it, and then the thrill would be over? Well, he did it. Four times so far. Unfortunately, it's his favorite snack. He doesn't make a face, doesn't spit it out...he just sucks on it like candy. I really hope he's not gonna be that kid who eats paste.

I'm pretty behind on this update since we were out of town last week.  Let's see....Benjamin's favorite things to do right now are: be read to, play with his soccer ball, listen to music, and play outside. He is really getting into books (especially his touch and feel books, and his peekaboo book), and loves story time. We've been playing with the soccer ball for a couple months now, but he is starting to make up his own games. Yesterday he basically played soccer by himself. This involved him rolling the ball across the room, intently chasing it and saying "babababa." When he got it, he would roll it again. He definitely had a "goal" in mind, and was trying to direct the ball. 

His affinity for music is becoming more obvious. He's always loved to dance, but now when he hears his favorite songs he will try to keep the beat by slapping his hands on the ground, or frantically look around for one of his rhythm instruments. I'm so proud! And as for being outside...what can I say? He is always content to sit in the grass and enjoy the breeze. Being in the yard isn't necessarily playtime for Benjamin, but a chance to feel the sun on his face. 

Benjamin is a very content baby, and I feel so lucky everyday.  He laughs constantly, and is always happy to make a friend. He is pretty calm and collected, and never seems scared of anything. Loud noises never frighten him. I can start the vacuum cleaner, the coffee grinder, or the hairdryer, and he just crawls up to take a closer look.  He deals with change very well. Last week we were in VA visiting Joel's grandmother, and Benjamin had to meet several new people, didn't get regular naps or mealtimes, and was carted off to a new place everyday. He never cried or got upset, but just went with the flow. I guess that's where the "laid back" label becomes pretty obvious. 

When I think back on the NICU stay, then the colic, then the NEVER sleeping through the night until, ummm.....2 months ago, it's all been worth it because of the happy little boy he's become. This is most fun I've ever had!

1 Year

Ben's 1 year checkup went well. He weighs 19.2 lbs and is 30 inches, which means he is in the fifth percentile for weight and the fiftieth for height. Those are the same percentiles from his 6 month appointment. The nurse kept remarking, "he's so tall!" and the PA kept saying, "he's so thin." Two different outlooks, I guess.  

The PA wanted to make sure he was eating enough and that I was feeding him plenty of fat, (like cheese, yogurt, and butter.) She was glad to hear that I am still nursing 3-4 times a day, since breast milk has more fat than whole cow's milk. She seemed slightly concerned, but Benjamin is obviously healthy so there isn't anything to worry about. His personal growth curve has remained very steady, so that is a good sign. There would be more concern if he had gained a lot of weight and then suddenly stopped, or lost weight. I told her that he had gotten pickier over the past month and wasn't eating as much, (which is normal for his age) and she said we could reassess the situation at his 15 month appointment. Then he went home and gorged himself on BBQ chicken, peas, 2 pieces of bread and butter, and a piece of toast with honey, so what do I know? 

Benjamin was the ideal patient. He smiled at everyone, and didn't even blink when the nurse pricked his finger to draw blood for his iron test. She had to squeeze his finger for a long time because his blood was moving slow, and he just sat there and stared at the test tube. The nurse said she has a favorite little boy now! She also mentioned that magic phrase, "he's so laid back!" When I told her he is always like that, she told Joel and I we had done a good job. I was a proud mama! Ben cried when he got his shots, but stopped immediately and was in a great mood the rest of the evening. We found out he has two teeth coming in, and they will probably pop through in the next couple of days.  

We didn't really have any serious concerns to discuss with the PA, but I did have one question. At this age, babies are supposed to be saying mama and dada, and then one other word (like baba.) Benjamin went through a phase of saying mama and dada constantly, and now he just looks at us with amusement whenever we try to make him say those words. This actually happens a lot; we try to teach him various things, or get him to repeat actions or words that he knows, and he won't do it. I've started to worry a little bit about this. Periodically, I've wondered if Benjamin is on the right track developmentally. I've worked with him on pointing to parts of the body, (like belly button and nose) and various words, like "gentle." I'm always trying to teach him new things, and constantly reinforcing what he already knows, and every time he just looks at me with that same little smile.  So, I told the PA all of this and let her know I'm probably just being over-anxious, blah blah blah....And she said, "weeeeeell, if you still feel this way at 15 months we can do some tests." And then she looked at me and said, "but I think that sounds more like a personality issue. I think he just doesn't want to do those things."

WHAT!!!

Well, crap. I forgot that now I'm dealing with a person. It never occurred to me that Ben might be making his own decisions. I mean, I know he doesn't like certain things like having his diaper changed, or getting in the car seat, but this is different. The fact that he is so polite about it cracks me up. Like, he just smiles at me, but inside he's thinking, "nope." No fuss, no tantrums, just...."um....no." Because Benjamin is so relaxed most of the time, I guess it had never occurred to me that he would deliberately not do something I ask him to do, at least not at this age! Man, the Super Nanny is totally going to be coming to my house in a few years. I'll be that mom who keeps saying, "I don't know how this happened! He's always been so sweet!" He's totally gonna play me like a violin. 

Easter

Joel's cousin Dave, his wife Sarah, and their son Logan were here for the weekend. We had a wonderful time that included BBQ, the farmer's market, lettuce from our garden, mac-n-cheese, (mmmmm!) Bob Marley, birthday cake, Easter eggs, and lots of reading, talking, and wine on our back porch. Joel and I have really been enjoying our newly finished porch, but it was nice to see others enjoy it as well. The weather was nearly perfect; sunny and clear every day with only one thunderstorm on Friday night. 

On Easter we attended church at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Wilmington. It was a beautiful service. After church we had a relaxing time at home while eating coffee cake and fruit, and then progressed into the leftovers from the night before.  When Ben woke up from his morning nap, we hunted Easter eggs, and then Dave, Sarah, and Logan headed back home to Richmond. Logan pretty much kept us in stitches the whole weekend. Joel and I had a good time repeating some of his greatest hits. Since Logan will be turning 3 in a couple of weeks, he is in a fun stage. I loved hearing the silly songs he made up, especially, "I only have eyes for TOMATOES!!!" This was accompanied by BIG eyes, and hands in the air, Pavarotti style. I think the kid has a career on the stage.

Benjamin's 1 year checkup is this afternoon, so I don't have any stats to report. I'll update tomorrow!

Contrasts

April 12, 2008

Today

Ben's Birthday, Take Two

It's all fun and games until....

Crying and eating cake...is that even possible?

Notice how ANNOYED he looks in this picture.

Ben's Birthday, Take One

I'll post more pictures later, but here are a few from Ben's birthday celebration on Saturday. I thought I'd timed everything perfectly; Ben would have a nice morning nap, eat a little lunch, then around 1:00 we would eat cake and open presents. Easy and laid back, right? Wrong. Ben took a VERY short morning nap, woke up cranky, stayed cranky, didn't like his birthday hat, was mad about not being able to rip off his bib and throw it on the floor, and ate about 2 bites of his birthday cake (with absolutely no expression whatsoever) before deciding he was done with birthdays. Oh well. 

A small moment of happiness before the extreme crankiness

Not so sure about this

Doesn't want to be here

Still wants to be taking a nap, but at least cousin Logan is happy!

A boy's best friend

I should be cleaning my house, but instead I'm sitting at the computer. Motivation....I don't have it.

*Disclaimer* I DO NOT let Ladybird in the kitchen when Ben is eating, and these pictures illustrate why. Joel took these against my advice, but I think they're pretty cute. If Ladybird is anywhere near Benjamin while he's eating, Ben will give her all his food. I guess he just likes to see her eat. Speaking of Ladybird's food...knocking over her food and water bowls is Benjamin's new pastime. So far he hasn't sampled any, but he's had bits perilously close to his mouth. I think I should just let him eat it. It's probably a good way of guaranteeing it won't happen again.