Past and Present

We went to the zoo one Friday, a few weeks ago.  It was a good day and we sure appreciated spending time with Sarah and her cute kiddos.  Isaac didn't last too long looking at the animals but he did have fun playing with his cousin.

 

I thought the rhinos were awesome.  It was a fun exhibit.  The new elephant passage area was also really amazing.

 

Ben slept some, but not much, and then had a good time watching his brother and cousins.  He got a little cranky and I ended up with him in the front pack.  It was funny, I had Jacob with me so we each had a stroller (I didn't have a good one where Ben could sleep and Isaac could ride) but at one point we were both pushing empty strollers.  It was nice to have lots of room for storage of camera's, lunch bag and other gear though.

 

About a week after the zoo we ended up with a brand new side-by-side jogging stroller.  I'm loving it so far.  It would have been perfect for our zoo trip...too bad.  Also, too bad it's too big to fit in the car with all of our luggage for our upcoming trip to Utah.  I'm sure we'd really like having that stroller with us.  We'll see what we can arrange though.  Jacob is talking about throwing some stuff on top of the car.

In other news, Isaac enjoyed his first soft serve ice cream cone.  Ah summer!  50 cent cones at Burger King all summer long (or something like that).

 

 

Ben is attempting to drink out of sippy cups with moderate success.  He does like chewing on them mostly.  Those stop teeth still aren't in yet but I think we are close.  He seems a little miserable.  Still sleeping pretty well though.  

With the exception of naps.  He learned to pull up on the crib about a week ago.  He also seems to be transitioning to full fledged crawling on the knees.  And I'm pretty sure I saw him take a few steps while pulled up on a box today.  He just doesn't want to sleep during the day now that he can do so much!  Hopefully this nap struggle phase won't last too long.

Shortly after seeing this I put on the fabric covers I made when Isaac was little.  Trying to prevent any more teeth marks on my crib.  Mostly the damage is already done though.  Isaac was a huge chew on the crib baby.

Bath time is fun for all.  Usually we don't throw them in together because Isaac has a hard time sharing space and Ben is getting more that way too.  But they sure are cute little bathing babes!

 

Mobility Update

Just thought it was funny that so much can change in only 6 days.  I was looking at the last post I made and Ben's main mode of movement was still rolling.

Well, not so much now.  He is army crawling.  He realized today or yesterday that it is pretty effective and he's been getting faster and faster.  He can also go from crawling to sitting and back.  Still a little sloppy, but he does it.  And he's been practicing that skill in his crib.  I often find him sitting in his crib when he wakes at night or in the morning (oh so early in the morning these days.  What happened to my good sleeping babe?).

I think it's time to get some gates out.  6 months seems so young for all of that to me.  I know Isaac was busy at an early age but it doesn't seem like it was this early.  I'll have to consult Isaac's baby calendar.

6 Months in Photos

Aww...What a cute little 6 month old.  He really is such a smiley and happy baby.  That is the comment I get most from people.  And I love it.  

Little do they know that he does have a dark side.  It usually emerges at bedtime and all through the night.  Especially getting those two cute little chompers.  They did not come easily.  And I'm super nervous that the next set will come while we are in Utah.  At his 6 month appointment the doctor thought the top teeth were on their way, confirming my suspicions.  But they are early yet, they probably won't rupture for a few more weeks.  Sorry in advance to my parents.

 

He doesn't usually stay on his stomach too long because he's so anxious to see what is around him.  He often moves to the side position with one arm propping him up and one leg in the air, head as high as he can get it, to see what is on the floor and where he should next roll.  It's super funny.  And once he has spotted what he wants he gets there FAST.  I'm so scared for what I am in for.

 

 

And yes, he does sit all alone.  At least until he gets bored with it and wants to roll around.  He very carefully falls to the side and gets moving.  (Sometimes he falls less carefully too.)

 

 

He's pretty determined.  He knows what he wants and he goes for it.  And it's usually something I deem less safe and then he cries when I take it from him.  I don't blame him.  I'd cry too if someone took what I had just worked so hard to get.

He is so wiggly!  There is no holding him on your lap these days.  It's constant movement.  He only wants to be held when he is tired or hungry or teething.  And even then he wants it on his terms.  If he doesn't agree with the position you put him in he will squirm and move until he is satisfied.  Makes church awesome!

He is also really capable with his feet.  He is like a monkey.  They act as hands.  He'll grab something with his feet and bring it to his hands and back and forth.

 

He still loves to eat.  Unfortunately, I think he had a sensitivity to green beans and that has me slightly worried about trying new solids.  I guess there isn't much I can do but keep trying things out.  It was a weird reaction though, his eyes and forehead got rashy, not his mouth or anywhere near the green beans.  Strange.

And he still wants to do and be everything Isaac is.  They try so hard to play together but are so not capable.  Ben can't do what Isaac wants him to and Isaac doesn't tolerate too much of Ben's antics.  Someday though I think they will be pals.  At least I hope.

And have I mentioned how much more difficult taking these photos is getting.  Two squirmy crazy boys!

Happy Half

Ben is 6 months old!  I can't believe how quickly time is flying by.

This first picture was actually the day before he turned 6 months old and he was having peas for the first time.  He liked them.  But he ended up spitting up a ton after eating them.  Maybe it was too many peas for a first try...I don't know.  I have been mixing them with his rice cereal since then and he seems to be doing much better with them.  Maybe we'll try something new in the coming days and see how he does.


And these were actually taken on his half birthday morning.  We had a busy day so I didn't get around to taking his official pictures until today.  And I haven't had any time to look at them and see if they turned out.  So for now, these little gems will have to suffice.

 

 

It's amazing how much this kiddo can move without really crawling.  He is a rolling champ and has begun to scoot a little.  He pushes with his feet and pulls with his arms.  He's particularly fast on the wood floor.  He can also sit and pivot in place.  I think he is close to pulling up and going from crawling position to sitting.  We'll see how long it actually takes him.  He is certainly a busy boy.

He started by the toys and pillows you see on the floor in the background and ended in the dining room.  He's usually not satisfied until he finds one of Isaac's toys or the fireplace hearth, both of which are not my favorite things for him to have.  He thinks it's a good joke when I say "Ben, that's dangerous."  He just smiles and looks at me with anticipation because he knows I'm going to pick him up.  And then the disappointment sets in when he is replaced next to his toys again.

Sure do love this kiddo!

A Boy and His Toys