Boo!

Smiley Halloween guy!

Ben is enjoying his first Halloween season. He has several festive ensembles, and has modeled them all, mainly to his mother's delight. We started with a trip to the Tucson zoo for "Boo at the Zoo" last SUnday evening. This event is for families with little trick-or-treaters, and Ben slept through the entire zoo walk (missing the elephants, Darth Vader, and more)-but was a big hit in his Little Monster costume. He woke up at the end, and enjoyed the snack bar at the end with some of his friends from the Tucson Medical Housestaff Alliance.

Primping before the zoo
Cute, loppy smile!
Daddy, Ben, Darth and the Strom TroopersIn the snack bar with Mommy

He has been playing on his playmat a lot, even sometimes looking "frightfully cute" as his shirt displays.

He isn't quite sitting on his own, but when posed co-operates for a brief period of time before letting his opinions be known. He really is "So Cute Its Scary!"

He got some sunglasses from the Nassers, and is "cool dude" before one of our morning walks.

Grandma Freeto arrived yesterday, and Ben is enjoying spending quality time with her. He has given her lots of smiles, some "talking" and a lot of spit-up to celebrate her visit. The weather has been warm, and we are not sure what we will do tonight to celebrate Halloween, but we are pretty sure he will be cute no matter what.

Exploring Tucson

Ben and I have been exploring Tucson little by little. The fact that the weather is so nice here (80-90s and sunny still!) helps. We went walking in Sabino Canyon, a national park near our home. We went with the regular crew of Camilla, Remy and their mommies. We got some nice scenery shots and a couple cute baby ones too!

Ben digging the "nature thing" (after a brief siesta)

Between the hornets, the "jumping cacti" and the threat of wildlife, we were on our toes! (No tarantulas, thank goodness!!)

Ben & Mom at a resting point before the big hill

We had a great walk, that was pretty tiring, but we bought an annual pass for Sabino Canyon adn 2 other nearby parks, so the exploration will continue. If anyone is up for nice weather and some exercise, come on down for a visit!

2 month check-up

Ben had his 2 month check-up this week, on Thursday the 23rd. He weighed in at 11 pounds, 5 ounces (45%ile), his length was 22.5 inches (40%ile), and his head circumference was 39 cm (25-30%ile)-all this means he is growing really well! He is meeting expected milestones and doing great overall. He didn't love his shots, however, but we all survived (with a few new cries from Ben and a couple parental tears!)

To celebrate what a big boy he was Thursday, we went out to lunch with friends Friday, then shopped at Gymboree. Ben needs some sweaters and pants for our trip to Michigan next month...and they are just so darn cute!

I added a video of Ben enjoying his bouncy chair with the lights and music-the smiles and coos are great!

Big Boy

Ben is continuing to grow and change before our eyes. He is now 8 weeks old, and heavier than ever! Last week, he weighed in at 10 pounds, 12 ounces-dangerously close to 11 pounds! He has his 2 month check-up tomorrow, so we'll see where he is again then. Unfortunately, that means his 2 month shots as well-we won't tell him yet! He is smiling a lot now, and is sweeter and sweeter every day.

We had a big week-Ben has been a little naughty and not sleeping too well, but he as been trying to catch up the last couple of days. On Saturday, we were going to go to a birthday party, but unfortunately he slept through the entire thing. We made it briefly to a dinner party with some friends from the Tucson Medical Housestaff Alliance, and he was a big hit. He sported his "Get in Line Girls" onesie and some rockin sweatpants. Then, Saturday night, Ben went to his first college football game (University of Arizona beat Cal), but dumb mommy forgot the camera (our friend took a picture, so hopefully we can find a copy). We discovered that loud stadium noise seemed to soothe him, so we may record more games and play them at night for him to snooze by. He continues to enjoy our morning walks with our new Tucson friends at Udall Park, and we even tried out the Sabino Canyon National Park last week, which was lovely (and, thankfully, no mountain lions were spotted). Ben's afternoons are spent now with tummy time, playing on his overhead playmat, showing off his improving neck/head control, and following toys with his great tracking. Sometimes (see below), Daddy even joins in for fun on the playmat.

Mommy having a little fun with Ben and his animal ring toys...

So much to see, so many animals and colors, and Mozart too!

This is my playmat Daddy, so back off!

We are excited to be planning for a visit from Grandma Freeto Halloween weekend, and are getting ready by trying out some of our Halloween wear. He has a costume too, but that will come later. Grandma Perry is coming the first weekend in November, and we are excited to see her too!

DOUBLE Digits

Ben hit the 6 week mark this week, and is continuing to grow and change. He is making slow and steady progress in the nighttime sleeping department, and has been transitioned to his crib (though he is in the Moses basket IN his crib still...baby steps!) We have been meeting every morning with friends to walk in the park near our house, and he is starting to enjoy this more. The 6 week growth spurt, however, has also come with the need to eat every 45-60 minutes, so we don't stray too far from home most days in the afternoon. All this eating, however, has allowed him to surpass 10 pounds-weighing in this Thursday at 10 pounds, 1.5 ounces. He is growing out of his clothes, and we are having fun with new ones almost daily. He even tried out his sweatpants this week in the cool morning (though he did lose his feet in them!)

We are looking forward to a visit from Grandma Perry in November, then heading to Michigan for Thanksgiving. We are looking much less forward to our 2 month shots at the end of this month, though can't wait to try on his Halloween costume.

In my crib (this is how I roll, I mean sleep)

Ben, Remy, and Camilla-ready for our morning stroll

Another morning walk in an outfit from Auntie Molly

Not just a little peanut anymore-Life IS good (and so is eating!)

Very Advanced

Benjamin at 5 weeks is impressing us more each day. He is learning to hold his head up on his own, and sometimes practices his head control by headbutting Brian or me while we try to burp him. He has found his hands, and loves to use his fingers to scratch his face (though we try to keep his nails clipped), suck his thumb, and extend his little pinky when he is sleeping, or just playing around with his hands.

I figure with all these accomplishments, he should be ready to talk and walk by Christmas and will be sitting for the SATs come spring...

Looking around

About to go for the eyeball

Occasionally, he looks a bit like Dr. Evil...

1 meeeeeeellion dollars!

4 weeks old...or is it 1 month?

Well, Ben has been growing like a weed. After a slightly slow start, his weight gain has been excellent-weekly weight checks at my breastfeeding group at the local hospital have shown above average weight gain, and his cheeks and nearly-rolly thighs attest to that. He eats well, spits up some (we do a lot of laundry around here!), and definitely doesn't like being hungry. He still doesn't love his carseat, though enjoys rides in the car when someone is in the backseat with him (especially his daddy!) He absolutely LOVES being in his swing, and his mom loves that, as it allows some work around the house, meals, showers, etc. (So I guess that's why my friend calls it the "swing of neglect"!) I couldn't decide if the "4 week" mark signified his first month birthday, or if it was the date one month following his delivery-not that it matters, but we celebrated both with some photos.

4 weeks old

4 weeks and very sleepy

1 month old, and in big boy clothes

"Pint size" but growing fast!

We have been meeting some new friends in Tucson and Ben has a few little "friends"-he had his first date with an older woman (Lois, almost 4 months old) and is meeting friends at the breastfeeding group as well (Camilla, 10 weeks, Noah 4 weeks and Remy 3 months). We had a fun trip to Starbucks (Ben's first) with the Tucson Medical Housestaff Alliance group (spouses of residents and fellows), and I discovered that Ben really likes the Baby Bjorn (thank goodness-that will make grocery shopping much easier!)

Lois at lunch on our "date"

The weather is JUST about to get a bit cooler, then we will start morning walks with Camilla and Remy (and their moms) and we are looking forward to exploring more of Tucson with our new friends.

Gameday Showdown

Between Daddy and Grandpa Ben, there might be a war afoot this football season-and this was all in his first 2 weeks home! Whether he will be a Big Ten or a Pac Ten fan still remains to be seen (and we haven't even mentioned the ACC, though they might not warrant mention this year)

Hail to the Victors!

UC..LA..UC..LA

We may need to get him in some Virginia gear, just to even the playing field a bit-we'll see, maybe we should wait until basketball season?!

Funny Faces

Most of these photos speak for themselves-Benjamin is full of funny faces, and we try to capture as many as possible. Between "poo smiles", "pensive glances" and squidgy, "I'm not sure if I am mad" faces, we laugh often. It is still pretty hot here in Tucson, so we are spending a lot of time indoors still. Looking forward to cooler days, hopefully in the near future.

Blissfully happy (or gassy)

Tired after a hard bath

Deep in thought

That might be funny
I'm not so sure about this, Mom

Oops-good luck with whatever you find down there!

Many firsts

Since coming home, Benjamin has enjoyed many firsts:

First Bath

First walk in his stroller

First attempt at sleeping in the crib

First ride in the swing

As he continues to grow and "enjoy" these events more, we will continue to post pictures of him.