in other news, still pregnant

(potential for TMI)

seriously, how could I have not had this kid yet?

is going into labor one of those things in life where if you think about it too much, it delays the process? would be really great to get an answer on that question stat b/c if yes, we're definitely looking at Thanksgiving.

since Sat afternoon I feel like I've been carrying this thing in my shorts. It couldn't be positioned any lower and still have all of its appendages inside.

I've walked, I've bounced, I've brewed strange teas, I've done nearly everything on this list (from foodmomiac) and yet this baby remains stubbornly inside.

it must be a girl. my girl. this sounds like just the type of cruel behavior I'd subject my own well-intended mother to as a youngster.

i'm averaging about 6 hours of sleep between bathroom breaks, heartburn episodes, repositioning all my body pillows, crazy somersaults from babes, and just generally lying awake wondering WTH???

and while I am certain there is a light at the end of the tunnel, it seems to be shifting further into the distance rather than moving closer.

sigh.

(if not immediately apparent, i'm clearly a delight to be around right now. if I'm not returning your calls, or only responding via text, consider it a blessing)

Buddies

Cute pic I had to share. Uncle Frank has been visiting periodically for our evening family walk. Always nice to see him and Ben loves him :)

On the Move...

Picking up speed daily, our nightly walks with Stella now include a block of Ben hitting it solo. It used to take 30 minutes to make in just a few houses, now he cruises right along. Check him out in action...

More walking, are you tired of it yet?

The weather outside is frightful, but inside we're heating things up with another great production. I promise to start updating soon with more than just Ben walking videos but this new trick continues to delight us. I opened the door and walked in on this excitement tonight. Completely resets the day immediately. Enjoy.

more walking

just a bit more video of the walker for you, enjoy!

And, we're WALKING!

OMG - Ben is officially WALKING!!!!

I came home from work tonight and hubby and Ben were practicing on the floor. AMAZING. He walked FIVE STEPS to me unassisted. Multiple times.

Videos to follow this weekend. Mom, sis and Tracy are coming in to visit so I'll have a full production crew to capture this latest development.

It is SO exciting!!!

In the meantime, we got the gang all back together this Sat for Daniel's b-day. Needless to say, it's much more difficult to keep the little critters still on the couch for a photo.

Enjoy.

Tiny steps, misc updates

The little guy took his first unassisted steps today. Three at a time. Amazing. How quickly do you think the full walking will follow?

Lots of bumps and bruises ahead in our future, but overall he seems pretty fearless. Even on the big tumbles, he needs a little hug and squeeze but is off again in no time.

Paula sent me a picture of him today from a playgroup/class they are taking now a couple days a week; he looked like a TODDLER. How does it happen so quickly?

Today also marks the first day of full formula moving forward. The great stash of milk in the freezer is officially drained. And he'll be 11 months next week.

Last week he started squeeling with delight when I came home at work. It was blissful. Only to be followed up by chasing after me this morning when I walked out the door, not quite so blissful.

But each day brings something new and fun. I just wish I could slow it down a bit :)

Home safe and sound

Asleep at last...little guy has a serious Naples hangover and it took him an hour to fall asleep in his crib this afternoon. After having no real naps to speak of today, he was so over tired.

Our first family trip, and a wonderful one at that. It really went remarkably smoothly given all that goes into getting Ben on the road. Man, there is so much STUFF! But the long weekend provided a much needed vacation for all and a perfect visit with the grandparents.

A little Ben loves from sunny Florida...

birds, oh the birds. we wave at them, squeal at them, smile and laugh,
walking with grandma Marsha,
eating breakfast every morning with grandpa Joe (and ice cream for the first time! - not for bfast though),
wind in our hair, even when on the beach,
fish from the safe distance of the pier,
walking, more walking and more walking,
his new tractor from dad,
the farmers market, even though he was half asleep,
Mary Ann, Jennifer and Mary Ellen,
waving, waving, waving,
SWIMMING in the pool (even though the water was freezing!),
sleeping in the closet,
and getting more attention than one kid knows what to do with.

Hubby and I were able to steal a date night at Campiello's - a fantastic, much needed evening out alone. It was glorious on a million levels. I ran every day, a treat for me. We ate fresh fish, had too many cocktails, and it was all wrapped up in a warm blanket of sunshine.

I am counting the days until we return again in March. Double the fun with BOTH sets of grandparents, Ben's b-day, my sis, I can hardly wait!

Big Ben on the Move

Check out the little guy cruising around this morning! Such fun stuff. Of course I missed the major performance where he went lengthwise across the family room, too busy shadowing behind to make sure he didn't bite it. But this gives you a little taste...

Little Mover

Thankfully the little dude has been delivering laughs and hugs throughout our visit home, and overall just brightening things up.

He learned how to walk around the coffee table at my parents house. I've said it before but it is really amazing to watch him learn.

The first day we got here he was trying to figure out how to pull up; next day it was successfully navigating the turn at the corner; this video is day three and he is motoring along fast as ever. He even falls down and pops right back up to continue on the journey.

Santa hat courtesy of grandpa Ted.

Hubby - this one is for you. We miss you, hurry back to OH.

Up, Up, Up

The adventure continues ... Ben loves all the low shelves, drawers, and furniture because if he can reach and pull up, he can work into a stand and achieve an entirely new perspective of the room.

He isn't picky -- it can be the stove, the rung of the dining room chair, even me when I'm on the ground with him. He isn't happy unless he is on the move. And subsequently there are a lot more bumps, knocks and tumbling over. Thankfully he is so curious, he has little time to slow down for sympathy. We mostly just pretend nothing happened and continue on our journey through the kitchen, into the dining room, off we go!