Cotton on my heiny

Benjamin and I thought it would be a great idea to experiment with cloth diapers...and you know, it is pretty easy. He proposed this idea because cotton feels so much better on his rather large heiny (and the 12 jelly rolls under it) and even though people think there is some black hole that all trash just disappears into, he is VERY smart and really knows that his diapers are adding too much junk to his kids' and his kids' kids' earth (this is the part his mommy will be made fun of for!).

So far he has been wearing disposable seventh generation diapers which are great for outings and trips...but would rather try out a few different brands including wool and cotton diapers from imse vimse, little beetle and bumgenius. It is really not too much trouble and still gives his very busy parents enough time to watch celebrity apprentice and millionaire matchmaker.

Ben is pretty happy about this (and his homemade baby food). He did say that if anyone makes fun of his parents for being "granola" he won't be too happy!

He is excited to pose for some pics sporting his new undies soon...

Ben's daily activities

Since I know most of you have nothing to do on a Friday afternoon (except maybe play a bit of Word Mojo) here is an update on Ben’s day to day activities.

Ben is finally making a few more non-dinosaur sounding sounds – “g” is his favorite consonant with a few lispy “b”s thrown in there. “goobie” is one I heard in the middle of the night last night. As a speech therapist I have been anxiously awaiting these sounds. They are pretty adorable.

He is going to the JCC a few days a week with me to work out. Well, actually, I am doing the working out and he is learning that the sweet ladies in the child care room are nice and will not hurt him. He is gaining some independence and I am losing the double chin.

He is moving – everywhere. A few of his favorite places are the fireplace, under the couch and table and caramel’s bed. He also loves to chew on the side of the couch and shoes…which I try to avoid.

Ben is sleeping a bit better! Of course he still wakes a few times a night – we’re not perfect, but naps are easier and nights are more restful. I never thought I would say this, but I really do miss rocking him all the time. Today I rocked him a bit longer than usual before his nap and he let me know how much he liked it by giving me a big slobbery kiss (sucking my face).
Ben loves his Thursday morning music class. The CD they gave us works wonders in the car if he is fussy.

Diaper changes have become quite difficult. If you go fishing (which we don’t because we don’t like the thought of hurting a fish) you know how slippery and jumpy they are out of the water…well, imagine trying to put a diaper on that.

Teething biscuits are a new fav. He started SCREAMING the other night when it fell on the floor and smiled when we gave it back to him. Don’t know where he got his love of food…but I can say the biscuits are pretty yummy. (I may have had a few when we had no sweets in the house).

I promise not to be one of those moms who brags about how awesome her children are…but Ben really is a sweet happy little man with lots of energy and curiosity. We may not be the best parents and our kid may not be the best sleeper, but we are having a pretty good time around here.

Ben's Pics at 7 1/2 months

We will keep this short and sweet...some random pics of Ben around 7 1/2 months

Ben Climbs Mt. Everest

Well....not exactly, but this was a major milestone....he used his Herculean strength to pull himself up to standing....for the first time! We are so proud of the greatest child in the world (I'm sure all parents think their kid is the coolest, so we have no reservations about saying this). Here is pictorial proof of his amazing accomplishment....if you did not believe us.

Step 1) Locate something you really want that is up really high. (Ben is very predictible....any electronic gadget or watch revs his engine)



Step 2) Use your freakishly advanced physical strength to pull yourself up.



Step 3) Mix all of that up and, tada, you are the coolest kid standing.

Eat that....fools!

naked box rides and wearing headbands

We have a new evening activity at the Goldman house...naked box rides down the hallway...not to be confused with evening naked crawling. Here's a glimpse:

ben also enjoys getting his 2 teeth brushed...except when he is already asleep...too bad mommy is crazy about teeth brushing:

mommy also likes to put head bands on me...

ben loves getting/eating easter cards from grandma:

ben has also enjoyed getting in bed with mom and dad in the morning...

at 7 months...

just like he did at 2 weeks!

here are the rest of the pictures from this week:

Half Man, Half Amazing

Ben showing off his herculean crawling efforts, then decides to sit up.....just because he can!

Ben visits the home of roger clemens

This weekend Ben went to visit his "other" grandparents and his new friend, sparcle. he had an awesome weekend with grandma kathy and g-dawg keith (self-appointed nickname). we all had a ball hanging with the Kelly family Saturday at Sue's. I think ben got the memo to be on his best behavior, because he scored a perfect 10 on floor, balance beam and the pommmel horse all weekend. Just a happy, content little boy who took 2+ hour naps. (this may not sound like a big deal, but it is to us...considering his usual naps are about 30 mintues). He even stayed happy in the car! 4 hr. trip each way (again, maybe not a big deal for you, but it is for us...so, back off.)

Ben also got to spend some quality time with sparcle (kelly's unborn, unsexed child) and can't wait to meet the little he/she.

thanks again for having us, "grandpappy/mammy" sowards. we will be back very soon......as soon as sparcle emerges.