Man in the mirror

• Bennett is approaching his 9th month.  Rolling is his favorite mode of transportation.  But, he's on his hands and knees this week and it looks like there is a crawl in the near future.
• When Bennett started making predictable, replicable sounds a few weeks ago . . .  It was all da-da-daddy.  Something happened this week (I've accused Karah of brainwashing while I'm at work), but he will no longer make the da-da sounds (Boooooo!) and it's all about ma-ma-mam ma-ma-mommy (and an occasional Ba-ba-ba for whatever reason). 
• Bennett pretty much "owns" Brux at this point . . . especially, when he's in his walker.  Bennett is becoming an expert at running over toes and Achilles (including Brux's).  He often gets Brux cornered and is unmerciful in releasing (or in this case not releasing Brux).  Also note that he's so intent in keeping Brux out that he doesn't acknowledge my presence at all:  

What's the password?

• Here's another funny little vid.  Bennett must think he's good looking.  When he discovers the mirror, he wastes no time starting to admire himself:

I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!

• There's a pretty good chance that Bennett will be a daredevil.  He rarely cries when injured, he has thrill seeker tendencies, he has lots to climb (jump off of, ski down, etc.) in his backyard and he seems a little to interested in the Xgames that are on ESPN right now.   

• Bennett bought me a great book recently (he must think I could use a few parenting pointers). If I Were Your Daddy, This is What You'd Learn. It is a collection of chapters by 35 dads talking about teaching what they believe to be the most important lessons to their kids. Although I'm only about 1/4 of the way through it, I highly recommend it for both mothers and fathers (actually, anyone could learn a lot about themselves from this book). Here's a little more info on it:

I Wanted To Change The World

By Unknown Monk, 1100 A.D.

When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world.

I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation.

I found I couldn't change the nation, I began to focus on my town.

I couldn't change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family.

Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself,

and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself,

I could have made an impact on my family.

My family and I could have made an impact on our town.

Their impact could have changed the nation

 and I could indeed have changed the world."

Compete!

Like father like son

Bennett went retro this week with some of Dad's far out 70's fashions.  My ensemble 36 years ago (can you dig it?):



Like father . . .



Like son


I got dad's belly and forearms



Christmas and stuff

  Hey everybody.  Dad is watching football and we just dropped Mom off so she cood skee at Beaver Creek.  So . . . this laptop is all mine (if I can just keep it on my lap. Steady). 
   I just turned 8 months old . . . and not a present from anyone of you?  Whatz up with that?  I made out like a bandit at Christmas.  Lots off cool, colurful toys.  But I really liked the boxes and rapping paper best.  Rapping paper makes great sounds (and is also delicious, I might add).

   I saw lots of family at last month.  The Dankenbring side came to Colorado for Christmas and we drove to Nebraska for New Years.  Nebraska so cold it hurt and the Huskers offense was offensive in the bowl game.  I bought Grandma and Gido mugs with my mug on it: 



Coffee with Sugar

  I recently learned how to get whatever I want.  I just turn up the VOLUME.  I can holler real good now and I have been working on this ear-piercing scream that makes Dad go insane.  I have also been chasing my puppy all over the house in my walker.  You should see the terror in Bruxy's eyes when I come for him.  It makes me giggle. 
   I been saying "Dadda" a lot, but these adults won't give me credit for my first word.  Do expect me to talk in complete sentences or sit at the computer and rite a paragraph? :) They are so demanding and not as smart as they think. They need to check out this article I read in the New York Times:  New survey shows 'dadda' most likely to be baby's first word
I can't stop rubbing my eyes. I feel a nap coming on.  Off to da crib.  Laters - B.