Swimming, Dancing, & Shish Kebabs

• I haven't blogged in weeks and the natives are experiencing symptoms of withdrawal . . . so here are some updates. 
• Bennett enjoyed his first morsels of dog food this week.  He's discovered if he can maneuver his walker to the dog dish, go up on one leg, and lean over . . . his arm will extend to the top of the mound of dog food.  He seemed to enjoy the Lamb and Rice blend (and commented that it tasted like a fine shish kebab dinner). 
• Bad hair day:

• He had his first swim last week at the Loveland Embassy Suites:  

• Here he is hanging out with his lady friends in Loveland:



Ella, Bennett, & Emma

• He's got Mom's smile and Dad's rhythm:

• They say dentist's kids always have messed up teeth.  So, I anxiously await the eruption of each tooth and thoroughly inspect it to make sure it's in good order.  Thus far we are 6 for 6 defect-free (but if he keeps playing tough guy and bumping his head . . . there are chipped teeth in the future). 
• This kid loves to laugh:

• He's starting to climb the walls ala spiderman:

iSon

• Bennett has an affinity for my iphone.  After many evening games of keep away, last night I let him hold it.  Whenever I went to grab it from him he'd tighten his grip on it and pull it in towards his chest. I know for a fact, he's been listening to the Sharing Song, but I'm pretty sure that's not Dad's iphone anymore (in his eyes at least).
• This evening I put some music on the iphone for him (and he somehow got to the facebook app on his own).  He doesn't seem to be impressed by Dave Matthews' vocals, but watch him break it down when the horns and harmonica kick in:



Home & Lost

• I had a great day with Bennett today.  Karah went skiing in Beaver Creek.  So, I had most of the morning and afternoon with him . . . which I refer to as "Dudesday".  He's quite mobile, whether crawling or in his walker.  He's starting to get into trouble . . . trying to get into cupboards, drawers (time for a trip to Home Depot for some locks).  He's pulling papers and magazines from the end tables.  I even busted him (twice) trying to take the fireplace pokers off the rack.  AND when I was feeding him he swatted at the spoon.  That sent baby food flying and splattered the dog. 
• At this moment (as is nightly bedtime protocol) Karah is having a "last dance" with Bennett before she puts him in the crib.  I usually think nothing of it (i.e. take it for granted), but tonight it seems especially sweet.  It makes me incredibly proud of and grateful for my family.  The songs she played tonight were the Foo Fighters "Home" (one of my faves) and Michael Buble's "Lost": 

"'Cause you are not alone

And I am there with you

And we'll get lost together

Till the light comes pouring through

'Cause when you feel like you're done

And the darkness has won

Babe, you're not lost

When the worlds crashing down

And you can not bear to crawl

I said, baby, you're not lost

I said, baby, you're not lost"

Michael Buble - Lost



"Echoes and silence, Patience and grace
All of these moments, I'll never replace"





what a difference . . .

A few days makes:

hot shot from David M on Vimeo.

Crawl space

-Bennett had his nine month check on Thursday:

• Tale of the tape:  23 lbs, 29.25" (~80th percentile)
• He received a shot in each thigh (simultaneously).  He had a hearty scream and cry for all of 3 seconds.  He collected himself, gave the nurse a dirty look and pout, and then it was like nothing happened (I didn't tell him that he should not let the girls see him cry.  He must have just enough testosterone to know that innately).
• She mentioned that he'd be crawling soon (sure enough (see below)).    

The heart of rock n' roll is still beatin'

-Bennett made his first crawling movements last night (he was going after the keys, but he's not ready to drive just yet).  We busted out the camcorder at the end of the action:

-More wrestling matches with the stuffed animals:

Where's Waldo?

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."