Letter to our little man

Dear Benjamin,
Benji, Munchkin, ChubWub, BenjiBoo, BooBoo, BeezBooz, Sweet Baby, Sweetie Bug, Jelly Belly, B-jam, Sweet Pea.












You are one year old today. In that short time, you've stolen quite a few hearts. As your parents, we absolutely adore you. You have grandparents, an auntie, uncles, cousins, and friends who love you and have been showering you with attention. I've seen how your smiling eyes and joyful attitude can brighten a even a stranger's day.




You are growing into a little boy. No longer an itty bitty baby, you are busy exploring this great big world. We hope you take it by storm!
We have big hopes and dreams for you.
It doesn't matter to us whether or not you become a household name, hold a high-falutin' title, make a lot of money, or win any big awards. It does not matter whether or not you can run the farthest, jump the highest, or score the most points. No, our hopes for you reach even higher.
We want you to find happiness, peace, and love. We want you to be fulfilled in whatever you do. In our dreams you are thoughtful, kind, and generous. We see you living life to the fullest, and spreading a bit of joy wherever you go.




We know there will be challenges. Right now, you want to hug and cuddle with your Mommy all the time. As hard as it is to believe, there will come a day where you'll find me a bit embarrassing, and you won't want to be seen giving me a hug. Let's face it, kid...I've never been accused of being fashionable. I doubt that will change with age! Although you're too young to misbehave, there will come a day when you defy your parents, break a rule, or throw a tantrum. You may not like us very much when we have to become disciplinarians. There will be times when you feel that we are unfair, rigid, strict, or even stupid. Your Daddy and I have never been parents. We will make many mistakes as we learn how to best raise you to be a young man. Just know that your Daddy and I promise to forever love you fiercely and unconditionally.
Benji, you have been an absolute joy. We are so very proud to be your Mommy and Daddy. Happy 1st Birthday. We can't wait to see what is in store for you!




Love,
Mommy and Daddy
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

11 months old and into EVERYTHING

Look at that sweet face! But how does he suddenly look so grown up?

This child sure does enjoy his mobility! He's constantly on the move and into everything. He loves to explore, both indoors and out. It also seems to have made him less apprehensive about strangers...I guess he figures he can get away now!

He is waving, high-fiving, and shaking his head "no."

He loves chasing the cats, watching his toys bounce down the stairs after dropping them through the rungs on the baby gate, and going down the slide at the playground.





I'm so very glad that he loves to read. Not only do we enjoy cuddling up and reading stories together, but he also likes to just sit and flip through the pages on his own. He's a bookworm after my own heart!














He also really likes to make some noise. He may bang on his piano, play the "drums" (usually a pot and a spatula from the kitchen), bang some blocks together, or just jabber at the top of his lungs...but he WILL be heard!

He is very much into stacking blocks and then knocking him down. He's always up for a game of peek-a-boo. he really enjoys filling and emptying any number of containers...over and over again! It is guaranteed to make him laugh if I leap around the room like a deranged ballerina or pretend to lose something that is sitting on my head.





But best of all....he gives the best hugs!