Breaking news!

I quit my job!

I've been back to work almost two months now and it's just not working well for us. After a lot of discussion and consideration Nic and I decided that it would be best for all of us if I were home with Ben full-time. The hardest part for me was telling Ben's daycare provider. She's been so good to Ben and has invested a lot of time getting to know him these past couple of months that I am really sad that the daycare experience will come to an end for him.

My last day of work won't be until March 30th. I'm on a project that could use me a while longer, and I certainly don't want to burn any bridges since it's likely I'll be knocking on their door again in a few years, so I'll stick it out another month.

Everyone has been really supportive of this decision and that's making it much easier for me.

I'm really looking forward to spending my days with my wee "B" once again. :)

And some miscellaneous photos.

Seeing as I don't update Ben's blog as frequently as I'd like I better get all my updates done today. :)

Here are some pics I snapped yesterday.

Ben playing with his mega blocks dump truck:

Happy boy :)


Not walking yet, but he's getting braver:
Playing in his tent ($12 from Ikea - what a deal!)

And a little update.

Ben now has two molars, both on the bottom. His first molar is completely through and the second one is almost there. Teething has been fairly easy for him, or at least it appears that way. He did have diaper rashes, off and on, for the past couple of weeks and a few cranky moments, but overall, he's handling it really well. I'm not looking forward to the canines though; I hear they're the worst.

Ben's verbal comprehension is still improving. I'm amazed by how much he understands. He can retrieve many objects and follow simple instructions, e.g., get the ball, give the ball to mommy, etc.

Ben also will bring an object to Nic or I wanting us to do something with it, and the something always depends on the object. And if we don't comply he'll put the object right in one of our hands and look at us as if to say "Dance, monkey!"

Most often than not Ben will still take two naps per day. For a few weeks he'd dropped the afternoon nap, so we thought it was gone for good, but nope... the afternoon nap appears to be back, alive, and well.

Ben's first haircut!

I trimmed Ben's bangs before his first birthday, but last Thursday he went for his first proper haircut. We went to a local children's hairdressers called Beaners and it was perfect. Ben was thoroughly entertained by Baby Einstein throughout his cut. He didn't flinch, except when the hairdresser got between him and his Baby Einstein. What a big boy he was.

And of course I cried... nothing new there!







When the cut was done the hairdresser gave me all of Ben's hair in an envelope and Ben received a certificate. Then we went into the ball pit!

14 month pictures

We didn't bring Ben in for 1 year photos because every photo studio was booked up over the holidays, so I recently brought Ben in for some photos. Here's my handsome little guy with what was aptly described as his "Brit pop" hair.

Ben's first molar has arrived.

And without a whole lot of complaint! The four points of the tooth are through on the bottom left, so maybe Ben's about to encounter the more painful part of cutting a molar: when the whole thing pushes through. I did a fairly thorough check, or as thorough as an increasingly willful 14 month old with sore gums will allow, and I didn't find anything else, but it does look like we'll see the bottom right molar soon since Ben's gums were fairly red and raised in that area.

So that's today's breaking news.

Ben's Valentine's crafts for Mommy and Daddy

Yesterday Ben's daycare provider spent the afternoon working on Valentine's day crafts with the kids. And these are the lovely crafts Ben made, and of course, we love it:

His printing is quite neat for a 14 month old, don't you think?? :)

Video evidence!

Here's a little video clip of Ben locating some things in his room today.

We all knew there was something going on in there...

And now we have proof! Well, not video proof, but that will come soon enough.

All this time I'd been waiting for some real signs of verbal comprehension from Ben. I have often put blocks and balls on the floor for him to play with and ask him to show me a block or a ball, but he'd be too distracted by the actual toys to pay any attention to me. But tonight!! I couldn't believe it! Ben and I were in his room and I asked him where Mr. Googly-eyes was (his big-eyed stuffed ghost) and he picked him up, then I asked for a book so Ben gets a book, then Baby Tad, then a blanket, then the cats... he stopped, looked around, and picked up every. single. item. that I requested (except the cat... he just crawled like a little madman after them.)

Then we went downstairs; he identified a cookie, a cup, and Mr. Peeps (his stuffed bunny.) Then I asked him to find a drum; he immediately crawled from the opposite side of the room to locate his drum that wasn't even in view and got it down from a shelf. I nearly passed out!

I don't know if this is normal comprehension for a child Ben's age, but either way I am one proud mommy!

Ben helps himself to breakfast

I guess Mommy was moving a little too slowly for Ben this morning so he took matters into his own hands.

Hm. Let's see what I can find in the pantry...

Oh... Gerber Puffs! What a pleasant surprise. :)

Now, let's see if I can open them...

Why oh why can't I open them??!!?

Okay, let me regroup and try again...

Ahh... finally! Sweet success!

Ohhhhh! Lookit them all in there!

Lemme just reach in and get a few...

Ahh... good Puffs! *drool*