A long overdue update since the move.

We've been really preoccupied with our recent move that I haven't had much time to update Ben's blog. Hope to get back on track soon. The new house is starting to come together, but we still have a lot more work to do.

Ben's loving the new back yard. Grandpa bought him a big playhouse, and I bought him a bubble lawn mower. He loves them both.

It took Ben a good week to settle into the new house. He wasn't sleeping very well at night, but he's improved quite a bit in the past few nights or so. Last night he woke a couple of times, however, and fought his nap today (he's finally napping now), so who knows what we're in for tonight.

Here's a little summary of things Ben's doing these days:

• stringing two words together: "bye-bye car" to a Hotwheels car in the grocery store as we wheeled away with the cart
• putting garbage in the garbage can, even small crumbs and specs of lint
• helping Mommy sweep up his mess after a meal, and if he makes a mess on the floor he'll go get the broom and dustpan himself
• drinking from a regular cup, or anything that doesn't have a lid; we've even spotted him drinking water from the back of his dump truck in the backyard the other day
• petting the cats; he's really quite gentle with them, but he will push them out of the way if they interfere with his Baby Einstein viewing
• grabbing at his diaper; I think he's starting to notice when he's peeing

I'm sure there's lots more to report, but this is what comes to mind for now.

Now for some new photos.

A little naked reading post-bath.
Picking flowers in the backyard.

Eating flowers in the backyard.

Spitting out the flowers in the backyard.

About to drink the milk left in his cereal bowl.

Down the hatch!

All gone.

Bowls make fine hats!

Petting Daisy under the dining room table.

Pushing Daisy and her chair out from under the table (petting out in the open is easier, I guess).

Sasha's turn.

There. That's better.