11 Months

Benton Blayne,

Oh what a fun month it has been.  I haven't had to work much, and we've spent so much time together playing.  You are quite the busy boy, keeping your momma on the lookout.  You love to be outside, and that's where we've been spending most of our evenings.  You love to climb up the stairs of your slide, look around, and give big talks about what you think.  In fact, you spend most of your day telling me what's on your mind.  You are really developing your own opinion. 

 You are still a great eater.  Some of your favorite snacks are bits of cheese, yogurt bites, and little pieces of fruit.  You would rather be eating real food than baby food.  Lately, you are developing the bad habit of spitting out your food when you're tired of it.  I have to try real hard not to laugh.

You love to walk around in the backyard chasing Fred.  As long as someone will hold your hands you will go.
I wish I could say you were cautious, but you're not.  You will dive, slide, or climb whatever is in front of you.  We've got several bruises to prove it.
I love the look on your face when you see your daddy each day.  You two are best friends.  
Every day you change.  When I look at you, I no longer see baby.  You are 100% little boy.
Your poor little mouth!  Right now you are working on four top teeth to go along with your two bottom ones.  Everything is going right in your mouth-including your crib rails :( and anything you find on the floor.  
BB you have a pretty big fan club.  Here you are with Nana at Perinis celebrating Mothers' Day.
You also took your first tractor ride this month with G-Daddy.  I'm sure the two of you will do lots of farming together.

Benton, you are full of life.  I love watching you spend much of your day looking at books.  You can't hardly wait to get out of your crib to unload your bookcase and flip through the pages.  Your favorite illustrator seems to be Eric Carle, as you read "Brown Bear, Brown Bear  What do You Hear?" over and over again.  It is amazing to me that you can already find the front of the book, and you turn the pages the right way.  

It's hard to believe you're about to be one.  I can't wait to see what God has in store for you.  Your daddy and I love you very much!