Ben is at a really fun age right now.  In the past few months, he has changed from a baby who just observes the world, to a baby who is mobile, engaged, and very interactive!  His first word was "Hi!" (around 7 months), and says "Hahh" (in a southern sounding voice) and waves and people who are smiling at him. He just started saying "Nigh-nigh" to his brothers and daddy before bed and "Bye-bye".  He is so proud of himself.  :)  He is trying so hard to say "mama" and "dada" and moves his mouth to try to get it out.

He loves to go outside and will shreak and kick his legs in excitement when I unlock a door or open the garage.  He also does this when Josh or my mom walk in the room and when we pull up to church.  He also goes nuts when Jack comes up to him and he hasn't seen him in a while.

He started crawling right after he turned 9 months and started slow, but is now crawling all over the place!  He's started pulling up at 8 months and can cruise, although he is not quite comfortable with it yet.

He is just the happiest, sweetest baby and smiles at everyone he sees.  He loves to be where the action is and never seems to grow tired of it, until he gets tired.

He is not a big sleeper. :/  He takes two-three short naps a day (20 minutes - an hour each) and goes down well at night, but wakes up around 4 or 5 am to eat.  He is good about going back to sleep, though, and will sleep until 7ish.  Right now, though, he has a stuffy nose and is waking up about 10 times a night!  Fun times!

He's a great eater and prefers tart fruits and vegetables to bananas and rice cereal...strange!  He loves table foods and will always eat those happily.

He is very portable and will just go with the flow wherever we are!  He is a dream to take out!

He is a big boy, weighing around 26 pounds, and is just solid.  He is starting to wear 18-24 month clothes, because his waist is so thick (exactly the opposite of Jack, who has the Robinson torso).

He is such a joy, and is just adored by this family!