It would seem that my posts have become quite sparse lately. I guess it has just been more difficult to find time the last few weeks. However we are all doing well! Ben just loves his new piano and is learning to play such wonderful (to his ears!) music. He is also sitting up like a big boy. He still topples over when he gets too excited or become interested in something and tries reaching for it. We bought him a little baby pool last weekend too. It has been so darn hot, we thought the little guy might like to take a dip. Boy did he! The water was a little too cool, so he was only allowed to sit in it for a few minutes. However he kept trying to dive in after his toys and did not seem at all phased by the chilly waters.

His two little teeth are doing just fabulous. They seem to enjoy the homemade peaches and prunes that I made over the weekend. We are going to try blueberries and cherries next week! Don't worry, he is getting plenty of veggies too.

Ben is quite the chatty baby. He frequently mumbles dada and what we think is cat. Every time he sees Walter or Kiwi he makes this "tat" sound. It's so darn cute but I want to hear mama! I also would like him to take naps and sleep through the night, but I can be patient. :)

Devastating news...due to an issue with the web albums, the pictures from the blog have gone into cyber-heaven. Recovering them to put them back on the blog is not an option, so I may be moving the blog to another site. I did not go crazy and delete this one, I swear! I'll keep you updated though. In the mean time, Ben is doing rather well. He is excited for PaPaw G to visit this Sunday. He will be staying with us until Friday and we can't wait!

I have uploaded the most recent pictures. More to come when I quit hating computers so much.

Mommy and baby Roo.

Pretty.

Mommy & babe...surviving the heat.

Ben - always looking at something!

Ooh! A snake! Can I pet him?

Happy Father's Day! We had a very nice day today - even in the 100 degree weather. Chad wanted to go to the wildlife park, mostly because Ben has become very interested in animals lately. He loves our little Kiwi and Walter, but the feeling isn't quite mutual yet. He just stares and smiles at them whenever they are in the same room. He reaches out if they get too close, but they run away as fast as possible. Anyway, Ben could get up close and personal with some of the animals at the park. He especially loved the snake :).

I forgot to follow up on his 6 month Dr. visit last week. He is 17 lbs 10 oz and 26 1/2 inches long. I can't remember the head circumference, but it is big, round, and full of brains. Doc said he looks like a healthy and happy baby. Good news! We made him zucchini and green beans this week. He seems to like the orange veggies the best though. Can you blame him?!

Signing off...bath time for Benjamin. He was quite messy with his food today and is wearing about 90 percent of his sweet potatoes. Chad & I are wearing the other 10.

Great Grandpa G. We match!

First flight out of Chicago.

Ben with Grammy G.

Yay! Grandpa V.

Papaw G introducing Ben to Winston.

Auntie Rozzy - fellow traveler.

These are some more pics from our trip earlier in the month. There are so many to choose from!

Ben has been quite the bad sleeper since we have returned. He wakes about every two hours - for what I don't know. Poor little guy is so sleepy too. He has his 6 month appointment today, so I will have updates on weight and height later in the week. He also gets another round of shots. Not so fun. Other than that is has been unbearably hot the last few days, so we haven't been able to enjoy our usual walks. I don't think it's worth it when you start sweating by the time you hit the end of the driveway. Hopefully we will make it back out there soon.

I'm sure Ben will be angry with me for this someday...but it is too funny not to share. Don't worry, all ended well :).

We had a wonderful time in IN this past week. There were so many wonderful moments and pictures, but this one is my favorite. This is Ben and his Great Auntie Donna at Lake Michigan. The weather was a bit cool and windy, but we all had a wonderful time. We even ate at yummy, yet very greasy Redamak's. Oh how I can't wait for Ben to sink his cute little teeth into one of their french fries!

Ben did very well on his first plane ride. Due to lightening and Rozzy's airplane, Ben & I were forced to go it alone. He slept the entire first flight, and when he wasn't batting his eyelashes at the other passengers on the second flight, he was having a blast reading the emergency evacuation procedures. The way back was another story. Never again will I give the evil eye to a mommy with a fussy baby - I know, hard to imagine. Ben had a moment (45 minutes) while we taxied on the run way where I thought the other passengers were going to start booing us. He was just really sleepy. Thank goodness for Rozzy and the 'Michigan asparagus farmer turned full time RV'er' who were able to calm Ben down, and me during the turbulent flight that followed.

We had a super trip, and loved seeing all the grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins, etc.

More later...when I eventually come out of my sleep deprived state.

Ben is ready for summer with his cool sunglasses. He actually likes them, as he was a bit giggly when wearing them. They velcro in the back which is a good thing since he grabs everything these days - especially noses. Another big milestone for him this weekend...he has a tooth coming in! We attribute some of his allergy symptoms to that. It just broke through and is just so darn cute. Poor little guy was unhappy for a few days last week, and now we know why. I check every now and then just to be sure, and there it was! Its the bottom right and it will be a pearly white before we know it.