Ben's first Christmas

One of the pictures from our family photo session. Ben did warm up eventually. At least he didn't cry. (Credit to Sears Photography.)

Grampa, tell me a story.

At the children's Mass on Christmas Eve.

Christmas morning - a new friend for the tub!

I think this was round 2 of 4 for opening presents.

Interesting, everyone who doesn't live with Ben sent musical toys... Anyone need any batteries? :)

"What mess? I don't see any mess."
In that case, Mom would like you to explain the piece of cheese she had to fish out of your shirt.

In other Ben related news, he's working on crawling the normal way. He's also working really hard at walking. He's testing his balance here and there and getting ready to just let go any day now. Wish us luck!

We went to Dad's Christmas party at work and got to sit in a real TV studio! Some day Dad will work in here!

We tried to go for a walk in the snow storm on Friday. Ben wasn't a fan of the wind so it was a short walk.


Ben's working on signing a couple words, when the mood strikes him. "More," "milk," and "eat" happen from time to time. And we think he's starting to get "all done" (but maybe he just figured out that his wrist works like that...) He also practices standing, pulling himself up, and waving.

Another week, another tooth!

This snow stuff isn't as much fun as Dad makes it seem.

Yum, banana.

Mom took this one after the momstown Christmas party. It was too much fun, Ben really needed a nap!

Downtown on Saturday there were Santas everywhere - crossing the street, driving cars, in the parking garage, at the gas station. There were Santas wearing fanny packs, sneakers, beards on their backs. And Ben fell asleep and missed it! (It was the Jingle Bell Run fundraiser.)

If you think this is cool, Ben, just wait till we get it decorated!

Ben of the Five Teeth

That's right, watch out, Ben's got five teeth now!

Enjoying a snack at the mall in Buffalo.

Visiting Niagara Falls on our way home.

Ben wasn't too impressed.

Trying to eat his cookies from St. Nicholas. Doesn't seem to bother him that it's still in the wrapper let alone that it's in his shoe, does it?

Mom's attempt at a picture at the Christmas parade. Too bad it was so cold we had to leave before the Big Man Himself came through (but we could see him from our apartment window.)

Hockey night in Canada is much more fun when we can watch the Flyers.

To Thanksgiving and Beyond!

Ben's new favorite hangout.

Sweet potatoes as finger food.

Which leads to bath time. Watch out for the dread pirate Prune Beard.

Watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Ben really enjoyed the cheerleaders and the Broadway performers (and of course Mom made him watch the Rockettes.)

See, I can get in it myself.

And now everyone is happy that we can start getting ready for Ben's first Christmas! Next Sunday we'll go to welcome Santa at the Christmas parade (even though he's already at the malls, go figure.) Other than that it should be a pretty normal week - playgroup, library time, all that good stuff. :)

Oot and Aboot

Helping fold the laundry (well, more like pull it out and throw it on the floor but hey, why be picky?)

Still liking the Cheerios. And the box makes a great toy.

Happy to have our American cousins Maureen and Jason over to celebrate Thanksgiving!!

They even brought me a new toy. :)

We finally had some accumulating snow this week.

Dad measured 6cm outside. December must be close.

Such a busy week!

Mom's all worn out from all the standing this week!

And the cruising.

And some stepping.

We got a few breaks to read. Ben's getting pretty good at turning the pages. (Now we need to work on turning them forward and not back!)

And more standing.

Sitting is for wimps Ma, more standing for me!

Everyone's favorite - Cheerios!

We also met some new friends this week through some mommy groups and are going to playgroup on Monday with some of them! We're also off to Baby Rhyme Time at the library on Tuesday and will be celebrating Thanksgiving with some American cousins and friends here in Canada on Saturday and Sunday.

Getting more and more settled in our new home.

You're so funny Uncle Ned.

At the train station in Utica.

It's about time, now give me that dinner!

Out for a walk to the library.

Ben's travels

Ben's first train ride was great! So much fun, so much to see, and he even took a nap!

No trick-or-treating, but we did go visiting to show off Monkey Ben.

Like seeing Gramma at City Hall.

A good first Halloween!

Come here kitty, I'll share my cookie with you.

Ben loves playing with the newspaper (Christmas is going to be so much fun!)

Ben's first Cornerstone (Mom's 4th and Gramma's 5th!)

It's been a good week! So much visiting, so many people we've seen!

And Ben is now clapping and has 4 teeth! He's also working on pulling himself up and trying to take some steps! Watch out, time to really baby proof our apartment!