Stop making me do this, Mom!

I think the real reason Ben became mobile so early is because he gets so focused on what he wants, obsessive even, that he fixates on it--scaling whatever is in his path, crying if it's taken away. If I'm in the room, the object is me! That's why filming him is tricky. But I got a few seconds of his new tricks. He even stood unsupported for a few seconds a couple of times. Those chunky thighs offer some real support, I think.

That's what you get for feeding me poop!

I guess when you can't communicate, like in the case of a 7-month old boy, trying to express how you feel can be very frustrating. So frustrating, sometimes, that you just feel like you could spit! I think Ben hit his limits and needed to do just that--a lot of harmless spitting. Not a bad option, really, and something those with anger management issues should consider. It takes him awhile to get going on the video, but once he does, you'll understand what I'm saying here.

My Kitchen

I took a video of my kitchen so my interior designers (my aunts and mother) could get a better idea of what it looks like. The walls are plaster and there was paint under the wallpaper, but it looks like it was only painted once. We haven't cleaned or done the touch-ups yet, and there is some damage (little cracks, holes from nails). Chris said he can take care of that. The cabinets are flat and smooth to answer your question, Aunt Kathi. They are the original cabinets from '58. They're in good shape, but are very old fashioned. What do I do with a bay window? There's another huge one in the living room. What color paint should I choose? I like sand by Sherman Williams or I would love to try a green color. The linoleum is light (off whitish with a gray-brown marbling pattern) and the counters are white tile. It's pretty new and in good shape (not what I would have chosen, but we're not replacing that yet). We have a lot of eventual plans, but painting the kitchen has moved up to #1 on the list with our recent wallpaper removal hysteria. I have a feeling that's how home projects will progress in this house. We'll get so sick of something that we'll tear it down and spend weeks trying to figure out how to fix it. Crazy house fixing! It's fun though. Thanks for all of your input and help from afar!

National Cheesecake Day

A lot of really great things happened on National Cheesecake day last Wednesday. First, I got a piece of Cheesecake Factory Godiva Cheesecake for $1.50. That alone would have made my day. But then Ben decided to just go over the top and start sitting up, too! He's the third child, so I haven't been trying to teach him the stages of development like I did with the other two. It's more like "Oh yeah, he might be able to do that. Let's try it." So in my moment alone with Ben, I sat him up and he stayed!

He was probaby thinking--"yeah mom, I totally could have done this last week if you would just spend some time with me!" Those younger kids have to jump through hoops to get attention, I hear, so wait for even MORE exciting tricks from Ben still to come.

Who's Who?

Here's a serious case of sibling look-alikeness. Here are pictures of Ben and Sam at the same exact age (4 months). We have twins born 4 years apart! Ben is the top photo. They are similar in other ways, too. Sam bounced whenever you stood him up. Ben loves the bouncer, too! And Lucy never bounced. It's so fun to see how similar the boys are versus Lucy. We'll never know how much is gender and how much is just personality, but it's fun to see the similarities!

Say Cheese, Ben!

Sam grabbed the camera while I was on the computer (and holding Ben) and took Ben's picture point blank. It turned out pretty cute, though. And he has blue eyes! Finally, a kid with some of my coloring!