b e n j a m i n f a l k e n b e r g

Benjamin’s second Brewers game was last night. Brewers beat the Royals, rather decisively; I forget all the details, but it was a loooong game.

Benjamin’s first Brewers game was last year in July.

Benjamin was really great at the game! A man sitting in front of us was telling Stacey how he’d never imagine being able to bring his 18-month-old to a game, and he was stunned when we told him this was Benjamin’s second.

The boy is a huge flirt! He had all of the women around us eating out of his hand, putting on a big show of smiles and playing shy…eventually blowing them kisses and passing around high-fives when the crowd was cheering a play.

He was trying to do the wave with everyone, was clapping along when people were clapping, and just seemed to have a really awesome time. He did get a little cranky toward the end, but it was 2.5 hours past his bedtime, and I think he was just a little tired.

We’ve been going to some local adult- and little-league softball and baseball games around town with Benjamin, too, and he seems to really enjoy watching the players and the ball flying around back and forth. We might have to get him a toddler T-ball set soon… ;)

He’s got the fever now… He claps while sitting, standing…he even does some clapping now for total strangers. He was at a play area in the mall today and he was waving at the other kids, too. Hilarious!

He’s also doing a little bit more walking… He can take several steps now before he crashes; his longest distance so far is probably about 6 feet or so. You can see him planning his landing when he takes off, too…

In other news, his teeth are still coming in, and we’re still having some restless nights… poor kid. :(

He really has turned into quite a little hugger and kisser, too. He’s still a little bit picky about who he gives them to, and he’s still not the most cuddly baby in the world by any stretch, but the love in him is coming out more and more. :)

It’s been a little while now since he first started doing it to his mother, but he’s now really big into blowing zerberts on Mom and Dad’s arms, legs, bellies, and laughing his head off. He thinks its the funniest thing, and it really gets his parents laughing, too. It’s really, really cool to watch him find and do things that are fun/funny/interesting to him. :)

This morning Dad’s working at his desk when he hears a repetitive noise behind him; he’s not sure what it is, so of course he turns to look…

It’s Benjamin, CLAPPING. We’ve been practicing clapping with him a little bit, but this was the first time he’s really done it on his own, deliberately, that we’ve noticed. He was watching his hands, as if studying the movements and the resulting sounds; it was very, very cute.

He went in for his nine-month wellness check with the pediatrician today, too. Stats:

• height: 28.5 inches tall
• weight: 19 lbs 15 ounces
• head: 18 inches around

Everything went well; he’s average weight, and slightly above-average height.

We were asked a number of questions about his development, and the only question we couldn’t answer yes to was “does he wave goodbye to people?”. He really doesn’t, but he also doesn’t really ever see Mom or Dad leave separately. Well, occasionally, but not that often…not often enough that he would have a lot of practice with the goodbye-waving, in any case. We do practice with him when we’re out and he’s socializing with other parents and kids at a store or something, and around his relatives.

The funny thing? Tonight, just a few hours after his doctor visit, Mom was taking him to bed, and he waved goodnight to his Dad! Very deliberate, and he even repeated it a few moments later. VERY COOL! We also blow kisses at him, so we figure he’ll pick that up on his own at some point soon, too. Very exciting!

He got his second flu shot today. Must have been a clean stick, as he barely cried. He takes shots pretty well.

He started calling his Mom “mama” a couple days ago! Dad’s with him most of the time during the day, so Dad’s kinda bummed it wasn’t “Dada”, but Dad will survive. ;) In the meantime, since he’s figured it out, Mom’s feeling both excited and a little frustrated, because he wants her ALL the time now, and there’s no denying it when he’s asking for her BY NAME. Hah!

He’s also able to take a few steps walking now! He walked about 5 steps tonight for Mom during the football game, before he plopped onto his butt, but it’s progress!

Stuff that makes parents so proud…

He’s moved on to stage-three baby foods and table foods now, too. There are of course a handful of foods he still can’t eat, to avoid potential allergies, but not a big deal… We’re eager to get away from the baby foods and let him start eating “real” foods.

He’s also been teething like CRAZY, and overnights haven’t been very fun… He’s got about 6 teeth now, and he’s gnawing on everything, and drooling like a maniac…