Shoe Obsession

Bennett has an obsession with shoes right now. He will carry any shoes he can find around the house. The other day I saw him throw a toy behind the couch so when I reached behind to get that toy I also found a pair of my tennis shoes. Today he was carrying around Mike's shoes and was trying to put his foot in to one of them. So, I put them on him and he didn't know what to do. He'd stand up but then tip over so he just decided it was easier to squat instead. I don't think he quiet knew how to take them off either (which is funny cause he has no problem getting his own off).

Blink Eyes

A few weeks ago I noticed Bennett would blink his eyes which was something new. So to show Mike I would ask him to blink his eyes and then I'd blink mine also so Bennett would see what I meant. Well, it stuck and now anytime we say Blink Eyes this is what we get in the picture. It's pretty funny and cute. Great-Grandma is trying to get him to wink but he's not picking up on that yet. I'd really be impressed then since I can't even do that.

Como Zoo

Mike took yesterday off which will probably be his last day off that he takes for months. To take advantage of his time, we all went to Como Zoo for the afternoon. The weather was cold and windy but we still got to see most of the animals because they were indoors. Como Zoo is the smaller zoo in MN but it is also the free zoo in MN which is why we chose Como instead of the MN Zoo. We had a great time! Bennett's favorites were the seal's, monkey's and fish. We also found out that he wants to be very independent and go on his own. He didn't want to be in the stroller or have us carry him - he just wanted to walk everywhere on his own. But, doing this, he would walk away and didn't care about the animals or staying by us or even acknowledging us when we called his name, he just wanted to go. I need a leash!

We were at the zoo for almost 3 hours and then came home and we all napped before going out to Ruby Tuesday's for supper and finish out our family day. I wish we had more time to do things like this but it really made us appreciate the day together even more.

(How do I get away without mom and dad seeing me go...)Mike & Bennett looking at the gorilla eatingNew shirt - "Going Bananas at the Como Zoo"

14 Months Old

Bennett just turned 14 months old. Here are a few of his newest tricks during the past month. He really has grown leaps & bounds this last month - especially in comprehending things.

*He learned to climb on to the couch - luckily he hasn't fallen off yet and seems to know how to get down

*The past couple of nights when we try to give him his only bottle of the day before bed, he doesn't want it. Looks like he is officially done with bottles!

*He knows how to do "all gone/all done" with his hands

*He has learned how to point to what he wants or he can also shake yes or no when I ask him a question (this is great for me!!!)

*When I change a poopy diaper, I will say Phew and wave my hand in front of my nose and then he does it also - kinda cute

*He understands that if I say we are going bye bye he will go to the door to find his shoes. Also if I am leaving and I can't get him to co-operate, I will go by the door and say "bye bye I'm leaving" and then he will come

*He can say nap (ap) and the other day I asked him if he needed a nap and he walked in to his room and stood by his crib

He doesn't stay put at all anymore so it is hard for me to get some nice pictures of him - oh well...

Do you think he has enough toys to play with at Grandmas?

He's trying to wiggle his way out of Laura's arms

Outside!

Wow it's been awhile since I've gotten a chance to get on here. We've been busy but not with anything all too exciting - just lots of running around.

We have been able to get outside for a few minutes these last days since it's been so nice and Bennett loves it! I ask him if he wants to go out and he shakes his head yes and gets all excited and starts running for the door. Today we put him in his little car that we got from someone for free last fall. He's not quite big enough for his feet to reach but he still seemed to like it and being outside. Last summer he loved watching all the cars go by and that hasn't changed at all. I just now need to somehow teach him to stay up by the house since we have lots of traffic in our front yard.

Climbing and Ove

Bennett is learning to climb. Yesterday he figured out how to climb into his rocking chair and then climb back out...over and over and over again.

Today Mike showed him how to climb on the coffee table (unfortunately). I have a feeling the bumps and bruises are going to start now.

Also last night I was saying I Love You Bennett and then asked him to say Love. He plain as day said "Ove" for both Mike & I to hear which was very cute!

Also here are two little video clips. It's nothing much but kind of cute for those of you who don't see him too often. I hope it opens and isn't too big.

13 Month Updates

-Started walking Everywhere!

-TANTRUMS! When Bennett turned one he got an attitude and has tantrums! Even if he's up walking and doesn't get his way, he will lay himself down on the floor and cry or whine. He also doesn't listen to the word No very well these days either. I definitely have a toddler on my hands!

-He is saying more and more syllables - K, B, G, Ma, Da, P (up), T. He also said Kitty a couple times one day.

-He know what his toys are when I say "Go get your..." - Book, Blocks, Truck, Ball, Elmo. This also applies when I say Drink or Cheerios.

-He has kind of started using the potty chair. (He actually went potty twice on it today!)

-2 more teeth on top brings the total to 14

-Since we go visit Great-Grandma in the mornings, Bennett is now down to one 2-3 hour nap a day. He usually sleeps 12 hours at night also.