Where did the summer go?

So, where did the summer go? It's amazing that it's September already....we had a very busy summer...and I'm sure the business is likely to continue since we're throwing a baby shower for Marshall at the house in a couple of weeks (her and husband Mike are expecting their first on Oct 22nd) and now we're in WFU football season, I'm sure we'll be heading to some games. Oh, and Joel is going back to school on Saturdays for a certification. It is going to be Christmas before I know it...hopefully I don't miss Halloween and Thanksgiving on the way :-)

So, how have we spent the last two months? We had a great visit w/ the Coogan family in July and then spent a week in Chicago in August and then Labor Day weekend up at the Biltmore and in Beech Mtn (we've gotten away more this year w/ baby than the last couple w/o...amazing what you can do when you set your mind to it). Joel and I have gone out a couple of times to the movies or dinner and we have a new daytime babysitter. Our previous babysitter (before Bridgie) was expected to come back once Bridgie went back to FL (we still miss her) but not surprisingly her mom made her find another job in the meantime....though she neglected to tell me this until the Fri before I expected her back (we had already set up time...). So, no babysitter.....Ben was and is still sleeping really well during the day (and night) so it wasn't that big a deal but obviously frustrating. Well, in the end it worked out well. A friend of ours has found herself unemployed and although it is not a long-term solution works very well in the near term. Sharla is a friend of ours and Ben has a babysitter. Although he is attached to me, he has not yet really started w/ bad separation anxiety (and hopefully won't...). At night, all he wants is mommy but otherwise he's pretty easy-going and generally will go to anyone (especially girls LOL).

In Ben's world, he is developing leaps and bounds. He has 2 more teeth (the top 2) which both popped out right after Labor Day weekend (poor baby). He is sitting up and going from belly or back to sitting really well - it's amazing how easily they can do that.....He is almost crawling though not yet. He can get his belly off the ground and rock but then kind of lunges forward. So, he can move but not very gracefully (and luckily not very quickly....). He is really moving in the walker though and loves chasing Graham (the golden retriever). He loves being outside and it is cute how he "walks" over to the back door in his walker and looks out. Sharla, his babysitter, takes him on walks and to the park. He has really started enjoying the swing though is still indifferent about the slide. In addition to a new babysitter, Ben has also gotten a new RED stroller (the Joovy Kooper - I LOVE it!) and a new blow-up duck tub - it seemed like the best option since he likes to lounge in the tub - I wanted to get one of those sitting positioners but I don't think he would be as happy in that as he is in the duck (and the beak quacks!). Ben is also pulling himself up - which he just started this week! I can't believe it....he is going to be walking and talking before we know it. Though no "real" words yet, he definitely communicates. He started over the last week "singing".....it's really cute to hear these little high pitched noises that sound very much like either Rock-a-bye baby or Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (ok, to hear it, it would be like having to squint to see something meaningful in abstract art.....but it is "singing" nevertheless). He babbles quite a bit and we're hoping one of these days that he's going to say mama and dada with some meaning!

Ben in his Joovy Kooper:


So, since my last post, Ben has gotten two more teeth, is sitting up unsupported really well (at about 6 1/2 month) and is scooting around on his belly / back - he does this thing where he kinda of lunges forward and half rolls and somehow gets across the room though he is not really a mover. He much prefers to stay in one spot and investigate whatever is in front of him or to watch something that is a little further away. He is not officially crawling yet but I think it will be anyday. . Not only is the summer over, but so is September - kids have been back in school over a month. I just can't believe it. I suppose I say that every month but time really is just evaporating before my eyes. We had a fun and very busy summer - we had Bridgie w/ us for 6 wks and then Annie for 2 wks and then went to Carowinds and then spent a week in Chicago (maybe a future home...). We spent Labor Day visiting the Biltmore House in Asheville and then went to see my mom and Johnny in Beech Mtn. We had a couple more date nights and brought Ben to his first Wake football game (vs. Elon). We also threw a baby shower for our friend Marshall - her and husband Mike are expecting their first Oct 22nd.

The clan at Carowinds: