18 months

Well, here's my attempt at a first real entry for this blog. We've been through so many wonderful events the last month or two that it's been a whirlwind. I still can't believe I finally graduated! Still so amazed...

While this first entry is an attempt to bring you up-to-date on the latest since my last email, I'll try to post entries every couple of days now - so come back often!

Benjamin turned 18 months old this week. I've seen him blossom in so many ways. He's become a real people-person who loves to smile and giggle and he’s extremely curious. Last night at supper, the next two tables by us both had little babies in highchairs. Ben went to both babies and grabbed their hands as if to say hello. Today at Chuck E. Cheese, he was full of excitement as he finally could go down the slide by himself. In fact, he did it over and over and over and over...

Ben loves to tickle you and even tickles himself! He has quite the attraction to balls and he says everything is a ball. I've tried to get him to say bubble or balloon, but they're both "ball" right now. We're hearing lots of little words that just amaze us. I've heard him say "door," and he now says what sounds like "thank you." Mama Jean, his babysitter, has been working on saying "1-2-3," which he does now. One day, I walked past a clock as I was carrying him. He saw it and said, "1-2-3." I couldn't believe that!

We went to a Chinese restaurant, Mr. Yen's, Thursday night to celebrate my graduation. It was Ben's first time at this restaurant. There are fish ponds in courtyard and waterfalls in the foyer. He was all giggles as he watched the fish. And of course, he cried when I had to pull him away to leave. Here's my parents, Ben & I standing by the fish, of which you can see, Ben cannot take his eyes off of...

And here's all the family standing by the gazebo...

Here's Ben and I as we're getting ready to leave...

I love his look in this picture. It’s like he’s thinking, “Do we really have to go?”

Here’s an amazing sight. We’ve had lots of rain this spring. One day we were getting home just as it stopped raining. This double rainbow appeared behind me so Daniel whipped out his camera. Hope you can see the second rainbow.

We took Ben to the zoo last weekend. Here’s a picture of him chasing the water squirts while sporting his hat. There’s just something about boys in overalls, but they’re even cuter in hats…

I’m sure enjoying my new-found time. I’m still captivated by the “free-time” concept, something I haven’t known for several years. Even at the library Friday morning, I was able to check out a book for me to read. I finally have time to enjoy reading a fiction novel instead of a textbook! Woohoo!

Well, I’ll stop for now. Busy days ahead. Blessings to you!