Benjamin turns 1!!!

Benjamin is ONE!! 

What a great day we had as I spent the day with my mom getting ready for his party. He had his first cream cheese and apricot jelly sandwich. So fun to be back with family for his big day even if I was still a bit jetlagged! 


His birthday night we had a SPIDERMAN theme birthday! Spiderman masks, tshirt, plate and bowl, balloon, banner, table cloth.... you know the works( me and Grammy might have got a little carried away ;) 

The night was so fun since it was the first time my brothers and all our families were together since we got home from New Zealand. So wild to see our kids get to play together. 

Avery loves Benjamin!So sweet! 


He liked to opening presents... 

But not as much as the cupcake which he swiftly crammed straight into his mouth! 

A birthday well spent! 

Adventures of Benjiboy #4

I am getting so big and growing so fast. Mommy has to start buying me some new big boy clothes. She says it makes me look like a big boy. But that is because I am getting to be such a big boy.

 I can crawl up all of the stairs in my house now. I am getting closer and closer to walking but I am taking my time figuring it out. There is so much to look at that I tend to get distracted. I love to climb on things.

There is a room here that is big and empty except for a bunch of bean bags. I love it! I am figuring out my hands now too. I can use my fingers to pick things up. I clap now too.

Grammy and Auntie Andrea asked for pictures of my curly hair. These are right after my bath. Mamma squeals and kisses me so much. I think she likes me.

I  got to be going now. 

 *BENJIBOY*

Adventures of Benjiboy #3

It has been a while but I have been so busy!

I have gotten so fast at crawling and getting into things that mommy is always chasing after me. I can even crawl up all 14 stairs in my house. I think mommy timed me and said I did it in less than a minute one time.

I am getting closer and closer to walking like the big people. I can hold onto the couch and walk by it but as soon as I let go I fall. I get frusterated sometimes...

Yesterday mommy came in to get me after my nap and I thought I would show off how strong I am, so I stood up in my crib holding onto the edge. I am still trying to figure out how to get out on my own.

I am talking lots. Most the time I just blabber but I can say hi to dada and I even say mama now. When people ask me questions I say yea. Pretty soon I will be able to tell everyone what I think but for now when I am excited I hold both of my hands above my head. (I think Papa says it  is the sign for touchdown, but I just think it is fun to do!)

Well I have more things to get into. I have to keep mama guessing.

*Benjiboy*

Adventures of Benjiboy #2

I am making so many new friends. I get passed from new friend to new friend. I always like to be able to still see mommy though.

Jocelyn is from Hawaii and she loves to play with me. Sometimes she takes me on walks so mommy can do whatever it is that mommy does without me. 

Here I am with the big guys, Chris (Adventure DTS) and Sosefo (staff). They are so funny. They are always dancing and making silly faces at me. 

I am learning all kinds of new things. I brush my teeth with a real toothbrush now, but it feels so funny that  I giggle the whole time. I just love it. I am getting stronger and faster too. Now when mommy comes to get my from my crib I can sit up or sometimes I am on my knees trying to stand up. I love to stand up. I try to do it all the time now. 

I am trying lots of new foods too. I am such a big boy that I eat what mommy and daddy eat.  I have real rolled oats in the morning for breakfast. I like it when mommy gives me some of her toast too. I love my vegetables too. I eat carrots, corn, peas, potatoes, kumara(mom says it is like a sweet potato) and oh I LOVE broccoli! One time mom gave me pears and then broccoli and I would only eat broccoli after that. I liked it better than the pears! Mom gets me greek yogurt here. It is tart but I love it... see? 

Well I better go... I have some more exploring to do. 

*Benjiboy* 

Adventures of Benjiboy #1

Hello. My name is Benjamin. I am now 9 1/2 months old and growing everyday.  I am learning so many new things in New Zealand that I have to start my own series of blogs on mommy's blog. I wanted to call it Baadaaoodu but mommy thought that might be hard to read. 


Everything is new and different here. Let me tell you airplanes are awesome. I had my own little bed and I loved smiling at the other babies. I tried to see how many people would make silly faces and play peek-a-boo. Adults are crazy! 


My new home is pretty wonderful. I have been exploring as much as I can. It is so much easier now that I can crawl so fast. For some reason mommy still won't let me go behind the fridge or in the laundry room... I won't give up though. I go for it every time she puts me down. 


I am making lots of new friends here. Everyone loves to play with me. I even have had some time away from mommy with my new friends. They take me on walks sometimes. I love the wind in my now curling hair. Sometimes I need my dummy( that is the NZ way of saying pacifier)but lately I would rather suck my thumb. I have to be careful to not bite my finger though... my two teeth are sharp. 


One time when I was hanging out with my new friend Sammi, she took some pictures of me. 

Adventure on my friends- 
*Benjiboy*

Trying to Crawl = downward dog!

The crazy Benjaboy!

I don't know if you all have met my adorable always on the move little man, but he is pretty much awesome. He is about seven and a half months. 100% boy.  I love to watch him. He is full of wonder. Makes friends everywhere we go( aka flirt!) Constantly moving. Learning how to use his hands. Oh and he has a giggle that will melt your heart!


He loves carrots.

He is a good sport even while mamma is packing.

He loves it when daddy throws him around which makes my heart stop.

He really is just my sweet little monkey!

Precious Beginnings Photography!

Through the wonder of facebook I reconnected with one of my best friends from eighth grade. It has been a blast to share a bit of life the last year or two on facebook. She has launched a really great company. She is doing baby and child photography, but she also goes to the NICU and offers her services for free so families can get sweet pictures of their tiny loved ones! She did a shoot for Benjamin and so here are some great pictures of my little doll! 

This one was our Christmas card!

My favorite!