Gift Exchange!

The Fourniers had a Christmas party again this year, and Ben took part in the gift exchange! There were 20 kids - it was so much fun to see everyone running around and playing together. Ben was his usual reserved self at first, soaking it all in. After a little while he warmed up and started exploring, though!

Blinds!

Note: This was before he was incredibly mobile, so the extremely dangerous looking surge protector with many plugs and cords tangled together is no longer back there!

Nine Months!

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Nine Months - 21 lbs. 12 oz. and 28.25" tall

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This month has been amazing. I can't believe how quickly he's growing up. It seems silly, but I almost started to cry after we gave him his first haircut. He's starting to become a little boy, and I love it, but I am also starting to realize that he won't always be our baby.

Coming into the room when he's woken up from a nap, and seeing him standing there with a giant grin melts my heart every time.

He is such a fun, silly boy. His big toothy smiles and belly laughs make us so happy! His little games even make him laugh! If you don't make eye contact with him, he'll lean in close until you finally look at him. He thinks it's so funny - and so do we!

He's cruisin' around like no one's business! You can set up a whole obstacle course for him to climb over and maneuver around, and he just plows right through. His favorite places to pull up are the extremely unsteady lamp, and the dangerous, toppling bookshelves!

He gives the sweetest hugs and shoulder-kisses. He bounces back and forth to music sometimes, and squeals with joy when he's holding something he likes. He is such a happy little boy! Except when you take things away from him, or change his diaper. He's suddenly started to hate having his diaper changed. 

He doesn't seem bothered when I tell him no - he actually thinks it's pretty hilarious. He gets a big goofy grin, which then makes me laugh so I'm not sure how we're doing on the whole "no" concept.

We love how excited he gets to read books or get ready for bed. He squeals and bounces, and looks at us with the biggest eyes - full of excitement! He's finally excited about bath time, and loves splashing around.

We love this kid!

Thanksgiving!

We spent Thanksgiving in Chicago this year! My mom, Grandma, Uncle David and Aunt Carole were all there, and we had a great time! Ben did really well on the plane both ways - he was just very active! Peeking at the people behind us, and trying to get at the the people in front of us.

Kim and Dan couldn't physically be there this year, but they were there in spirit! Kim sent us a package to open, and some gifts from her traveling and had us do a White Elephant exchange! She wrote out rules, but somehow I messed them up, and it became more of a free for all...

Ben picked his before we even started!

After all the swapping was done, this is what we ended up with! Somehow I forgot to get a picture of myself - I wanted the stationary but my mom had a death grip on it, so I stole a magnet and "roman numerals" eraser from David!

Ben claimed his present by chewing on it, so no one tried to steal his gift - good strategy, kid!

We pretty much all had a part in the Thanksgiving cooking this year, which was a lot of fun! All the food was delicious, and after dinner I felt exactly like this: