My parents are crazy.

Fun, but crazy.

Today was a busy Saturday filled with a trip to the zoo and the coolest dinner I have had in a long time. It wasn't the food that was so great, it was that I got to eat picnic style in the living room and watch a movie with my Mom and Dad and Sofia. We had fun eating and then building forts with our picnic blanket.

It's been a busy few weeks. I caught a cold that scared my Mom. One night she thought I might have had croup because my cough sounded like a barking dog. Luckily though, it was just a bad cough and the humidifier helped.

I've been happy taking lots of field trips... who ever would have thought that we would have 90 degree weather in mid-November, but it makes it nice at the beach. I had a fun time Friday playing soccer at the beach, playing with rocks and getting wet. Hey, these are my favorite things after all.

Good Night, and wish me luck at church tomorrow. I am going to try to get through sacrament meeting without having to get taken out. I hope Mom packs the M&Ms.

Benjamin


Me as "Lighting McQueen" on Halloween


My best shot from our attempted Christmas card photo shoot. We are making an appointment next week so we have more hands to help.

A Few of my Favorite Things... Cool.

My Mom keeps saying it is fun to watch me grow up. It seems to me sometimes that everyone around me is staying the same and except for Sofia, I am the only one changing. My Mom doesn't really do anything new, neither does my Dad, but everyday I make someone laugh or look confused because they didn't think I could do something I managed to do. So here is a list of the things that are new in my life, including my new favorite things.

1) Balls. This isn't really NEW, but it has gotten worse. I love balls. And really, not just balls. I am obsessed with ALL sports equipment. I like the special shoes, boots, cleats, racquets, bats, mitts, helmets, sticks, clubs and balls that go with every sport. My newest obsession is "boards." I LOVE surfboards and point them out whenever I see them. This apparently got old at the beach yesterday.

2) Cool. I say that cool all the time. Whenever I see one of my favorite things I say cool at the end. "A board... cool." "Birds... cool." I also point at the TV and say cool. Well, there is cool stuff on it, like...

3) Mickey Mouse. I LOVE Mickey Mouse. I call him "Mouse." Everyday I get to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on TV. Mickey is also on my diapers, so it has made it a little easier for Mom to change me because I get distracted by the mouse.

4) Music and musical instruments. I like to dance and my other favorite TV show has lots of music and guitars. (It's Imagination Movers for anyone who is interested) Last night at the ward trunk or treat I had a great time hanging out at the car with all of my young women friends because they were playing music and dancing. They laughed because I just stood in the center and bounced and danced. My favorite musical instrument is a guitar. I can play air guitar now and like to use a drum stick or a tennis racquet to really get into it. I had a hard time leaving Sam's Club the other day because Mom was letting me play a Fender electric guitar. Yes, I cried. I cried a lot.

5) Dairy products. I once ate 4 yogurts in one day. And for anyone who pays attention, Yoplait can be really expensive. My Mom caved and bought the Costco pack. She has also put her foot down and I am allowed 2 a day, max.

6) The fridge. I like to get into the fridge and pick out snacks. All day long. I like yogurt, cheese, milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, celery, yogurt, carrots, whatever dish of fruit my Mom has, yogurt, hot sauce, yogurt and juice - leftover from my birthday party, so you know I don't get it very often. I am a snack-a-holic.

7) The Wii. My favorites are baseball and tennis. But I am starting to get the timing down and that makes it fun for my Mom.

8) Anything soft. I still am a sucker for soft fabrics and stuffed animals. THANK YOU AUNT KATHY for my new Woobie. (And thanks to the movie Mr. Mom that still has my Mom calling blankets woobies.) I love to snuggle my new quilt. And it matches my bed perfectly!

9) Being nude. And I will close with this one. I love to be naked. All the time, anytime. And this is what my Mom thinks makes bath time such a hit. My Mom has been wanting to get cute pictures of me, but I won't leave my clothes on long enough for her to get a good one.

And that is what is new in my life. I am going trick-or-treating tomorrow at Sea World. I am really excited because it was SO much fun last year. I am going to keep my fingers crossed that I get lots of M&Ms. The mini ones are my favorite. OK, so there is one more favorite for you!

Love and Kisses,
Benjamin

Nate's Butt Farm!

Well, we made our way to Nate's Butt Farm for our annual pumpkin trek. My Mom insisted we visit the far away pumpkin patch because they have pony rides, and I am SO glad that she did. I was in heaven riding the pony. As soon as I got on I was petting her and smiling so big. Because I was the only rider and there wasn't a line, I think I got to go around more than usual and I was so glad for the circumstances.



I also got to visit the petting zoo, which wasn't as cool as the pony ride. And I found the pumpkin I wanted - it probably weighed 50 pounds. I had to get a more reasonable sized pumpkin, so I picked one that weighs less than a pound - just like a ball! We managed to leave with two jack-o-lantern pumpkins, two minis and a squash. Not bad for a days haul.

My Mom has spent the last few days reminiscing over the photos and seeing what a difference a year can make. Here are pics from last year and this year so that you too can see how much I have grown!





Good Night Everyone!
Benjamin

Say No to "Crack"

Well, my Mom says I have officially outgrown another diaper size. And boy did this happen all of a sudden. We are having something of a heat wave here, so I was allowed to parade around naked after my bath tonight. About an hour later my Mom noticed my diaper seemed REALLY stretched around my middle... then I turned around. Needless to say, laughs ensued and then my Mom got the camera. I have a feeling this is going to follow me around for my whole life.



As for the rest of my life, my Mom and Grandma solved the problem with my height. I measured in at 35 and a half inches tall - and that was using a much more precise measuring style than they use at the doctor's office. So it's back to the usual nicknames for now. Phew, "shrinky dink" was getting old.

I have been enjoying the heat spending time at the beach and Sea World and going to the park a bunch. My Mom and Dad are going to buy me a soccer ball after an unsuccessful attempt to take me to play basketball - I ONLY wanted to soccer balls. I have been told that it will be my special "treat" for trick-or-treating, but I hope I really don't have to wait that long.

Otherwise there isn't much to report. Here is another picture - this time of my face.



Hugs and Kisses,
Benjamin

Not a happy camper!

Life in general has been great - except for these last few days. Monday, I got shots. Yesterday my Mom started to get sick, and today, I am sick - oh, and I have two new teeth coming in. If it weren't for the runny nose, I think my Mom and Dad would say my crabbiness is from teething, but if the shoe fits...

Otherwise I have been busy running around, making trips to the beach and enjoying "sandal weather." Though if you saw my parents and their sandal wardrobes you would know that almost any day in San Diego has "sandal weather."

My sister moved into my room last week and so far it hasn't been that bad. We woke each other up the first night, but since then we are great roomates. We'll see how we do now that I have a cold.

The doctor gave me my checkup on Monday and the weirdest thing happened! I shrunk a half inch in the last three months. Which probably means someone measured me wrong, but my Mom has been joking and calling me "shrinky dink" since then. Sigh. What will I ever do about my Mom.

Bye, Have Fun!

So today, my Mommy went to the bathroom and when she told me she was going potty, I told her, "bye, have fun!" She laughed, hard - but I think she made it to the bathroom ok. Today was a fun day. I got my haircut again because I am having my picture taken on Monday and I was starting to look a little like a hippie. After dinner we went down to La Jolla to check out the children's pool and see the harbor seals and birds. We were going to go to Haggen Dazs, but there was a Bentley parked illegally out front and so the traffic around there was crazy. We ended up going on a trip to the grocery store where we toured the produce section and I learned lots of colors and saw TONS of balls. But really, everything round is a ball, right?

Tomorrow I am going to the Greek Festival where hopefully I will get to eat saginaki and ride a pony. I am SO excited!!!

I will post a picture of my new haircut as soon as my Mom takes one.

Good night!
Benjamin

Full of Surprises...

I can't believe it has been over a month since I last posted. I have been keeping busy, surprising my unsuspecting parents and being too clever for my own good.

I have discovered the universal answer to EVERY question. No. About 95% of the time, this answer will suffice. Just to be safe, once a week or so I will answer with an, "uh huh," which could be No, or it could mean yes. That simple change insures that the questions continue. This is what my Mom says is being to clever for my own good. She told me something along those lines last week and my response was, "No, don't say that." Which led my Mom to believe I am capable of much more intelligent speech. I'm getting really good at getting adults to put on a show for me.

Other than talking a lot more, most of what I say sounds like "ball," I am busy climbing and coloring and reading and throwing balls and trying to learn how to catch. Mostly I let the ball hit me in the chest and then I laugh because it tickles. I like to be tickled and to say, "tickle, tickle, tickle." It makes my Grandma laugh.

I know a lot of animal sounds, Meow, Ruff Ruff, Moo, Baa, Ooh Ooh Aah Aah(a monkey), hiss for snake, Grrr for bear, I snarl at lions and tigers, and I know that a rabbit goes hop hop.

I am going to be busy these next few weeks getting my 18 month pictures taken, shoe shopping, swimming and helping my Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Jeff move back into Cardiff - I am SO excited to finally meet them!

I hope everyone is doing well. I love you all!
Benjamin

Here is a new photo - check out all my teeth!

Five Days Down. I am still alive.

So today is my 5th day without a binky. I only get them for sleeping. Overall, I've been doing really well. I have moments of misery, and I really don't like "checking out" of the crib. I have to surrender the binky to get out in the morning and after naps. My Mom was convinced she was crazy trying to take me to the zoo on Wednesday - only my second day sans binky. But I did great. Today at church I did remarkably well too. I usually have a hard time because sacrament meeting is during my morning nap time, and we are usually still at church when I should be having my afternoon nap. I even had a bit of a cold this last weekend and I did better than expected. All in all, I think I will hit that two-week mark and be a champ without the binky.

Rescue Me! I am being Tortured!

Who thought it would be a good idea to take away my binky??? I wanna know who told my Mom that this was a good thing to do. OK, truth be told, I think my Mom just did it. I think she was tired of trying to get me to give it up, so today, she took it away. I am only allowed to have it in my crib, she says. So I got it for my nap this morning, and then had to give it back to get out of the crib. Same thing this afternoon, except I didn't take a very good nap. By 4:00 my Mom said she wanted to cave - but that she is going to be strong. She thinks that in 2 weeks I'll be a pro at no binks. But I am strong too. Strong and stubborn. Have you ever met my parents? MUTINY! That's all I have to say about that.

I'm Stuck, Help Me & a Haircut

I wanted to show off some new pictures...

My new phrase is "I'm stuck, hep me!" Which means, I'm stuck, help me.



This is me. Stuck in the swing, pleading for help. Cute, no?



This is me with a new haircut. I wouldn't sit still long enough to get the front finished. But it looks AWESOME from the back!

Kisses and Cuddles

My Mom just adores that I am in an affectionate phase. The Tuesday before she went to camp I finally puckered up for a kiss. Something that until now I turned away from; I was only too happy to oblige with my cheek, but never the lips. Tonight, I just let loose though. Since Tuesday kisses had only been for my Mom, but I gave kisses to Grandma, Grandpa and Daddy tonight. Also, I've been generous with hugs lately too. Grandpa was at our building today for church because he had to give a high council talk and I greeted him with a hug. This is all new for me, but I get lots of encouragement and people seem happy when I do it, so perhaps I'll keep it up. Good night!

O-Wunge

It's a funny thing. I am starting to talk more and more, and everyday my Mom is trying to teach me new words. Today I REALLY wanted a "ball" off of the kitchen counter. My Mom told me it was called an "Orange." We went back and forth - "ball," "orange." That must have lasted five minutes. Then I said it, O-wunge. But not just orange, "owunge ball!" I threw it around the living room and then decided I should try to eat it. The peel sure was yummy!

Future Rock Star

Yesterday Mom and Sofia and I were dancing around the house and singing waiting for Daddy to get home from work. My hair is getting LONG, and since I was wearing my new t-shirt that says "future rock star" on it, Mom decided I needed a rock star hairdo. A little bit of water, some hurried styling and I am rocking the mohawk. The best part was Mom trying to teach me to do air guitar. I was strumming my shoulder and patting my belly. Mom was cracking up!

Yes, I do.

My Mom cracks me up. She swears she was never going to be one of those Moms who kept tabs on milestones and would be anxious if I hadn't met one. I've met them all, so I don't know why she doubts me. Lately she is nervous that I still take a pacifier. She is afraid that I won't talk, or that I won't say things because I have a plug in my mouth. I can see how this is a realistic fear, but today I proved, AGAIN, that my Mom has nothing to fear.

I woke from my morning nap binky-less. When my Mom came in to get me I was pointing at a binky on the floor. She asked me, "Do you want that binky?" To which I replied, "Yes, I do." For those keeping track, those three words form a complete sentence. With appropriate punctuation. Yes (pause), I do. Sure, it's more of a yesh, but I said it, and my Mom thought I was cute. I got a big hug and a kiss. And then, embarrassingly, my Mom said "yes, I do" over and over and over again. You gotta love her. She is so funny sometimes.

The other sentences that escape every so often are: "What dish?" (What is this?), "What dat?" "Go tee Dok" (Go see Dominik), "I like dish" and "Wii Daddy." So, I like playing Wii with my Daddy and seeing Dominik and Jackson. Lately those are the highlights of my life, though I have been shopping a bunch in the last week - thanks largely to the IRS who finally sent an economic stimulus check, and per my Grandpa's advise, we are having fun with it.

I had a fun 4th of July and LOVE being with my friends and family. It has been so much fun in the last little bit. I don't get out of the house as much as I'd like, but the times I do get out are packed with fun, so I won't complain. I'll write about more adventures soon.



Love,
Ben

Latest Stats

So, for those keeping track, here are my latest statistics:

Height: 34 inches - 95th percentile

Weight: 24 pounds, 5.25 ounces (they sure are precise) - about the 50th percentile
Head Circumference: 47 centimeters

The doctor told my Mom and Dad to watch out for accidents. Hehe. Like I'll let them know before I am going to get into trouble. My newest phrase, "Uh oh," is sure coming in handy lately.

The Misadventures of Benjamin Royal

So it has been a busy couple of months. I feel bad about not posting, but I am moving so fast these days I hardly have time. I've been working on new skills like, jumping, spinning, running and CLIMBING! Climbing is one of my favorite things to do. I am fearless and have a bump on my head to prove it! I move objects around the house (or other people's houses) to make stairs that enable me to get places I normally wouldn't be allowed to go - like the tops of cabinets, entertainment centers, or couches. I am also tall enough now to climb the toilet and empty cabinets. Needless to say, my Mom is plenty busy cleaning up after me all day long. She calls me Hurricane Ben because of the trail of debris I leave behind.

I just had a really fun week. I helped to celebrate my Daddy's birthday and he got a Wii, so I haven't put down the remotes since Saturday. I also went to SeaWorld with my cousins and LOVED to play and watch the dolphins and watch the 4-D Sesame Street movie. Today I went up to San Clemente to see my Uncle Steve and have lunch and tomorrow I am going to a wedding. I have only been to two other weddings in my life and I was way too young to eat cake then, so I am really excited.

I wish there was more to report since it has been so long, but really I have just been busy growing and playing. I will try to write again soon.

Love, Ben

MY SISTER IS HERE!

Well, the biggest update is that my little sister Sofia Katherine Jackson was born on Monday, March 31st, 2008 at 4:07am. I was at home sleeping, but once I woke up Grandpa got me dressed, took me out for breakfast and we went to the hospital so I could meet my "girl." I was SO EXCITED to get to hold her. I kept pointing at her and saying "girl." I can't say her name yet, but I do know who she is and I love her to death. I like to give her hugs and cuddles and kisses, and sometimes I scare my Mom because I squeeze her hard and my pats on her head are a little more like slaps - but she puts up with me.

I am saying more and more words everyday: ball, dog, cat, Mom, milk, Dad, girl, go, down, car... I am also learning how to run, which is a struggle as I sometimes get ahead of myself, but running is really convenient when I have something I shouldn't, like a fist full of cat food or the end of the toilet paper roll. The best part is that I laugh the whole time I run away from my Mom.

Last night was a first. I slept through the night again - something I haven't done since Sofia has been home from the hospital, and my girl slept from 9:30 until 5:00 this morning. Let's hope we both keep up with this schedule so that Mom and Dad can get some good sleeping in at night. Everything is going well with our little family. I am so glad that my Grandma has been coming over this week to help take care of me and my Mom and my Sister. She has been a lifesaver. I think sometimes I wouldn't get lunch if Grandma wasn't here.

I love you all, and will post more about Sofia and how to get to pictures of her soon.

Hugs and Kisses,
Benjamin

Only one week until the big day!

Can you believe it? Just one more week until my first birthday!

I have been busy mastering walking and getting more teeth. I now have four front teeth on the top and two on the bottom. It is painful, and I have a hard time sleeping when my teeth cut through my gums, but otherwise I am still my happy, giggly self. I don't drink from a bottle anymore - just a sippy cup, and so I've also started drinking milk, which I LOVE. My days pretty much revolve around sleeping, eating, being chased around the house by my Mommy while I get into things like trash cans, the toilet paper roll and my diaper bag. Sometimes my Mom calls me "Hurricane Ben." I leave quite a debris trail, but I love learning about everything and discovering new toys (like my Dad's phone).

Next week I am going to get my picture taken and we are going to work on my birthday party - we have the sandbox, but we need to go and get the sand, so that will be fun. I am also going to a shower for my Mom and my new sister. I love to have a bath or a shower, so it should be fun.

There isn't much left to report. I hope everyone is doing great!

Hugs and Kisses,
Benjamin

Greetings from the world's messiest eater!

I LOVE to eat! What can I say, I am the product of my Mommy and Daddy. Sometimes, though, I find that it is just as much fun to wear my food as it is to eat it. Take today for example... My Mom was making lunch for Trav and Heather and herself and I was STARVING. So I got to sit in the highchair and eat a nana (banana), some cheese and turkey. The nana is sweet, so I get that down, though I did squeeze a few pieces in my hands, and you can't waste good cheese, but the turkey looked great in my hair. By the end of the meal I had about 6 pieces of turkey placed strategically all over my head. Good thing it wasn't too hard to clean up. I did a real number at dinner though. I got ravioli, cottage cheese, beans and cantalope. By the end of the meal I had ravioli and beans mushed into my hair and covering every speck of my face (including my eyelids). I also managed to get cottage cheese and ravioli down my shirt and in my pants. My Dad ended up carrying my high chair into the bathroom so it would be easier for someone to transfer me into the bathtub. Sure, I am messy, but I am so darned cute that I don't get in trouble for my antics. I thought it was funny that my Mom and Grandma were laughing at Zoey. She stands under my high chair during dinner to catch my crumbs - tonight she had chunks of ravioli and beans in her fur and she couldn't reach to eat them off of herself. I like to feed the "gog" (dog).

Can you believe it?

Tomorrow I will be 11 months old!!! Life has been busy lately as my Mom and I get ready for my new little sister and my first birthday party. I am getting more and more comfortable walking and am finding that I need the furniture less and less to get around. I have also found some new toys in the house - mainly toilet paper which I like to take off the roll and play with. I am keeping my Mom busy and we are having a good time. I am also starting to talk more and I like to feed Zoey from my highchair at Grandma and Grandpa's house. I announce "dog", then I throw some food and look down to watch her eat it. If it wasn't so cute I would probably get in trouble for doing it.

I wish there was more to report. Time is sure flying by and I am getting excited for my Tonka Truck birthday party. My Mom and Dad keep talking about a sandbox - I think it would be so fun, and maybe I won't eat all of the sand out of it.

Good Night!
Benjamin

I did it!

The last few weeks have been busy! My Mom and Dad had to return the first video camera because the sound didn't work - so, they have been trying to stop the real progress on walking for a few days, but last night, I did it!!! I was downstairs at Heather and Trav's house and Trav got home from work. I went up to him and stood up holding his leg while everyone talked about how close I was to walking and that I just needed to let go and try, so I did - and I took 2 steps to the toy box. Everyone cheered and was excited for me. I wish my Dad could have been there, but Trav went and got the video camera and using it as a motivator for me (I really wanted to grab it), I walked to my Mom and we have it on tape. Needless to say, Dad ordered the new video camera yesterday. My Dad was sad he missed my steps (by minutes), but thought it was really neat to see it on video. He says it looks like I do the "monster mash." Now everyone wants me to walk everywhere, but I already tried that, and right now crawling is faster.

I've also been working on talking more. I mimic sounds more than words, so I say ma, ma for milk and when I want more. I also started saying ba for bottle and ball. I mostly speak my own language filled with all kinds of weird sounds and versions of yum like n'gum. I love food, so my Mom figures that is why all of my words seem to revolve around eating.

I love peas and carrots and broccoli, green beans aren't my favorite. I liked the baby food version, but the real thing is a little strange. I put the whole bean in my mouth and spit the skin thingy back out. Does anyone know where you can by just the beany insides of green beans??? I pretty much eat people food now, though I do sneak in some cat food every once in a while. My Mom always tells me "yuck." But hey, it is there and it is food, so I will eat it. Maybe I will turn into a cat!

I am my own person!!!

And don't you forget it! My Mom is sad that I am becoming so independent, but I am my own person now. I like being able to explore and see everything, and when I want to be held, I don't mind it, but otherwise, I will let you know when I want things MY WAY. I am a better eater when I can feed myself, I try to dress myself, and I like to explore the house. (Mom is forever grateful that I have not been too interested in the litter box - but we still have 2 cats available for adoption).

This is really my only update. I am days away from walking on my own - I am getting more comfortable standing up and getting down on my own, and I'll walk holding my Mom or Dad or Grandpa's hand. Our new video camera came in the mail today, so my Mom says I am free to walk now if I want to. Moms! Sheesh! But I am becoming a boy so quickly. What can I say? The new baby isn't far away, so I'm becoming big.

Well, good night everyone!