Ben is now six months. He has a wonderful personality and disposition. He eats some solids now and rolls from front to back and back to front. He laughs and yells all day and loves to make us laugh. He especially loves to watch Lola. Click on the link below to see more pictures of Ben at six months.
A few weeks ago we bundled up and went hunting for Ben's first Christmas Tree. It was too cold for him to go on the hunt, so he stayed in the lodge with Nana. However, he did approve of the tree we picked out.
Ben took a bath with the big boys for the first time.
We went to visit the Hemlers in Cincinnati for the last time before they embark on their 2 and 1/2 year move to Geneva, Switzerland. Ben loved watching the Riley and Nolan play and enjoyed all the attention they gave him. Riley dubbed himself Ben's babysitter for the weekend.
Caryn and Michael came down for a visit on Sunday with Grammy and Grandpa Rapids. Ben had fun playing with them.
Benjamin was a Pumpkin and a Bear this Halloween. He was the Pumpkin on Thursday and the Bear on Friday. The weather was perfect and we had lots of tricker treaters. He had fun handing out candy to all the ghosts and goblins on Halloween Night and checking out all the costumes!
Ben had his four month check up this week. He is growing beautifully and we are seeing more of his personality every day. He now weights 14 lbs. 2 oz. and is 25 1/2 in. long. He was cleared to eat rice cereal twice a day now. Here are some pictures of his first experience with it. He did a pretty good job, but not sure if he is a fan yet.
Ben received his first haircut from Aunt Jessie on his four month birthday. Too many people were asking how old our little girl is despite all the blue clothing. Dad wasn't too excited about the frilly cape.
Ben sat very patiently for Aunt Jessie while she cut his hair.
He looks much older now, but more like a boy.
We took a trip to the County Line Orchard this morning. Benjamin picked out his first pumpkin and we bought some fresh apples. Click on the link below to see more pictures from the orchard.
Ben loves to have books read to him. He and Dad are reading one of his favorites in this picture.
Grandpa Brady put Ben's Highchair together for Cousin Lucy to use when she visited. Ben tried it out and loved it. He is becoming such a big boy!
Benjamin Thomas was baptized on September 21, 2008. His Godparents, Aunt Molly and Uncle Mike flew in from Boston for approximately 36 hours to be part of the ceremony. Benjamin had 3 Great Grandmas in attendance as well as all his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was a very special day and we are glad so many we able to make it. Click on the link below to see all the pictures from the weekend and the baptism.
Ben turned 3 months on September 12th. He looks like such a boy now and not a newborn. He is laughing and talking most of the time. Click on the link below to see more pictures of Ben at 3 months.
We spent the weekend at the cottage. Ben spent most of the time playing with Grandma and Grandpa Brady and Great Grandma Vaughan. Click on the link to see more pictures of Ben playing over the weekend.
We introduced Benjamin to his first Notre Dame experience on Saturday. As Irish fans know things are usually a bit scary and frustrating during the games. Benjamin was not too happy with the beginning of game.
He wanted to know what was going on with the offense and why weren't they able to convert on third down.
As the game went on, he learned that the luck of the Irish can bring some surprising moments and it raised his spirits.
He was very happy in the end that the Irish we able to pull off a win in their home opener.
Ben has discovered his hands. He is constantly using them and putting them in his mouth. He has even found his thumb!
Ben started going to daycare last week when school started. We are all getting used to the routine and learning to adjust. Here is a picture of Ben having fun with his new friends. He doesn't quite fit in the Johnny Jumper yet, but with a few blankets he was off and jumping!
I couldn't resist this picture. Ben's hair is starting to calm down a bit. It lays down in the front now, but the back is still unruly. Here he is just after a bath with it combed down. 
Ben's friend Lydia came over to play on Friday. Lydia was born about 2 weeks before Ben.
