Mama

Ben is now nearly 10 months old... and this week he has figured out that I am "Mama."  Now, instead of just crying once he hears me come in the back door from work (even though he was playing happily until I arrived) he now calls for me: "Mama, mama!"  I'm very impressed.

He's also learning the meaning of the word, "No."  When he goes to remove the speaker covers on the stereo in the kitchen, and I say "No," he now turns to look at me and pauses before deciding whether or not to listen to me direction (mostly, he stops, for now... but he never stops pushing buttons, no matter what).

He also took a ride in a wagon (with Daniel, our downstairs neighbor) for the first time, and showed off for Donna and Tom by demonstrating his tireless ability to pull himself up to standing -- and then stand on tippy toes.

I am totally thrilled right now by his huge, wide-mouthed smile that looks like a wedge from an orange and creates delicious little crinkles at the corners of his mouth.  Holding a stuffed animal (or telephone, or remote control, or sock) above him, and drawing it near then far is a foolproof way to produce this smile, along with a belly laugh.

(More photos once we get around to uploading them... all things in time.  Sorry!)

~Mama