7 Months

I'm late on my post since Ben is almost 8 months now. I can't believe how fast this year has flown. As for new things, I am getting my teaching certificate and Master's in Elementary Education. Classes are in full-swing and so far all is well. I really like the classes, they are thought provoking. There is a lot of writing required in master level classes, which is fine for me. I have also been hired by Strafford and Springfield schools to substitute teach all grades. This will give me good experience and they keep the subs busy. Once it becomes a steady thing, I will leave Dillard's. Yay! I am really happy, I think the happiest I have been since I am FINALLY going to be doing what I have wanted to do.

As for Ben's development, he started crawling at the end of 6 months and a week later he was pulling up. I had put him in his crib and came back in and he was standing, jumping on the matress. He is sooo rambunctious, we have our work cut out for us! Matt has said several times, he has a feeling that Ben is going to be challenging to him since they are a lot alike. He has fallen so many times, more than Andi ever did. He has hit his head too many times, but goes right back doing what got him injured. He is persistent! He has learned what NO means, although doesn't always obey it. He likes to use me as a climbing tree and loves to hang over the edges of chairs. The past couple of weeks he has started letting go and can stand on his own for a couple of seconds. He has taken a couple steps by himself as well. The rate he is progressing, I think he might be walking before Andi did. She was an early walker, 9 months. I think he will be in a couple of weeks.

He loves to be outside as well as Andi, which tickles Matt pink. Ben loves to ride Andi's 4-wheeler. Although he can't push the button, he holds on while we push him and he is laughing. As for his eating, he would rather eat people food than baby food. He eats food 4x/day and snacks 2x/day. He really likes finger foods, but he is MESSY!!! He is a difficult baby when changing his diaper. He is so squirmy, he will not lay still. He is so strong that he exhausts me. I can't believe how strong he is.

As for sleeping, not so much. I moved him to his crib about a month and half ago. He did well the first 3 weeks, now he wakes around midnight and will not go back to sleep in it. He is sleeping with us which means I hardly get any sleep. He is constantly eating through out the night and I have to watch that Andi doesn't role on top of him. He lets you know when she does and she is a crazy sleeper as it is. The bed is crammed with Matt, Ben, Andi, 2 dogs, and I. I am usually only allowed to sleep on my side right on the edge, if you push me I would fall off. We need 2 king-size beds. Hopefully we can get Andi to sleep in her bed this winter but I am not going to hold my breath on it! 

As for Andi, she is such an AMAZING big sister. She is so loving and looks out for Ben. If he gets something he isn't suppose to have she will say, "NO, NO, Ben" and take it away. She will cheer him up if he is crying and if he falls she runs over and helps him up, patting him on the back. I can't believe how much love she has to give. She is all about giving hugs and kisses. She has to give them when you leave. She is a wonderful, heart felt little girl and I hope she never changes.She is talking more and more each day, saying sentences. She loves to tell stories. Sometimes it is hard to tell what she is saying, but she knows. She loves to talk about moo cows. Nothing gets past her. She is very observant and also has good reasoning skills, which is early.

 This is what happens when she plays with makeup!

I can't believe the summer is almost over and Christmas is just over 3 months away. The downfall of having children in December and January is buying extra presents. Andi really likes Doc Mcstuffins, Daniel Tiger, Elmo, and absolutely loves Ariel-The Little Mermaid. I have no idea what we are going to get her yet, but I like to start shopping early to get it over with. Until next time......