Benjamin, 12 month update

At Benjamin's 12-month doctor's appointment, he weighed in at 23 lbs., 9 oz. (62%)  is 30.5" long (74%) and has a head circumference of 19.5" (99%).  Everything looks great!

Benjamin is pretty much eating whatever we eat and uses his sippy cup like a pro.  He loves meat and he loves milk!  A couple of his favorite things are hamburger vegetable soup, lasagna and meatballs.  He gobbles it all up and gets upset if I don't spoon it over to him fast enough!  To assist him with all of this eating are 7 precious little teeth.  I think #8 (top left incisor) is on the way due to some extra drooling and chewing in that region. 

He sleeps from about 8 pm - 6:30 am and naps 1-2 times a day (usually 10:30 and then 3:30).

He is THIS close to walking, too.  He has taken a few steps here and there but isn't quite confident enough to take extra strides just yet.  And, he's a climber.  And he likes to throw stuff on the floor just to throw it and make noise.  And he has figured out how to get past the childproofing on the cabinets in the kitchen.  We're in for it!

Our happy baby boy loves to dance and moves along to the music every time it comes on.  His sister loves the Disney show, Sofia the First...and Benjamin loves the theme song.  He grins and dances and claps anytime he hears it. His dancing is a lot of bouncing and shaking his head from side to side. :) When he needs to settle down at night, he loves for me to sing Edelweiss (I'm laughing as I type that).  I belted it out jokingly to distract him from fussing one time and he calmed down and just listened and watched.  Ever since, he has really responded to it.  He's probably the only one who likes to hear me sing it, but if it works, it works.

When he wants something, he grunts or gives a very clear "DA!"  Other things he's "saying" include gaga, baba, sock (an attempt at least) and Ma.  He also makes this precious little "sssss" sound when he's playing with you or concentrating on something. 

His favorite games include: coming up behind me (with his dad's help) and tugging on my shirt or hair, and throwing his sippy cup on the floor.  This really makes him laugh. His favorite person?  Still big sister.

We feel so blessed to have had this incredible year as parents to two amazing babies.  On to year 2.  We can't wait to see what it brings!

Action shot.  Per usual.