I have felt so much gratitude and love as I think back to what was happening for us this time last year. It was October 14th when we got the call that we had been chosen by a birthmother to be parents. One week later, on October 21, 2011, we had the amazing opportunity to meet her in person.
All day today I have just been remembering that day, that experience, the moment I saw her for the first time and just the feeling that was with us as we got to know each other better. It was during this meeting that we had the special experience of finding out that the name that Ben had wanted for this baby, Kekoa, was the name she had written down for his middle name. I cannot explain to you the strength of the spirit in that moment, but we all just knew this was right. That was the first of many of those types of experiences. It was so fun to just sit at the park, eating subway and talking about her and her life, her interests, her hopes and dreams and also our plans for the future.
I hope those memories never fade. I want to share with Benson each part of his story, including the special day we met his birth mother. (I also realized today that technically it was the first time we were in the same place with Benson. He was in her tummy, but he was there.) One year ago today was definitely a special day for us and one we want to remember.
Benson's birthmom is someone we have so much love and respect for and we hold her in very high esteem. Throughout the process of meeting her and over spending time with her she was so grown up and mature beyond her years. She was always the one reassuring us and comforting us. She is an amazing person and we love her not only for the obvious reason, but because of the person she is. We are so glad we got to meet her and get to know her while she was pregnant with Benson, a lot of adoptive parents don't get that chance. She let us be part of the process with her and we loved every second. We are so grateful that he is already like her, so sweet and calm and just a happy person. We are so glad we can share her with him. We love her very much!
So the other day one of my friends posted on facebook how he doesn't like reading blog posts that have too many pictures. If you agree with him you may want to just skip this one! Benson is too flipping adorable to just share a few.
Benson turned 9 months old on October 5th. He weighs 16lbs 12oz and is 27.2 inches long. He is still little, but we will have random strangers say he's big and then others that guess he is 6 months old. Either way it doesn't matter. He is perfect! He is actually fitting into 9 month clothes, which is a first for him. Up until now he has never really fit into the clothes that matched up with his age.
Benson had some huge milestones this month. He got both of his upper front teeth. No more gummy smile. He also started to climb up the stairs! He has gotten so speedy and thinks it is so funny to hurry and start up the stairs and make mommy or daddy run after him. His little personality is totally coming out and he is hilarious. He seriously makes us laugh all the time. He knows just what to do to get our attention. If I am working on my computer and he wants my attention he will hit the computer or he will crawl towards something he knows he shouldn't just so I have to grab him, but then it's so adorable that I end up giving him all the attention he wants. He loves to giggle and be tickled by daddy. He loves music and his toys, especially his little farm animal book that makes the noises.
He also is getting very close to talking and has decided to communicate through screaming, happy screams, but screaming nonetheless. He has almost got Archie to pay attention to him. He will throw food off of his chair to feed Archie and they both love that. If Archie's mouth touches Benson's hand he giggles. They both love to chase the ball around the house. Benson will hit the ball and then crawl to where it is and push it again. It's become one of his favorite things to do.
This little boy is such a good baby. We hear it from everyone we know. He is so calm and laid back and just goes with the flow. He smiles at everyone, but he has decided that he doesn't really like men with facial hair or glasses. He especially is afraid of his uncle Brett and his uncle Nolan. He also doesn't like sunglasses. He won't cry but he just stares at you like he has no idea who you are until you take them off.
Since I only post once a month I want to make sure I am recording all of the happenings in our little mans life. Below are a whole slew of pictures. I just had to post so many on the chair because they are the perfect depiction of his little personality and the fact that he never wants to just sit still anymore. It is definitely creating more work and sweat for me, but there is never a dull moment. Each day I get to wake up to his smiling face I count my blessings that I am his mom!
love this smile!
Had to post this. This was after daddy had dressed him, thinking the 3 month clothes still fit him. The best part is that Ben still doesn't see anything wrong with it. I don't think he realizes that the shirt is not supposed to be 3/4 length sleeves or that the pants are not capris. Gotta love daddy!
Although I hate this picture of me, I want to keep myself in the picture. I read a wonderful article all about this and it really struck a chord for me. I will be stay in the picture. Read here to know what I am talking about.
Finally had to put up baby gates.
On the way up
Loving his gerber puffs!
Starting to climb all over everything
everything goes in the mouth
pulling himself up on furniture
True Blue Cougar fans! Gotta show our love on the day of the Utah/BYU game
Don't they look so much alike in this picture? Love taking daily walks with this little guy.
Teaching him young
Cutest baby ever (BTW, don't you love those pjs?)
Walking the dog!
Loves riding in the shopping cart with his new cart cover that Grandma bought for him.
His favorite face right now, smiling with the tongue out
9 months old!
Bensons first time climbing all the way up the stairs
