11 months!!!

Ben turned 11 months on Friday. This month has been a fun one - no illnesses with the exception of mom and dad's food poisoning at in early March. Ben's at least 25 lbs and 31.5 inches now. He no longer fits into 12 month clothing and is in 12-18 or 18 months instead. His little belly is thinning out a bit now since he's crawling a lot, but he is still really tall for his age. His hair is getting long enough to consider cutting. It's straight on top, but is getting some curls/waves in the back.

Ben is able to pull up to standing, but doesn't really seem interested. He can reach just about everything just by pulling up to his knees. We think he'll be a late walker, especially since he's so heavy. He's clapping his hands really well now and will initiate games of hide and seek. He loves when dad plays the piano and when mom sings - he's the only one who loves mom's singing :P. his favorite song is "The Ants Go Marching". He also loves playing the piano (he's started exploring the full range of keys) and loves "singing" to himself. He's starting to really object when things don't go his way (not just a whimper, but a full-on scream or yell). This has made public excursions a bit more interesting. We try to be patient and let him know that we understand why he's upset and let him express his emotions, but we sometimes give in and resort to a pacifier when there are other people close by. He's also started biting a bit, so we're working on letting him know that that's not appropriate. We're having a hard time with it since half the time he blows raspberries instead of biting, which is adorable.

This month we got a visit from Craig's Aunt Debbie and Uncle Joe. We spent an afternoon with them at the Musical Instrument Museum. Ben loved every minute - he pointed at everything and said "DEE, DEE!". We also visited the Phoenix Zoo, where Ben and I made friends with a turkey. We also had a photo shoot with LunaH-Map and Ben's friend Rowan. Lastly, we flew to Houston to visit with Ben's Nonna and attend LPSC. So far Ben has pooped on 3 out of 4 flights (there's something about takeoff/landing that gets him going). In Houston we visited the Natural History Museum, Aquarium Pyramid in Galveston, the garden that Nonna works in, and the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.

Ben wishes his elite friend Elias a happy first birthday!!!

So hard to get him to lay on his back now. 

These kids are about the same size as the satellite (without the solar panels, of course).

Our turkey friend.

NOM.

Ben at the Musical Instruments Museum. His Grandma Helen plays the handbells, so I had to show him those!!!

Ben telling his Great Aunt Debbie how much he enjoyed the museum :)

Suspicious of his peas.

He already thinks I'm weird. Great.

Silly guy.

Ben's typical pose at a museum where he wants to see everything.

Ben enjoyed the trilobites, but was suspicious of the ammonite.

He was also suspicious of the penguins.

Ben meets Nina at LPSC and gets a cheek poke. He is unamused (or sleepy).

Ben's first "walk" on the moon!

Important Hardgrove Lab Group meeting. 

Can't get enough of those cheeks!

Almost home!

Ben's attempt at photography.