First Steps!
Mood:  incredulous
It was probably just a fluke, but Ben took two steps on his own for what we think is the first time this afternoon. He was standing at the coffee table, eating his Cheerios, when all of the sudden he decided to make the long, two-step journey over to the radiator. What possessed the little lad? We do not know. It was not food. It was not us. Maybe a bird flew by the window and he wanted a better view. James and I both witnessed this monumental event so that's precious. He probably won't be walking around on his own for another two months, but dog gone it, he did it for the first time today!

The Breakup
Mood:  sad
It's a sad, sad day. I had to ditch my doctor, the infamous Usha! It's just not convenient to get to her office now, especially with little Benny in tow. I liked Usha because she is fluent in Swedish, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada and Konkani. It was like giving our babies culture in the womb. Our new doctor, Cara, has big shoes to fill.

Just Complaining and Ben's New Talents
This is rough. I never realized how easy I had it made when I was pregnant with Ben. Sure, the little guy made me throw up a couple times a day, but it was nothing compared to this. I'm nauseous most of day and I'm always hungry, yet, the thought of eating anything but white toast with cream cheese or cucumbers makes me want to gag. The Cucumber Farmers of America and Chile have both wrote me a letter, personally thanking me for keeping them in business.

In better news, Ben's new talent is moaning while banging his mouth with his hand. He sounds like an Indian. This makes me pretty gosh darn happy because I've always liked Indians over Pilgrims. His other latest talent is pointing at objects and grunting. He points at a rooster hanging up in our dining room. Ben has the same fascination of poultry as I do. He likes roosters and I happen to love turkeys. I'm happy we have these things in common.

Apologies
Mood:  sad
I'm writing to say "sorry" for not keeping Ben's fans up-to-date with his latest antics. It's no surprise, he's still a crazy little guy! He's almost 10 1/2 months which means only 6 or 7 more weeks of formula and a rear-facing car seat. I'm looking forward to the end of both. We still hit up libraries and playgroups, although not as frequently because I somehow forgot how tiring the early months of pregnancy can be. And that is all I have. It's time to take a nap!

What Have They Done?
Mood:  quizzical
Today, Ben went to his first ultrasound as his own self. He saw the vibrating coffee bean lurking inside me and is very confused. He pictured a life of having to share toys, a room, his clothes. We're pretty sure he babbled "What have you done?" to us.

Just too hard!
Mood:  sad
The day has come. I cannot maintain the best website anymore. I've moved photos to a Yahoo Photo Album and still upload them pretty often. It's just easier to click "upload all" than to do all this html code junk. I thought I was wonder woman, but this new and improved, crawling Ben has gotten the best of me.

Given up on Dinner
Mood:  hungry
So around January 3rd, Ben has decided he just won't eat baby food anymore. I don't know why. We've tried to go the chunkier stuff but he didn't want it. So we tried to go back to the pureed stuff...and he didn't want it. He will eat anything that comes off of mine or James' forks though. So lately he's been eating lots of rotini and Hamburger Helper. He's also starting to protest formula. Our once beefy baby who would eat anything in sight has now become a challenge. This isn't suppose to be us! This is like a story we'd read and laugh at...you know like "ha ha...glad our baby isn't like that! ha ha ha ha!" Now, we are the ones that people laugh at. It's not fair.

Off to see Rosina!
Mood:  lucky
Topic: Doctor's Appointment
Today was Ben's 9 month appointment! Boy how time flies! He topped the scales at 19 lbs, 3 oz. He's grown 9 inches since birth and overall, a pretty normal and healthy baby. He acted like an angel in the office...he already knows how to put on a show for people...hummmm...we've got a tricky one on our hands.

Happy New Years!
Mood:  celebratory
Happy Almost New Years! Woohoo! How do us Haughs celebrate the New Years these days? Why we went to our City Hall open house, that's how! Now don't get too excited or too jealous. Ben looked around at all the Revolutionary War displays. He really wasn't amused much.

What is Wrong with our Baby??
Mood:  not sure
For some time now, Ben gets into a mood. He tenses all the muscles in his body, sort of holds his breath and grunts. He'll take a break and do it again. At first we thought he was just doing the #2 thing. However, he never produces anything when he does this.

His favorite time to do this is usually at the mall or out in public when complete strangers can look at him and think "what is wrong with that baby and why isn't his mother doing anything to help him?" He's a tricky one, I tell you. A real tricky one.