I’m working on my ballet moves in my sleep.  When can I get my first tutu?  Be sure to check out my exquisite hand gestures.

(Ed. Note: Not even December, and already dreaming of sugar plum fairies!  And extra points for the use of the Binky as arm prop!  Bravo!)

Great Aunt Carole and Great Uncle John came back from their jaunt through the City by the Bay, and gave me an excuse to have lunch outside.  The weather was just fabulous today.  We had fun visiting, and I especially liked pooping while Uncle John was holding me.  I wanted him to feel special, and I hope he got the message!

(Ed. Note: We’re hoping Ben doesn’t notice that his car has disappeared along with John & Carole…)

I have such a great life.  Just when things might have been getting boring, I get a visit from Norma – she said I can call her Nana – all the way from the Southland.  Don’t let the fact that I look like I’m sleeping through her visit mislead you into thinking that I wasn’t very excited to see her.  I’m very lucky to have such nice people in my life.

My amateur parents decided to go celebrate their anniversary at a lunch date, and got someone much more qualified to take care of me – 3 time parent, long time elementary school teacher, and now part time professional day care provider, neighbor “Auntie” Linda.

We had a great time together as she expertly cuddled, fed, burped, and soothed me for a total of about 100 minutes before my anxious parents (needlessly) returned home.  Can you see how comfortable I am?

I hope to see more of Auntie Linda in the future!

(Ed. Note: Well, at least we knew enough to let Linda take care of Ben (she offered!).  We did have a nice lunch, even if we weren’t gone long enough for Linda’s liking.  Many thanks to Linda for watching Ben for us!)

Some kids have to wait until they can crawl before their parent buy them a new car.  Some have to wait until they can ride a bike, and others even have to wait until they have a driver’s license (!)

Well, I don’t have to tell you how cool my parents are.  I’m 6 weeks old today, and I’ll be driving this baby just as soon as I <yawn> wake up from this nap…

Ok, ok.  So the real story is that Great Uncle John and Great Aunt Carole came to the Bay Area to visit some friends, and are parking their snazzy Z3 here for the week while they do that.  I’m sure they’d be OK with just a little spin around the block, though.

(Ed. Note: Thanks to Mom for her help in getting these pictures!)

Look!  Up in the sky!  It’s a bird!  No, it’s a plane!  No, it’s Super Ben!

I’ve been cruising the hallways in the guise of Super Ben in search of burps and soothing.

Today the Weiner family came by to say ‘Hi’.  They just came from Chico State, where Matthew attended an orientation session prior to matriculating this Fall.  (Betcha didn’t know I knew that word, did ya?)  Cousin Kristine got to relive her early parenting days while she held me, and Jordan even took a shot at it.  It was good to meet them.  I wonder how long it will take me to meet all of the family?

If my parents have their way, I think I’ll be a Boy Scout one day.  As you can see, I was prepared for every contingency on this recent trip – or at least very prepared for one particular contingency… which did come to pass… and well, my clothes did survive intact!

Today, Aunt Barbara, Uncle Steve, and cousin Casey drove all the way up from San Jose to come see me and visit Mom & Dad and have some lunch. They talked about lots of grown-up stuff that I didn’t understand, but it seemed like they enjoyed visiting!  While they were here, I think I did a good job of being on my best behavior.

Aunt Barbara also made me this awesome cross stitch!

Thanks Aunt Barb!

Today was a photoshoot in the bouncer.  Of course, I make it look easy here…

…but as these bloopers attest, this kind of thing is hard work!