Mac and ZZZZZ

Ryder fell asleep in the middle of dinner. Literally. He had mac and zzzzz for dinner, or ravioli, avocado and zzzz. No matter what, there was definitely zzzz involved. We were all sitting around the table, Todd and I were cutting up pieces of ravioli, peas, carrots and avocados for Chase and Ryder. We were talking about our day. The boys seemed hungry and were eating rather well, though the avocados were mashing into their fingers everytime they tried to pick up the little pieces. Our boys are smart though, despite thier lack of table manners, and both put their mouths directly on the tray and tried to suck up the avocado, like a vacuum cleaner, if you will. Whatever works!! We then started making the pieces bigger. So, we are eating and talking and the boys are eating and painting their faces green with avocado smear when suddenly Ryder is asleep. We look over and his head his down, his eyes are closed and he is snoring his baby snore. After we laughed we tried to wake him, only to have him roll his eyes, shut them and drop his head right onto the tray. He was out, for the night, there was no waking him!!


We found this quite amusing and we both laughed for some time though it does not come as a surprise. First of all, Ryder is my son, and I have been known to pass out time and again in the oddest of places. Often on the couch during a movie, good or bad, funny or dramatic, always in the car when I am not driving, and yes, even occasionally in my food, though I am pretty sure there may have been alcohol involved in that scenario. Second of all, he did not have his afternoon nap. This was my fault, as I suppose most things are. Today was no different from most other Wednesday's when I wake the boys a bit early from their morning nap, we go to My Gym, then out for lunch, and then we head home. They always fall asleep in the 8 minute car ride home (Ryder, proving again he is his mother's daughter, falls asleep within seconds of the vehicle moving, Chase usually takes a bit longer), I transfer them to their cribs and they sleep for 2 hours. Today, however, was only different because Ryder was dirty. I knew this when I strapped him into the car and I knew he would fall asleep, but I took my chances. I spent the 8 minute drive debating with myself...Do I let him sleep, poopie diaper and all or do I hedge my bets and change him and risk him not napping? Obviously, I chose the latter. He was groggy the whole diaper change and you could see the fatigue in his eyes, but he fought it. I put him in his crib and for 7o minutes he babbled, he played, he laughed but he never slept. In the earlier minutes he was standing and laughing at himself in the mirror (I know this because I was spying.) Then he sat down, and eventually laid down, but he never slept. Lucky for me, he did not cry either. After checking my email, balancing my checkbook and filing my bills I gave in. I surrendered. I rescued him from the crib and we spent the rest of the afternoon playing. He was not cranky, he did not even seem that exhausted. He was happy, and smiley, and active. Until he fell asleep, in a tray of pasta and avocado!!

eyelashes

Our boys have been blessed with very long eyelashes. This is a trait, often said, gifted to boys but rarely to the girls. I suppose that is fair since boys look silly in mascara. I look at their lashes often and think about measuring them, finding out their actual length. I have never done this, as I think it would be difficult to put a ruler to their eye, however I have thought about it. I wonder if the pediatrician could tell us the percentile of eye lash length if measured. When they measure a baby's length it is no more accurate then I could be.
Do your eyelashes continue to grow? Will they get longer, thicker? Chase's lashes are long and thick and dark, dark brown like Todd's. Ryder's lashes, though just as long, are lighter in color and thinner, like mine. It is so interesting to see how your children can inherit every little part of you, or none of you. Hopefully, since they got our lashes, they will be spared of our brows, bushy (thank god for waxing) and thick.

A letter to my sons on their 9th Month Birthday!

Dear Chase and Ryder,

Two days ago you turned 9 months. It continues to amaze me how quickly time can pass. We welcomed your new baby cousin Madden Rose. She is beautiful, and sweet and ever so tiny and I was astonished when I held her as I remembered that you were once smaller than her. How far you have come, how much you have grown, how quickly it all happened.

What a month it has been! Ryder, you have mastered crawling. Just after your 8th month birthday, you figured out how to move your arms and legs at the same time. You are using this mode of transportation to explore everything and anything and it is this new found freedom that made us baby proof our home. You are all over the place and keeping mommy and daddy very busy as we try to keep up with you. You are also very into climbing now that you can pull yourself up to standing. You stand in your crib, at the learning table, against the kitchen chairs, anywhere you can. You love to be standing up!! Recently, we even watched as you attempted to climb the bookshelf. Mom-mom and Pop-Pop watched this event and despite the trouble I know it will cause at a later date, I was encouraging this behavior. I know it is not wise, but I was amazed at how you were figuring out how to do it. The steps are also a new favorite of yours. You can climb a few, but not without supervision, as you do still have a tendency to fall backwards. Mommy catches you, don't worry.
Chase, you began the army crawl right around the same time. You do this with such speed that it seems almost unnecessary to crawl with proper form. I check your knees and elbows for burns but so far, so good. On your 9th month birthday you decided it was time, and up on all 4 you went. You took a few crawls in true form before returning to the army style. A few more days of practice and I am sure you will have it perfected. Just yesterday, you pulled yourself up to standing. This was the first time you did this, and you used the exersaucer as your leverage. Daddy witnessed this event and we realize this is the beginning of your using everything in sight, me included, as your jungle gym. You also have just found the steps and the fun they can provide. You can't fully climb from one to another just yet, but to watch you figuring it out is wonderful and this also will not take long for you to master.

Ryder you love to clap. You do it randomly, and what seems to be out of nowhere to us, but in your little mind I am sure there is good reason. Your claps are often followed by a "hooray" or a "clap clap clap" from mommy or daddy. Chase you are learning to wave. Also done at random, you will open and shut those little fingers. We always wave back!
You continue to eat well, and more and more food now makes it to your mouth as opposed to the pocket of your bib. I have realized it is not the baby food you are losing interest in as much as the lack of participation it involves. You much prefer to feed yourselves and we often play tug of war with the spoon (which is always dirty and ultimately leaves you, your clothes and your hair a mess!)
You have both improved in the area of the sippy cup, but we still have a way to go.
We have been bathing you in the actual bathtub, though until we get the new one either daddy or I has to get in with you. We recently put you in together, with an inch or so of water and some toys, you both loved it and squealed with delight. Bath time is our favorite time with you. It is relaxing and fun for all.
Chase, you cut your bottom two teeth on March 30th. They both cut through at the same time. They are still growing but they sure are cute. You have been a bit more clingy lately. It used to be that you were not big into being held or cuddled and would stiffen up until we put you down. Lately, however, you can be held for a while and enjoy hugs and cuddling much more. This is much to my delight!!
I love that you are both fascinated by books, you love to topple the tower of blocks, and when I dangle your blankie in your face at night time you giggle. It is a great way to say goodnight! When you laugh out loud it is contagious and the room begins to laugh with you.
Chase you love looking out the windows. In the sunroom you always go right up to the doors and look out into the yard and in the playroom you want to sit on the window ledge. You bang on the glass with delight. Every time I see it, no matter how often, I smile.
-->We hosted passover here, just last week- 20 adults and 7 kids. You had so much fun hanging out with your cousins and it is fun to watch you begin to interact. Delaney spent a few nights here while Amy was in the hospital with Madden and you both had fun with her. She made you laugh and she tried to teach you things. It will be fun when you are a bit older and can learn from her. On the first Sunday of Passover, we went to borscht and keklentin. This is something our extended family has been doing for more years than I am alive for. It was great for you to play with your extended cousins, who you do not get to see as often. When I was a kid I always looked forward to my time with the cousins and I hope you have similar experiences.
We are busy day to day, the three of us, and we love our weekends with Daddy. We are often on the move, and it seems to be how we all do best. We usually will pick one or two days to stay in and do nothing, but other than that we enjoy the activity.
You remain to be pleasant, happy, funny boys. Ryder you seem a bit mischievous, and Chase you are very curious. You seem to be very observant and it often seems that you are absorbing everything around you. You get that from your daddy. We are reminded time and again how good you are, when we take you to parties or to social gatherings and you go to everybody and smile for them all. We want to cultivate that sociability and hope that it remains as you get older. There is no doubt that every day that passes you continue to amaze us. You bring us joy after joy and our love grows beyond measure. I was asked the other day why I was encouraging you both to climb the steps, which is clearly not the safest way for you to play. I smiled and said, "I always want to encourage my children" and it is true. I want you to try your best at everything, especially that what you enjoy, and I want you to know we encourage and support you, always!!

I love you my dear sons. I love you so.

Mommy.

Madden Rose Benjamin- 4/3/07



















Madden and big sis Delaney - 4/3/07



After much anticipation we welcomed the newest, the littlest family member...Chase and Ryder's new cousin Madden Rose. What an exciting time in our family, particularly for Amy, Jay and Delaney. I am amazed by the tenderness, the tininess, the novelty of holding a newborn. I am amazed as if I never had one (or two) of my own. It is a feeling that can never get old and no matter how many times you hold a new born, each time is special, rare, and like the first.
When Delaney was born, I was blown away by the depths of emotion that a tiny little baby could draw from me. I was astonished by the intensity of holding a newborn that was of your blood. I remember being scared to have children of my own if holding my niece could have such an effect on me. It is now three years later, I have held a lot of newborns including two of my own. The naivete is gone, the novelty is not. I am no longer astonished by the amount of love you feel the instant you hold the tiny baby, but am still astonished by the actual moment in which you pick up that newborn and barely feel the weight in your arms. Madden was welcomed on an early Tuesday morning. She was not even a day old and she was already loved by so many. She will learn, over time, the special girl she is, the delight in being the family baby, and the joy of growing up with siblings and cousins.
I am excited for Chase and Ryder too. They have an older cousin in Delaney to learn from and a baby cousin to teach. Madden and them are close in age and I hope they can build a friendship like the one Rob and I have.
Madden Rose, we all love you so, welcome to the world!!