Time to get with the program...

OK...so, my babies' lives are flying by and I'm busy enjoying it, rather than documenting it! However, there comes a time when you have to stop and just. blog it. (really? did I just write that?)

Let me bring you up to speed:
Months 5 & 6 for Ben: He continues to be a happy, peaceful, gentle baby. He has earned his name that Gammy so aptly gave him: "Gentle Ben". His eyes are kind and his smile comes easily. He continues to babble with lots of consonant sounds: ba, ba, ba....ummmm.....ummmm...and our favorite, bwep, bwep, bwep. He laughs when you find his tickle spots and is immediately attracted to playing with the school bus, the fire truck and anything with wheels -- what is it with boys and wheels? (fire, too, I'm sure!)
As for other milestones, he started taking solid foods on a daily basis by October 1 and the 'official' date for sitting up by himself on October 13th. He loves fruits and YoBaby yogurt, but, he's not a fan of veggies...in fact, he'll make himself gag on peas. (Sweet potatoes and carrots are the only exception!) He's lifting up on his knees and rocking back and forth...I bet we'll have a crawler by Christmas. He had his first trip to the beach with Mimi & Papa and isn't quite yet a beach bum -- but, that will come with time!

Months 19 and 20 for Rachael: Ahhhh...the diva! She continues to amaze us with her language...and truly in these two months has just embraced her voice -- in all ways! On September 16th, we heard her first sentence, said when dumping dry cheerios out of a bowl: "me made mess!" (very proudly!) And, then, there were the moments of her voice that weren't so thrilling...we had some trying times figuring out how to handle the inevitable tantrums that go along with understanding so many things, but, not being in full control of your emotions. She enjoys dancing and asking us to sing "I'm Bringing Home A Baby Bumblebee" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider". She loves to play outside as much as possible and when inside, she enjoys her tea set, using the shape sorter, "cooking" in her kitchen and reading books -- The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Little Engine That Could, Goodnight Moon are among her favorites. She has gravitated towards her "blankie" and "glowie" which she religiously carries to bed.
And, now for some photos: