The Big 18

(Months that is!)
Week after week, we have tried to keep Ben somewhat quiet and still through church. This was no small chore. This kid is constantly on the move and a big climber. Any attempt to hold him on you lap was met with the horrific cry and the infamous baby flop. This combination is always met with strange looks from innocent church goers. As a result, Joe and I have tried to maintain a delicate balance, of avoiding the fit, but preventing too much damage. We have raced up the isle trying to prevent him making it to the podium, tactfully closed the piano after he climbed up it 25 times during Sunday School, and pretended like he was someone elses child when he would try to pull down the table cloth or rifle through some strangers purse in Relief Society.


Lest you think we are some of those lazy parents who don't pay attention to their children, let me assure you that we are well aware of what he has been doing and have tried many tactics to prevent the damage. We have arranged chairs to block him in, paced the floor for hours trying to get him to sleep (no small feat considering he is over 20 pounds), we came armed with numerous toys, pacifiers, bottles, and fruit snacks. Still, his only interest was escaping us into the arms of some stranger who thinks he is adorable and we are mean for trying to cage him in. The last few weeks have been spent walking the halls, or begging the nursery to let us bring him in. Today, no begging was necessary. Ben is legal. He was just as thrilled as we were to go into nursery. No tears were shed, just pure joy for both child and parents. And a cool pair of shoes too!