Ben, 8 months old, Canon Digital Rebel XTi

Dear Ben,

You have been very busy these days. You have been perfecting your army man commando scooch across the floor and getting alarmingly fast. You put your forearms under your chest and propel your body forward with your upper body strength. You haven’t figured out how to get up on hands and knees or pull yourself up yet and for this I am grateful. When you are around other kids who are crawling I try to cover your eyes so you don’t get inspired. I hope I’m not holding you back; it’s just that we haven’t even babyproofed the house yet.

We took you to a beautiful place on the coast just north of santa cruz last weekend called Costanoa. You got to see the ocean and go hiking with daddy. As usual you were less impressed with the landscape and more impressed with the pretty waitresses that pinch your cheeks. How can I blame you? You have always been a ladies man.

Likes: Bananas, the stereo cabinet, my friend’s boobies, pretty girls in restaurants, your babysitter and crumpling up the New Yorker.
Disikes: Being on your back, getting your diaper changed, putting on clothes, avocado, bibs, water and bottles when you’re not completely ready.

Did I mention you are a very busy guy?
When I pick you up and you spare a moment to hug me I just melt and grin and savor every last second that you stay in my arms. You usually have a lot to do (Rifle through cabinets, eat the book on the floor, chew on the caterpillar toy, push the stereo buttons) but I relish every second that you let me hold you in my arms. You have never been one of those super smooshy huggy babies, but more of the independent persuasion. I think that’s why you love the Bjorn. You can face out and see the world. When you see something you like, you flap your arms wildly and kick your legs like you’re jogging in place. You are ready to dive in to life.

I was away from you for a record breaking five hours last weekend when I shot that wedding with Kim at Costanoa. When I came to nurse you in the evening you hugged me so tight and for the first time in your life didn’t want to go anywhere. I held you and held you and heard you giggling over my shoulder. It was like nervous giggles because you were so excited and relieved that I had come back. It was one of the sweetest moments of my life.

You were sleeping through the night for a while there, but now we’re back to the old wake-up-several-times-a-night-mommy-is-a-zombie days. We need to have another heart to heart about that, but I also understand if you’re growing and extra hungry these days and that’s just the way it is.

This weekend is my retreat with my online creative posse. They are an amazing group of girls who will shower you with kisses. You will adore them… and you will get to see what slumber parties are like. This might be your only chance to see what girls talk about at slumber parties so pay attention!

Ben, I know I’m biased, but one look in your lacy blue ocean eyes and you can see what a good little man you are. Truly, you are pure goodness. I think this is what I will always be most proud of about you. A bright little light inching his way across my living room floor.