ICE

There's been a demand for pictures of Erika's belly. Here she is (34 weeks pregnant):

Aunt Jen was here over the weekend to spend some time with her main man. And while here, she took the photos below. After most Saint George's hockey games, Da-da is easily coaxed in to bringing Benjamin on the "ICE". He is starting to understand the concept of ice, it's low friction properties, and how the puck slides on it. Yesterday we decided to try his ice skates again. You see his initial reaction to the skates on his feet was "No, no--no, no." I think he understands how it all fits together now... the ice, the skates, the sticks and puck.

Benjamin and his handler.

Balancing on two blades - impressive for a 21 month-old.Learning to ice skate, Step 1: Put on ice skates and get on to the ice. (Check).

I'm HANS, and I am here to "PUMP (CLAP), YOU UP!!!"

Mickey Mouse!!!

Auntie Heather made our day by sending us a replica of our favorite "MOUSH"

Benjamin trying on Ma-ma's assortment of shoes and boots (notice the "hockey", or hockey jersey that Ma-ma had to pry off of him in order to wash after 3 days of wearing):

CHEESE!

Our active little boy... loves his "helmet".

Gymnastics and Vocabulary

Benjamin's vocabulary seems to be expanding daily. Here are the words Mama and Dada can decipher--as there are several more we're probably just not catching:

Yes, No, Puppy, Oops, Hot dog, Duck, One, Two, Three, Turtle, Night, Stars, Moon, Gus, Puck, Stick, Truck, Hat, Shoes, Juice, Done, Up, Hot, That, Mama, Dada, Bus, Car, Cracker, Tractor, Dog, Eyes, Nose, Yuck, Ball, Blue, Apple, Cool, Tree; Noises for a Cow, Horse, Sheep, Owl, Lion. And just before I wrote this, he looked at the tub and said "Bath".

Dada got to fill in for Mama at Baby Gymnastics at the YMCA. Our favorite is the first video.... is that amazing or what? He loves to run around!!!!

Ice Hockey and Turtles

One last thing before we get on the ice... a helmet. Benjamin is patient enough to pose for this picture as he tried on helmets. The helmet he is wearing is for 3-Years+; that's a big head.


We got on the ice, but weren't too keen on the skates. Here's our little hockey star being pulled around the rink by members of the St. George's Women's Ice Hockey Team.

On our way to the rink, we stopped for breakfast. One of Benjamin's new words, "Turtle."

Speed demon Benjamin...

Yes... yes she did

Not sure if we've gone over the top on this one... but when you watch the first video, and you see how the young lad has taken so naturally to the sport... it helps to explain the purchase you see in the follow on videos. What you don't see is the skates (those will be under the tree - but of course he tried them on and they fit!!!)

Benjamin has seen several ice live hockey games now, and sat on the couch with Ma-ma and watched ice hockey with a big 'Ol grin on his face. So the movements you're seeing can only be those he's learned watching ice hockey. These first two videos he is using a toy golf club.

A young man needs the right equipment for the job... right?

A two sport athlete. I mean, the kid knows how to kick a ball.

Benjamin right now is asleep in his crib clutching tight to his "Tick"... his little Boston Bruins hockey stick. I mean, can you blame him? Benjamin's Ma-ma is the coolest.

Benjamin - On the Mend

It is obvious from these pictures and videos that our not-so-little man is feeling better after a respiratory infection turned ear infection. His cold is gone, and his ear no longer a bother...

"Sheriff" Benjamin is tough on Germs - His new word, "YUCK!"
Auntie Heather got this for me... Thanks Auntie Heather!

This is what it would be like if Toddlers competed in the Olympics. "Next up, Benjamin Adams in the Decathalon." In this event the athlete has to throw a ball, hit a ball with a hockey stick, then a golf club, and then run through the finish.