11 months - gone in a flash.

Happy, go-lucky.

A real charmer.

Sweet Baby Boy Bennett Cole is 11 months. I feel like I've been in full-swing mode lately, trying to get everything ready for the fall, his big bday, Halloween, etc. The carpets will be cleaned on Tuesday and I've scheduled for my staircase and hallway to be painted in a few weeks. Ben installed a screen/storm door to the deck, I've ordered Bennett's birthday plates and napkins, his shirt he'll wear came today, and his costume will be mailed to me soon. Things come together so nicely when you're prepared and organized. I can't help it! Gimme a break.
Things you might see Bennett doing:
-He will stand for 3-4-5 seconds at a time on his own. He then realizes what he's doing, and gracefully takes a seat.
-He loves to walk with both of our hands helping, although his self-esteem rises tremendously when he only uses one hand, or better yet- a few fingers. :) You can see it in his eyes.
-Man... no joke. He's a talker! All the time!!
-He curls his tongue back in this weird way. My brother can do some pretty funky things with his tongue...maybe he'll be like his Uncle Ryan.
-I've also noticed a small birth mark on his right forearm. It's probably one that gets darker with more sun exposure.
-He's really starting to point at things. He likes to wake up from naps and point to the pictures in his room. He LOVES to hold a little barking puppy while he's being changed. He'll say, "Da, Da, Da, Da" over and over. Maybe Dog will be his first word.
-His left foot is turned in towards his right pretty badly...or at least, I think. It's something we're watching. Daddy is adjusting his hip frequently and we know that'll help. We'll see if it gets in his way of walking.
-He's much better with the cat. He's actually quite a lover now and squels when he sees her. She hisses and bats her paws. :)
-Can you believe that at this point, he still only has TWO, count 'em- TWO teeth!? His top front two are getting ready to break through any day. The nights haven't been that great at Casa de Dohrmann. Although last night he slept from 7:00pm-7:45am. A new record!
-He'll take 3-4 bottles a day with lots of yummy real-people food in between. He enjoys it all. If you're eating and he's not, you'll hear about it.
-Daddy is still Number 1 in his book. And Makenna comes in a close Number 2.
-The kid loves water. Baths, pools, putting his hand under the faucet- Oh, the small things in life.
-We certainly think that he'll be a right-handed guy.
-He makes this funny face. He'll squish up his nose and breathe real heavy and loud through it. I've gotta get a pic!
-He loves to dance. He'll move his hands up and down and grins from ear to ear.
-And his bear crawl is hilarious. It's a lot of the time these days.

He's such a good boy and we are so blessed. Next month will be birthday pictures galore.