Poser

Benjamin is a funny kid.
We're glad. It took him a long time to develop a sense of humor. Those of you who have know him since birth can attest that for most of his life he has been a very serious baby. He still tends to stare down strangers instead of smiling and being friendly. He recently won a staring contest in the grocery store parking lot with some random guy in the car next to us. Apparently, Benjamin stared at him without blinking the whole time I was putting the groceries in the trunk, buckling the boys in and returning the cart. I only know because the guy rolled down his window and started laughing. He couldn't believe an 18-month-old could have a death stare like that. I truly believe his icy looks can wither leaves on the vine.... or maybe that's just because its fall...
Anyway, as I was saying, we are glad he has frequent silly, happy moments at home these days. He often poses for the camera now, and even says "cheese". This is his languid model look:

These next two are poses he does as part of his break dancing routine. Jami loves to jam to music and goes through a series of dance moves including the knee bend, the trunk twist with elbows up, the sway and usually ends with break dancing or yoga poses. Sometimes we're not sure which one they are.

This pose is the one he strikes whenever the blender or food processor is running. It's not clear from the picture, but his left hand isn't covering his ear at all. His hand is slightly behind his ear on the back of his head. Usually at least one hand misses the mark and sometimes he walks around with both ears fully exposed. This leads to me to believe that the noise doesn't bother him at all and he is just imitating his brothers.

Benjamin started folding his arms for prayers last month. Although he pretty much has it down now, this is what folding his arms looked like at first. I was kind of sad when he figured out the "normal" way of doing it.

This kid loves to read books. Maybe I should start laying on the coffee table with my legs at a 45 degree angle whenever I read too. I bet I could build some serious core strength that way. There is no way that's comfortable though, right?

Here he is saying "cheese" shortly after waking up from a long nap. I love his 80's punk bedhead. I also love that he is generally excited to take a nap and to go to bed when it is time. Such a good boy.

I know this post is waxing long already, but I just wanted to chronicle a couple of other things he does as an 18-month-old.
-In nursery, Benjamin has a hard time playing with the other kids appropriately. He tries to play with them like he would with his big brothers. This means if someone bends over to pick up a toy, Benjamin might see this as invitation to climb on their back for a ride.... and he squashes them flat. There were a lot of crying kids the first Sunday he went to nursery. My sincerest apologies to his patient nursery leaders.
-Jami will "tickle" you if you give him the opportunity. He finds a bare patch of skin, usually by your neck, and scratches it viciously while saying in a high pitched voice something that sounds like "tickatickatickaticka". The little voice is so funny that you can't help but laugh, despite the pain.
-Benjamin often talks in that cute little high pitched voiced. He uses it to say thank you (taytoo!), ta da!, daddy (dadoo) and up! However, when things get serious he uses a lower pitch. That is why, if he comes up to you and gives you a grave look and points to his diaper you can expect a low voice when he says "I poop" (ah poo). I guess bodily functions become a high priority early on in a boy's life. It looks like we might be in for some early potty training. Any volunteers?