Growing teeth

Who knew growing a couple of baby teeth was such hard work? (Yes, I realize they aren't "growing" but that's the easiest way to describe it.)


Benton has been showing signs of teething for a month now. But the last couple of weeks have been particularly rough. Especially at night.

The most helpful tricks have been cold teething rings and frozen washcloths. Unfortunately, those only work for the four or five minutes that they stay cold. Also, Benton hasn't quite mastered the skill of holding something up to his mouth. He pushes the teething ring away and then gets mad that he's not chewing on it anymore. Silly baby. So, he mostly chews on my shoulder or my fingers.

I can deal with all the drool on my shoulder. The worst part is the Restless Baby Syndrome. He wakes himself up at night with all his squirming, kicking and punching. The easiest and fastest way to get him back to sleep is to put him in the bed with us. Which leads to us being kicked and punched.

So, if he's in his bed, I get up a hundred times to put the pacifier back in him mouth and try to pat him back to sleep. If he's in our bed, he sleeps better but he wiggles himself into my armpit and punches me in the head. It's a Catch 22, really.


The night waking wouldn't be so bad if he wasn't sleeping 8-10 hours a night before the teething. But he was. And I miss it. Let's get the show on the road, baby teeth. Grow already.

Brack Guest Post # 2

Benton and I have taken boredom to a whole new level the last few days. There are only so many episodes of iCarly a man and baby can tolerate.

He suggested we develop some of our hidden talents just in case things get really rough and we have to become street performers to make ends meet.

Benton is a master at the game "Name That Spice". He can correctly identify any spice just by covering the container in drool. His favorite so far is Thyme.

He's also a pretty good offensive coordinator for NCAA Football. Look out Mike Bobo.

Our best act is "The Amazing Balancing Baby". Here is a small clip from our practice today.

Circus Baby from Jordan Hassell on Vimeo.

Also, Benton started rolling over recently. We are broke and can't afford a play pen so I had to improvise. I think this laundry hamper works pretty well. He is outgrowing it pretty fast though.

Brack

Atlanta firsts

Benton was born into an amazing baseball season in Atlanta. The Bravos are leading their division and are setting up for an exciting post-season. It's been awhile since we could say that.

We didn't want Benton to miss out on the memories, so we made plans to take him to Turner Field for part of the action. He went to his first game a couple of weeks ago and got to see the Braves beat the Giants and take the series. After the initial shock of the loud, sudden cheers from the crowd, he settled in nicely.

Last week, we went to another game. In a very exciting 9th inning, the Braves came from behind to beat the Dodgers. You'll have to take our word for it that we were there because we left the camera in the car. Benton is now 2-0 in his baseball career.

Just three days later, Benton attended his first football game. We saw the Falcons play the Patriots in a pre-season game at the Georgia Dome. (Thanks for the tickets, Ricky!) Unfortunately, the Dirty Birds lost. At least we got to see Tom Brady.

Yesterday, Benton had his first and last visit to the Varsity Jr. restaurant in Atlanta. It was their last day of service after 45 years of business. It was a packed house with lots of faithful customers who were sad to see the doors close. Benton waited patiently in line then watched us eat our hot dogs and onion rings. Happy to be part of their final day and even happier that I can still get my Frosted Orange fix at the North Avenue location.

We're glad to be a part of this city!

Success!

After several failed attempts, which Brack mentioned in his earlier guest post, we were finally able to capture Benton's newest trick on camera. We're so proud.


New trick from Jordan Hassell on Vimeo.

Guest Post From Brack

There are several benefits to being unwillingly unemployed (watching 12 episodes of SportsCenter in a row, not wearing a shirt for several days, forgetting how to use an alarm clock, not shaving etc…). However, my favorite thing about being unemployed is getting to spend most of my time with Benton.

Here are some of my favorite things from the last few months:

One of my favorite parts of the day is when Benton first wakes up. He is always in the best moods in the morning and pretty much smiles at everything. This is what is usually waiting on me in the morning. 

On Monday nights Jordan goes to bible study. Sometimes it gets a little hairy but most of the time the boys hang out and watch the Braves. 

It is hot in Atlanta. Especially lately. We combat that around here by wearing only our diaper around the house (and to check the mail).

Benton rolled over for the first time a week or so ago. I have been determined ever since to document this. The other day I spent an hour trying to talk him into performing for the camera. He waited patiently for me to put the camera up and then immediately rolled over. ***Update: We got him!***

I don’t know any nursery rhymes and apparently the ones I thought I knew are completely wrong. I thought Yankee Doodle put a noodle in his hat. So pretty much the only thing I can sing are Wilco and Pearl Jam songs. The result of this is that I spend about thirty minutes carrying on a conversation with Benton using only squeals, grunts, babbles and farting noises. He doesn’t seem to mind (yet). When that doesn’t seem to be entertaining enough we just watch cartoons.

I like to make up nicknames for Benton. Some of his favorite so far are: Professor Poopy Pants, Slobber Face, Fatty McFatts, Bubba and Booger Brains. All this name calling wears us out so we usually take a nap.

Sitting around with a baby all day gives you plenty of time to think. So lately I have been thinking about how great it is to see my son growing up and changing so much. I wouldn’t trade the last few months for anything. I have gotten to be a part of what so many people miss. For that I am thankful.

Brack

Highlights

Time for a long overdue post. Well, I never promised consistency.

We've been all over the place with our little trooper and he barely complains. In Benton's four short months of life (four months?!) he has been to Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Indiana and Ohio. We start 'em young.

Here are some quick photo highlights from recent weeks:

Spa bath in the hotel room in Chattanooga (edited for decency)

Family shot after Brack's triathlon

Benton and Bitsie in Alabama

Testing out watermelons in the Shaw garden in Alabama

Trying out the Johnny Jump Up

Watching Mickey Mouse on the kitchen table

Driving the pontoon boat with Aunt Vickie in Indiana

Floating in the reservoir with Nana

Meeting his cousins in Ohio

Five generation photo

Sixteen weeks old