Pictures of the Teeth (and More!)

So Dan was finally able to get a few good shots of Benjamin's teeth yesterday (really, it's harder than it sounds!). Also in the album are some misc shots - of Benji hanging out, in the bath, and of some play dates with his friends Sasha and Lyra. Enjoy!

Teeth and other Misc Nov Pics

One Tooth is for Babies

But TWO teeth are for big boys! Just minutes after Chrissie told Dan "I think he's cutting another tooth," Dan saw it while getting Benj ready for bed (yes, Dan has now found both teeth, but Chrissie's not jealous, not at all!). Also on the bottom, also in the middle. Guess the first tooth was just lonely.

Zibel Boy Cuts a Tooth!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Chrissie or Dan

(November 18, 2009, Washington, D.C.) - Benjamin woke up with his first tooth today! His parents, Dan and Chrissie, report that the tooth cut through the gums at some point between 7:30 pm on November 17th and 6:30 am on November 18th. Given the boy woke up with a start at 11:30 pm last evening and 12:30 am this morning (going back to sleep on his own, much to his parents glee), they further suspect that the tooth officially came in in the vicinity of those times. The boy is doing fine without tylenol, though is not so in to showing the tooth, so pictures will follow at some point.

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UPDATE: Dan has confirmed the location of the tooth - bottom left (our right) middle tooth.

Six Months!

Last weekend, Benjamin celebrated his 6 month birthday. Today we went to the doc for his checkup - he got a great report and continues to be in the 75th percentile for height (27 1/4 inches), weight (19 lbs. 3 oz.), and head circumference (45 cm). He also got a ton of shots (and is now sleeping them - and the tylenol - off!).

Below are two albums - the first from last weekend when Ellen and Allan (Dan's Aunt/Uncle) visited us and the second is a mish mash of pics from the last couple weeks. It includes our trip to Ann Arbor (B's first plane ride!) and some random shots.

Enjoy!

Ellen and Allan Visit

Ellen and Allan Visit

Other Pics

Misc. Benj - Oct/Early Nov

A blog emergency!

So we were going to post some more pictures of Benji from this past weekend, but as luck would have it -- we had a blogging emergency. The pictures of the new bath, and videos of the paper tearing will have to wait.

As you will see, Benji is somewhat sad these days.

Not a very happy boy... from bnzvideo on Vimeo.

Benji's First Halloween!

Benjamin (aka Yoda) had several Halloween celebrations this week. The first set of pictures, in the grey stroller you won't recognize, are from his Halloween parade at school. The next set are from Halloween day hanging in the house and then heading out to walk around the Hill. Benjamin did, however, sleep through our sighting of the Obama girls treat or treating in our neighborhood. Oh well, mom and dad enjoyed seeing them anyway!

Look for more pics later this week of Benji's new bath tub and just some all around fun video of him hanging out.

Halloween!

Who Needs a Chair?

So in addition to sitting in his high chair, Benjamin has almost mastered the art of just sitting on his tush on the floor. He's been practicing at school and has gotten really good at it. I captured it on video this evening (excuse the cold induced scratchiness in my singing, but it made B happy and I wanted to get the video!).

A New Seat!

As Benji has become quite the foodie of late (bananas, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, & peas) -- we knew we had to up the ante on his eating arrangement. Luckily, we were ready to go with Benji's new highchair. He's quite the fan!

Benji tries the high chair!

Dinner Time

Benji has become quite the little eater!

Dinner Time! from Dan Zibel on Vimeo.

Apples!

On Sunday, we ventured out to Markham, Virginia to go apple picking at Stribling Orchard. It was a beautiful fall day. The pictures speak for themselves.

There's also one shot at the end to show you all how well Benji boy is sitting these days. In other news, he's now enjoying oatmeal, sweet potatoes, squash, bananas, and this weekend's new edition - carrots. Some green veggies will follow before introducing more fruit (despite the influx of apples in our house!).

Link to pics:

Apple Picking

Long Overdue Pics

Below is an album of assorted pictures from the last couple of weeks. There are a couple from Benjamin's first taste of cereal 3 weeks ago, some from his first taste of sweet potato, and then finally, from this weekend, spent with Grammy Carol and Grandpa Jack. Enjoy!

September Pics of Benjamin

We've Been Remiss

We're sorry - we've left our adoring fans (ok, really, Benji's adoring fans) hanging with little to no information or pictures. We promise that we will share some new pics soon (truth be told, we haven't really taken any recently...), but we did want to update you on the little guy's progress.

We started Benjamin on "solids" nearly 3 weeks ago, and just this week, we are starting to make some progress. Benjamin eats rice cereal twice a day at school (the teachers think he wants to eat because he sees his friends doing so, we're not so sure) and has been experimenting with fruits and vegetables at home for dinner. Last night he ate half a banana and a cube of pureed sweet potato with no fuss. He swallowed it without the aid of a pacifier or a bottle - previously we've had to help him with the concept by giving him something to suck on.

Later this week we plan to introduce oatmeal and butternut squash.

And really, we promise to give you some pics soon!

Halloween Poll Over! - UPDATED 9/21

Turns out the Juliano/Zibel household is a democracy. We ordered the Yoda costume yesterday, and it is already on our way to us. Stay tuned for pictures on or about October 31st!

Thanks to all who voted. 10 out of 16 inquiring minds chose Yoda. But Dan's not quite on board, yet, so stay tuned.

Report from Benjamin's 4 Month Check Up

We can't believe it's been 4 months since Benji was born, but alas that's what the calendar says. He had his check up today and, well, he's grown... a bit...

He is now 25 1/2 inches long (+2 1/4 since 2 month check up) and weighs in at 15 lbs. 14 oz. Yes, you read that correctly, he weighs nearly 16 pounds and has gained 3+ lbs. over the two months (remember when he couldn't gain weight!?). He is in the 75th percentile for both height and weight, so now he's officially an overachiever (which his Daddy always knew he would be).

We also got the go ahead to start introducing solids so look for some cute (read: really messy) feeding pictures soon. Rice cereal is first on the agenda, followed by some other cereals, then veggies, and then fruits. Mom and Dad plan on figuring out how the heck to make "baby food" this weekend so that Benji can enjoy the produce we're getting from our CSA in the weeks to come.

As always, stay tuned.

Benji's First Days of "School"

Benjamin started his transition to "school" (daycare) this week, spending 2 hours on Wednesday and 4 hours on Thursday with his teachers and new friends at Bright Horizons East End.

The report Dan received when he picked Benji up on Wednesday was "a typical first day," which, we're pretty sure was code for he cried a bit (not entirely abnormal for Benji...). But, he didn't cry when we left him in the morning, and he wasn't crying when Dan got there to pick him up, so it couldn't have been too bad!

On Thursday, Dan received a glowing report from Ms. Iris (his main teacher) who said Benji had an excellent day, even slept for about an hour, and that he was likely ready to do a full day rather than continue the 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-hour transition. We were very excited to hear he did well (though we really had little doubt he would) and were also relieved that we wouldn't have to figure out the logistics of short days next week as well (when Dan goes back to work and has jury duty!).

Friday is Benjamin's 4-month check up where he will get measured and weighed, as well as receive another round of shots. This should be an excellent way for Dan to spend his last day of paternity leave! We are also hoping to get the go-ahead to start introducing cereal and additional solid (pureed) foods. We will post the vital statistics over the weekend.

A few pics from the last week are in the album below.

Early September Misc. Pics

Links for Halloween Poll

Here are the corresponding links for the halloween poll at the right, in case you need to see the costumes to decide.

Yoda

The Red Chili Pepper

The Baseball

Dan Quoted in Story about Teddy Kennedy

Dan was quoted in this news story - and was on camera as well (still looking for the video) - when he and Benji were at the Newseum today. He SWEARS he said more interesting things than this, but at least he's the first person quoted! If we find the video, we'll share that too.

D.C.'s Newseum Pays Tribute to Sen. Kennedy|ABC 7 News

Shared via AddThis

We're Home!

After 20 days on the road, 8 states (and 1 "District") visited and/or passed through, 5 different houses slept in, 2060 miles driven, and 352 pictures and/or videos of Benjamin, WE ARE HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't get us wrong. We had a fabulous whirlwind trip over the past 2 1/2 weeks. Benjamin and his grandparents (but especially his grandparents) had a great time getting to know each other better, and Benji's parents had a good time too (they had TWO dates without the Benj-man!). But we are glad to be in our own house and are greatly looking forward to sleeping in our own bed. And Benjamin was so excited to be home, he went to sleep in his crib no problem - we're hoping that he'll continue his most recent trend of sleeping through the night as well.

Anyways, below are a few final pictures from our last days of the trip. Thanks for reading and hope to see all you local folks soon!

Final Pics of the Roadtrip

Cape Cod!

After leaving NY, we continued north -- and landed on the shores of Cape Cod, spending time with Noni and Papi in Falmouth for a few days of even more rest and relaxation on the beach. While Benji is a little small to be eating lobster, his mom and dad had a few in his honor! As the week came to a close, we spent a day with Benji's great Aunt Ellen and Uncle Allan in New Seabury, and then a day in Scituate with Adam, Merri, Halsey, and little in-utero baby Laban/Wade.

We've landed in Cambridge, MA for a few days, and will be heading back to DC later this week. More photos will certainly follow....

Cape Cod

Pool Party!

Sorry for the delay.... we've been meaning to post about leg two (Chrissie's Dad's) of our journey, but we've been very busy at leg three (the Cape with Dan's parents).

Anyways, after leaving the north fork, we journeyed to Dix Hills to hang out with Chrissie's Dad, Stepmom, and sisters. Benji had lots of fun getting used to the pool and meeting lots of friends and family at a bbq/pool party. Pictures are below.

Benji Visits Dix Hills

Coming soon: pics/blog post from our time on the Cape.