Back in Ely

Now that we are back in Ely, Benjamin and I are doing our best to keep busy.  It's been nice to see our friends again and I think Ben enjoys seeing other children.  

Benjamin is doing really well.  He finally has mastered the art of rolling from his tummy to his back.  In fact, when I tried to give him tummy time today, he started rolling over before he was all the way on the floor.  Still no progress moving forward, but I'm sure it is only a matter of time.  I try not to fuss about his motor skills.  He'll run around one day.  I was quite happy though when Sue, the woman from Early Intervention, said that he was very vocal and social.  That makes a ton of sense.  From what I understand, both Joe and I were quite verbal children, though we may not have been stars athletically.  (Yes, I still walk like a penguin.)  And Ben seems to have inherited Joe's love of the limelight.  Everytime I have brought him to a playgroup this week, he has squealed and babbled non-stop as if to say "Look at me!  Look at me!"  

Speaking of talking, Ben has started to make consonant sounds.  I never would have thought of that as a milestone until I read it in a book and realized that none of his sounds had any consonant sounds.  While we were in Lossiemouth, he started the "B" noise, but now has many more.  It probably helps that I've started making these noises when he screams.  I was getting nowhere by telling him "No", so I asked Sue for any advice.  She said to make noises at him and see if he will copy me.  He doesn't exactly copy me, but it has gotten him to stop screaming for fun.  I guess the point is that he has found a sound he can make and wants to try out his new skill.  Just give him a skill that does not give Mummy a headache.

Sorry if all of my news is Ben related.  I spend 90% of my time on him so expect lots of healthy observations of my beautiful boy.  However, I am doing my best to reclaim some Marsha time.  I am going to start attending an adult beginning ballet class.  I am actually very excited about this.  My plan is to get a babysitter, take myself to a nice dinner, and then hit my ballet class.  I took one ballet class in college.  I remember in being difficult, but I would love to increase my grace and flexibility.  Plus, my feet naturally fall into first position anyway so I am bound to be quite talented.

Additionally, I have been working on some projects here at home...namely the house itself.  We have so much stuff crammed into a small space and it simply isn't working.  I am purging and organizing.  I am hoping to have a lot done by the time Joe is done with his training.  Yesterday, I got some great motivation.  I made $25 at the base thrift store!  So I am going to continue to sort through our junk.  Let's hope I make a ton more money. :)