Quick shots from a weekend in Berlin - Ben loves his baby friends!

photo dump part 2: our orange m&m :)

photo dump part 1.

There is no other purpose for this post other than to say that: Ben is getting chubbier and cuter and sillier by the day and we have never been happier. Here is some photographic proof of his expanding cuteness in the form of a humungous photo dump!

the surprising life

Like any typical 5-month old baby, Ben likes to wake up at night and nurse. Last night around 11pm he stirred and cried out. I went to his crib, picked him up and he immediately calmed. I nursed him and he was peacefully asleep again in 10 minutes.

I ask you: is there any sweeter joy than feeling a chubby little babe melt into calm contentment when you pick them up? Just at your touch? I remember working with the mums in Brazil, helping them feel more connected to their babies, who had been born in very different circumstances from Ben. I'd be with the mum and their baby, and often the baby would cry and the mum was just too tired of life to comfort them. So I would just pick them up, or stroke their cheek, and they immediately calmed. Sigh. No better feeling, nothing more full of love than a child and the peace he gets from the physical presence of someone who cares. (And believe me, those girls in Brazil did care a whole lot. Life is just really hard sometimes.)

The first two weeks with Ben I remember thinking- it cannot get more amazing or perfect than this! He was so fresh and perfect. But I'm amazed how as the months now pass by, my heart seems everyday closer to bursting. The joy and love Ben brings to our lives is just unparalleled, indescribable.

I know this is sappy, but I gotta put it out there. You guys. We love our little family and our little man. It's so amazing that we get to experience this kind of love. I know most everyone who reads this will have experienced it too - isn't it amazing? Like this great secret that no one can describe. That happens over and over again, but is still miraculous.

Here is a photo of Ben and me in our backyard. This time in Germany will always be so special to us - we are both at home, splitting the day in half so we both work and both spend time with our man. Weekends are work-free, and spent church-ing and napping. You guys, I tell you: life is so good. I wish it could stay like this forever. (Alas, we will have to join the real world of not working from home oh too soon! We are spoiled brats at the moment, believe me I know.)

excuse my dorky voice and concentrate on ben :)

Germany thus far

Look at that precious little boy asleep... oh how we love him! We are so spoiled these days to be surrounded so constantly by family, first in the US and now in Germany. It's such a beautiful luxury. This weekend we move into our own little flat in Rückersdorf, just outside Nürnberg, and life will get a bit more quiet. But for the moment we're enjoying the company of cousins for Ben! Toni and I are both back to work, and happily split the day so Ben is always well played with. I've been working on more maternal health projects - one in Mozambique for Save the Children, another 34-country UNICEF report on infant vaccines against pneumonia and diarrhea. It's good to feel active again, but still be able to nurse Ben and be with him most all of the day. Again, this is a luxury and I am so amazed at how precious this time is, where we can both spend so many hours with family and each other, watching Ben grow. The days are peaceful, and end with singing Ben softly to sleep. Oh! Blessed, perfect little person. Happy.

Turning 3 to 4 months in Sundance...

Sundance was heaven. A month there flew by much faster than expected. Alas.... :/ Ben grew so much, and is changing so rapidly. We love our little boy. Oh, my heart bursts each time I look at him!

Photo dump, per usual!:

Ben loves the cousin's bench in Sundance!

It's tradition for the Parker cousins to all congregate on this bench with smoothies. Ben's inaugural shot! Someone needs to come up with a collection through the years :)

Thanks for the nursing pillow, Mimi! Gah, that saved my back, and Ben loved to chill on it ;)

Good hair day!

Happy,

Happy,

Happy,

HAPPY!!!! :)

Ben loovveeddd this mobile dear Jordan gave him from Zambia.

And loved looking up at the wind and sun through the trees!

Miles, lego master, made Ben his Big counterpart :)

So fun to show Ben Elk Meadow and all the mountains we know so well...

Epic!

Love love love.

Thanks for hosting us for so long, Brama and Pa! I know you'll miss Ben's cuddles and laughs first thing in the morning. Alas. Til December!!