7 Months Old!

7 Months Old!  How does that even happen?  

Beyond the obvious of finalization and the sealing, this month has brought with it many changes and exciting things.  We finally started giving Benson solids.  We started out with avocado and then some rice cereal and have just let it evolve from there.  For the first couple of weeks he could have taken it or left it, but lately he LOVES eating.  He likes sweet potatoes the best so far.  It is hard to feed him though because he cannot sit still.  He is trying to look everywhere and grab anything in his path at all times.  He got his first 2 teeth this month, the bottom front ones.  His first one he got July 15th.  He is starting to scoot and getting so close to crawling.  He has started to scream.  He screams when he's happy, mad, tired, excited..you name it.  He LOVES Archie the dog, even though Archie is not such a fan of him.  He has started sleeping through the night and sleeps so well in his crib.  He has totally fallen into an amazing nap/eating/sleeping schedule. Thanks to that life has calmed down for the whole family.  Benson is such a sweet, sweet baby.  He is calm and barely ever fusses or cries.  We took him swimming for the first time in Grandma and Grandpa Johnson's pool.  He didn't cry, he didn't smile.  He just kind of acted like it was nothing new.  As my brother in law said, "he is probably the most chill baby ever".  We figure its the islander coming out in him.    His fun personality is showing more and more.  He loves his daddy and laughs much more with Ben than me, but he LOVES his momma.  He has started wanting me around all the time and cries if I leave the room.  (I kind of love that).  He continues to light up our lives more than we could possibly imagine!  

First step into the pool

push ups anyone?  

first time eating solids

on hands and knees for the first time

He finally started feeding himself

loves being up high on daddy's shoulders

First time in a shopping cart.  He loved it until we went over a bump and he hit his head against the back.  Ya, not so much love after that.

Making new friends (usually girls for some reason)

Someday these two will be best buddies

He is PURE JOY!

FINALIZATION DAY!!!!

Today was a huge day for us because today we legally became a family.  Benson's adoption was finalized in court and he is now officialy BENSON KEKOA CRISANTO!  There has not been one day since Benson was placed with us that he has not been part of our family and our child, but today it is legal and final. It was a big day! We are so blessed!

Our family members that came to support us.  Grandma and Grandpa Johnson and Rachelle (Johnson) Hardman.  (Tiffany Johnson is taking the pictures, but she was there too)

Daddy, Benson and Mommy sitting at our official place in the courtroom waiting for the judge

Benson being adorable as ever

This was our wonderful lawyer.  

Playing on the table

The Crisanto family with our judge.  (Can you tell I had been crying a bit?  It was an emotional experience.)

We are so excited to have the adoption finalized and for Benson to be a part of our family.  Each and every day he makes us happier than we ever thought possible.  We love him more than we ever though possible.  Yay for finalization day! 

May 9th-June 14th

It's been way too long again.  There is so much to share.  Benson's 5th month has been very full.

At the beginning of the month Benson started rolling over consistently from his back to his tummy.

This month we got to take Benson to the beach for the first time.  Ben and I both LOVE the beach and the ocean and it was so much fun to share that with Benson.  We actually went to the coast twice this month. The first time was to Seaside Oregon. over Mother's Day weekend. This is where Ben and I went on our honeymoon six years ago so it holds a special place in our hearts and now it will also be Benson's first beach experience.

LOVE

Just rolling over and hanging out

Benson's first time at the beach.  I think he might love it as much as we do.

It's COLD

Benson's first time "in the ocean"

Benson loves going for walks in the bjorn

Benson's first carousel ride

Happy Mother's Day

 We got Benson a matching Hello Kitty like the one we gave you on placement day.  His is the mini version of yours, which we think is perfect.  

Sierra, we were thinking of you on Mother's Day.  This was a very special day for me, being my first Mother's Day.  You made that happen and we are so grateful to you for that.  We tell Benson about you all the time and hope you and your family are doing well and had a great Mother's Day yourself.

The next time we went to the beach the weather was a little more typical for Oregon.  We went to visit our friends who had rented a beach house near Pacific City.  It was beautiful, but too cold to spend too much time outside.

You guys might remember the Williams. These are our friends that live in Henderson.  Had to get a picture of the best friends with our babies.

Happy Daddy

Benson also started sitting up on his own this month.  He still gets a bit wobbly, but he is doing pretty amazing.

Benson got a new toy this month called the Johnny Jumper.  He seems to really have a lot of fun in it.  He loves it when we turn on music and dance around while he is in it.

Benson has also started teething.  There are no teeth showing yet, but he will chew on ANYTHING he can get his mouth on.  Below are a few examples.

Ice in a mesh pouch

Daddy's head

Mommy's chin

Daddy's nose

Nutter butter packaging (definitely not allowed to eat the actual food)

Here are just some adorable pictures of Benson.  He makes it easy to take lots and lots of them.  With teething he is a bit crankier than he ever has been, but he is still so happy and smiley.  He is loving spending lots of time with his Lolo and Lola and his aunties here in Oregon and doing new things every single day.

Since he is just changing so fast and always doing so many things I will try harder to post more often.  Love you guys.  Hope everything is going well.