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Written Sunday night at 11pm:
I am waiting for Benji to calm down so I can go into the kitchen and clean. I'd like to start one week with the kitchen not looking like we throw things as we cook. Of course, to Benji, me in the kitchen means I could drop food at any moment. Doesn't happen often, but he will be there just in case. His click, click, click on the floor is loud, and Jon and Lexi are both asleep, so a calm Benji is needed. It isn't an easy thing.

Lexi has grown by leaps and bounds in experiences in just the past few days. She is not walking or talking, but she is doing just about everything else. She amazes me. I am realizing that she is incredibly smart. She gets a certain look on her face when she's about to do something that she is pretty sure I don't want her to do. She does it anyway, and smiles. Her new favorite thing to do is roll or crawl her way over to me and yell aaaaahhhhhh and then pull my hair because she knows I will also say aaaaahhhhhh. Then we aaaaahhhhhh together for awhile and we both start laughing. Great fun for her. My hair does not enjoy it, but I have to admit that I do. This little girl can do so many more things than I thought an eight month old was capable of. I admit I don't know much about child development, but I would have guessed she wouldn't master things like pulling herself up on her feet, waving, or repeating da da da da da on command until at least a year old. We have had some teething pain and some wow I don't think I slept last night times, but overall this parenthood thing fits the cliche- it's so much more wonderful than I could have ever imagined. When she puts her little face against mine and laughs and smiles and gives me a little open mouthed kiss, my heart absolutely melts. This is love! -Jenni

It is now Tuesday at 9am. I am trying to add pics to this while Lexi plays on the floor, so I don't have much time. Benji never did calm down. I went to bed around midnight, and two minutes later Benji had to go outside. Figures. It's like having two kids. Hope you enjoy the pics.