Ben = Best Gift Ever

     

I have the greatest adoptive-parents ever. This weekend, they ventured 200 miles over the snowy pass to visit me! Benjamin is so gosh darn beautiful. He's almost 10 months old now. He, crawls, walks if you hold his fingers, has 5 teeth for now, smiles at the camera, loves looking at himself in pictures, videos and mirrors; and he waves at me when he's drinking his bottle. 

       I was determined to get through this visit with all smiles, but it is impossible when dealing with Ben's birthfather. We went to dinner the first night where Ben managed to spill an entire cup of ice cold water on his parents. He's so curious about all the lights, and sounds; I could just sit there and watch him exist and it would be the best day ever. 

       Ben got to meet his birth-grandparents too (if that's even a thing.) We all just sat around him all day and played with him and loved him. 

       Ann and Derek also brought us presents, which just proves how perfect they are. Background: While we were placing Ben, Ann brought me a bag of soaps and lotions that are lilac scented; my favorite scent. I looked back through all our emails to figure out when she figured that out. Turns out it was a super tiny detail in one of my longest messages telling her about myself. Present: Ann bought me a book for Christmas; yes, I already opened it. But it wasn't just any random book. It's Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton. It's photography in such a raw, imperfect form. It's stories and quotes that make me feel a whole range of emotions. It's perfect. It's something I almost bought for myself.

       I love this season of giving. It shows what people think of you. She knows how much I love photography, and she also sees that I share or like most of HONY's posts. I read the whole thing last night! I totally recommend it to anyone. But you know what's even better? The sacrifice of long drives, hotel stays, all just to let me love my sweet baby for a day.