Makin' faces

Benjamin dreaming in his chair

More Christmas pics

Click on the photo, then click the Slideshow button.

Christmas 2006

Click the photo, then click the Slideshow button.

I AM TWO MONTHS OLD!

Just wanted to give a little update on my progress and adjustment to this big, wide world.

Mommy and Daddy took me to the Doctor's yesterday...Mommy was right (as usual)...I am a very big boy at 13 1/2 pounds and 24 1/4 inches - apparently that puts me way over the 90% mark. Everything else was great, I am right on or ahead of the game in all the milestones.

I was, however, not so thrilled with the other part of the appointment...The shots! Daddy held me while the mean, mean doctor guy put NEEDLES IN MY THIGHS! THE NERVE! To top it off it turns out I am too young for the lollipop to sooth the pain. I basically forgot all about it ten minutes later, but apparently I have to go back next month...

So, coming up, Mommy and Daddy keep telling me about this big guy in a red suit that will come down the chimney in a couple days....Sounds cool and all, but what I am really looking forward to is my Pops, Mormor, Grandma, Grandpa, Great-Grandma, Great-Grandpa, Aunt Elizabeth, and of course Aunt Mer (who is traveling all the way from LA to see me)...They are all so excited about holding me, and loving me, and sharing my first Christmas....I AM A VERY LUCKY BOY!

Happy Christmas, Benjamin Leo Cottam

Three new pics from Grandpa Cottam

Just a few more pics from December

Click to see all 6 photos

Getting ready for Christmas

Click to see a slideshow

Thanksgiving etc.

Thanksgiving etc....click on the plate (handmade for Benjamin Leo Cottam by our friend Debbie Grant, of D&D Ceramics) for a slideshow.

Happy baby boy

I seem to have learned to smile (finally!).

Dancing with grandma

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

Grandma Cottam and Benjamin after a long day of feasting and playing "pass the baby".

Four Generations of Cottam men

Above--four generations of Cottam boys: Benjamin, Michael, Renae, and Lavell.

Below--Michael is the youngest, in Renae's arms, and Lavell and his father, Charles Walter Cottam.

Time to meet my great-grandparents!

Click to see my photo album

Benjamin wriggling on the rug

...with a brief guest appearance by the fat & furry Absolut.

Benjamin sings (well, hums anyway) in his sleep

I got to meet my Auntie Meredith

1st visit with Auntie Meredith

(Click on the photo to see the slideshow)

Hallowe'en 2006

Oh, it was a long night (see the 2nd photo)...but we got through it, with barely some candy left for Mommy and me. Click on the photo to get to the album, then click on Slideshow...

Halloween2006

Columbia Park

Pics from our walk in Columbia Park

Click for Photos from Ben's first week at home

Benjamin first week at home

Including Cat Integration, a faceplant in the bed, and the making of various creative, wise faces. Click on the photo to see the slideshow.

Benjamin's first visit to Rotary

Well, he wasn't there in person, but he was in spirit (and on the big screen too). This is from the Portland downtown Rotary club's Tuesday lunch at the Governor Hotel.

Click for Photo album from the hospital

Benjamin at the hospital (click picture for photo album and slideshow)

Ta da! I'm here!

At about 6:41PM Wednesday, October 18th, I decided to make my appearance. Apparently I yelled a lot, so perhaps I wasn't so happy about it at the time, but I'm happy now! I weigh 8lbs 11 ounces, I'm 20 3/4 inches long, and I've got Grandpa Proost's red hair.

Yep, that's a contraction all right!

It's 2:30PM and Mel's on an epidural and inducement medicine. Lots of contractions, as you can see from the chart on the monitor. Dilated now to 4cm...

My first car!!!

The weekend before I was born, Mommy and Daddy bought me a new baby boy blue car! They call it the Blueberry....

My first cruise

Mommy & Daddy took me on a cruise. Mommy got grumpy cause she couldn't have wine and champagne...somehow that's supposed to be MY fault!

Here, kitty kitty...

Just you wait until I get out, and get coordinated enough to grab your tail! We're going to have SO MUCH FUN!!!! :-)

Benjamin on the radar

This is me, swimming in the sea of Mommy...on submarine radar!