Benjamin Charles

	Benjamin Charles, 18 months

Benjamin Charles was born on March 1st, 1:55 (GMT), at 7lbs 8 ozs. He was 20.5 inches long. He has been a healthy little guy ever since birth, with no major sicknesses. However, he has since been nicknamed "danger boy" due to his daring and love of climbing on anything and everything. He also likes to destroy things and Toby's Lego people have nicknamed him the "Giant Baby of Death" as he crashes into their towns and sends their buildings falling down. Often one of these little people disappears into the maw of this dangerous creature. :-)

Ben has a sweet spirit. He is gentle with the dogs and cat, petting them gently and murmuring to them. He pets us, too, and likes to brush our hair. Once he even gave mommy a backrub. He loves to give and receive kisses (which, due to their wetness, are only welcomed by his parents) and be held close for a hug. He likes to sit and have a book read to him over and OVER AND OVER! But then, finished, he is off again for another adventure. Sometimes it seems that he never, ever stops moving. The Africans often comment on it - they have never seen a kid so busy!

Recently he has started saying more words, in English and in Portuguese. He "explains" things to us in a babbling language that we can't understand, complete with hand gestures and facial expressions. Apparently whatever he is trying to say is important. He understands and follows directions (when he wants to) and throws massive tantrums when he doesn't get what he wants! We stand back and watch, amazed. Toby never did this. He loves the water especially and spends a great deal of time these days in the kiddie pool we bought for $3 from another missionary. Well worth the investment.

We sure do love our little guy and feel so lucky to have him. We almost hate to see him grow up!

Here's Ben on top of the jungle gym, 9 feet up. He climbs up there himself and screams when we try to drag him down or hold him back. His favorite thing is to be up high.