April 26, 2008
Way to go Ben!
Ben, Berkeley, CA, Canon Rebel Xti
Ben, Berkeley, CA, Canon Rebel Xti
At the post office counter, my cell phone rings. A little sheepishly, I answer because I see that it's Matt.
Matt: Hi! (clearly very happy about something)
Me: (whispering) I'm at the counter at the post office, what is it?
Matt: Ben pooped in his Baby Bjorn toilet!
Me: Really?! Okay, I'm going to call you back.
Me: (To the post office worker, as a way of apologizing for being on my cell phone during our transaction) My 16 month old just pooped in his little toilet for the first time!
Post office worker #1: Wow! cool...
Post office worker #2: (Really loud booming male voice) He did?! Ben did that? Way to go Ben!
Customer #1: Way to go Ben!
Cutsomer #2: Way to go Ben!
And there we all were, a bunch of strangers really, smiling and happy for Ben and his little victories in life. Way to go Ben. We are so proud of you.
Posted on April 26, 2008 02:09 PMThat photo made me smile and that story made me laugh out loud!
Hooray for life's little triumphs. This is only the beginning. : )
i love moments like this.
i Love sharing + hEARing abt. moments like this!
xx
Posted by: Delia at May 2, 2008 07:16 AMi love moments like this.
i Love sharing + hEARing abt. moments like this!
xx
Posted by: Delia at May 2, 2008 07:16 AMYay Ben! What a big boy you are!
Posted by: Malia at April 30, 2008 04:28 PMThose firsts sure are a lot of fun aren't they, and very exciting!!
And by the way, since I'm not a parent I don't really know all the milestones and all that, but Little Dude's sure got a mouth full of teeth, doesn't he? That's awesome!!
Posted by: Jennifer at April 30, 2008 09:35 AMOK. I am like waaaaaaay impressed!!! My son is 18 months and I'm not sure that we will be potty trained before age 10 :) Way to go, Ben!
Posted by: Lisa at April 29, 2008 10:54 AM(i always think to myself, "another one for my photo album." like he's family.)
Posted by: christine at April 29, 2008 05:05 AMthe picture with ben laughing really delightedly is by far my favorite of all i've seen. you know, i'm a little embarrassed to admit it, but i collect most of your ben pictures. it's so weird, since we're not even related and we don't even know each other, but i feel like i love ben so. i can't explain it. reading about him and how you struggled so much, totally endeared me to this baby of yours. and when i see or hear about him, it's like how id' feel if he was my sister's son or my friend's son. i feel so proud of him, of his even being here in this world, of his journey, that i can't help it. thank you for sharing.
Posted by: christine at April 29, 2008 05:02 AMCongratulations, Ben. Next stop: Underoos!
Posted by: Jody Reale at April 28, 2008 08:05 PMGood job, big boy!
Posted by: Leah at April 28, 2008 05:32 PMthat is one of the cutest stories i have ever heard. he is getting so big, he doesn't have that baby look anymore.
oh and way to go ben :)
Posted by: Jen b at April 28, 2008 04:48 PMI think those are two of my favorite pics so far...
Posted by: jessica at April 28, 2008 02:06 PMI think those are two of my favorite pics so far...
Posted by: jessica at April 28, 2008 02:06 PMhe looks so 'grown up' in that first pic...
Posted by: michelle/tangled wings at April 28, 2008 01:05 PMyay Ben!!! he is such a cutie.
i heart your post office. ; )
xoxo
Posted by: schmoops at April 28, 2008 11:02 AMWay to go Ben! And congrats Andrea!
Posted by: Gayla at April 28, 2008 10:31 AMI agree with Jen! Poop party for Ben!
I'll bring the party hats and poo poo platter. (Sorry, I just had to.)
xo C.
Posted by: christine at April 28, 2008 10:01 AMGo Ben!!!
Love the way you are rocking your world!
Go Ben!!!
Love the way you are rocking your world!
Way to go Ben!
It's the simple things in life that bring cause for celebration (especially potty training!)
Posted by: amber at April 28, 2008 05:59 AMRock out! Way to go, Ben!
Posted by: Dr. S at April 28, 2008 04:04 AMyes...lets have a poop party for our blueberry poop savant!
he rocks.
we love him.
his smile is contagious.
xoxo
Posted by: boho girl at April 27, 2008 09:01 PMHave you ever read anything by Neale Donald Walsch (Conversations with God, etc.)? When I read your story about Ben and the post office I thought of the idea that comes up in his writing a lot - about how one of the big things we're to do as souls is remind each other that we are all one, we all come from the same place. This idea of connection creates so many wonderful possibilities. And your story just kind of felt like that - like a big celebration for Ben - but also some kind of recognition of one another too. Like when we celebrate each other, we're celebrating ourselves as well. Cause it just DOES feel so good to see Ben's sweet face on your site and to imagine his accomplishment, you know? The sense of happiness and pride and joy at being so joyful about poop! And then knowing that's being shared by others too - this feels like what I call a God moment. Maybe I'm not explaining it very well, but it's what came to mind, so I'm trying :-)
Posted by: Jennifer at April 27, 2008 07:35 PMYay Ben!
One of my funniest memories of my sons is when the little guy called the bigger guy to look at one of his, err, "accomplishments" in the toilet. He was thoroughly impressed. They called me in to look too, but I took their word for it. ;)
What is it with boys and poopie anyway?
Posted by: krystyn at April 27, 2008 03:30 PMBen looks just as though he is enjoying and smirking a little about his accomplishment in the first photo :> And the second one is like happiness blowing up right in front of your face. Thank you for putting a wide smile on my face today!
and I also want to thank you for putting a start to a whole new source of inspiration and creativity for me.. I've recently began photographing. The first thing I've realized is that it is a great way to beat down that feeling that your life is passing by too fast. I've enjoyed every second behind the lens.
Posted by: Al at April 27, 2008 01:23 PMSnaps to Ben! I don't have a child but I know this is big!!
Posted by: creativelyselfemployed.com at April 27, 2008 10:07 AMSnaps to Ben! I don't have a child but I know this is big!!
Posted by: creativelyselfemployed.com at April 27, 2008 10:06 AMWAY TO GO, BEN! :)
Posted by: Trisha at April 27, 2008 10:04 AMi love the fact that as mamas we can actually get excited about poop. but i think it is even better that all your local post office people did too. there is hope for our world when we can all still rejoice in these things.
we have that little toilet. right now our boys think it is the greatest climbing object ever, but i am hoping they eventually like to poop in it too.
way to go ben!!! we love your accomplishments.
Posted by: mamie at April 27, 2008 08:47 AMi love the fact that as mamas we can actually get excited about poop. but i think it is even better that all your local post office people did too. there is hope for our world when we can all still rejoice in these things.
we have that little toilet. right now our boys think it is the greatest climbing object ever, but i am hoping they eventually like to poop in it too.
way to go ben!!! we love your accomplishments.
Posted by: mamie at April 27, 2008 07:43 AMYet another reason why I think Berkeley is one of the greatest places on Earth! Way to go, Ben! Way to go, people who know how to say it out loud!!!
Posted by: GreenishLady at April 27, 2008 07:02 AMi think we need to have a special poop party for Ben!
he is such a smart little boy! give him a smooch for me on
his cute face!
xoxox
Wooo!!!!! Ben is a rock star!
Posted by: Megan at April 27, 2008 06:31 AMGo Ben!
i can hear your little boy's laugh from here...his smile is infectious.
Posted by: deniz at April 27, 2008 05:03 AMwhat delicious photos of your boy. sparkly eyes and the sweetest of smiles.
Posted by: amy at April 27, 2008 03:59 AMWow...16 months... I can hardly believe that it's been that long since been has been gracing this world.
Victories, large or small, are still sweet.
Go BEN!
Posted by: Anna at April 27, 2008 01:14 AMAwesome! I have been meaning to get a potty for my son-this inspires me to get one tomorrow!
Posted by: Shalini at April 26, 2008 11:15 PMYay Ben!
My son is 16 months and has a potty from IKEA, not interested in using it yet, but I'm hopeful it will be soon.
I saw your green cake on Flickr.... would you like to share that picture in our Dessert Carnival? Come visit me at www.houseinroses.blogspot.com
Cielo
Posted by: cielo at April 26, 2008 07:50 PMToo cute!
I am sitting here cheesing from ear to hear! Thanks for putting a smile on my face today.
Way to go Ben!
So what's your secret. Sean turns 16 mos on Monday, and I didn't think he was ready yet!
Posted by: Robyn at April 26, 2008 03:46 PMHilarious!
I'm smiling and celebrating right along with you :-)
Adorable photos, too.
Posted by: Lisa at April 26, 2008 03:09 PMWay to go Ben!
Have your heard the song, "poop goes in the potty"? It is on the 'For the Kids 3' soundtrack. Also available on iTunes.
Posted by: chris at April 26, 2008 02:59 PMI love this vignette about your Ben. Way to go is right!
Posted by: hannah m at April 26, 2008 02:52 PM