Since the time that Benjamin "Javier" Gutierrez was born he has amazed his parents.

He was born 10 weeks early and weighed only two pounds.  Doctors did not think he would survive, but he learned to eat quickly and was sent home five weeks later, weighing three pounds, his mother, Melissa Gutierrez, said.

While most children spend the first few years of life growing and developing normally, Javier, as his family calls him, had two hernias repaired, had his tonsils and adenoids removed, and due to low birth weight, he had an underdeveloped inner ear.  He was almost deaf in one ear and had minor hearing loss in the other ear.

"Javier was very difficult to understand as a toddler," she said. "He went to preschool, but he cried a lot because they did not know what he wanted."

A hearing aid changed things for the youngster. He began speaking English and learned sign language.  Within a year Javier was reading, writing, speaking English and signing American Sign Language.

At age 9, he weighs about 70 pounds, and he takes on the weight of the world.  For starters, the 4th grader's father, Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gutierrez, is deployed, and in his absence, Javier understands that he is the man of the house.  He helps his mother with his sister, and he has learned to cook eggs, pancakes, mashed potatoes, cupcakes, and cookies.

"Yes, I cook," he said. "I help my mom however I can.  I play with my brother, and I get my mom a wash cloth when she is sick.  Sometimes I massage her feet, and I do chores around the house."

For fun, Javier goes to church groups, takes German lessons, and participates in an after school reading club, CYS sports and a boxing league in which he competes.  On a recent afternoon, he wrapped his hands in his green boxing wrap and talked about his life, accomplishments, and future.

Javier has more responsibilities than that of the average 9-year-old, and he excels at taking care of the house, his mother said.  He is quite self-sufficient, she added.

"His sister's programs overlap with his schedule so sometimes Javier walks or rides his bike to boxing practice," Gutierrez said. "He makes it there on time ready to work out. He has learned to do what needs to be done."

When he isn't helping his mom or doing chores, he has his head in the clouds.  Javier aspires to be an Army pilot.

"His doctor told him he does not agree with some of the activities he participates in, but he has already done more than what the doctor thought he would be able to do," she said.  "He is determined.  There is nothing he can't do. He is aware that there are hearing impaired restrictions on some careers, but he wants to be a pilot."