Ben at Six Months

Hey cute boy! Yeah, I'm talking to you...

On Sunday you turned six months. Yesterday was your six month appointment with Dr. Birkenstock. As if we needed your pediatrician to tell us this - you continue to grow just like you should.

"Duh, Mom... I always finish my bottles, just like you like me to."

You now weigh 17 pounds 4 ounces (25th percentile)

You're measuring at 27 1/2 inches (75th percentile)

And, your head is 43 1/2 centimeters (25th percentile)

And those eyes... those blue blue eyes...

Besides those monthly stats, you are rolling all over the place. You will start off on one side of the room and before we know it you're all the way over to the other side. Your crawling is mostly just little pushes with your toes, like a little inch worm. But, we're pretty sure that full-out-crawling is just around the corner.

Your most favorite place to be is outside. You seem to especially love your walks down to the grove of redwood trees in Grandpa's arms or circling the large umbrella tree across the street in your stroller with Grandma.

We sort of accidentally discovered that you love that big purple dinosaur... he does have some pretty catchy tunes that make you smile. We're flying in an airplane, looking out the window watching the clouds go by... Your smiles often turn into delightful squeals. I'm thinking I should make your Daddy a nice purple and green costume. (Not sure how he feels about that, though.)

We've started feeding you Big Boy Food. So far you've tried watermelon, bananas, avocado and steamed carrots. You especially love bananas. We're excited that this time of year will give you the chance to try lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.

You are a big talker... if only we could understand all your exciting stories. We hope you don't ever tire of having so much to say. (Although you might have to remind that I said that in a couple of years!)

And, one of my favorite things you do now... when I reach down to pick you up, you've started to reach up toward me. I love it!

We continue to feel that we are the luckiest parents in the world to have you in our arms. There are no words to express the joy you bring into our life.

You are pure joy, my son! Oh, how we love you!

Four Months

Dear Sweet Benjamin,

This week you turned four months old. I can hardly believe how fast these months have gone and how quickly you're growing from newborn baby to little boy. In some ways it feels like yesterday that we held you for the first time, and in other ways I can't seem to remember what life was like without you. Now that you're here, it feels like you've always been a part of us. 

You now weigh 14 pounds 12 ounces and you're measuring at 25 1/2 inches long. Your head circumference is 42 1/2 centimeters. According to your pediatrician, "you're perfect." 

We love your infectious smile. You smile at complete strangers that pause to adore you, but we especially love the special smiles reserved for Mom and Dad. You manage to melt our hearts every time.

We love the way you giggle, especially while you sleep. We can't help but wonder what your dreams are made of.

We love how you've learned to squeal... though it's cuter when you do it out of excitement than when you've reached the point of complete exhaustion and are fighting sleep.

During your daytime feedings you've started to get distracted by anything going on around us. I've learned that humming to you usually helps to keep you focused. And, it's even better when you start humming along with me.

While your nighttime feedings sometimes make me a bit sleep deprived, I love those bonding moments we have in the darkness of the night. You have started to sleep for 5 hour stretches already (on some nights) and I'm not sure how I feel about that yet. 

And, in the morning when you wake up and refuse to be anywhere but cuddled in someone's arms, I feel so lucky to most often be the one that gets that cuddle time with you. I think it might just be my most favorite part of the day.

But, I also really love our play time together. When we pull you into a sitting position, you'll automatically jump to your feet. We get the feeling you're going to keep us on our toes!

Your tummy time is proving to add to your strength... the last few weeks you've been so close to rolling over and just this morning you rolled over completely for the first time. Yay! And, my favorite part of our play time is when I lean in to kiss your cheeks and you grab at my face and hair. I love our interactions of every kind!

For the last month or so you've been chewing on everything, especially your fingers. But, lately you've also been getting your big slobbery mouth attached to my cheeks. I love your kisses (even if you don't necessary consider them kisses yourself, I do!).

Right now you're taking a nap and I can't wait for the moment you wake up... I'll greet you like I do after every nap with a "hi my baby boy, how was your nap?" And, just like you do every time, you'll respond with your ear-to-ear grin and then wait patiently for me to scoop you up into my arms.

Oh my little boy, these are just a few of the things that make you completely irresistible and absolutely adorable. We are so lucky and blessed to have you in our family... and it's only going to get better from here.

We love you. So much.