December 16th: Three Months Old!

*I am behind!! I wrote this a week after his third month birthday. Hard to believe he'll be 4 months old in a week...

Happy three months, Ben!

I don’t know how you did it --- but you’re even cuter this month than the last. You’ve always been a smiley baby, but this month your smiles got big and wide! And perhaps our favorite thing --- you started to laugh! One day Daddy and I were listening to iTunes to check out new music and you started laughing at an A capella Christmas song (Pentatonix). Of course, we had to purchase the song and we played it over and over again to make you laugh. And maybe I was funny dancing to the music. ;) We’ll do just about anything to make you laugh!

I had some really difficult moments during this month. We transitioned you out of your bassinet in our room to the crib in your nursery. I honestly think I could have kept you in our room forever. ;) You didn’t love sleeping in the crib for your first few naps, but you slept through that first night and have been sleeping in your crib for a couple of weeks now. You’re so easygoing! I also went back to work right before you turned three months old. It is so hard leaving you during the day. I miss you from the moment I leave for work until the moment I get back home to see you. Everyone tells me it will get better, but I have a feeling moms always miss their babies (even when their babies are 30, haha).

You celebrated your first Thanksgiving! Your Nana Patti, Grandma Donna, Grandpa Gary, Great Uncle Greg and Great Aunt Jenn came to visit. You loved being held all day long and smiling at your family. We went to a Christmas tree farm and Daddy cut down your first Christmas tree. We decorated the house for Christmas and can’t wait to celebrate with you.

Grandma Donna came out to watch you during my first week back at work. You had a lot of fun playing games and reading books all day long! It was so nice to have you stay at home for a few more weeks before you start daycare. We were also spoiled: Grandma baked us cookies, bread, and a cake.

You had two more playdates with your friend Reese! It’s so cute to see you two together. You both are reaching milestones at the same time and it’s fun to talk with Reese’s mom about how big you both are getting. We can’t wait to watch your friendship grow!

You try to move every chance you get. You’re almost constantly pumping your legs and arms, and I just know once you’re able to move you’re always going to be on the go! You grasp your toys and are able to bring toys to your mouth. You like to eat your hands, and you’re showing teething behaviors but no teeth yet! You are able to roll onto your side from your back. We had to stop swaddling you at night because you’re going to roll over any day now! You are getting so strong. You are able to hold your head up and do a “push up”. (picture) All of your 0-3 month clothes are in storage and you’re wearing 3-6 month clothes exclusively. We can’t wait to see how big you are at your 4 month appointment in January!

Likes: board books, silly animal noises, music and being sung to, owl book, black and white skunk, ribbon mobile, baths (you LOVE baths), play gym, swing, being bounced, silly dancing, watching television (we have to keep it off most of the time!), LA Galaxy winning the MLS cup

Dislikes: cherry flavor (Vitamin D drops), your car seat when it’s not moving, being stationary for more than a few minutes, being startled, still don’t like Jurgen Klinnsman  

We are so looking forward to your first Christmas!

Two Months

Happy two months, Benjamin!

You've had a busy and exciting month! You met your GrammaDonna and GrandpapaGary for the first time! I think it was love at first sight. ;) You had so much fun reading books, being held 24/7 and playing with your new black and white skunk! 

It was also my first extended amount of time away from you (a whopping five hours! haha) --- although I missed you terribly, I knew you were in good hands with your grandparents!  

At your six week appointment, you weighed 12 lbs 6 oz and were 23 inches long. You fall in the 83rd percentile for height, 81st for weight and 94th for head circumference. You are getting so big so quickly! You had your first round of vaccinations at this appointment ---- 3 shots. You were a champ! You only cried until I picked you up and rocked you. You ended up with a slight fever from your shots and we spent most of the day cuddling. I think Daddy gets to take you to your 4 month appointment for your next shots... ;) 

We took you to your first Halloween party. We went as Clark Kent and Lois Lane, and you were our Superbaby. Unfortunately, we had a diaper incident prior to leaving for the party and you ended up just going as our adorable baby. ;) We also went to a tailgate baby shower thrown for you. The Bears lost to the Patriots, but it's good to set your expectations low for your football team while you're young. ;) You seem to really enjoy social gatherings! 

Your Grandpa Randy drove in from Colorado to meet you! You were showered with Huskers gear and I think you like all the red and black outfits! ;) We had a lot of fun going on walks at the park before the weather got cold. You had a lot of fun with your Grandpa! 

We went on our first trip with you at 7 weeks old. We drove to Chicago and you met your Uncle Randy for the first time! Then we flew to Arizona for your Aunt Brittany's wedding. You were awesome on the flight --- slept the entire time both on the trip there and back to Chicago. I wore you in a Moby wrap and you seemed pretty content flying. You met your Aunt Brittany, Uncle Chris, Uncle Nick and even your dad's best friend, Uncle Patrick! You slept during the wedding and most of the reception. Everyone kept saying you were such a good baby, and we couldn't agree more. :) You really are spoiling us! 

Yo.

You are becoming more alert every day. You are sleeping 6-7 hour stretches pretty consistently at night. A few nights ago, you slept for 8 hours! I'm not ready to say you're sleeping through the night quite yet, but I think we're getting there! You are wearing 0-3 month clothing, but some of those clothes are getting too small. This month we've really noticed how alert you've become. You love reading books and playing with your playmat. You're lifting your head so high and turning it from side to side. You love tummy time, and you love to be held upright so you can look at the world around you. You are so curious! You love looking in the mirror, and you LOVE your daddy. He makes you laugh so much! Our favorite development this month is your smile. We do everything possible to make you smile, including singing silly songs. ;) 

red light!

Likes: tummy time, being held, walks in the stroller, music, dancing with mommy and daddy (and ginny), black and white skunk toy, black and white books, fun on the farm book, eating, baths

dislikes: being hungry, your bouncy chair, jurgen klinnsman*

We can't wait to see what month 3 brings!

just chillin'

mommy's so funny ;)

*I'm just assuming ;) 

October 16th: 1 month

Happy 1 month, Ben! 

Benjamin, you are such a joy in our lives and you are certainly keeping us on our toes! I can't believe how quickly this first month flew by. You are already so awake and alert. You grow everyday! 

During your last day at the hospital, you tested at a high risk for jaundice. We had to bring you in for labwork the next day and the pediatrician ordered you a billibed to use at home. I was happy that you didn't need to be admitted to the hospital, but I maaay have cried a little knowing your first full day at home with us would be spent in a billibed. 

You were such a champ --- you never cried during any heel pricks for the labwork. And although you hated the billibed, you were really good as long as either Mom or Dad was next to you. We read you a lot of books that day! I also slept on the floor next to you all night and let you hold on to my finger with your hand so you would get some sleep. Your labwork the next day was improving, so we only had to have you in the billibed for half a day more. By your two week appointment, everything was looking good and you had gained back all the weight lost at the hospital plus an extra 6 ounces. 

When you were nine days old, we had the most adorable photos taken of you*. Although it was nice and cozy warm during the photoshoot, you were not a fan of being moved around and squished together! Every time the photographer would move you into position, you'd move back to where you were most comfortable. You gave the photographer some sass, and we kind of love you for it. ;) 

I mean, c'mon now. 

We love to catch your smiles when you're dreaming!

Too cute to handle.

Everyone was so excited to meet you. Your Nana stayed with us for a few weeks and you were able to get in a lot of good snuggles and bonding time. You really love to be held! From day one, you've had really good neck control. You don't love tummy time on your mat right now, but you love being held upright so you can look around. Your pediatrician was pretty impressed by your neck control and strength, and your Mom and Dad are already boasting about your strengths to anyone who will listen ;) Right now your one newborn-sized sleep'n'play fits perfectly, while your 0-3 month clothes are a little big. You are growing so fast, I don't think you'll be able to fit in that newborn size for long! You are sleeping for 3-4 hour stretches at night and 2-3 hour stretches during the day. 

You also had your first-ever playdate with your friend Reese (just five days younger!)**. She napped the entire time. I bounced and rocked you while drinking a large Coffeesmiths latte. ;) We're pretty sure you're going to be one active boy! 

Likes: Being held, rocked and/or swaddled; eating; "reading" books (especially books with baby faces and your farm animals book); car rides; walks in your stroller  

Dislikes: the billibed; your swing and bouncy chair; lying flat; baths; diaper changes 

Life is definitely different around here now, and we wouldn't have it any other way. 

*These photos WILL be showcased at your high school graduation, college graduation and wedding. 
**It took this new Momma two hours to get out the door for this playdate.