eighteen month stats

Weight: 28.4 lbs - 93%

Height: 33 in. - 70%

Head: 47.2 cm. - 45%

We had a good doctors appointment, but learned quickly that Benson does not like his doctor. Listening to his lungs and checking his ears created quite the tantrum. But he is in great health and all is well!

eighteen months.

My baby is a toddler now although I still think he is my baby. There is no way I can recap 6 months, but there are a few highlights and fun things about Benson that I don't want to forget.
Diapers: size 5
Clothes: 18-24 months
Shoes: 5
Likes: tubby time, Curious George, trucks, trains, balls, music, folding his arms for prayers, books
Dislikes: getting his ears cleaned, getting his fingernails clipped, when we can't figure out what he wants but he clearly knows what he wants
Words: please, mom, dad, truck, duck, wow, uh-huh, ball, what's that, cheese, choo-choo, car, vroom-vroom
Animal noises: dog, cow, horse, monkey, bear
Favorite foods: yogurt, eggs, veggie straws, anything you can dip, all fruit. Lately we have been going through a bit of a food funk with him. He is not eating many of the foods he used to (like cheese and beans), but he is slowly doing better. I had to bring back some baby food jars just so I felt like he was getting some nutrition and veggies. I nursed him until he was 14 months old. It was way harder for me to wean him than it was for him. He loves his milk and won't take his sippy out of his mouth until the milk is gone.
Sleep: We dropped his second nap when he was 16 months old. He was a dream sleeper up until then and his one nap a day has been hit and miss. Sometimes he sleeps for 3 hours and sometimes only 1.5 hours. I never know. And we have been struggling with sleeping through the night again. He is usually good, but again some weird funk he is in right now has thrown it all off.
Teeth: molars, canines, top and bottom four. We are still waiting for one more bottom canine to pop through. I can see it so hopefully soon.

I am sure there is so much more I can add, but that is a good list so far. He has become our little buddy and I sure love having him around me all day. 18 month old stats coming soon! Doctors appt later this week.

eleven months.

What's going on with Benson this month:
- Making much better progress with table foods.
-As for sleeping...gone way down hill. He is waking up 2 times a night these days. HELP!
-Loved having Grandma and Courtney visiting for a week.
-Had his 1st Easter.

-Learned how to crawl on all fours
-And for the most exciting...he is walking all over. He gets better and better everyday. Still looks a little like Frankenstein as he wobbles with both arms out in front of him.

-Had a few bumps and bruises on his head.
-Loves to give big open mouth kisses.
-Stands up in his crib and usually can't lay back down to sleep.
-Knows where his tongue is and loves to stick it out.

-Loves to get his books and bring them to me.

-Makes this new screeching noise that he loves.

-His favorite thing to do is imitate anyone who coughs or sneezes.

ten months.

This little nugget is still our sweet little guy. His personality is shining more and more.
Fun Facts:
- Benson has been babbling a ton more. Lots of "ba-ba-ba" and "va-va-va" along with all his other sounds and jabbering.
- He goes back and forth with his sleeping through the night. But lately it hasn't been the best and wakes up to eat only once.
- He rolls around at record speeds and is slowly but surely figuring out the whole crawling thing. He has made great strides though. He army crawls with his left hand while his right arm gets stuck underneath him. He will get it. He is definitely getting around though. I will sit him up in my room with toys while I shower and soon he is pounding on the shower door.
- More than anything this boy loves to walk around. He is getting more brave moving around furniture and standing by himself. We are never far from him when he does this though because he will fall instantly. If he could hold our hands, he would walk all day long.
- He loves his baby food, puffs, and Cheerios...and thats about it. He doesn't like to eat table food. If you can get it in his mouth he loves it, but won't feed himself and won't let you feed him anything. Silly boy. Some foods we have tried: eggs, toast, green peppers, yogurt...the last two he does like. It's a slow process as we try to introduce more foods to him. At least he doesn't spit anything out and flat out refuse.

-Benson loves to be outside. We are loving that Spring is here and that Summer is coming. Many park days, bike rides, and swimming to look forward to.

-He loves when he can hear the train that goes by or any fire trucks. He will stop whatever he is doing to listen.
-He has recently discovered that he can stick his tongue out. It is the cutest. Of course when we try to get a picture of him doing it, he stops. So just believe me.
-Each morning Benson brushes his teeth with Matt. He loves copying Matt.

nine months.

Although I didn't mind being pregnant, the nine months we have had Benson have been way better then him being in me. These past nine months have gone by way faster then my pregnancy too. I can't think about the fact that I will have a one year old in 3 months. Not okay.

Weight: 22 lbs 3 oz- 85%

Height: 28 1/2 inches- 65%

Head Circum.: 44.8 cm.- 40%

- Benson is a wanna be walker. He is most happy when he is up holding our hands and walking all over the place.

- He isn't crawling yet, but is making progress. 

- We gave homemade baby food a try. He loves the fruit and hates the veggies. So we do both homemade and jars. It's mostly just something fun and different for me to do.

- He finally got his own highchair and loves it.

-He has had more types of food this month. Puffs were strange for him at first but now he eats them by the fist full. He loves Cheerios and black beans. Still not a fan of avocados. We are looking forward to eating more soft table foods this month.

-Benson got 4 teeth in the last few weeks. Two on top and two on bottom. Those top two were super painful for him and gave us some sleepless nights. It was awful.

- His sleeping at night has gone downhill. I think the teeth threw him off. He has been waking up lots. We are working on getting back on track. Last night he slept the whole night so fingers crossed.

- Benson learned how to do "sooo big" and loves to do it.

- He has also gotten back into his spitting/noise making phase. We think its cute and fun except when it comes to eating time. Not fun. Food gets all over him and me.

- He loves to drink water out of his sippy cup, but loves drinking out of my glass even more.

- Benson still loves his books and now likes to pull them all off his shelf.

- He loves his touchy feely books and knows right where the different textures are. He thinks every book is going to have different textures and feels every page for them.

Sorry buddy, no furry penguin on that page

eight months.

This crazy boy is so fun. He brings so much happiness to us and everyone he sees.

This month Benson:

- figured out how to roll over from his back to tummy and now he rolls all around the room. 

- picks his pacifier up and puts it in his mouth.

- won't sit peacefully on your lap for very long.

- continues to love his food.

- dropped one nap, so 2 naps a day now.

- likes to try to stand on his own.

- sleeps through the night...most nights. 

- rolls all over his bed. We love going in and seeing what position he will be in. The first time I found that he had been sleeping on his stomach totally surprised me.

- is no longer swaddled. I swaddled him with his arms out for a long time.

- has discovered more sounds he can make and that he can get louder with them.

- got his 1st tooth! That sucker is sharp. It is not all the way through yet, but just about. It started pushing through a few days ago and I can feel more on the way.

Yes, he rolled away from his blanket

No, he didn't pull himself up

good reads.

This was a fun light read about ways Gretchen found herself to be more happy. A good reminder about finding the simple joys in life and making it a point to see the good. My favorite thing was her idea of creating her home as a sanctuary of love and family. She did that by having lots of pictures hung in her house. I want more pictures printed, framed, and hung of my family all through my house.

I read this one a while ago, but I still think about it. I loved it and couldn't put it down. Mr. Zamperini sure did suffer a lot, but stood resilient. I don't know if I could stay alive and strong for that long, especially after the hatred he received. Grateful for those who fought for the freedoms I can enjoy.

I read this one right after Nelson Mandela died. His passing was, of course, all over the news and social media. I wanted to know more about his life and the leader he was. This wasn't a real autobiography, but I was able to get a better understanding of who Mandela was. He fought hard for that which he believed was right and fair. He never backed down even when so many disagreed. Through it all he was able to change a country and basically change the world.

 Loved this one as well.  This is a story about two young terminally ill kids who have to look at life as if it is their last, but live it as if they will live forever. They strive to make each other's dreams come true as they fall in love with each other. Kids need good friends, kids need to follow their dreams, and kids need to love to read. Can't wait for the movie!

Okay I saved the best for last. I just finished this book yesterday. I got this book for Christmas and tried to read it whenever I had a second to myself.  You will feel so many emotions in this book. Sadness, anger, joy, and suspense. I felt like I was there while reading. True readers know what I am talking about. It is about a husband and wife living on a remote island as lighthouse keepers who are given what they believe is a gift from God. As they return to the mainland their lives are turned upside down. Oh man...I don't want to give it away. Sooo good. Just read it. You will thank me. I promise.

seven months.

It is getting harder and harder to take these monthly pictures. Benson can now pick up the frame and wave it around. He may or may not have knocked his head with it while in the process. Poor guy. 

Favorites:

- He loves his food. He is eating breakfast and dinner while still nursing 5 times a day with one night feeding.

- So far he has had sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, green beans, peas, and peaches. He always eats the whole jar and would probably eat more if I gave it to him.

- Smiles and interacts way more, but to get a laugh requires some work.

- Rolls over both ways from tummy to back.

-Loved every second of his trip to Florida

-Did well on another plane ride.

-Loves Wheels on the Bus, If You're Happy and You Know It, Itsy Bitsy Spider

-Had his first Christmas

-Is more daring in leaning forward to grab things which results in lots of tumbles

-Loves to sleep in his own crib. Which is great except when we are traveling or are at gma and gpa Asays.

-Gives lots of kisses.

-Would stay in the tubby all day if he could.

-Loves to clap.

6 months stats.

Few days late, but here are Benson's growth stats. We had a good doctor's visit, except Benson did not like the vaccine he had to drink.

Weight: 19 lbs. 1 1/2 oz.- 75%

Height: 27 inches- 75%

Head circ.: 42.6 cm.- 30%

On another note, Benson loves sweet potatoes. We ditched the rice cereal and he loves it. Fun new stage for us!

six months.

How have we had this little guy for half a year! Every stage is fun, but this one is so great. We are starting to see more of Benson's personality.

This month:

- He has mastered sitting up. He can bend forward, grab a toy, and sit back up.

- The most exciting has been that Benson finally rolled over. He rolls from tummy to back left side only. Once he figured it out there was no going back. Tummy time lasts .5 seconds now.

- Still no teeth.

- Still loves to have his hands in his mouth whenever possible.

- Has the biggest smile and deepest belly laugh ever, but doesn't give them out freely. You have to work for them.

- Started rice cereal. He doesn't like it. We have only tried a few days with no luck. I am still trying to figure it out myself as to when is the best time to feed him. Hopefully he will like it soon.

- Hasn't slept through the night more than two nights in a row in who knows how long. Mom and Dad are tired. Naps are still usually pretty good.

- Reaches towards Matt and I.

Benson brings so much joy to our family. He is such a sweet little boy. We love him!

five months.

How Benson is five months old is beyond me. I keep thinking he is like still my little 3 month old. This picture is a pretty accurate look for him. Finger in the mouth constantly. Sure do love him!

- Sleeping: This has been such a battle this past month. For sure the hardest part. He was sleeping through the night and now he has decided to wake up lots. Sometimes all he needs is his pacifier and other times he has cried for a while. We have just had to let him cry and thankfully he figures it out within like 10 minutes (although it seems longer). I think only once has he cried longer than that before I rescued him. We have tried lots of different things and are really hoping he figures this sleeping thing out soon...before the teeth come and we have to start all over again. He still does great during his naps.
- He has started sitting up! No sign of rolling, but he has no problem sitting up. Prop a few pillows behind him and he will stay there for quite a while.
- Laughs the best when his dad is playing with him.
- Got a new toy and loves it.

- Still drools a ton and loves to chew those fingers and sometimes his entire fists.
- Can take his pacifier in and out of his mouth. It gets real fun when he takes it out and throws it.
- Had his first Halloween
-Enjoyed a few last walks outside before the freezing winter comes.

Stay tuned for some fun videos of who else but...Benson. 

Happy Halloween!

four months.

Weight: 16 lbs 11.5 ounces - 75%

Height: 26.5 inches - 90%

Head Cir.: 41.5 - 50%

This sure has been a fun month for us with Benson! We love how interactive he has become. He is discovering so many new things. We love being his parents. There is nothing better.

Fun and Not So Fun Facts:

- Nursing battle like no other. Those were some hard days, or should I say weeks. Benson refused to eat off one side and would scream, arch his back, and fight me. I could not figure out what the deal was. I finally think we are over it, but not totally back to normal. Maybe this is the new normal now?

- Continues to smile, coo, and laugh. My favorite may have to be when he mimics the sounds I make to him.

- Loves peek-a-boo, books, and his giraffe.

- Drools like I've never seen and always tries to get his hands in his mouth.

- Went on his first airplane ride and did great!

- Met more cousins, aunts, and uncles for the first time.

- Took a dip in the pool.

- Started sleeping in his crib at night. That first night he was in his room was weird; I kept thinking something was missing as I went to bed.

- Decided to act like a newborn and wake up every 2 hours through the night. I think our trip to AZ and sleeping in his crib threw him for a loop. The inconsolable screaming at 2AM and sleeping on my chest most of the time have been our nights lately. Although last night he slept through the whole night, so fingers crossed he gets it. Oh and his naps aren't so awesome. We are working on it.

- Saddest thing ever has to be seeing Mr. Benson with a cold. He came down with it on Saturday. Stuffy nose, congestion, and sore throat. Through it all he has stayed happy. I think we are on the uphill and will be back to normal soon.

Grandma sure did love her cuddles!

Happy 4 months Benson! Sure do love you!

3 months.

I am afraid we no longer have a newborn on our hands. I say it every month, but Benson is such a dream. We are just loving this stage.
Fun Facts
- he totally knows who we are
- focuses intently on things
- still smiles and talks when encouraged
- discovered his hands and LOVES them
- has just started holding onto his toys
- gets angry if I talk while he is eating
- nurses good still, although this week has been a bit of a battle
- sleeps 930-5 most nights
- loves to break out of his swaddle to gnaw on his hands
- is such a drooler

these two...

2 months.

Mr. Benson sure has grown this last month. Seriously I die looking at his month to month pictures. 

Weight: 14 lbs. 4 oz- 94th percentile

Height: 24 inches- 90th percentile

Head circumference: 39.7 cm- 70th percentile

Benson is such a good baby. I don't know how we got so lucky. He has been such a trooper this past month with lots of time spent in his car seat. His schedule and routine went out the window, but now we are getting back on it. He is such a joy and brings a smile to everyone's face, especially his mom and dad's.

This month:

-his smiles and coos are the best

-while nursing/sleeping/being held he will always hold onto your shirt

-tolerating tummy time

-only wakes up once during the night

-holds onto rattle if put in his hand

-loves lights and ceiling fans

-focuses on faces much longer

-had to box up some clothes...sad day

-knows his parent's voices

-had a terrible case of baby acne/heat rash that thankfully only lasted like a week

-got his shots and was such a tough guy. by the end of the day he was back to his normal self.

-loves books, especially brown bear brown bear

I could go on and on about our little guy. He is just the best and we love him more and more everyday!