Ha! Here we are again! The night before Ben’s 4-month mark, writing about him at 3 months. Hopefully you weren’t holding your breath for this. I can’t even count the number of times I started to sit down to write this and was interrupted or distracted or the computer was in use by other smaller people—if I have free time it usually means the kids are busy playing on PBS Kids or Disney Jr. Let’s see, if I attempted this at least twice a day (a moderate estimate) for the past month, that means 60 times I tried and was denied. I just want to log some memories, kids, is that so much to ask?!?!
July 14
I finally get it. That baby bliss thing that moms talk about. Being so in love with their babies. Honestly, I thought they were lying. I didn’t know how that was possible. Babies, I thought, were miserable. A crappy 12-month mess to muddle through until toddler-hood, which was way cooler. The other three kids, I couldn’t wait for them to get out of the baby stage, to finally be sitting up on their own, finally sleep more than 2 hours at a time, finally walk, talk, be a functioning little person instead of a lump to dote on. But now I get it. And I am so in love with my little man. And I don’t want him to leave the baby stage!
The biggest difference, I’m sure, is that Bennett is a fabulous sleeper. He has started blessing us with a full night’s sleep every night! He sleeps from about 9 pm to 6 am! That was our biggest worry when we found out we were having another boy; the other boys didn’t sleep long at night until close to a year. It was torture, actually. Being a parent qualifies as cruel and unusual punishment. Penelope was sleeping all through the night by the time she was a month old, but I didn’t get to enjoy her fully because of my untreated postpartum depression. This time around, I got myself medicated early enough so that I could fully appreciate the awesomeness of this little baby boy who sleeps for 9 glorious hours at night. Now, if Aaron and I would only put ourselves to bed on time, we might win parent of the year. Okay, maybe not. But at least we might have energy to get the dishes washed and laundry folded.
If I had to use one word to describe Bennett it would be tolerant. He is one very go-with-the-flow-and-all-the-noise baby. What choice does he have, really? He was born into a family with 3 loud kids, and there’s not much to be done about that but tune it out (that’s what I do, winky face). They scream in his face, and he sleeps right through it. They stomp around next to his pack-and-play, and he doesn’t flinch. They smother him with hugs and kisses, and he carries on. I have a sneaking suspicion that he actually enjoys it. He recognizes them now and smiles at them endlessly. Especially Penelope; she has that high-pitched mother-ease way of talking, and he loves it. He even seems to hug Graham back, cuz Graham is constantly hugging him.
Graham always has to kiss the least convenient cheek
If I could use another word to describe him, it would be happy. He is one super smiley guy and generally content. He’ll let me know when he’s tired or if I’m taking too long to fix his bottle or if he is done with tummy time, but generally he coos and squeals and smiles and is delightful. Did I tell you I love him???
even his eyes are happy
He refuses to stop growing, as much as I tell him not too. He grew two more inches this month, up to 26 inches. And it is all in his torso. He is 3-months-old and busting out of his 6-month onesies! So we got month’s use out of those. I’m thankful they were mostly hand-me-downs. They got a grand total of 7 months of use, since all the kids started wearing them at 2 months. Baby clothes can be such a waste! Bennett also gained about 2 more pounds; he was at 14 pounds, 9 ounces, holding steady near the 75% percentile mark. Skinniest one of my kids! But still rocking the massive chunky thighs.
How you doin’?
Bennett is a rock star when it comes to tummy time. I know a lot of babies hate it, but mine never did, and this one seems to really love it. He usually has company, Graham, who practically lays on top of him! He also loves sitting up perfectly straight on our laps, watching the circus in our home. He needs our help, of course, but it won’t be long before he’s doing it on his own. This one I want to stay a baby, and he just won’t! However, I know it means that soon he’ll be able to interact more with Graham, who really really wants to play trains with him. These little boys are going to be best buds.
I love them
they love each other
love it all
Our Little Slice of Happy 