Four months, how has another month gone by so quickly!?! I feel like I just was doing his three month update. Benjamin is just the happiest baby! I took some pictures of him and my mom said "oh and you got a picture of him smiling". I told her that getting a picture of him smiling is easy because he's almost always happy and smiling!
Height: 26in (measured both on 1/27 and 2/10)
Weight: 16 lbs 3.5oz (weighed 2/10) (weighed on home scale approx 15.6lbs on 1/27)
Likes: his hands, his alpaca, baths, toys
Dislikes: being left alone, being hungry
Sleep:
Well at the beginning of the month I was feeling pretty good about sleep. Benjamin was going to bed around 7:30 and was sleeping a good stretch until 2:30 or 3:30 before waking up and then he'd wake up one more time about 3 hours later before getting up for the day whenever I did in the morning with the rest of the kids. But that quickly changed a week or so into the month his sleep just went to H-E-double hockey sticks! I literally changed nothing about his nighttime routine, but when I would put him to bed at 7:30 he would wake up at 10:30/11:30, and then once I nurse him he doesn't want to put him back down. So if he fell asleep and I tried to move him back to his dockatot he would wake up and I would have to start all over with him. Just in the last few days his sleep has slowly been improving. He's been doing one good stretch again after I put him down and even though he's waking up about two more times instead of just once he is at least letting me put him back in his bed!
I know that there is usually a four month sleep regression for babies so I'm kind of hoping that this was Benjamin's and we're not going to go through another sleep struggle, but I can't remember when the four month sleep regression usually hits (just before or after the baby turns 4 months).
Eat:
Benjamin continues to be exclusively breast fed. I basically nurse him on demand and there really isn't an exact schedule.
Benjamin's "Schedule"
7:00 Wake & Nurse
9:00/10:00 Nurse
12:00/1:00 Nurse
3:00 Nurse
4:30/5:00 Nurse
(Possibly Nurse at 6:00)
6:45 Bath
7:00 Nurse and Bed
Even though Benjamin doesn't have an exact schedule his does seem to follow a pattern most days. In the morning he tends to go longer periods of time between feedings in the morning but by mid afternoon he seems to increase the frequency of his nursing sessions.
Development/Firsts:
- Has started blowing spit bubbles
- Doesn't like to be left alone. He's happy to not be held as long as he can see you
- 12/31-1/1 celebrated his first New Years!
- Loves sucking on his pointer and middle fingers
- Has started playing with toys
- Loves holding his alpaca
- 1/8-1/9 slept 8:15-4:15
- 1/10 almost rolled over back to belly: got everything but his head over
- 1/16 passed his Paci from hand to hand
- 1/17 Laughed for the first time at his foot being put in his mouth
- 1/24 Went in the swing at the park for the first time
Benjamin's personality has been growing and developing this month. This month Benjamin has definitely become aware of other people and does not like it when he is left alone. He is a happy baby as long as his belly is full and he has a person in sight.
Benjamin has started to self-soothe some using his pointer and middle finger. It is really cute to watch him
Benjamin has started to play with toys this month. He likes to grab and hold toys and one of his favorites is his alpaca.
My Sweet Benji-Man
How has another month gone by already?! You continue to be just the happiest baby. I am so blessed to be your mommy. You fit right in with our family. You are growing and changing so much. This month you have become more aware of your surroundings and definitely do not like to be left alone! You are happy as a little clam as long as you have someone (especially mommy) in your eye sight. You have started sucking on your fingers to soothe yourself and almost use those more than your Paci, I think mostly because your can get those in your mouth yourself right now, but we'll see if that changes as you get older. You also started laughing this month and I can't get enough of your little giggles! I accidentally put your foot in your mouth while I was changing your diaper and you just thought it was the funniest thing! You are starting to enjoy toys this month. It is fun to watch you figure out how to play with toys and which ones your enjoy the most. You also went in the swing at the park for the first time this month and seemed to really enjoy it, you were smiling and cooing and even laughed a few times. I can't wait to see what this next month has in store for your Benjamin. I love you so much!
Love you forever and always
Mommy
Benjamin has started to self-soothe some using his pointer and middle finger. It is really cute to watch him
Benjamin has started to play with toys this month. He likes to grab and hold toys and one of his favorites is his alpaca.
Benjamin got to ride in the swing at the park for the first time this month. He really enjoyed it and Ellie was excited to get to finally swing with him.
My Sweet Benji-Man
How has another month gone by already?! You continue to be just the happiest baby. I am so blessed to be your mommy. You fit right in with our family. You are growing and changing so much. This month you have become more aware of your surroundings and definitely do not like to be left alone! You are happy as a little clam as long as you have someone (especially mommy) in your eye sight. You have started sucking on your fingers to soothe yourself and almost use those more than your Paci, I think mostly because your can get those in your mouth yourself right now, but we'll see if that changes as you get older. You also started laughing this month and I can't get enough of your little giggles! I accidentally put your foot in your mouth while I was changing your diaper and you just thought it was the funniest thing! You are starting to enjoy toys this month. It is fun to watch you figure out how to play with toys and which ones your enjoy the most. You also went in the swing at the park for the first time this month and seemed to really enjoy it, you were smiling and cooing and even laughed a few times. I can't wait to see what this next month has in store for your Benjamin. I love you so much!
Love you forever and always
Mommy
Four Months of Benjamin
Brando and Benjamin napping together on my lap
Benjamin covered in groceries after Ellie loaded the cart
His little hands, the little dimples on his knuckles. I just want to remember all the little details of him being small.
Ellie wanted to "hold" Benjamin!
Ellie helping push Benjamin on the swing
Will chatting with Benjamin
Ellie loves Benjamin, some times her love is what I call "aggressive love" but she loves him usually wants to have her picture taken with him.
Family picture on New Year's Day! (I was sick but we finished the day together reading stories)
So happy and excited for his bath
Benjamin's pouty face! He gives me this pouty face pre-cry a lot as long as he's not too worked up. Its so cute and I love that little face!
Baby Yawn!
