Ben's 9-Month Update

Ben turned 9-months Sunday!

What is it about the 9-month mark that seems like a turning point? He was super-excited when mom busted in after nap time for an impromptu photo shoot to celebrate the occasion.

Ben, child, you know what you want. You have such a relaxed personality and are go-with-the-flow. You are sweet. When you see a grandparent  or someone new you lean your head shyly to the side and look up at them under your eyelashes. You still love being cheek-to-cheek.

You're busy! You started crawling at 8 1/2 months and you haven't looked back. You are now trying so hard to pull up on things, but so far you can only get to your knees. You are SO busy and curious. You slam your head into everything all the time. Even in places I think you cannot possibly find a way to hurt yourself, you always do. I call you bruiser, because well, the obvious. It's actually concerning.

You have dark hair! And eyebrows, which people comment on all the time: "what great eye brows he has!" Random, I know. You are very, very handsome.

You love your brother something fierce. You love food. And you love being physically active, exploring, on the move, all the time.

When I look at you, I can't imagine not having more of you. I thought the same thing about your brother. You are so easy to love.

Here's the schedule that's working for us right now:

Schedule

7:30- bottle

8- breakfast: scrambled eggs and banana/raspberries

9-11:30- nap (you LOVE this nap)

11:30- bottle

12:30- lunch: oven roasted chicken deli meat, jar of carrots/sweet potatoes, mashed avocado

2- small bottle, and down for a nap with your brother 

3:30-4- up, small bottle, we wait for Coop to wake up

5:30- dinner (*you dropped your cat-nap soon after 8-months, sadly)

6:00- bath-time with Coop

6:30/7- bottle and bed

Ben, I thank God for you. I pray over you all the time, and I hope we are doing right by you. Watching you grow will be our greatest privilege!

Your mommy can't believe you will be one-year-old in three short months. Holy that-went-by-fast!!

One month with Benjamin.

We made it!
One month today last Tuesday we met little Benjamin.

Is it bad that it seems like it's been longer than a month?
Ben's first few weeks were...let's just say needier, than Coop's first few days.
He cried a little easier and would fuss when he was awake and not in your arms at all times.

However, once we hit the 4-week mark, he kind-of just, dare I say, mellowed?
Like a lot.

It's like he's gotten used to his own skin a little bit (outside of mama's tummy), has decided he trusts us and relaxed a little bit.

You wonder what it will be like with a second child; after all, the first is so anticipated and such a huge deal in your marriage, because now you have created a family.

I've found that I love Ben uniquely. A special bond that is just his and mine.
I am in love, in lo-ove, with this face.

Double take, wha?

Some things you should know about the little guy:

- I call him Benjamin when I'm speaking TO him but Ben when talking ABOUT him.

-He has dark blue eyes! Coop has gorgeous baby browns so we shall see how this pans out.

-His lips are to die for.

-Homeboy hates being swaddled but loves being held.

-At 4-weeks he got his tears and started blowing bubbles.

-My favorite Ben-Moment right now is the sounds he makes when I'm burping him (sweet coos and sighs).

Oh and for those of you wondering about this guy...

Well he's still our little ham. Our little potty-trained ham, at that. 

Coop went to his very first (let's be honest only 15 minutes) Broncos scrimmage.

He rocks the orange, y'all.

And just loves his little brother. If Ben's crying or upset Cooper is the most concerned person in the room, and always loves to get Ben up from a nap. I've caught him trying to pick him up out of his swing a couple times. It would be cute if it wasn't so terrifying.

Benjamin has sweet dark blue eyes that somehow say "Mom, I will own you the rest of your life. See this face, mom? It's only going to get cuter."

I know, Benjamin, I know.

xo