Benjamin's 1st month

Benjamin,

You are 1 month old!! I can't believe it has already been a month. Time is flying by and you are growing so fast.

So much has happened this first month. When we brought you home from the hospital you felt so tiny and I couldn't imagine what you would be like any bigger.

You love your swing most of the time. I think the movement really relaxes you. But sometimes if you are not asleep you don't like to stay in there for very long.

 We had many helpers come to stay your first few weeks at home. Noni was the first to come and we loved having her around.

Gracie didn't really know what to think of you at first, but she quickly became very protective and makes sure to know where you are at all times. She is always sniffing you and checking you out. I think she even worries when you cry.

You love a good warm bath just like your mommy. The first time we gave you one was a little difficult in the bath tub. We have since figured out that the sink is much easier and is a perfect fit for you.

Your boppy pillow may be the most used thing we have. It is so great to feed you on and also perfect to prop you up for a good picture opportunity. You sure make some cute faces.

You are really starting to look around and make eye contact with us which is so fun. You love to grip my finger while you are eating which makes my heart melt.  And we get to see your adorable smile multiple times a day which can't help but make anyone that sees you smile right back.

 Your favorite place to be is outside, so you love going on walks. I really enjoy using this as an opportunity to get out of the house and now that it is starting to cool down we can go at any time of day. Did I tell you, you were born in one of the hottest and driest summers in Texas history. That is really saying something. I believe it was about 110 degrees the day you were born.

You are now 23 inches long and weigh 9 lbs 7 oz. You are in the 90 percentile in your height and 50 percentile in your weight. You are a very long and lean baby. We are doing our best to get your weight up. Keeping your belly full is the biggest challenge I have every day. If you are awake I feel like I am feeding you about every hour. When you sleep we get a few hour break.

At night you are basically sleeping in 2 to 3 hour increments, but we are seeing improvements and can get a 4 hour stretch every once in a while.

You are really active with your head. You don't have any problem lifting it but keeping it steady is not easy for you. You are working on it and getting stronger every day.

 You made your first road trip to Houston just before your 1 month birthday. You did great! Slept just about the whole way. We stayed with Noni and Pappa who loved having you there every second. Mummu and Uncle Mark came to visit along with lots of other family members and friends. Everyone was so happy to see you and just loved snuggling up with you. You are one very loved baby.

You have changed so much in this first month. You are really starting to fill out and your features are becoming very prominent. Everyone says you look just like your daddy. We have to agree. It will be fun to see if you get the same blond curls that he had as a little boy.

We can't wait to see all that you do in your 2nd month of life!!

Love you always and forever,

Mommy and Daddy