Documenting Milestones (Rolling Over)

I thought I would never forget when Jackson did this or that but I've learned the hard way that isn't true.  Luckily I wrote most of his milestones down in a calendar but I'm sure I missed some too.  In an effort to make sure that doesn't happen with Benentt, I'm going to try to blog about his milestones.  The posts won't be too exciting but at least I won't forget when things happened.

Today, Bennett rolled over for the first time from his back to his stomach.  He was just playing on the floor when all of a sudden he kicked his legs up, threw him to one side and heaved himself over.  It was so cute to watch especially because he teetered in the middle for a couple seconds before he made it all the way over.  And then a second later he let out a big scream (I'm pretty sure he freaked himself out) and then flipped over to his back again.  Then he did it again a few minutes later, a little less frightening for him but he still had a confused look on his face as if to say, "How did I get here?"  Also, super cute :)

Bennett is five months old!

Wow, I cannot believe it has been 5 months already and in just a few weeks Bennett will be 6 months old and eating!  At the same time, I can't believe he's not eating yet since we started cereal with Jackson when he was 4 months old.  Bennett is still my little chatterbox and is in good spirits most of the time.  Every now and then he fusses but it usually means he's hungry or tired...or wants some attention and all are easily taken care of.  When I'm working I usually put him in the bouncer or bumbo to play on the floor next to me.  Sometimes he starts whining and all I have to do is turn my head to look at him and he smiles, I think I might have to sit him up on my desk so he can see my face the entire time :) 

He is very close to rolling over from his back to his stomach and can almost sit up by himself.  I think sitting is going to be challenging for him though because he loves stretching his legs out.  We've struggled at night the last few weeks with frequent feedings but the last couple days he's been sleeping well again.  I'm crossing my fingers that this is the beginning of an awesome nighttime schedule even though I enjoy our middle of the night cuddles.  He sleeps like a champ during the day!  Bennett naps for two to three hours every morning and then for another two hours in the afternoon.  Super napping baby means mommy gets tons of work done during the day!  He's still dealing with reflux but luckily it doesn't affect his mood.  Between him spitting up and drooling, he goes through a few outfits a day!  He is following in big brother's footsteps in the hair department, still pretty scarce with a prominent bald spot in the back. 

Jacksonisms and more

Although Jackson is only four years old, he seems like a teenager most days and an adult on others.  Lately, he tells us about things he did, saw, or ate that we are surprised to hear.  When we ask him when or where these things happened, he replies very matter of factly at work.  It's hilarious!

He started going to preschool at St. John Neumann and has handled the change very well.  They have a carpool line for drop off and pick up.  I am so proud of him for mastering the carpool line but it's definitely bittersweet watching him hop out of the car every morning and walk away with all the big kids.  The first couple of weeks, an older student would take his hand and walk him inside to the library until the first bell rang.  That didn't last too long.  One morning, I heard Jackson telling the older student, he didn't need help, he knew where to go.  I'm happy he's enjoying it but it still tugs at my heartstrings almost daily.

His school offers a wide range of activities and Jackson has chosen to take Spanish and karate.  He was interested in the baking/cooking class so I called the teacher to ask what types of foods they make and to find out if nuts were used due to Jackson's allergy.  She (not so politely) told me they definitely used nuts because so many yummy foods have nuts in them and they couldn't stop just for one child.  While I never expected them to change their curriculum because of my one child, I didn't appreciate her tone.  I'm guessing she may have had other parents call and complain so maybe that's why she's so immediately defensive.  I understand we are going to have to make adjustments for Jackson's allergies but the hard part was telling Jackson he couldn't sign up for the cooking class.  On the bright side, I got a new cookbook filled with recipes to cook with your kids so I'm going to have my own little cooking class with Jackson at home :) 
 

Bennett is four months old (apparently I skipped three, oops!)

I guess without a well visit at the pediatrician, I kind of forgot to post a three month update.  I can't believe he is four months old, it seems like just a few days ago we were bringing home the tiniest little bundle of joy.  He has changed so much and not just in size.  Although most will agree he doesn't look like me at all, I have confirmed he is my child by the amount that he "talks" all.day.long.  It is music to my ears.  He is so much more animated than he was even a few weeks ago and responds to us with coos, smiles and even giggles!  I have been asked many times if he's a good baby and at first I used to say that Jackson was our easy baby but now I think Bennett is just as good/easy.  In his early weeks I was referring to his reflux and how that affected his temperment but of course he couldn't help that at all.  The meds seem to be working, his mood has improved so much, now it's just a laundry issue.  He is also a GREAT sleeper!  He takes 2-3 hour naps twice a day and another shorter nap in the early evening.  We usually try to get him to bed between 7 or 8pm but he consistently fights us on that one.  Once he finally does fall asleep, he either sleeps all the way until morning or he gets up one time in the middle of the night for a quick meal and then goes right back to sleep.  He enjoys his bouncer and laying on his back looking up at his toys but he's still not a big fan of the swing and definitely doesn't enjoy tummy time.  Lately, we hear lots of sucking noises so we're assuming we're going to have another thumb sucker on our hands.

Update: We just had his well visit and he did great!  He weighs 13 lbs. 10.5 ounces and is 24.5" long. 

Bennett is two months old!!!

I'm about a week late on this post but I did manage to take the pictures on the same day at least.  The last two months have flown by and if it weren't for how much Bennett has changed, I wouldn't believe he's already two months old.  We had his two month well visit a few days early on July 15th and everything was perfect.  He even "performed" for the doctor with some hiccups and a sneeze during the appointment, both of which are good signs.  He weighed in at 10 pounds 3 ounces so he's almost doubled his birth weight but compared to his big brother he's still on the small side.  Jackson was the same weight at his ONE month appointment!  We've moved out of newborn diapers and clothes.  I'm obviously glad he's growing so well but it's bittersweet too.

We have all really enjoyed the last few weeks with Bennett.  He is usually awake for an hour in between feedings so we can talk to, sing to and play with him a lot more.  Nick got the first smile from Bennett and Jackson was a close second.  It was only last week that he finally gave me a smile but it was worth the wait :)

My poor Benny Bear

From day one, our little Benny Bear has been quite the spitter.  This has taken some getting used to because Jackson was on the opposite extreme and rarely spit up.  Bennett, on the other hand, is ALWAYS spitting up.  It doesn't matter if he's just eaten or it's been a couple hours.  Unfortunately, he's not a happy spitter and you can hear it in his grunts and moans that he's uncomfortable.  I realize most kids do spit up so I tried not to make a big deal out of it especially because our resident pediatrician didn't seem worried about it...until the last couple of days.  As Bennett has increased his periods of wakefulness, we've noticed that he has also increased the amount he spits up and how uncomfortable he seems.  And after being home for a couple of afternoons, Nick saw that it wasn't just normal "every baby spits up" and has some degree of reflux and told me to take him to the doctor.

We had an appointment this morning with Dr. Shrouds and he agreed that it was reflux and seemed bad enough to warrant medicine.  So we've started Benny on zantac.  The bad news is it doesn't always help with the spit up but the good news is it should relieve his pain associated with it and he'll just be a happy spitter.  This post is your official warning that he is a spitter, we are not responsible for any damaged/ruined articles of clothing due to said spit up :)

And while we were at the doctor, they weighed him of course.  Eight days ago he was 7 lbs. 11 oz. and today he was 8 lbs. 13 oz.

Cloning? Yes please!

I'm beginning to think that cloning might not be such a bad idea.  If only there was a way to have myself cloned but still have control over the clones.  There have been times in my life where I wish I had more time or an extra set of hands to do something but have always figured out a way to multitask and get things done.  The last few weeks however, have been a different story.  It's not just about multitasking, sometimes I really need that extra set of hands.  For example, the other day I was feeding Bennett and heard Jackson asking for help from the bathroom.  I told him he needed to try to finish and wipe himself since I was feeding Bennett.  A few minutes later, Jackson came running over without his pants on, turned his back to me and asked me to check if he did a good job.  It was hilarious!  I guess I should be grateful I have time to get used to each responsibility individually.  We have been lucky enough to have wonderful friends that have been bringing us dinner the last few weeks so I haven't had to cook at all since I've had Bennett.  Unfortunately, the meals end tonight so I'll soon figure out how to plan my afternoons to include cooking time.  And I'm sure this is only going to get worse when I go back to work in August but hopefully by then, I will have (somewhat) mastered caring for two boys, the house, and cooking.  Wish me luck!