Four Months

The official four month photo. The plan was to have dinner, and then take a nice smily four month photo. But apparently we took too long to eat, and Ben gave up. (PS - notice the new wainscoting in the background - the dining room is finally finished!)

Ben,

Your daddy and mommy are so happy that those first three months are over with. We are starting to get a nice look at your cheery personality. It used to seem like your three modes were generally sleeping, eating, and fussing, but now you smile at us all the time. (And you drool a lot, too.)

You make the sweetest little "goooo" noise when you are happy and someone is talking to you - it just melts my heart.

You pay much more attention now to the world around you. When you are awake you like to be sitting up and looking around at everything. You seem to enjoy spending time on the playmat, and batting at the duck. Fortunately your big sister is happy to help you out with that.



You met lots of new people when Mommy and Daddy had a BBQ, and you and your big sister were very well behaved. That was the first time that you got to meet Uncle Brandon, and Mommy scared him a little by handing you to him, and then walking away. It didn't take him long to find someone else to hold you!

Claire still loves to watch Dora the Explorer, and sometimes you seem pretty interested, too. Lots of the time she runs around and plays while she watches, but every once in a while (usually only if she's tired) she really pays attention to what's going on.


We were really lucky and got to spend a few days with your Grandpa. He and Claire and Daddy worked outside, and you helped Mommy supervise. The day that he left we went to Daniel's birthday party. Mommy and Claire participated in the dancing and singing, while you and Daddy mostly stayed in the back. I think that Claire liked the cupcakes!

After the party we headed up to Annapolis to see our friends up there which was a lot of fun.

We went to the petting zoo with playgroup, and there'll be a whole separate post about that. Claire had a lot of fun running around, and you were visited by several of the animals. This goat thought the stroller looked like a pretty cool ride! You seemed to like the visit a lot, until we got on the wagon ride, and then you decided that you were hungry. Good timing, Ben.

We spent a few days down at the lake with Nonno, Nonni, and Uncle David. They took good care of you and your sister so that Mommy could get a lot of work done on a big project. They took you to a picnic in the park in Fredericksburg where there was music and a lot of people. We celebrated Uncle David's birthday, but we didn't sing to him - lucky Uncle David!

Unfortunately on your four month birthday we had to make a sick visit to the pediatrician because you and Claire were both sporting a pretty bad cold. We found out that you had what the doctor described as an "angry" ear infection. Happy four month birthday, baby!

And of course, your Daddy, being quite the comedian, couldn't resist adding a prop to your four month photo.

Ben, you are so loved - right before our eyes you are changing from a baby to a little boy, and it is great and terrifying all at the same time. Sometimes I want you to stay little forever, but as we get to know what you're like, we can't wait to find out more about you.

love,

mommy
Weight: 16 pounds, 14 ounces

A Visit with Grandpa

Several weeks ago Brian's dad was able to come up and spend a few days with us. We celebrated by having eight cubic yards of dirt delivered, so he got to spend a fun day helping Brian to till, and spread all of that dirt in our various garden areas.

Don't worry, I'll help, too!

Claire can't quite manage to say Grandpa yet, instead she says "Baaaapa". She enjoyed helping (playing) with the dirt, getting rides in the wheelbarrow, and in general running around outside.

Look at how cute I am!You cannot make me smile for the camera!

Grandpa was very patient with Ben, and spent some quality time bonding with him while we waited for our table to be ready when we went out to dinner. He was even willing to hold him during his fun, nightime fussy period.

My favorite moment? Seeing Claire reach up to hold his hand when we were walking at the mall before dinner.

We are eagerly looking forward to several more visits this summer.

Three Months

Here is the official three-month photo:

Dear Ben,

The day after you turned two months old Nonno came to spend the night and celebrate his birthday since Nonni had deserted him to go on a quilting retreat. Daddy smoked three kinds of meat, including ribs which are one of Nonno's favorites, and Uncle Jon and Aunt Jen came for dinner, too. It was so exciting, that you and Nonno decided a nap was in order.



Our month was busy as usual. We saw lots of people, went to playgroup every week, attended music classes with Claire, and had an all around good time. Mommy is getting more and more used to running errands with two kids in tow, and so you've been to lots of different kinds of stores. You cried through most of two meetings that Mommy had for work - one we had to go out for, and one where they came to our house. You're still learning about being a baby, and getting used to things. You've been practicing your smile a lot lately, though.



We spent another fun weekend at Nonno and Nonni's lake house with Mommy's friend Carol and her husband Dave. You got to spend some quality time bonding (aka screaming) with Nonni while everyone else went out for a boat ride. In general, though, you are crying less than you used to, which makes everyone a little happier. Especially your big sister.

Chilling with Daddy

On Easter we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house, and had Easter dinner with them, Uncle Don and Ryan, Aunt Jane, Jennifer, Aunt Joni, Michelle, and Great Grandma. Everyone commented on how big you are now. Uncle Don said the reason you cried so much is because everyone was telling you you were fat, and that he would cry, too. He's a funny guy!

Claire, Mommy, and Ben on Easter

the sweetest little baby feet

I can't believe that three months have already gone by, but I also can't imagine life without you. Every baby smile and "goooooo" melts my heart. I love you so much, little boy - don't grow up too quickly!

love,
mommy

Stats: 16 pounds, 24 1/2 inches

A quick pic...

I know I owe a 3 month update on Ben, but in the meantime...

Last night Claire thought that Ben needed company on his playmat. Enjoy the cuteness.