Dear Bennett :: 1 Month

:: Stats ::

Weight: 10 pounds 15 ounces
Length: 21 inches

I am working hard at not allowing myself to slip into the "sorry, you're the second child" excuse...so here we go on your monthly updates!

Bennett, you came into this world with so many people ready to receive you with love and excitement. Me, your dad, big brother Liam, and our families were just a few of the people waiting to meet you.

After some visits with wonderful friends, a little recovery time for mom, and a clean bill of health for you, we were ready to head home. We actually left a day earlier than we did with Liam because we were so ready to start our life as a family of 4.

The night we brought you home, the Villanuevas, Raynors and Andrews all came over to eat ice cream and celebrate your arrival with us! It felt like an unofficial birthday party :) Your dad and I kept talking about how funny and drastically different having baby number 2 was already with the noise and activity level you are going to have to put up with. When it was time to put you to bed, however, the party was OVER. You were up basically the whole night. We couldn't figure out how to get you to sleep for longer than an hour and the bassinet/sleeping flat on your back seemed uncomfortable. After taking turns trying to soothe you throughout the night, your dad and I were running on empty and discouraged at the thought of nights like that plus having to wake up to an energetic toddler.

Praise the Lord that was not what your normal nights ended up looking like. We decided to have you sleep in the rock n' play because it's elevated and it has done wonders! Since day 1 you have had some tummy/gas/spit up issues as well as some loud nasally breathing. The doctors assured me you were perfectly healthy but to stick with an elevated sleeping surface to hopefully help you sleep more comfortably.

For the first 2 weeks, you nursed like a pro every 2 hours during the day and every 3 at night. When we went in for your 2 week check up, you had surpassed your birth weight and the doctor said I could now let you come to me at night when you're hungry instead of worrying about feeding you every 3 hours. The thought of more than 3 consecutive hours of sleep at night was the best news of my life! Since then, you have built up your night time stretches from about 3-5 hours to 5-7 with your last feeding at 10 or 10:30pm.

Bennett, you have been nothing but a joy! I can't count the number of times I have told people how amazing you are. You have the sweetest, most content demeanor. You allow everyone to hold and love on you and unless you're hungry or tired, you are happy to sit in your bouncy seat, car seat, or someones arms.

We are still figuring out our new norm as a family of 4, but you are an amazingly natural and precious addition who has forever changed us for the better!

:: Fun Things ::

-You were born with a full head of black hair.

-You look just like my baby pictures, except you have your dad's big blue eyes!

-You are a loud little girl! You are constantly making wheezing, squeaking, or gassy sounds ;)

-Baby acne hit hard around 2.5 weeks. It was worse than Liam's and spread around your neck, upper back, and scalp. It lasted until the end of your 4th week.
-We drove 4.5 hrs to Nan and Pop's house for Thanksgiving and you didn't make a peep!

-You can take a bottle of pumped milk, but you don't love it.
-You don't love a pacifier.

-You have an extremely strong neck!
-You had a clogged tear duct until it started going away right before you turned 4 weeks old.

-You let Liam kiss you, crawl all over you, and yell as loud as he wants without fussing at all. You look for him when you hear his voice and it makes me so excited for the day that you will be able to play with him.

introducing...

the newest, sweetest, and most beautiful member of our family:

BENNETT KATE WRIGHT 

8 pounds 10 ounces 

20.5 in long

Halloween 2014

2 things I learned from my first Halloween with a toddler:

1. Costumes = free food and free activities everywhere
2. Halloween = an excuse to play dress up all day

Liam, you were the best, most excited, cutest, gobble you up in one bite chicky there ever was. I was a 9 months pregnant hot air balloon bobbing around trying to keep up...therefore, I was not documented ;).

Dear Liam: 12 - 21 Months

Liam:

Even though I am not documenting every month of your life these days, I felt like it was worth it to write down a few things about the fun new toddler phase we're in. I know I am biased but I think you are the smartest, funniest, cutest little toddler I ever laid eyes on and your Dee-da and I are so proud to call you ours!

*starting to talk in sentences
*know all of your colors
*can swim with your puddle jumper on!

*LOVE all animals - especially "neigh neigh's"
*first big boy haircut

*LOVE singing and dancing
*have been going to tumble gym and loving it!

*obsessed with Frozen - the songs and Ana and Elsa
*started your first weekly bible study nursery - we call it "school"

*"school" was a big part in helping get over separation anxiety!
*awesome sleeper: most nights 7:30pm to 7am and napping 1pm - 4pm

*can say your full name & spell Liam
*very independent, you want to do everything by yourself
*tried potty training at 18months - successful for 1 day, then over it!

*pray before meals and bed
*EXTREMELY picky about food
*you have the best "happy face"

*love bubble baths

*climbing on everything! no fear of anything
*love being outside

A few of your favorites:
-food: grilled cheese
-treat: ice cream
-color: red
-place: zuzu's house
-tv show: daniel tiger
-tradition: lunch at chick-fil-a on tuesdays where you yell hey to miss becky and ask for an ice cream cone :)
-book: little blue truck