Dear Bennett :: 2 Months

:: Stats ::

Weight: 11 pounds 14 ounces

Length: 22 1/2 inches

Bennett Kate, you are 2 months old and the sweetest baby in the world. We had a rare one on one date when we went to the doctor for your check up and even though it wasn't ideal, we made the best of it. You didn't even cry when you got a shot! Who are you!? The doctor gave you an A+ and I was a happy mama! 

This month has been really busy but you have been a trooper with all of the traveling, people passing you around, and big brother smothering you with love and kisses. Because of the holiday season, we haven't even thought about trying to figure out a schedule for you yet. Thankfully, you have the best demeanor and have been so go with the flow that we are adjusting to a family of 4 really naturally. 

This entire month, you have wanted to eat every 2 hours. On the dot. I haven't even had to use a nursing tracker like I did with Liam because you have been a little alarm clock. Eating every 2 hours has created a schedule of eating, then awake for an hour, sleeping for 45 mins and repeating throughout the whole day. It has been crazy and pretty inconvenient for an on the go lifestyle, but I'm starting to get the hang of it and you have been the sweetest, so we're not worrying about it for now!  

We have been able to leave you and your brother with Zuzu and Aunt Caca a few times and you've taken a bottle for them, although they said it took some convincing! I'm hoping you start to like a bottle as much as the real deal so that we can have that option. 

With parties, visits, and traveling this month, your bedtime routine has been so all over the place that I almost feel guilty. The only consistent thing we have going is being swaddled and put to sleep in your rock n play beside our bed. Most nights you have been hanging out with us until we go to bed, between 9 and 10pm, when I will feed you and put you to sleep for the night. 

You have been an absolute angel baby sleeper this month. You are typically sleeping from 10pm to 7am without needing to wake up to eat at all! I literally can't believe how well you have been doing and I am fully aware that we are spoiled by you! 

:: Fun Things :: 

-My favorite thing this month by far has been your smile! It has been so sweet to see you respond to people talking to you by smiling back :) 

-Just like your big bro at this age, you have a really strong neck and are able to hold your head up almost by yourself! 

-You have started to look even more like I did in my baby pictures and everyone is amazed at how much they think we look alike :) We also hear that you look like Zuzu pretty often! 

-Liam is your favorite person in the world. He has been so sweet this month wanting to do whatever you are doing and talking to you in a high pitched voice saying, "Hey sweet girl!". 

-You still have a crazy full head of hair but it's lightening up a little...I'm guessing you will be a blondie!

-Besides the hair, your dimples and your big blue eyes are the features people love to compliment you on.

-That tongue is still hanging out of your mouth 24/7 :) 

- You love a play date with your boyfriend!

We love you so much B! 

Christmas 2014

This Christmas season was a refreshing, full, busy, and bittersweet few weeks as we celebrated with family and friends. 

We started Christmas Eve with our little Harvest Church family for its first Christmas Eve service ever :) After church, we continued our tradition of chili and family time with the Branches. 

Christmas morning was magical this year. Liam was old enough to understand that something special was happening and his excitement was so fun to watch. More than the excitement that comes with giving and receiving gifts, he was mostly giddy just being able to spend time with his aunts, uncles, and grandparents. 

The best and hardest part about this Christmas was the Craven duo: 

We had been spoiled by a later than expected departure date for Will and Caroline, which I think made the reality of them moving to Japan a little bit harder to grasp. 

Will has been living this Navy life for as long as I've known him, so the fact that we were able to get some quality time with him before he left was so special. Watching him play with Liam and hold little Bennett was something our family will always cherish! 

We said our goodbyes to Will so that he could get to his family early that afternoon and prepared to pack up for the mountains while we squeezed in as much time with Aunt CaCa as possible. 

I'm not sure what I expected my reaction to be when we said goodbye to my sister because I hadn't really allowed myself to believe it was real. Well, lets just say it got real pretty quick! 

What started out as little tears here and there throughout the morning became ugly face, gasping for air crying when we said our official goodbye in the driveway. As we all watched her hug and kiss Liam and Bennett, everything I am thankful for about Caroline was right there in front of me - the way she loves our kids, how selflessly she cares for family, and her heart to serve are just a few of the things I am going to miss terribly for the next 3.5 years.    

So finally after 1 million hugs and kisses, we headed to the mountains for Christmas with the Wrights. A cold Christmas night at Windy Gap with 5 cousins in matching pajamas - it doesn't get better! 

We had beautiful weather the whole time and had so much fun exploring and playing with family, cousins, and a few fun visitors! 

The day we packed up to head to Nan and Pops' house, we stopped at Claxton Farm. Liam was in HEAVEN running around with the animals and fell in love with Martha Claxton while she gave him a private tour :) 

Back at the Cliffs there was lots of swimming, hiking, lounging, baby nursing, and cousin time!

One morning, we got to meet Ryan, Christina, and Carson for breakfast before they caught a plane back to their new home in New Mexico. It was such a treat to catch up with them, to hug Christina's pregnant belly, and to see Liam and Carson majorly crush on one another #arrangedmarriage

It was so much fun getting to spend so much time with the entire Wright clan at Nan and Pops' house. We stayed all the way through New Years, because really, who actually does anything for New Years? This year we were determined for the hyped up holiday not to be a let down and ringing in 2015 was perfect - family, a fire, and lots of food! 

2014 was a good one!