How quickly time passes. It seems like just yesterday I was holding my floppy newborn son and today I’m watching him learn how to crawl. It’s like he’s a whole different person, talkative, responding to everything, and wanting to constantly move. My little, floppy newborn son isn’t floppy or newborn at all. As much as I miss those sweet first weeks with him, this last month has been exciting and so much fun watching him get into ‘discovery’ mode. Oh baby boy, we love you so much. Stop growing so fast, okay?

Sleeping

I think I am starting to see a very faint light at the end of the sleepless nights tunnel. Hallelujah. In truth, Benaiah has not been a fabulous sleeper (since day 1) but I’m sure part of that has to do with me being a first time mom and trying to figure out what works best. Once we made it over the four month sleep regression (which seemed to hit more around five months for Niah) night time feedings and arousing seem to be lessening which is fine by me.  He will still get up at least once, but it’s better than three or four times at night.

Naps

Another item that we’ve made an improvement on this month is nap time! We’ve finally established a little nap time routine with Benaiah (basically darkening the room, turning on white noise, and singing) and I can already tell it has made the world of a difference. He will typically take anywhere from one to two naps in the morning and one solid nap in the afternoon. His naps range anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours. It’s a little hard to guess how long he is going to sleep on a day by day basis, but I try to get in most of my important work and tasks in while he naps.

Social and New Skills

Like his mom and dad, Benaiah is quite the social boy. He loves to observe people (future people watcher?) and soak in his surroundings. He goes to pretty much anyone and loves to snuggle. Benaiah is a tummy time champ and is scooting all over the place! He’s still trying to figure out how to move forward, but as of right now, he can turn around in a circle, sit up on his own, roll front to back and back to front, practice being up on his knees, and scoot backwards. It is so fun to see his active little self and I love watching him learn how to use his arms and legs!

Eating

Something that I haven’t touched on much since I started these recaps (I think I just forgot!) was eating. Hello, that’s kind of important. I blame the mom brain. Benaiah is an expert eater and loves to nurse. He will typically nurse anywhere from 2-3 hours, but will go longer if we are out and about or if he is sleeping. We’ve started to slowly introduce solids and so far, he’s tried spinach, carrots, and peas. He’s not really a fan of any of them, but will eat a little when I give it to him. I’m not really for sure how we are going to continue with solid food yet, but I do like feeding him food and seeing what he likes/dislikes.

How am I Doing?

This last month has been refreshing. I feel a lot more myself and physically I feel the strongest I have for a while now. This month I’m learning to continue to rest in Christ and really find and seek joy in the every day simple moments. Like when he snuggles on my chest, or when he grabs my face with his chubby fingers, or when he laughs as I tickle his belly, or even when he wakes up in the night. Something I’m really trying to focus on is embracing each and every moment and not wish away these days. Yes, there is always a fun next stage ahead, but there is so much joy in the present. Learning to slow down and focus on the now has been so helpful and necessary and I find myself enjoying each day with the little man more and more.

I can’t even begin to describe the love I have for Benaiah, it’s overwhelming and beautiful and one of those loves you just have to be a mom to get.

Benaiah, you are so loved. Mommy and daddy love you so much and we are so proud of the little boy you are becoming. Don’t grow up too fast.