Ben: Four Months

Ben was four months old on Saturday. Today we had his four month check up and shots. He weighed 16 pounds, 10.5 ounces (80-85%). He was 26.75" long (96%). The doctor thought Ben looked great and was pleased with his development. She gave us ideas of things we can encourage between now and his next appointment. She also said that Ben doesn't need to eat in the night any more and we could start working on weening him from those feedings. Once he gets used to not eating in the night we are hopeful that will encourage him to start sleeping through the nights. We are waiting on introducing cereal for now, but will plan on starting on solids before his next appointment at 6 months.

This month has been filled with lots of fun and changes. At the end of his third month we started our Christmas celebrations with various friends and family. We celebrated all the way to the new year. Ben is enjoying so many new things. He sits up proud in his Bumbo chair from Grandma and Grandpa in Tulsa. He is also able to sit with assistance from us, so we practice often and look forward to him sitting on his own. Ben has a new best friend in Gloworm. Gloworm lights up and plays lullabyes and Ben just gazes at him mesmerized. Ben is looking fashionable in many new outfits as well. He is currently wearing anything from 3-6 months to 6-12 months depending on the brand. Grandma and Grandpa in Lawrence have supplied us with several KU outfits so he is always dressed appropriately for the basketball games. Ben is really engaging with people and his toys. He will "talk" up a storm to his stuffed animals and other toys and is laughing infectiously now. Ben plays quite a bit more with his toys and tests them all out with his mouth. He has a new ladybug toy with a mirror that he loves staring into and yes, even licking. Ben's latest excitement was the discovery of his feet. He likes to hold them while we try to change his diaper and pulls at his toes with his fingers. Ben is also starting to sleep longer stretches at night (we are up to about 6 hours some of the time) but we haven't quite made it a full night yet. Brandon traveled some this month and while he was gone, Ben's favorite toy was the phone. We would put Daddy on speaker phone and Ben would "talk" to him as well as try to push the buttons. That made for several entertaining evenings. Ben is very glad to have Dad back at home now (as is Mom). We also enjoy singing together. Mom has gotten quite good at Old MacDonald, several nursery rhymes and any silly song that will make Ben laugh. Ben is still enjoying school and seems to enjoy being around the other babies and the sweet teachers. We did bring home a few things from school that we didn't want, but I guess that is all part of it. Ben had bronchialitis and a double ear infection just after the first of the year (as did at least half of his class). He was so pleasant the whole time that we could barely tell he was sick. He responded well to his medicine though and at his well visit they said everything sounds/looks great. We look forward to many new milestones in this next month. I am going to take Ben to a trial swim lesson to see if he likes it well enough to take some classes later this spring. I am eager to learn some water safety and help Ben to enjoy and not be afraid of the water. Ben's baby dedication at church is also coming up this month which we are looking forward to. Maybe by the next update we will be starting solids or cutting teeth!