March 27, 2007

Ben: Six Months

Ben is six months old now and changing every day! He is sitting so well. He is usually sitting in a circle of friends playing when I pick him up at school. He loves to reach down in the bin of toys and find just the perfect one. Ben has also had a more active tummy time lately. He uses his legs and scoots himself around to get to things. He doesn't go very far or fast, but he is definitely trying to move. He is very amused by his fingers right now. He is using them to pick things up, feel blankets, carpet, etc and just likes to watch them too. He will bring his hand in front of his face and do what we think looks like practicing waving to himself. It is pretty funny.

We went to the doctor yesterday for his checkup. Ben weighs 18 pounds 10.5 ounces (75%) and is 28.25 inches long (95%). He is doing really well and developing appropriately. The doctor said we could start on veggies and fruits. She suggested making our way through the Stage 1 foods and then moving right into the Stage 2 choices. We are also going to start trying a sippy cup to see if he is interested in trying a little water. He seems to like to find a way to get water in the bathtub, so we figure he will really like it. For Ben's first veggie we started with peas. He made a couple of funny faces at first. He was expecting oatmeal and got a little oatmeal and some peas mixed in. He gobbled it down though. So we will try peas for a few more days before we switch to something new. Another thing that the doctor noted at Ben's visit is that his teeth looked like they are ready to come through. She guessed that he might have some bottom teeth by Easter. Ben did alright with his shots. He cried a little but calmed pretty well. He slept well last night and seems to be doing well this morning.

We are looking forward to Ben's swimming class this month, his first Easter, a picnic and trip to the zoo with Mom's work and many other new things. We hope all is well with you and will do our best to keep you posted on Ben's happenings.

March 12, 2007

Sitting Pretty

Ben loves his bigger room at school. There is a lot more to see and do and more friends to play with. He gets cereal at school now around lunchtime. We will keep him on just cereal until we see the doctor at 6 months probably. Then we will add vegetables and fruits! Ben enjoys eating more and more. He comes at his spoon with a big fish face ready to take a bite. He has also started helping Mom feed him by holding the bowl or assisting with the spoon. We have noticed that he really pays close attention to us when we eat now.

Ben's sitting up is going really well. Over the weekend he was able to sit unassisted for several minutes in each stretch. When he got wobbly, we would help him regain his balance and he would go right back to sitting and playing with his toys. He does really well until he sees something to either side that he wants and just leans towards it and topples over. He is not stable enough that I move far from him while he sits, but he is definitely getting stronger and stronger. He has no fear and will lean forward as far as he can when he is in our laps or sitting in the floor to reach for a toy. He is understanding that when something drops it is down on the floor somewhere and he tries to go after it. Mom and Dad are hopeful that he will soon pick up this skill with his pacifier at night! Ben is still working at learning to roll from his back to his tummy. He gets to his side pretty well and either can't make it the rest of the way or isn't interested, so we continue to encourage that.

Ben continues to amuse himself with his shrieking. He loves to start getting louder and louder when a room gets quiet and practice all of his sounds. He will squeal loud several times and then laugh in delight at the noises he has just made. Another of his favorite laughing games is when Dad helps Ben fly up high like an airplane. His face is always expressive and his teachers say that when he takes buggy rides at school he smiles so big they don't think his mouth could open any more.

Ben will be enjoying some NCAA tournament basketball over the next couple of weeks and probably be helping Mommy fill out a bracket. In two weeks the McCulloughs are coming to visit for the weekend, and on the 28th Ben will have his 6 month check up at the doctor's office. I will be sure to update with his new weight and length around that time.