4 months

4 Months!

The facts: 17 lbs, 26 1/2 inches long

I thought I'd show a couple of comparison pics of these two cute kids. I've always remembered how chubby Madeline was at this age. We called her 'sumo baby'. I think she looks chunkier than Benson in these pictures, but she was actually a little taller and didn't weigh quite as much.

All about Benson:

• When he's awake, his mouth is wide open most of the time. He's either smiling or trying to shove something inside - most likely his fist.
• He's still a really good sleeper during the day, as long as we're at home. Nighttime: not so good. Madeline did the same thing at this age. I don't know it's how my milk supply works, or if they're just more social and want to be with mom. He's up two or three times at night now. It's ok. I'm not as upset about it as I was with my little girlie.
• He's not rolling over yet, but he'll rock from side to side on his back. He also does "crunches" and tries to sit up while he's laying on his back. He still loves to put weight on his legs. He's a pretty strong kid.
• He sits in his bumbo now. We have it sitting on a chair up to our kitchen table so he can join us for meals. He's pretty interested in watching us eat. I haven't decided yet when we'll start rice cereal. We started Madeline at 4 months in hopes that she would sleep better. It didn't work. We've got a whole supply of baby food ready for him. I caught a great clearance on organic baby food at Walmart a couple of months ago. They were on sale for 4 to 25 cents a jar! I bought 132. We've also been pureeing fruits and vegetables we've gotten off of trees or on a good deal at the store. I'm sure we have more food storage for Benson than we do for the rest of us.
• He doesn't hate his carseat so much anymore! He just whines and yells while in it from time to time, but he's not full on crying every time we go for a ride in the car. I'm so happy about it!
• He gives smiles freely, and when he smiles, he smiles with his whole body.

• He laughs. It's my favorite. He laughs when someone else laughs, and he laughs when we play with him.
• He is so loved!