29 Weeks

Today Bennett celebrates his 29th week of life. We had literally three minutes to take pictures because we were rushing out the door to attend our first Infant & Parent class at Hopkins ECFE. Bennett is still working on getting adjusted to his new way of life where the day doesn't revolve around him, and so fell asleep on the ride over to class... then missed the entire open play at the beginning of class. Although the class is open to children 6 months through 18 months, Bennett is by far the youngest, by a few months, and a few months in infant world is a HUGE difference. Nearly all the other kids could walk, and if not walk, they were good crawlers.

He woke up just in time for all the parents to gather in a circle to start class and was a bit overwhelmed at the new faces and commotion around him. For a while, he was pretty tired and probably a bit scared. He would wiggle out of my arms and get on the floor, then sit for a minute before turning around and wanting to be held again. Slowly he became more sure of himself and would venture about a foot away. Bennett really enjoyed it when we sang songs and by the end of class when all the parents were picking up the toys, he was fine hanging out on the floor alone while people walked around him.

Bennett's new name as of recent has been Mr. Everything-is-my-business, because EVERYTHING IS HIS BUSINESS.  When I sat him down to take pictures, suddenly, he needed to inspect the fabric of the chair. Then he needed to check on Isla and see what she is doing. What is going on with my socks? How about I try to crawl off the chair? He is definitely aware of the world around him and eager to touch and taste everything near him. Even when he is full, if we are eating around him, he needs to take a taste. If we put him in the Bumbo chair on the island, he needs to see what papers are in reach and eat them, or play with the strap on Mommy's purse. We can't sit near him with our laptops anymore, because he'll work his way over and the laptop is then his.

With this curiosity stage, it's probably great that his cousins are around, because he is always entertained. Bennett is still transitioning to this new way of life, where he can't be held when he wants, and no one is there to nap with him. Because of it, he's been taking short half hour naps in the evening and going to bed around 8. I doubt this will be his new schedule, but it is nice seeing him for a bit longer in the evenings.

Bennett is still continuing to eat solids twice a day, at lunch and dinner. He isn't too fond of green beans and carrots, but will tolerate them a while. Obviously he loves anything sweet like sweet potato, pears and apples. He also likes chicken and salmon, so it's really impressive that he's interested in trying everything. I'm really excited for him to have another pancake this weekend because he LOVED it last weekend.

He is still working on crawling but he is mastering sitting really well. We often find him sitting up in bed in the morning, which is absolutely adorable. Just sitting there, waiting for us to get him. Tonight when he was going to bed, Joel said he heard a loud thud and then Bennett started crying. When Joel got to the room, he saw Bennett holding onto the crib railing with both hands, so he thinks Bennett tried to stand, then fell and hit his head. So... it's probably time we lower the crib bed so that he doesn't escape. He's really growing up so fast!

Otherwise, his second top front tooth hasn't popped out yet. He's been running a low grade fever off and on for the past week, so I have a feeling it'll come in any time. With his two bottom teeth, the second one came in days after the first, so really, it could be any time now. He still loves to take baths and REALLY loves when we take a family bath in our tub. Bennett likes to jump up and down in the water and splash around, so maybe it's time to get him into swimming lessons. He really has zero interest in his pacifier nowadays, likes to chat and suck his toes. He also knows to stick his arms out when he wants something or wants to be held. I find this particularly endearing when I get home from work and he reaches his arms out for me to hold him. And again, he's just as happy as ever!