37 Weeks

What can I say about 37 week old Bennett? He is very much the boy he was when he was born: curious, observant and laid back. Only now he's extremely mobile and very active. He likes to be on the move, getting into things he shouldn't and doing/seeing new things.

Despite being a pretty chill kid, he has a stubborn side that comes out when there is something he wants (especially when it comes to food he really likes, like a banana) or if you make him do something he doesn't want to do (like wear hats and hoods). He'll speak up if he doesn't like something, or if he wants something, but he's also quick to forget and move on too. 

His stranger-danger phase continues, but it isn't so horrible that he clings to Joel or me. Mostly when we arrive somewhere, it takes him a few minutes to get adjusted. He likes to survey the situation from the safety of our laps, then he gets comfortable and will explore. He's starting to interact with strangers more, by giving smiles, but sometimes gets nervous and looks to us to see if the situation is safe. This phase isn't too bad though, so let's hope it doesn't get any worse. He still has a slight preference towards me, but that's probably because I'm still his food supply, which gives us more of a bond.

 Bennett is eating wonderfully and is still open to trying new things. When we eat, we give him puffs and Cherrios to eat, and he LOVES feeding himself. Maybe half reach his mouth, but he definitely loves the freedom of putting food in his mouth. He still gags if food isn't mushy or pureed enough, so we're hesitant to give him too many finger foods. One of his favorite things is to take bites of banana, like regular people do. This is awesome, because it is a lot less messy and a lot less work than mashing it up.

The one thing Bennett has been doing is getting more adventurous with his standing and crawling. He'll try to crawl over everything, especially all over me. He likes to stand holding on with only one hand now, and sometimes lets go altogether, thinking he can balance... which he cannot really yet. I have no doubt he'll figure it out soon, because he seems pretty determined to do so. He also really loves books. If there is one laying around, he'll flip through it, or try to eat it. When I pull out a book to read to him, he will stop doing whatever he is doing, and pay attention. Sometimes he only has a few seconds of attention, and other times he can sit through a few books, but either way, the second he sees a book, he gets happy.

Bennett still loves singing. He especially loves "Rock a Bye Baby" still, for his lullaby. The new song I'm teaching him is "Do-Re-Mi". I've been singing it in the car, and he usually quiets down to listen. With the effect music has on him, I'm going to be a little heartbroken if he's tone deaf or musically challenged when he gets older.

A few of the many faces of Bennett

Daddy's boy