From this weekend, Bennett enjoying the great outdoors:

He loved standing in the sun and was mad when we made him go back inside. 

Daycare drop off today: 

He likes sitting like this: 

To Bennett

You have now been one years old for a couple of weeks. What an amazing year it has been! You just started walking this week, a little bit past your birthday, but that's okay! You've had quite the busy year.

It is hard to believe that  a year ago, you were a teeny little thing who didn't do more than sleep and eat, but even as a newborn, you were anxious to learn about the world around you as you are now. From the first day you were born, I could see the curiosity in your eyes whenever you heard a new sound or the intense stares you would give to the person holding you, like you were trying to memorize their face. Now, you love to look around and have Daddy and I explain things to you. You are an intellectual in the making!

You still love music, this has never changed. Before, whenever you heard a song, you'd stop what you were doing (usually eating) and listen. Music would soothe you when you were crying, and 'Rock a Bye Baby' would put you to sleep. Now, when you hear a good song in a restaurant or at the store or I sing you a song, you dance, popping your chest back and forth. I love your love for music and hope it continues to make you happy as you grow older.

Early on, we thought you were a laid back baby and that still seems to be the case. As long as you have things to look at and people to watch, you will tolerate being up past your bedtime... although it seems like that tolerance is fading. It's okay though! You need your sleep and we shouldn't be keeping you up so much. But even so, you go with the flow and make it so easy for us!

It took you a week or two after your birthday to start walking, but you did it. It didn't take long, about a week or two, when you started kicking a ball around. You are still a little wobbly on your feet but you already want to run. I can tell you're going to be on persistent kid. Nothing is going to hold you back from what you want to do, and when you figure out how to do something, you're going to do it well from the get-go.

It's been quite a year, but we couldn't have asked for a better kid! Aside from a few minor things along the way (reflux- so much spitup; sickness- colds, ear infections, RSV, pneumonia, pink eye, lots of medicine) you've been perfect in every way. You've set your own schedule (every 3 hours, which is perfect), you've hit all the milestones on your own (we didn't even realize what some of the milestones were you had been doing them for a while, and someone would ask us if you did it yet, and we realized what a big deal it was), and you are so happy. Each day, I get so excited to come home from work, because I cannot wait to see you and your smiling face. It has only been a year, but it has been a year with more joy, excitement, love, just every emotion, than I've ever had. I can't imagine what life has in store for us, but I know it's going to be amazing because we get to do it together!

Squirrel!

These past few weeks bedtime has been a struggle. We cut out the bedtime feeding last week but that wasn't the problem. Even before that Bennett has been getting fussier at bedtime, crying and screaming whether we're holding him or not. When we do hold him he squirms and rolls around getting increasing more frustrated. After wrestling with him for 10 mins or so we usually give up and let him scream in his crib. Usually he only screams another 3-5 mins and is asleep. 

Today Joel had a late meeting so it was just me and Bennett. He started to get a little fussy when we were playing downstairs so I decided to bring him upstairs and read some books. I was preparing for a fight but as we read the three books, he got increasing more cuddly. When we were finished, I was read for him to start screaming and rolling around but he just cuddled in. So I sang him a song and we rocked. He moved around once in a while but never says a peep. As long as he was quiet and calm I decided to keep singing and rocking since it isn't often we get to cuddle. After 20 minutes he fell asleep. I don't want our bedtime routine to take this long every night but tonight it was what we both needed. 

Wednesday Night

Step one: 

Step two: 

All done!

Going For a Walk

Life Lately

Bennett has been having a great time at daycare. Last week, it was like he flipped a switch and was no longer sad during drop offs. Even at ECFE, he has been exploring more. It is like having our old Bennett back, the one who didn't have horrible stranger danger. This week, Bennett's buddy Sylvia has been at daycare when he is dropped off. Joel said he instantly sprint crawls over to her.

This is from yesterday. That's Sylvia in the background

Here they are today, with Olga. She's our favorite lady at daycare, and Bennett has always loved her too. That is the table they like to crawl onto. Last Friday when I picked him up, he was trying to crawl on the table. One of the ladies and I were both telling him 'no' and she was telling him to keep his feet on the floor. Bennett would stop with one knee on the table top, look at us, and shake his head. Then he'd think for a minute and try again, and we'd say no, and he'd stop, shake his head and get back down. I told the lady that Bennett is obviously quite the troublemaker, but she told me that they all try to crawl on the table, but Bennett is the only one who stops and gets back down when you tell him to. The others just keep crawling. That's my good boy!

Yesterday we took our first stroller walk of the year. We couldn't pass up the 50 degree weather. Bennett loved it!

Splash

This kid loves water. Even staying in intul his fingers and ties are pruney isn't enough. Today he got to okay with bath crayons. He didn't put them down, he loved them so much. He also loves splashing, clearly. 

Hide and Seek

When they figure out your hiding spot is in bed, under the covers. 

1 Year Checkup

Much belated but here are Bennett's stats from his one year checkup. I feel like he's getting ready for a big growth spurt because he seems a little below average. Must need some spring and summer sun to grow.

Saturday Morning

Daycare Lately

We are really so happy with Bennett's daycare. Twice this week, he didn't cry when he was dropped off. Making progress! Bennett has two buddies in class: Landon and Silvia. One day when Joel picked up Bennett, he saw Bennett in the back of the classroom with the other two. They were banging on mirrors and laughing at themselves. The daycare ladies said that is how they are all day long, together and laughing. It's so great to know he is happy and has friends! They also said he has been taking more steps at daycare. We don't see TOO much of it at home, because by the time he gets home on the weekdays, he is exhausted and wants us to hold him. But when he does walk, it is a solid 4-5 steps and he is extremely confident in his standing! Won't be long before he is walking everywhere!


From February 25th: Snow Day

We had so much fun exploring snow in the sensory table today. We even made a snowman!

To Bennett's left is his buddy Landon. The two boys and Silvia are best buds.

There he is in the background!

From February 28th: Heart Finger Painting