It’s been a little while since I posted an update on Bennett, so today I wanted to let you know how the little munchkin is doing. Whenever Bennett comes up in conversation, the first thing I am asked is if he’s walking yet. He’s not and doesn’t really appear in any hurry to join the modern Homo sapiens and walk upright. He’s a pretty cautious little boy and very entertaining to watch as he appears to build up the courage to let go of the furniture and take a step only to succumb to his reservations and just start crawling. But my baby doesn’t just crawl, he crawls with swagger.
Bennett screams DADADADA whenever he wants Brian to come into a room, so I have admitted defeat, and we have designated it his first word. He was spoiled with many new toys for his 1st birthday, but he especially loves barreling through he apartment with this wooden walker and prefers to cruise the neighborhood in this trike. And Bennett may give Joey Chestnut a run for his money someday. The kid is the most amazing eater, and he seriously likes everything. We never have to worry about making something separate and kid-friendly for him because he truly enjoys everything Brian and I eat ourselves. Although this kid will scarf down everything from chili to shrimp, onions and peppers, his favorite food is spaghetti.
I am also so relieved to tell you guys that Bennett is finally sleeping through the night. And not to scare any of you first time moms out there, but it took a year. And although we certainly paid our dues, now he is the best little sleeper. He goes to bed at 8:00 and we don’t hear a peep from him until around 7:30 the next morning. And even when he wakes up he doesn’t cry to be let out of his crib. We leave a few of his board books on the shelf within reach of his crib and he pulls them in and just flips through the pages singing to himself for about 20 minutes. It’s seriously the funniest thing to watch on the baby monitor. He still takes a 2 hour morning nap around 9:30 or so and then goes down again in the afternoon for another 45 minutes. I am absolutely loving our little routine.
Being a mother and watching this little boy transform from a completely dependent being to a mobile, curious little explorer has been nothing short of a miracle. Watching his face as he discovers something new and also his peaceful expressions as he goes down in his crib at night now comfortable with the world is just so incredible to witness. He’s beginning to mimic what Brian and I do, so we have to be extra careful what we say and do in front of him now. I’ll put a sock on my head, and he’ll laugh and put a sock on his head. Or he will throw a ball to Brian, and then Brian will gently kick it back, causing Bennett to stand up and try to kick, which usually results in a fall to the floor.
So, all in all, things are really great. And although I run into some (occasionally gross) surprises along the way- like Bennett figuring out he can and it’s funny to just take off his pants- I am so much more comfortable with motherhood and truly enjoy every single moment. I love my little peanut with all of my soul. Have a wonderful day, friends!