Six Months Part 1

Ben has drooled on this earth for six entire months! It is incredible to think that in just six more months he will be an entire ear old. The past six months have flown by and it is such a joy to watch Ben grow and change. Ben moved three days into his fifth month of life from the country roads of West Virginia to the grape orchards of Fredonia, New York. He will always be a mountaineer and wore a WV onesie to commemorate the move. It took a little while for Ben to settle into his new life. His nursery is a different color, we had to leave the giraffe above his crib behind and his room is at least three times as big. Every day he looks around with his bright blue eyes as he embraces his new surroundings.

Stats:

Weight: (unofficial) 18.5 lbs.

Height: (unofficial) 27 inches

*we don’t go to the doctor for another two weeks due to the move and change in pediatricians so these stats are a rough estimate.

Teeth: 0

Clothing size: 6-9 months, mostly 9 months—clothes that are just six months make our darling boy look a little like a stuffed sausage.

Motor development: Ben touches his fingers together individually, grabs blocks, balls, toys, the dogs, people, etc. with both hands. He also grabs things with his feet and loves to chill out on his changing table in the happy baby pose. His hands are of great interest and he has started opening and closing his fingers in what looks like a baby wave. He scratches everything with both of his hands to feel different textures. As he is falling asleep you can hear him scratching the sheets. He has also started to nod his head. It almost looks like he is saying “What’s up?” Ben is a roller! At four months he rolled from tummy to back but now we have mastered both directions. What started out on July 2^nd as surprise roll from his back to his tummy turned into a new favorite activity. (Andrew thought he would never roll again after the first time because I was so excited.) A week or so after his first roll he did it again while I had the camera out and we have a six minute video of watching him try and finally succeed. Ever since that incredible effort, Ben hasn’t looked back as he rolls through life. The second you put him on his back on the floor he flips right to his tummy to hold his head up high. While on his tummy he “supermans,” has mastered the “updog” and digs his feet into the ground. We have even witnessed a few backwards crawls. He is working so hard to figure out how to move forward that we expect to see him scooting around soon. He has also lost his “startle reflex” and no longer jumps when I open his wipes.

Language development: Ben laughs, giggles, grunts, moans, and uses several sounds. He often wakes up saying “ha-ha-ha” and likes to give great shrieks when he sees himself in the mirror. He continues to say “ah” and loves to blow bubbles and raspberries with and without his fingers in his mouth.

Loves: Ben loves life. He is such a peaceful, easygoing, giggly boy and we are truly blessed to have him. He loves to look around at the world around his with his bright blue eyes. He loves to go on walks/runs in the BOB and is totally relaxed as he looks around. He also loves his baby carrier and we have started carrying him on our back.

Both the stroller and the baby carrier put him to sleep if we are out long enough. Moving to Fredonia has greatly increased the amount of time we walk around outside as we walk to the hardware store, grandmom and granddad’s house, the hardware store, daddy’s office, the farmer’s market, the playground, and did I mention the hardware store for house supplies?

In the house he loves talking to himself in front of a mirror, playing with his toys, bouncing his bouncy seat and jumping in his jumperoo. He enjoys splashing around in the tub and in the pool. His eyes light up when he is talked to and he loves listening to books whether they are baby books, Bill Bryson, Harry Potter or Bar Exam review books. In his crib he still enjoys his mobile made by Aunt Joanna. He is increasingly interested in the dogs and if they are nearby he reaches out his chubby little arms to grab them. Chopper has had his tail pulled at least once and Tessa has felt his firm grip on her fur. The dogs are tolerating his interest in them and are finding it harder and harder to resist giving him a lick. He likes his pacifier but isn’t dependent on it. He also likes frozen teething toys, wet washcloths, and toys that make music. He loves the baby swing at the playground and looks completely at peace in it.

To be continued…