4 month appt

Today was Benjamin's 4 month appt. We switched to a new pediatrition and really like him. He said a couple notable things that made us laugh. "He is advanced in the trunk" ; "He is in the 75th percentile for weight". There was a mirror that spanned the length of the table that Benny was fascinated with. Poor guy had to get 4 shots today and he was quite a trooper. He also has a tooth coming in so he is all out of sorts.

and a few moments from our little composer...

Growing and growing

Benjamin is now 4 months old! He seems to be doing a lot of maturing all of a sudden. We are quite excited at every little turn and twist, expression and heartfelt emotion that he expresses. The daily circuit that was fun for him last week isn't as much this week. He is ever changing. Just today for the first time he reached his arms out to me to be picked up. I felt like I just won an Oscar from the Adacemy of Benny. I melted 1000 times over.

Benny is rolling over and scooting in his walker with great determination. Also this week we seem to have forgoten the awesome night sleeping habits we had going and have reverted to waking every 3 hours. (not so excited about this, but we are like mad scientists working on a solution ... at least I am)

I am headed back to work on March 17th. As my dear friend Gary says... "all good things must come to an end Carrie".

I have very mixed feelings about returning- all because I can't imagine not being with Benjamin at every moment.

What I have to be thankful for is that we have a WONDERFUL nanny solution for 3 days and I have a great job to return to. Jason will be off on Mondays and I will be off on Fridays.

I am also very excited to welcome a new member to the family. Sekou Zai Carey Kimmons. Born on Feb 18th to my cousin Ron and Thai-an. I had the pleasure of meeting him last week and what a wonderful beautiful dear baby boy he is!

And today, Alina got her first tooth!
Jason completed a duathalon and Moms and babies got to hang out.

Another chapter is about to unfold...

Bulbous but Mobile

For 4 months Benny has been eating breast milk and breast milk alone. I never knew the power of breast milk until I watched him become nice and round. See it for your own eyes. Isn't he adorable?!

And don't think for a second that his roundness is slowing him down. He loves that walker!

Super Bowl 2008

You can imagine the fun we had. Benjamin was so excited that I won my Super Bowl pool that he ate the football. Good times.

Three Muskateers

Ben, Alexandra and Alina having a great time on Carrie's birthday. Notice how Ben is holding the hands of both girls?









He does like his tummy time too.

3 months!

Benjamin might be a musician! Well- you just never know. Music has certainly entered Benny's life and he loves it!
In addition to the daily piano playing with Mom and occasional guitar playing by Daddy- I signed up for an infant music class. I was a bit reluctant at first, but Meredith convinced me it would be fun for Alina and Ben to do this together. So we had our first class last week. The class is a riot. We sit in a circle and sing and dance and play instruments. Benjamin seems to enjoy it- but during the times that all the babies sit on the parents lap- Benny won't sit. He wants to stand... and he is not happy to just stand, he keeps trying to walk across to the other side of the circle. (as many of you know our little Benjamin is quite the walker)
He is so funny!
I met Mere prior to the class at our old walking trail in Redwood Regional in Oakland. Benny is big enough now to go face forward in the Bjorn and he loved it.
Benjamin's other favorite activity is to stand on Jason's lap as they make faces and sounds and laugh at each other. I witnessed Benny laughing so hard that he tipped his head back and his belly contorted. There is nothing better than hearing and watching this.
Benny is officially 3 months old. I can't believe it!

Oh so fast!

We were told that time would fly once the baby was born and we continue to realize this every day. Benjamin is doing so much right now and it is amazing and so much fun! I just can't believe how fast he is growing. I feel if I don't write things down his progress will go by in a blur.

So, to bring you up to speed... we got a baby walker and Benjamin is able to sit upright and he just loves it. His toes just barely touch the ground but he is able to push backwards a little. I don't think he really realizes what is happening yet. He is really grabbing toys and studying them which is fascinating to watch. He wants everything in his mouth.

Benny rolled over at his 2 month doctor appointment and I was so excited. The doctor confirmed that he is absoutely healthy and eating very well. He weighed in at 14 lbs (81st percentile!). He is still trying to master thumb sucking. Right now he seems happy to have his entire fist in the mouth- but it keeps him busy working at it.

I continue to see Meredith and Alina every week. The exciting news last week was that Alina and Benjamin finally noticed each other for the first time. They actually smiled at each other and it was so cute!

Gabrielle hosted a play date lunch which was so much fun. 4 babies and 4 mommies. The talk was nonstop and we decided to make this a regular event.

We had a wonderful holiday. I feel so blessed for this baby and blessed that we have such wonderful friends and family in our lives.