Ben ~ 1 month

Why must a babies first month fly by so fast?  I blinked and Ben was one month old!  It's crazy how fast time goes by when there is a newborn in the house.  But, let me just say that we have soaked in as much as we could of Ben this past month as possible, since we are all well aware that it doesn't last long.

I'm not going to lie...five kids has totally kicked me in the butt!  I think the fact that he was born in July, right in the dead of summer when all of the kids are home, was the main contributor to the craziness this past month.  Obviously, my main focus has been on Ben, but I, of course, have to be there for Noah, Leah, Isaac, and Kate as well.  Kate has been the hardest, which I expected.  She's always been pretty attached, so I wasn't at all surprised when she wanted to be by my side 24/7.  And, of course, she wanted me most when I was tied down to feeding Benjamin.  Lets just say that Kate has had her fair share of iPad use this past month...and I'm not going to feel bad about it one bit.  It's just the way it is right now.  PLUS, watching Daniel Tiger has taught her some good manners and other life lessons!  Ha!

At one month old, Ben...

...is as cute as a button.  I pat myself on the back for all of the cuteness that Ben graces us with.  All of his features are just as perfect as can be and I could just stare at him for hours.  And I do...a lot!  He's definitely some good eye candy!

...eats like a champ!  Not gonna lie, nursing a baby during those first 2 weeks is torture for me!  I honestly didn't look forward to feeding him at first, but now all is well and we are both enjoying our bonding time.  And he is such a good eater, and he will for sure let me know when he is hungry.  Missing a meal is NOT on his agenda.  My little ladies were so mellow when it came to eating...but my little men, no sir!  When they're hungry, they want to eat now!  As soon as his belly is full he is so content.

...spits up all . of . the . time!  I've never had a spitter before!  I had no idea that a baby could spit up this often!  He and I go through a few outfits a day.  It's just crazy to me that he can spit up that much!  I'm now in the mode, and am usually prepared with 3 burp clothes for his eruptions after every feeding.  Oh the joy.

...is somewhat of a fussy baby.  He is usually fussy for a little while after he eats and in the evening.  I've never had a baby with reflux, so I'm beginning to wonder if that is what he has.  If things don't change soon, I'll probably take him to the doctor to see what's going on.  Sometimes his cries are as if he's in pain, which breaks my heart.  We'll figure it out soon enough.

...absolutely loves taking a bath!  His umbilical cord fell off when he was a week and a half old, and up until that point he did not like his sponge baths.  I was SO looking forward to giving him a real tubby.  When the day finally came, we filled up his bath and as we started to put him in it he started to sob.  I think that he was expecting another torturous sponge bath...but then all of a sudden he stopped crying and started to look around and was completely content.  It was adorable watching him sit there soaking in his little tubby.  Naked babies in tubs getting all clean and stuff makes me so happy!  Although, he didn't like getting out.  Can't win them all.

...is totally and completely adored by his siblings.  They all argue over who gets to hold Ben next...blah blah blah.  I'm always telling them that he isn't going anywhere and that they'll all get a turn.  And when they do, it's just as cute as can be to watch.  Noah and Leah would hold him forever if they could...that is until he starts fussing, then they want me to take him.

...is not a fan of his carseat...at all!  The moment that we put him in his seat, he starts to sob.  We have spent a lot of time at home because of this.

...is a classic newborn and sleeps majority of the day.  He can sleep really good stretches at night as well, just depends on the night.  I really enjoy those nights when he decides to sleep 4 hours straight!

...has earned the nick names Benny and Bubba.  I'm sure that there will be many more to come!

...loves to snuggle and prefers to be in someones arms.  I don't mind this one bit!

...is still wearing newborn clothes and we just pulled out some that are 0-3 months.  He's definitely growing and I'm sure I'll be pulling out 3-6 month clothes before I know it (sniff sniff).

We sure do love this little man and he has enriched our lives during this past month.  Love you to the moon and back little man.