The Merrick Family has grown: Ben is 6 months old

I am amazed at how fast the past six months have gone. Six months ago today we met our sweet little Ben for the first time and he has forever changed our lives. He brings so much joy to our lives and fills our hearts with so much love. I never could have imagined having so much love in my heart for all my sweet boys! Everyday I love them more and more. I just can't get enough of Ben's sweet chubby cheeks, his contagious smile, and his sloppy kisses. We are really enjoying watching Ben's personality come through, and it is one of pure joy and happiness. I have said it before, but I can't say it enough, Ben loves his big brother so much and stays busy watching him as much as he can. When I first had Ben I was concerned, "how could I give him as much attention as I gave Luke when we just had one?" What I soon realized was Ben is in constant awe and completely entertained by everything his brother does and I know as he gets older he will wear himself out trying to keep up with his big brother. I absolutely love watching Luke make Ben smile and laugh, it is absolutely priceless. As a mom, all I want is for my two boys to love each other endlessly and care for each other as much as we do.
So, Mr. B what are you up to at 6 months old????
-the biggest milestone this month, you underwent surgery this month to place tubes in your little ears to help clear up your chronic ear infection. We had a lot of anxiety about letting you go through this, but we are so happy we did this for you. I didn't know it was possible for you to be any happier. You are so content now that your ears aren't bugging you 24-7.
-You have the biggest, cheesiest smile, and you are so easy to get a big smile
-You always wake happy from your sleep, if you don't, you will go back to sleep and wake up talking
-we are not swaddling you any longer and you are a mover in your sleep. I think you change positions over a dozen times
-you don't really care for your pacifier, you are taking it less and less
-you have started sucking on your fingers more and more
-you have started rubbing/pulling at your own hair
-you love to pull mommy's hair and you can pull hard!
-you like to give big sloppy wet kisses
-I think you are trying to cut your first tooth, but I could be wrong
-you are wearing size 2 diapers
-you are still nursing, but not for much longer. Mommy is going to start weaning you from nursing. We have a supply in the freezer, you have taken some formula and seem to handle it well.
-you are eating 5-6 times a day/night and when you do get a bottle you are drinking 6 oz
-you are waking once a night, usually around 3:30 or 4 a.m. You have given us several full nights of sleep but not consistent enough to say you are sleeping through the night. You are definitely sleeping better since your surgery
-you are taking 3 naps a day, some days 2 depending on the length.
-you love taking baths with Luke
-your bedtime is usually 6:45p.m
-you have been eating solids for a few weeks, three times a day. You get rice cereal three times a day, fruit in the a.m (so far you have tried peaches, mango's, and bananas), you have veggies at lunch and dinner. You definitely prefer veggies over sweet fruits. So far you have had sweet potatoes, peas, and carrots. You love them all!!!!
-We just changed out your carrier car seat, hoping that you will like the car a bit better in your big conversion car seat. We took one trip to the museum and back without tears...which is a step. Normally you get about 5 minutes into the trip and the tears start flowing. I am holding my breath and crossing my fingers that you will be happier in the car.
-you have started saying dadadadada and you jabber all the time
-you love your jumparoo and you roll all over, wherever you can
-you are sitting up for short periods by yourself
Ben, we love you more than you know, and with each day we fall in love with you all over again. You are such a happy, sweet little boy. Your smile is beautiful and your giggles are precious. You give the best hugs and sloppy kisses, we can't believe six months ago today we met you for the first time, it feels like it was just yesterday and yet, it feels like we have known you so much longer. I will never forget holding you for the first time and gazing into your most beautiful blue eyes. You are one special little boy Ben, we love you so much Benny Boy! All our love precious boy-Mommy, daddy, and Big Brother Luke!

March 3, 2012