Four months!

Benjamin James - 4 months old!

I cannot believe how much Benjamin has changed this month! It seemed like over night he went from a cuddly, quiet newborn to a bouncy, giggly, playful baby!

The first thing that Benjamin discovered this month was TOYS! We had a few toys that we had been given at baby showers, but he had never shown any interest in them so I thought he was just to young. But this month, when Benjamin and I were living at my parents house, my mom would watch him sit calmly and quietly in his bouncer and would say, "That boy needs a toy!" So the next day at Walmart she marched us to the baby toy aisle and we let Benjamin pick his favorite, a squeaky smiley-faced giraffe with colorful plastic rings instead of legs. I was so surprised how much Benjamin loved his toy! He quickly learned how to grab onto the plastic rings and he refused to let go. He loves sucking on his new friend's nose and bursts into a grin whenever someone makes it squeak. Thank you, Gigi!

Benjamin also discovered his feet this month and it is the cutest thing ever! When you lie Benjamin on the ground, he immediately swings his feet up by his head and grabs them with both of his hands. This boy is incredibly flexible and he loves sucking on his toes.

I am absolutely in love with my little cutie's laugh! When Benjamin first started laughing it sounded more like an old man wheezing. It was so hilarious! But after just a few weeks he figured out the laughing thing, and now he has the cutest, happiest belly laugh in the world! Daddy is the best at getting him to laugh. He walks in the door after work, takes one look at Benjamin, and immediately gets him to squeal and laugh in delight! I just love watching my two boys and seeing how much they absolutely adore each other!

Well, summer is here! And for Benjamin and me that means a lot of free time to snuggle, play outside, go for beautiful runs, and escape the heat at the community pool. It has been so wonderful to have a little buddy with me wherever I go this summer. Now that we have a running stroller (thank you, Grandma Gruwell!) Benjamin has become my running buddy! He is so patient and sweet while we run in the hot sun for miles and miles every day. I thought I loved running before, but now whenever I get discouraged or tired I can look down into my little boy's sweet face, smiling up at my from his carrier. After our runs I like to take him straight to the swimming pool, so we can both cool off.

I love swimming with Benjamin! He looks so adorable and chubby in his little swimming suit. Benjamin is still getting used to the pool. He never complains, but he always curls his hands into tight fists and keeps them right against his chest and just stares with wide eyes and all the kids splashing and shouting in the water. Lately he's started to relax a little bit more and last time we were even able to get a genuine smile!

Life is so fun with Benjamin James! We're so glad you are ours!