The HALLway: Life. Love. Simply Creative: Crew Benjamin: 6 Month Update:

Happy 1/2 Birthday to the sweetest little boy in the whole wide world!!

Yes, big sister has already sang to him and there will be 1/2 of a birthday cake later today!

How has it been half of a year though?

Our sweet boy is growing up right before our eyes and it is going by way too fast for this Momma.

I find myself putting all of my energy somedays towards his big sister because of tantrums or things she needs from me, and he is such a relaxed, calm, chill baby, that placing him in his jumparoo or on a blanket on the floor with some toys is what is easiest, instead of holding him or working with him on certain things. It has made me feel awful and guilty some days because I am not giving him the attention that Charli always received. But thankfully I have been told that it is completely normal with the second child... Seriously though, Second Child Syndrome is totally a thing! ;)

None the less, we love our little man more than words could ever say. He is my happy place when big sis is acting up. He calms me down and his sweet smile simply melts my heart. We can't imagine life without this sweet little soul and knowing God chose us to be his parents is truly a blessing!

Half of a year looks pretty sweet on our little guy! He had a great check-up this morning and is as healthy as they come and it couldn't make us happier! He is in the 70th percentile for weight and 80th for height (much different than big sister's 99%).
He is constantly doing something new and watching his little personality grow and develop makes me so happy. He truly is the sweetest, happiest, most loving little boy and his smile makes everyone who meets him or sees his face smile. He has added two more states to his list, which puts him around 21 states he has been to so far. He has visited Vermont, has finally been in the Snow, and is officially Eating! We will be celebrating his first Valentine's Day tomorrow and are looking forward to everything this month has in store for him!

Crew's Stats:

*Weight: 18lbs 12oz

*Height: 27 1/2inches
(Fun Fact: Charli at 6 months was 19lbs 14oz and 27inches)

*Diaper Size: Size 2 Pampers Swaddlers

*Clothes: Almost officially out of all 3 months (he can still wear some onsies). He is wearing all 6 months.

*Teeth: 0 still, but the Pediatrician checked them out and he could see where his right bottom tooth is almost out and his left bottom won't be far behind it, and his top two are swollen. Come on teeth!

*Sleep: He is still an amazing sleeper! We have an occasional "wake up twice in the middle of the night" (due to his teeth and cold he just got over) but he is officially sleeping through the night!! He is in bed and asleep by 6:30-7PM and doesn't wake up until 4:30-5AM and goes back down until 7AM. He had about 4 nights in a row that he slept a full 11 hours, but he seems to be a 9 1/2 to 10 hour sleeper. I am also very thankful that he has always been able to put himself to sleep! Most nights he is already asleep while nursing, but doesn't wake up when I lay him down, but there are plenty of nights that he is wide awake while nursing and I kiss his little head, lay him down, say goodnight, and he is asleep within minutes, no tears!! Much different than Charli!

He still takes many naps... Some days only 2 but some days up to 4! His first morning nap is around 8:30AM and he goes back down around noon. He occasionally has one little cat nap in between those two and then another around 3PM if his noon nap was only an hour.

*Food: He has had pureed green beans, peas, sweet potatoes, and squash! He seems to like them all!

*Words: Mama, Dada, Nana OR Nini (however, these are mostly grunts and noises that we take to be these words!)

*Social: He seriously loves everybody! He will let anybody hold him, but always has a watchful eye on where his Momma is! Playing with friends and big sis is his favorite! He thinks Charli is hilarious and will full on belly laugh at her (seriously my favorite thing)!

*Other: He officially grabs his feet and holds them, he learned how to blow raspberries, he is still a scratcher, loves bath time, loves his diaper being changed, and is still the most ticklish little boy I have ever met! He can sit up all by himself for a couple of minutes, though he seems to really care less and is so happy and content just laying there. He does however find it extremely hilarious when we do sit him up and he decides he is going to throw himself backwards to fall down... He belly laughs so hard (seriously, is this a sign of having a dare devil little boy or what?!). He is really starting to scoot... I will find him completely off his play mat or blanket in just seconds.