ONE YEAR!

Sweet Colin Bennett,

Happy first birthday!! It is so hard to believe that it has already been a year since you entered our lives. On one hand it feels like you have been a part of our family forever, on the other hand, I can't believe how fast this year has gone and how much you have grown.
You bring so much joy to our lives and have made our family complete. You make me want to be the best me possible and I  know I can speak for Daddy when I say he feels the same. It has been amazing developing a relationship with you. Of course I will always love these baby snuggles but am so excited to watch you grown and learn (which happens on a daily basis!). You have made your Daddy and I so proud and so happy. We each have a special relationship with you and cherish it so much.
We love you so much, more than you could ever imagine. My wish for you is always a happy and healthy life full of wonderful experiences. I am so excited to see what year number two brings for our little family.

To the moon and back, little man.

Love,
Mama

Colin Bennett: 52 weeks

On May 28th, Colin turned 52 weeks old. Just one short day away from his first birthday. Hard to believe that I've been doing these posts for so many weeks and that this is my last one. Not to worry, I'm going to continue to do monthly update posts of "Baby C". I love that this blog has given me the ability to document, in detail, the events of his first year.

Weight: Officially 21.4 pounds. Our scale was clearly wrong last week!

Social: We spent our memorial day weekend enjoying the beginning of summer. We went to the pool, had a BBQ with Gram, Granddad, Mommy Kim and Daddy Dave and went for a walk at Valley Forge State Park. We also had his 1 year photo-shoot followed by lunch outside at Mommy's college!  

Sleep: Our good little sleeper sleeps through the night, every night. We have recently pushed up his bedtime from 7:30 to 7. He was getting way to cranky pants in the evening and gave us the signal that bedtime needs to be earlier.

Diet: The biggest change has been the incorporation of milk. C's diet still consists of lots of fruits, veggies and whole grains with lean protein. 

Clothes: 12-18 month outfits and size 4 diapers! Nothing like a change the last week of your first year! 

Baby Gear Love: Books, Books and more Books. We also love our sippy cups, stroller and bathing suits! C went swimming twice this week.

Crying: When he's sleepy and ready for bed he gets fussy

Likes: Exploring! He checks everything out. C also LOVES to listen to music, make music and has started dancing.  He also LOVES the water- he is a fish!

Dislikes: "Oh you told me no no? Watch me cry".

Postpartum: No answering this any longer is making me happy

Milestones:

Went to the outdoor pool and played in the wave pool! C loved it! He also started to spend time in the toddler room at school.

C's hair is also growing so long! Not that this is a milestone perse but I love the long wavy curls he is getting! Our guy is so handsome!

Colin Bennett: 50 weeks

On Wednesday May 14th, C is just two weeks shy of his first birthday. Seriously, time slow down!

Weight: 21-22 pounds. He's grown so much in the past week or two- growth spurt anyone?

Health: Happy and Healthy!

Social: C spent the weekend soaking up time with Mommy in light of mother's day. Friday night C made a guest appearance at the Bayne/Kassab ladies happy hour. He surprised everyone and was the center of attention for a little bit. 

 

 

Saturday, we had a swim lesson, went to the park for a run and swinging with Gram and Aunt Julie came over for birthday crafting. Sunday went to brunch with gram, granddad, uncle Andrew and Mom Mom Mom (my grandmother). We snuggled lots on Sunday afternoon since I had to leave in the middle of the night for a week long work trip. This was the first time I have ever left C for more than 2 nights (one time in December I left for 2).

 

 

This was DIFFICULT. I missed my guy so much and based on Daddy's account of the end of the week, C missed me too! On Tuesday and Wednesday Mommy Kim came over to help out which was so nice!

Sleep: Through the night, every night.

Diet: C was a hungry man this week- gobbled up waffles, eggs and fruit at Mother's day brunch!

Clothes: 12 month pants, 12 month onesies, 12 and even some 18 month jammies, size three diapers.

Baby Gear Love: The jogger, his walkers, our new tunnel. C crawls back and forth through the tunnel and laughs up a storm! He also LOVES books like crazy. C pulls every book off the shelf and turns the pages while he "jibber jabbers" as he "reads". Melt my heart.

Crying:  "alligator tears".  Oh- I can't put my finger in this socket or open this drawer? Watch me stick out my lip and "cry". I have  no idea where he got that from ;)

Likes: His brand new "tent tunnel". Hours of entertainment.

 

Dislikes: see above "crying"

Postpartum: Keeping it up!

Milestones: C can climb steps!
C also picked up his "sippy" at brunch on Sunday and finally got the hang of using it! Just in time for his big move to the todfants class!

Colin Bennett: 49 weeks

Wednesday May 7th, Colin turned 49 weeks!

Weight: I'd take a guess at 21 pounds.  We will find out in a few short weeks at his one year appointment.

Health: Happy and Healthy!

Social: Colin had his very first swim lesson! He did such a great job and loved being in the water! We also went to the park two times and had lots of quality family time. Aunt Julie also visited on Saturday!

 

Mommy and Daddy also got to go on a date! Gram and Granddad babysat while Mommy and Daddy went on a double date to Bonefish with Uncle Mark and Aunt Julie!

 

Sleep: Through the night, every night. So thankful that we finally have a good little sleeper. For a while there I was worried we'd be waking up several times a night through his first year!

Diet: C is open to trying anything and everything. He's such a good little eater.

Clothes: 12 month pants, 12 month onesies, 12 and even some 18 month jammies, size three diapers. Aunt Barbara spoiled him with plenty of new summer clothes while we went outlet shopping!

Baby Gear Love: The jogger! We've been getting plenty of good use out of our jogger and C loves it!

Crying:  "alligator tears". He knows how to work the system this kid! 

Likes: Exploring everything! Anything he can get into, he will. Our kiddo also LOVES to swing!

Dislikes: jammies, being told "no" (we hardly say no but he doesn't like when we redirect him.) He also told me that he doesn't like being called a "girl" or hearing "your baby girl is beautiful"... which happened twice this week.

Postpartum: Seeing some results from all my hard work! Lots of exercise and watching what I eat. Simple plan.

Milestones: Playing more and more with Dutch a man

First swim lesson

Mother's Day

This year, Mother's Day means so much more to me than it has in years past. In years past I have gotten to celebrate my wonderful Mother and spent the day reflecting on all that she does for our family. While I still plan on doing just that this coming Sunday... this year, I am also a Mommy.
Being Colin's Mommy has been the most rewarding, honorable, tiring, heartwarming (and heartbreaking) job I have ever had. I enjoy being his Mommy so much and wouldn't change an ounce of this past year.

Becoming a Mommy has certainly opened my eyes to just how special my Mom is as well. Being a good Mommy requires selflessness, LOTS of LOVE, patience and dedication. My mom has all of those qualities and more.  I strive to be just as good a Mommy to Colin as she is to me.

I can only hope that our little boy knows just how much I love him. I am honored to be his Mommy on mother's day and every day.

Happy Mother's Day!

10 months: Colin Bennett

On March 29th, you turned 10 months little man! You were not having your picture taken this month, no way! This is the only smiling picture I was able to get. Still cute as heck anyway!

At ten months old you are...

Still hanging out around 20 pounds.
You are wearing mostly 12 month onesies (with some 9 months here and there) and twelve month pants for length. You are still in size three diapers.

Eating: You have an eight ounce bottle each morning and one before bed then you have two six ounce bottles during the day (11 and 3) and one 2 oz  sippy cup  at lunch. You eat three meals a day.

Loves: You absolutely love to read books. You turn the pages and look at all the pictures. You also love to go for jogs with Mommy in the stroller and explore the outdoors.

Guess what? You are finally in love with school! You have made lots of friends, especially a little girl named Makenna! You two play together every day, it's adorable.

Sleeping: Hit or miss, we are starting to have more and more nights of sleep!

Milestones:
Crawling! Hooray!
Transition to the big boy tub- no more Mr. Whale tubby

You have several nicknames: your main nick names are Collywood, beebs and beep a da beep. You also occasionally get called bayba c and neenee (when you are upset/fussy). Gram and Granddad as well as Aunt Julie call you "bee bee".

You are settling in nicely to our new home and your new routine. You've really started to show off your personality and it is to die for. We LOVE to spend time as a family and are so excited for the warmer weather because you've decided you love to be outside! Keep on growing and learning, little one. We love you so  much!

11 Months: Colin Bennett

Colin Bennett,

It is so hard to believe that we are ONE short month away from your first birthday. This year has FLOWN by and it has been overwhelmingly full of love. You light up our lives and make our little family complete. You have grown so much this month, learned to crawl, stand and sleep through the night!

At eleven months old you are...

Weighing in at 20 pounds and are getting so tall measuring 28 inches long. You are 75th percentile for height and 50th for weight and head circumference.
You are wearing twelve month onesies and twelve month pants for length. You are still in size three diapers and I think we will stay in this size for a little while longer.
You made the switch to a convertible car seat this month which has made travel so much easier! You were getting much too heavy for the infant car seat. After all, you are almost a toddler!

Eating: You have a six ounce bottle each morning and one before bed then you have two six ounce bottles during the day (11 and 3) and one 2 oz  sippy cup  at lunch. You eat three meals a day and eat just about everything we put in front of you. You eat very healthy food and seem to love it!

Loves: You love hanging out with Mommy and Daddy and playing with us. You love to show us new things and smile when we play games (peak a boo, sharing toys, etc). In fact, you learned how to do peak a boo with your blankets and toys this month. It's so adorable.

Sleeping: Through the night, all night! You've had maybe 2-3 nights where you woke up this month, we think from bad dreams.

Milestones:
First hospital stay :-/

Pulling to stand/starting to "cruise"

Second Vacation

First Easter

Transitioning to the "meals" at school

First time on a swing and slide at the playground
3rd and 4th tooth came through (bottom front)!

You have several nicknames: your main nick names are Collywood, beebs and beep a da beep. Gram and Granddad and also Aunt Julie call you "bee bee" and Aunt Barbara and Uncle Ralph call you CB.

My little man, I love you more and more each day. Some days, I think my heart is going to explode with love for you. I look forward to seeing your smile each morning and treasure every moment we get to spend together. You are SO interactive at this stage and it's so fun to "play games" together. My favorite time with you is bath time- we have a game where we put all of your bath time "guys" into a clear container and you think it's the best! Your smile lights up the room and your laugh is simply contagious. This month, I'm soaking up the baby as we prepare for your first birthday. We love you to the moon and back and around again, sweet Colin!
Love,
Mama and Daddy