Developmental Milestones this Month: Benjamin (like Andrew) fits into the textbook category for his development. He can do the following (all age-appropriate according to What to Expect the First Year): smile in response to your smile, startles at a bell/clapping sound, lifts his head 90 degrees and raises his chest when he's on this stomach, rolls over from his stomach to his back, holds his head (relatively) steady when sitting upright, grasps rattle/toy held to his hand, pays attention to small objects in front of him and tracks them as I move them. The only thing that he's not doing yet is vocalizing, he's a quiet boy. He squawks at us when he wants something or is bored.
Things Benjamin likes: Mommy is his favorite person, but Daddy gets the most smiles! He loves his swing. He has spent so much time being held by family and friends, that he hasn't spent a lot of time exploring our home. He loved the Christmas tree lights. He likes to be held tightly, likes his pacifier
Things Benjamin doesn't like: He's the easiest ever... he is pretty much chill. He doesn't like being hungry, when Andrew moves him all over the place
Sleeping: Benjamin likes to sleep at night. He started having a longer stretch by week three and now he's up to 7-8 hours (9 pm to 5 am, with a dream feed about 10:30 pm). He wakes up and eats sometime between 4:30-6 every morning and if you're super quiet and fast in getting everything ready, he'll go back to sleep from the bottle to about 7 am. It's nice. Napping during the day is consistent, but not long. I need to swaddle and put him down quicker (actual follow the Baby Whisperer rules), but I've enjoyed holding and snuggling him.
Eating: Ben eats 4 oz every 3 hours with an extra feeding at night and dream feed at 10:30.
We are still holding on to breastfeeding although it hasn't gotten any easier. Originally the goal was 6 weeks, but we were going strong, so then it was 8 weeks, then 2 months. I know that the end is very near and I want to end of a happy note instead of with rejection.
Diapers: Still in size 1--I have no idea how many we've used (unlike with Andrew... because first time and second time mom is so different)
Clothing: Ben is still in newborn clothes, except sleepers where he is in 0-3 months because of his length. He's a peanut; doctor's appointment on Thursday to get the actual measurements.