Bennett - 7 Months

This month was extremely special because we celebrated our first Christmas with Bennett. It was fun thinking back to last year when we announced to our family that we were expecting. We had a wonderful Christmas. December 18th we went to MS to have Kevin's extended family Christmas. It was fun to see Bennett and Fischer play. Bennett played a song on his toy piano and Fischer sang a song. I so wished we could have captured it on video. Christmas Eve we celebrated Christmas with my family. Everyone came over to our house. Unfortunately, Bennett fell asleep when it was time to open gifts. Christmas day, Bennett woke up, ate, and then saw what Santa had brought under his Christmas tree in his room. Santa was very practical this year. Then, we had our family Christmas and rushed to church. That evening, Kevin's parents came over. Bennett had more fun with the paper and boxes than the gifts. We are so very thankful.

Bennett is now 7 months and such a big boy now. He is 16 lbs 13 oz and 26.5" long. He rolls over from his stomach to his back. He loves his fingers/hands. He is called "preacher man" at school because he keeps his hands clasped together like he is praying. It was also a rough month. New Year's Day we went to Children's Hospital. Bennett was wheezing. He tested positive for RSV which had led to Bronchitis. He was a very sick boy. He just looked like he felt awful. He would just sleep and eat. I missed my playful, smiley boy. He stayed home from school that whole week. By Thursday, he was no longer having a fever. By Saturday, he was his playful self again.

Bennett has tried many different veggies (carrots, sweet potato, green beans, squash, and green peas). He does not like green peas. It was funny because he did not spit them out. He screamed with his mouth open like I needed to get it off his tongue. We will try them again later. Overall, he is a very good eater. He will hold his bottle, but wants to play with it when he holds it.

Bennett got his first tooth 12/11/11. It is the lower left. It was rough. He does not like orajel. He screams when I put it on his tooth, so we no longer use it. Then 1/5/12, he got his second tooth. Bennett does not sleep well when he is teething. He does not like the teething rings. I finally tried filling his pacifier (he does not take them) with water and freezing it. Once frozen, I would let him suck on it and numb his gums. He seemed to like it once he figured out you were not making him take a pacifier.

We have good and bad nights when not teething or sick. He will usually wake during the night when he becomes unswaddled. Swaddling may not have been a good thing. It is good to help him sleep, but now that he is so big it is hard to swaddle him and he does not sleep well without being swaddled. I guess we will have to endure the transition.

Favorite toys: Still loves his piano, farm animal toy, and really enjoys his Baby Einstein jumper saucer. New toys from Christmas that he likes is snail (from Grandmother Lurline)and activity table (from mom and dad).

Favorite food: fruit - peaches, veggie - carrots & sweet potato

Here are some pictures from the month.

7 Month Photo


Bennett's first tooth


Bennett giving Daddy sugar.


Bennett holding bottle.



Bennett the Elf


Bennett and Fischer


Bennett's Christmas Gifts from Mom and Dad



Gifts from Santa


Bennett with some of his Christmas gifts.


Atkins Family Photo

Bennett - 6 Months

Bennett is now 6 months old. It seems everyday he his doing something new. He now weighs 16lbs 8oz and 26" long (30% weight, 25% height, and 90% head). He has been eating fruit with cereal twice a day along with bottles of formula. He has found his feet and loves to play with them. He is almost able sit up, but is still a little top heavy.

Bennett has had 2 ear infections. He did so well taking his medicine. I did not get them flavored and he ate it like it was a bottle. He is getting his first tooth. This has been awful. He is cranky and does not sleep well (which makes everyone cranky).

Bennett has enjoyed some fun days at Nanna and Poppie's. They get him some of the best toys. Cousin Lindsey continues to spoil Bennett with gifts everytime we come to MS. We took Bennett to Bass Pro Shop to have his picture made with Santa. We are getting ready for Bennett's first Christmas. I cannot wait.

Bennett's Favorite Toy: Piano and Farm Animal toy
Bennett's Favorite Song: Santa is coming to Town and Itsy Bitsy Spider
Bennett's Favorite Fruit: Peaches


All ready for the Egg Bowl


Bennett playing


Bennett having fun and Nanna's


Bennett and Frosty


Bennett 6 month photo