As I was rocking Bennett last night before bedtime, I thought, “I don’t remember what I did before I had Bennett.” I know it has only been 4.5 months with Bennett, but every night for 4.5 months I have done the same thing. Night after night, it’s the same thing. I just wanted to dedicate a blog post to what our schedule looks like at this age. It will be fun to look back when he’s a year old and say, “I remember that!” or “I forgot about that!” So, hang in there with me if you’re reading this. It’s nothing profound, just a day in the life of the Relbot Household.

Bennett,

You’re waking up after a solid night’s sleep anywhere between 6 and 7:30 am. You rarely wake up before 6 anymore which is welcomed with open arms.

Your dad and I drink our coffee at 5:45 until you wake up and then we hear you talking which means you’re ready to eat! Sometimes I creep down the stairs trying not to hit every creaky floor board in hopes of snagging a few extra minutes before having to go feed you.

Your dad and I jokingly fight over who gets to go into your room to get you up in the morning or after a nap! It’s one of our favorite things to do! As soon as you see us your face lights up and you squeal. It’s one of the sweetest things. Let’s not forget your “Achoo” syndrome. We noticed at around 2 weeks old, you always sneezed twice when the lighting drastically changes. Now it’s comical. I can bet money on the fact that you will sneeze when I turn the lights on. I can hear your dad laughing from our room every time.

You wake up, eat and sometimes go back to sleep until 8 or sometimes you decide you want to stay awake and hang out.

You’re taking 2 long naps and sometimes an additional cat nap throughout the day. Your first nap is between 1-2 hours and starts somewhere between 8 and 9. Your second nap is typically 2-3 hours sometime in the early afternoon. You then sometimes need a 30 min to 1 hour cat nap in the early evening depending on what time you woke up from your afternoon nap.

During the day we play in front of the fire, in the exersaucer, on your play mat. We run errands or have play dates. I’m itching for warmer weather so we can have picnics outside and I can take you to the park. We aren’t outside a lot because it’s so cold. Come on Spring! We are ready for you!

You love water. Bath time is so much fun for you!!! Your dad and I are going to buy a kiddie pool for the back porch for you so you can splash away! We are so excited to take you to the pool and beach this summer as well!

You are a rolling machine. You rarely spend time on your back anymore. As soon as we lay you down, you flip to your stomach and start grabbing everything around you like a little raccoon. You are learning to scoot and reach for things on your belly.Like an inchworm you move forward an inch at a time. You also decided that you’re ready to sit up on your own this week!!! It’s been so fun to see you hit these huge milestones. We are a little worried though about you becoming mobile so soon! The days of laying you down to walk away and do something have come to an end.

You love to smile but sometimes we have to work to get you to really laugh. You sometimes give us a sympathy chuckle… like, “Good try mom… but you’re not really funny.” When we do get you laughing though, it’s the absolute best!

I kiss you at least a hundred times a day. I love to smother your face in kisses and you’ll grab my cheeks and try and push me away while giggling. You’re extremely ticklish, especially on your back. You know when we say, “I’m going to get you” that you’re about to get tickled. You squeal and start frantically figuring how to back away, all with a huge toothless smile on your face.

You’re calm and love to observe everything. Large crowds and noisy atmospheres aren’t your favorite. You really really REALLY aren’t a fan of loud sudden sounds. Even when in the womb, you would get startled by loud sudden noises. We can’t help but chuckle when we unexpectantly startle you now. You love to be held and absolute love everything about music/singing. It captivates you!

By evening time, we have started to put you in your high chair during dinner time. We have started letting you lick a few foods because in a month we will start introducing solids! I’m a little nervous but overall excited for you. 🙂 After dinner, we spend most of our time on the floor with you. A couple of months ago we would start your bedtime at 8. You have showed us in the past month that you like 7:30 better now. We make sure that the last 30-45 minutes before your bedtime, your daddy and I give you undivided attention. No TV in the background, no cell phones, no computers, only us and you. Daddy will often play and sing on his guitar, we do super baby, tummy time, tickle fests. You’re very content on your own, so this way we make sure that you are getting some quality time with both of us every day. Even though your dad and I are both tired at the end of the day, our lives are so rich in love and joy with you in it. We talk about how awesome you are ALL the time. We can’t imagine our lives without you even though you were just a thought a little over a year ago.

Our bedtime routine started out of necessity but has grown into a fun family routine every night. No matter how fussy you have been prior to bedtime, you’re all smiles during the process. It’s like you know you’re about to go to bed! I do your diaper and creams then daddy puts on your pj’s while I get ready for bed myself. He might read you a book, walk you around upstairs or sometimes just rocks you. We then both pray for you, daddy gives hugs and kisses goodnight and then the lights go off and it’s time for bed! You nurse for close to 45 minutes at night even though during the day it’s only 1/4 of that!  It’s a nice way to wind down the day even though the rocking and darkness sometimes makes me want to fall asleep!

I lay you down in your crib, cover you up with the blanket that your (great) Aunt Debbie made you and if you’re not already asleep, you put yourself to sleep. It still blows my mind that you’ve always been that way. You shake your head back and forth and within a few minutes, you’re out for the night! Even though you sleep with a paci during your nap times, you never have wanted or taken it at night.

You’re constantly changing, growing and learning. It’s amazing to see your personality come out. We are so in love with you Bennett Journey! You have changed our lives forever and we couldn’t be happier.