Benigno Erasmo David

Benig hibernating during a January snowstorm.

Benig has been on 2-3 dates with Ella, our friends’ beautiful baby girl born on the same day as Benig.  For each of those dates, however, Benig has been asleep.  This Sunday was the first time Benig was actually awake for one of his dates.  Since he and Ella are more mature now (i.e., shows evidence of interaction with other humans), this date produced the best pictures and best storyline of a date yet.

The night starts off with Benig immediately interested.

But it is quickly clear that Ella is also interested.

They take it to the couch, making mutual moves on each other.

But apparently it’s too much for Benig.

Eventually he regains his cool and manages to happily end up with his head in her lap.

Benig (and Mommy and Daddy) look forward to the next date with Ella (and her parents).

Throughout his 6 months of life, Benig has been training to win the sleep Olympics.  I project on him, “Put me anywhere, Mommy, and I can go to sleep!”

Week 33 in the NICU on Daddy’s Chest

1 week old, while on pumpkins

At 4 weeks old, on the lunch table under a glaring puffin

At 5 weeks old on dates

In the arms of friends he meets for the first time at 6 weeks old

In the middle of a hold up at 6 weeks old

With his mentor, Santa, at 9 weeks old

In the middle of a snow storm at 3 months old

And at 4 months old, sitting up in the sun like an old man

I can’t wait to see where else Benig can triumphantly fall asleep.

Benig has recently ventured into the world of solids, i.e., rice cereal flakes soaked in mother’s milk.  The first night, February 23, he mainly spit out each spoonful.  He seemed interested, but wasn’t sure what to do with solid food.  It ended with Benig in a crying fit as each spoonful seemed to only tease a very hungry Benig.  Last night, Benig started to get the hang of swallowing solid foods with the last 2-3 spoonfuls.  Tonight he was a superstar, swallowing just about all of the 5 tablespoons worth of milk with the 1 tablespoon of cereal, or whatever didn’t end up around his mouth as a full-on milk beard.

Benig has recently shown an interest in reading.  Or well, looking at very colorful books. And only sometimes.

Poor Benig doesn’t know that he’s about to be eaten by his zombie father who has built up his trust over the last 6 months.

Benig (and his parents) are lucky that his grandparents love him so much!  Lolo Rico and Lola Neneng alternate weeks helping us take care of Benig during the week so that he doesn’t have to attend daycare yet and be exposed to kids’ germs that could lead to illnesses that would be particularly trying for him to get through, especially as a preemie.  Luckily they both retired just before Benig’s birth!  Lola Peppy also comes to visit every few weeks to get her full dose of Benig as well!

Lately, Benig’s sleepy time signs include having both arms up over his head while he is lying down. He’s sucking on the sleeve of one arm, either because he’s used to sucking on my pj’s when he is falling asleep on my chest or he simply cannot be bothered to bend his elbow to suck on his fist. His other hand is usually pulling on his hair. What a funny little boy. I hope he outgrows this before he makes himself bald.

After feeding, Benig’s morning routine during family breakfast time includes sitting in the Bumbo, spit up, and playing with toys!