Where has the time gone? 4 months old!

Beni is 4 months old! When did that happen? It's crazy- we were recalling just a few weeks ago, when we spent our first full weekend in Luanda, that it was the anniversary of finding out I was pregnant. That day, waking up that morning thinking that I could possibly take a test that day... it all seems a lifetime ago! And lookit where we are now... this beautiful baby to show for it all. :) Doesn't get much better.

Beni is definitely, definitely teething. I know I mentioned this before, but, it is just so apparent. I can't figure out though, where a tooth might be moving. I've stuck my finger in her mouth several times to see if I can feel any bumps, and to let her gnaw on my finger- and I can't feel anything yet. But she's been double fisting these last few days... sticking fingers from both of her hands in her mouth and gnawing on them. It almost seems like her gums are bothering her more on the side- but aren't the front teeth usually the ones that come in first? Well, anyway... like I said before, I'm actually still holding out hope that she might just go on teething like this for like 3 or 4 more months without actually breaking any teeth. A mother can hope.

So what else... have I told you all what a great sleeper Beni is? Well, in case I haven't... she's wonderful! Daytime naps aren't
necessarily her strong suit, but nighttime man, that is NO PROBLEM. This child sleeps like she was born to do it. These days we've actually worked on establishing a bed time, which is around 9. We change into pjs and a nighttime diaper. Some night she has a bath, but not that many. We're pretty lazy about that. She'll have such a strong immune system, right? Anyway... so once she's dressed for bed, then we get in bed and read our bedtime book. It's a little board book I picked up at Meijer on a whim once, but I really like it. It's got lovely illustrations, and the overall message is to not be afraid
of the dark because darkness is the blanket that helps the earth to sleep. Then it just goes on to say that it's time to close your eyes and go to sleep and that I will stay and watch (or nurse) a while until you're sound asleep. It also has some text about knowing that I will always be nearby at night and most of all- I'll see you in the morning. I think that is what the book is actually called. Anyway, for a book that I just picked up on a whim while still pregnant, I really love it. Beni really enjoys the nighttime reading too. She coos and squeals at the pictures and reaches for the book
as well. Then after we read the book, she nurses and I read until she's asleep. Finally, she's asleep, and I get up and come out here, to my computer (more often than not!). And then, Beni sleeps- until about midnight or one, when she starts to snuffle about looking for a midnight snack. That is usually when I come to bed. Then, she sleeps again- she doesn't cry, she doesn't wake up, she doesn't well...anything....she just goes back to sleep. :) And then we sleep- until she gets hungry again. I don't even know when exactly that usually is because I'm mostly half asleep, just
get in position and go back to sleep while she eats. It's just the most natural and EASY thing ever. Then we repeat this until morning. Joel gets up at 6, and gives us a kiss goodbye when he leaves at 7. We don't get up then though, because we like to sleep! Beni sleeps. She sleeps well! This morning she woke up for a little while around 8:30, but we lounged about in bed talking and what not, and then she fell back asleep and we slept til 11! Usually Beni doesn't wake until around 9:30 or 10 though. So, like mother, like daughter we sleep. What do you think is the chance of getting a second child that will sleep this well? ;)

You know what else just happened that comes with the number 4? Actually, the day might be tomorrow or the next day... Joel and I have been together for 4 years! That time has also flown by. For me it seems like it's been forever, if it's been a day. If getting that positive pregnancy test seems long ago, then the time 4 years ago when we got together really seems like ancient history. But it's nice to walk down memory lane... :)

P.S. This is what happens when you format all pictures to the right. ???? I don't know. Mook, maybe I should just claim sudden creativity. Ha ha.