Wednesday, May 9, 2012

April 6-May 8, 2012

Benson's 4th month was full of lots of adventures.  We got to go to fun places,see fun things and spend lots of time with great family and friends.

At the beginning of the month we went to the new mall in Salt Lake City.  It's called City Creek Center and it is all outdoor and just so much fun.  We went with our good friends who have a little boy who is about 7 months older than Benson.  It was a fun day of just walking around in the sunshine.  We got stopped a few times because people wanted to tell us how adorable Benson is.  He definitely is a doll.

This month was also Easter and the Johnson family has a tradition of a big meal and then an Easter egg hunt where the Easter eggs are full of money (mostly small bills and change).  It is a blast for the adults and Benson really liked watching everyone run around and all the excitement.  I am sure he will love to join in next year.  We all went to church on Easter morning as well.  Benson loves church where we sing lots of songs and he gets to watch all of the people.

Toward the end of the month my little brother, Adam, and his wife, Tonna, came to Utah to be sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple.  We believe that families can be together not just in this life, but in the next life as well.  In order for that to happen we need to be sealed.  It was a very special day for the whole family.  In just a few months we will have Benson sealed to our family as well so that we will be a family not just during this life but for all eternity.  

At the end of the month we started our trek up to Oregon where we will spend the Summer with Ben's family.  We decided to take 2 days to make the drive so that we could get out often and Benson wouldn't have to be in the car for too long.  It went really well.  Benson did such a good job and slept during a lot of the drive.  We stopped in Boise and Benson had his first hotel stay.  At the breakfast in the morning another older woman stopped to tell us how gorgeous Benson is.  He gets a lot of attention everywhere he goes. The 2nd day of the trip was my birthday.  Driving isn't the funnest way to spend a birthday, but spending it with my 2 favorite people made it perfect! 

Benson has LOVED being with his Lolo and Lola and also with his aunts and uncles.  They all love him so much and everyone wants to spend time with him.

He is such a good baby.  Everyone comments on how calm he is.  He wants to talk and chat with people any chance he gets.  He is getting bigger.  At his 4 month doctor appointment he weighed 13lbs 5oz and was 23.75 inches long.  He is eating about 6oz of formula at a time.  His sleeping has stayed pretty consistent and he isn't sleeping through the night yet, but that's ok.  It will happen eventually.  He does have his stuffed monkey that we have started having him sleep with.  When he is laying down he will reach over and just touch the monkey and it calms him down.  It is so adorable.  He is getting very close to holding his own bottle. He has done it a few times, just not consistently.  He is also very close to rolling over.  He loves his toys and grabbing onto everything that is close to him.  He also loves to cuddle with his daddy.  He has also found his voice and will yell about everything.  He yells when he is happy, sad, excited, mad, hungry and so on.  We think he just likes to hear his own voice.  He has the biggest and most adorable smile and will share it with everyone.  He also has the sweetest little giggle.  He doesn't laugh all the time yet, but when he does it is completely contagious.  He just lights up every room he is in.

This little guy is the biggest blessing in our lives.  We love him more each and every day.

Hanging out with daddy at the new City Creek Center in SLC

Us with good friends at City Creek.  Don't Benson and Zeke look like they could be related?

These older ladies stopped to admire how adorable Benson is.  They especially loved him in his BYU hat.

Family picture on Easter Sunday



Benson's first Easter



He was observing everyone during the Easter egg hunt

Benson with his beautiful Great Grandma McMurray.  These 2 hit it off like they had known each other forever.


We read this book to Benson every night before he goes to sleep

This is the face we get to see when he wakes up.  What a sweetheart!

Finally meeting Aunt Tonna

Benson and Hailey.  I think they look like brother and sister in this picture.




His new church outfit



This is the outfit I bought him for my brother's sealing day.  I love it


Benson with Avery




Benson with Uncle Adam and Aunt Tonna after their sealing in the Salt Lake Temple

Benson and Daddy being goofy at the Temple.  I love that they are making the same face



Benson loves being carried in the baby Bjorn



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Benson and uncle Adam (look how close Benson is to holding his own bottle)



Benson and Mommy

Benson and Addy


Benson giggling at Great Grandma McMurray
Benson LOVES music, in ANY form.  He was totally enthralled with Melissa's piano playing


Benson's first night at a hotel.  He was loving the huge bed.

Totally happy to be on a road trip

Looks like he may have found his thumb
Benson's first time holding his bottle on his own

Benson and his Lola.  He is loving visiting them and they are loving it as well.

Finally Tita (Aunt) Elisha gets to meet Benson.

More Aunties 

Benson and his Lolo are becoming the best of friends

Benson, Lolo and Tito Archie playing some music