B.M.G

Benaiah is a Hebrew name meaning “built up by the Lord”. We loved the name ‘Ben’ but knew too many ‘Benjamin’s’ so we wanted to think of something different. Mark came across Benaiah while reading about King David in 2 Samuel. Benaiah was a courageous warrior and mighty leader. He won a name beside King David’s three mighty men.

Benaiah Mark Gaalswyk.

I often ask if we can switch his middle name to ‘bear’, but Mark isn’t on board. He just seems like a ‘benaiah bear’ to me J I will work hard not to yell this out at him during sporting events or when he brings his friends home.

Ben is a very mild little man. He is very interested in what people are doing around him. He likes to just sit and watch (while chewing something). This past weekend we were home alone. Mark and Jackson went up to my parents house to work on their sprinkler system. It was really obvious that Ben was just bored with me. He totally missed the action his brother brings. Every time I would bring him to the living room he dart his head back and forth looking for Jackson. This morning, Benaiah was so excited to have Jackson back on the floor with him. I am sure it started out as pure survival, but now he just giggles while Jack clamors over him. I know I have said this before, but I really love the relationship that these two little boys have already formed. I can only imagine what it will be like once Ben is able to move and play.

Because of his interest in other (moving) things, taking pictures with this guy around is difficult. Ben lacks focus when there is a kitty to check out.

Benaiah is a great sleeper. He is sleeping from about 8:30 pm to 8:00 am. He takes two naps (we are pushing him out of his 45 minute catnap in the evenings) that are about 2 hrs. He lays down to fall asleep by himself perfectly. If he does cry then I know something is wrong. It is amazing and totally opposite of Jackson who STILL fusses every time we lay him down to sleep.

Ben sucks his middle two fingers on his right hand. He no longer will take a pacifier. It is absolutely crazy. When I feed him his solids I have to keep one hand ready to catch those fingers before they go plopping into his food-filled mouth. And he is quick. Like a ninja.

Benaiah seems to be a growing at a slower rate than his moose of a brother. I like that. Compared to Jackson at this age he looks ‘wire-y’. I think he will be feisty.