Dear Nugget

Happy 4 months Payton!

Your personality is getting bigger and bolder every day.  I'm not sure how long your patience for this one crazy family you were born into is going to last, but I like it -- it's totally my speed!

Your head is getting stronger too, and I'm loving the little boy that you are quickly becoming!  Your brother laughs when you talk back to him, but I think he'll be pleasantly surprised when he actually understands something that you say.

In the beginning I thought that you and Cameron were going to look like twins, only 22 months apart, but this month I've really seen some changes.  Don't worry, there will be no denying that you're brothers.

At 4 months old: 

You recognize voices.

You laugh out loud. 

You tell stories, well at least your version of them. 

You have rolled over, but it takes you a while and you definitely work at it.

You have your Mama and Daddy terrified of going anywhere without a burp rag.

Even Cameron knows what a burp is now. 

You love to look at yourself (Benton-trait).

You love being outside and have become our honorary lifeguard when we're sitting by the pool. Either that, or you remind us of the guy from Weekend at Bernie's. 

Your ticklish.

That dimple, the one that I fell in love with the first time you cried, it's still here. I hope it stays forever.

Oh and those blue eyes? They're still here too. 

You're sleeping anywhere from 6 to 8 hours at night.  We're so close.

Have I mentioned this yet?  I cringe at what this means long-term, but I was also a thumb-sucker and I have to admit that at this stage in the game it looks adorable and I know that he's completely content - which makes Mama happy. 

I can only imagine the crazy that you and your brother are going to bring to the table for this family, but I do know this:  Your Daddy and I are going to be right there cheering, hugging and sending you to your room when the time is right. Life isn't perfect, and I'm sure we've already done something that you'll blame us for later in life, but this is all just the beginning...

For now, just eat, sleep and be merry my sweet boy. with or without the spit up.

I love you to the moon & back, 

Mom