Videos

I realized earlier in the week that I've gotten lax in taking pictures of you.  I am most unhappy with myself, buddy.

I know it seems like I always have a camera in my hand, but I want to remember everything you do.  Forever.  My memory is shoddy at the best of time (ask Daddy...he has lots of forgetful Mommy stories) so pictures and video are all I have.  Here are some of my favorite videos...

You and Daddy crack each other up....

This is what we wake up to pretty much every morning.  You're so happy in the morning (you get that from Daddy, NOT Mommy).

Motor Development

You can roll over!

Whoa baby are you excited to do it, too.  It's like all of a sudden, you've realized you can be mobile.  Your legs kick, your turn over on your tummy as often as you can, you LOVE tummy time, and you want to see everything that is going on around you.  After you've rolled over, you are so proud of yourself.  From the leg kicking and wiggling, I think you can't wait to crawl.  There is a great big world out there...and you want to see it all!

You are incredibly strong.  Just recently, you've started lifting your tush in the air.  Daddy has been practicing sitting up with you and you are constantly trying to sit up when we lay you flat.  Sitting up is so cool!

You LOVE your jumperoo and standing on your feet.  If I didn't know how wobbly you really are, I would expect you to run off at any minute.

Then there was the day you started doing this...

We are in so much trouble...

You're growing and changing so fast, Little One.  Each day is a new adventure and we love watching you grow.

Month 5

Age: 5 Months

5 months old!

Weight:   You seem heavier every day...and I say that out of love.

Height:  Several people have commented in the last few days about how long/tall you look.  I think you had another growth spurt because your 3 - 6 month pants look short now.

Favorite activity:   In the last week or so, you are bound and determined to sit up.  You are sick and tired of laying around.  You want to sit up and see the world!  The other night, you were pulling yourself up using Daddy's arm.  It was very impressive!

A week or so ago, you couldn't have sat up using only the Boppy.

Honorable mentions:  You and Kermit are best buds these days.  You love chewing on his feet (and your feet).  Since Mickey has been in the laundry for a few days, it's been all Kermie, all the time.

Least favorite activity:  We have hit full-on melt downs when we put you in your car seat.  Generally, they're only when we're buckling you into the five point harness.  Once you're in, you're usually ok.  However, we've had several episodes of wailing which include the silent scream.  You know, the one where you hold your breath so long that Mommy starts to panic.  You can stop this new development any time now.

Milestones:  You can turn over!!!  

In fact, you would rather be on your tummy now.  Yesterday morning, you got up early and after you ate you rolled right over on our bed and fell asleep.

Words:  Still no words, but that doesn't mean you don't have an opinion and won't let it be known.

Wombat:  "This is my new friend."  Oliver:  "IT'S TOUCHING ME!"

Sleep:  You continue to shun naps.  However, you sleep pretty much through the night once we put you to bed between 6:30 and 7:30.  Once and a while, you'll need a rebink, but you don't wake up for food or changes anymore.  You usually wake up between 6:30 and 7:30, but there have been a few 5:15 wake-up calls.  You'll make Mama into a morning person yet!  You're happiest in the morning.  It's hard to be upset that you're awake when you are so happy.

Best Moment:  Watching you turn over is so much fun.  Last night, you got up on your knees and we could almost see your  mind connecting the dots.  Crawling is coming soon and then we are doomed.  You are going to keep us on our toes.

Worst Moment:   We left you with a friend's nanny while Daddy went to an away game and when I went to pick you up you were so happy.  You spent the afternoon playing with your new 3 year old buddy.  However, when I went to fasten you into your car seat you screamed your blood curdling scream.  The one where you open your mouth and stop breathing while you wail.  Mommy hates that.  Please stop.  It scares me.

Yum, feet!

Eating:  We stopped your reflux meds after your last doctor's appointment and so far it seems to have been the correct decision.  Most recently, I've stopped putting rice in your bottle.  We'll see how that goes.  No solid yet.  You haven't demonstrated a desire so we continue to hold off.

Teeth:  Still no teeth.  Every few days, you'll spike a low grade fever that requires some Tylenol, but they haven't actually poked through.  I hope they poke through soon, buddy.  It's hard work getting teeth.

Evening Routine

We've been working on a bedtime routine.  Right now, Daddy lets me put you to bed every night.  I look forward to it all day long.

First, if it's bath night, you take your bath.

Then, we get your dressed in your pajamas, put on your eczema lotion, and your socks.  We have to put socks on your hands so you don't scratch your face...you've figured out how to pull off the scratch mittens.

Next, we choose a book to read.  I pick the book for now.  Soon, you will be able to choose the book you want to hear.

After we read our story, we talk about our favorite part of the day.  I tell you my favorite part and you tell me yours (well, I deduce your favorite part of the day).

Finally, I give you a kiss, sing you this song, tell you I love you, and put you in your bed.


Best. Part. of. My. Day.

Love you, Little Man

Beach Baby

Last week was delightful.  We took the Wombat on his first spring vacation to the beach.  Basically, we turned his schedule upside down and threw in a good dose of overstimulation.  It was a fabulous week!  

We went to the aquarium...

Ooo...fishies, Mama!

We went to the botanical gardens...

And we had a lot of fun with Grandmother and Granddad.

All in all...I think everyone had a good time.

Things I've Learned...

Things I've learned this week while sleeping in the same room as my son:

1. You must have some trippy dreams. Case in point, Daddy just went in to check on you and you had your arms above your head whilst wiggling your butt. Last night, I looked over and I saw your feet peeking out from the top of the pack and play. Evidently, you're starring on Soul Train and didn't tell us.
2. You wiggle as much as Mommy. I now know what Daddy means when he says it's like sleeping beside an egg beater.
3. Whoever decided the mattress pad of a pack and play should be made from noisy, swishy pant material made a horrible decision. Easy clean up, yes. CONSTANT NOISE, also yes.
4. Daddy says we do the exact same moves in our sleep. Seeing as he has no photographical evidence, I am skeptical.
5.  God bless the pack and play sheet, swishy noise no more!
6.  I find myself just watching you sleep...then I realize I couldn't sleep with someone staring at me so I stop being a creeper and go to bed.
7. You're a side sleeper...just like Daddy.
8.  You drool in your sleep...just like Mommy, well, nevermind.

Feet propped up on the side of your pack and play.

Five minutes later...complete 180.

Month 4

Age: 4 Months

Red Chair Picture, Month 4

Weight:  16 pounds, 6 ounces

Height:  26.5 inches

Favorite activity:   Eating your feet.  Oh goodness, child.  On March 15th, you discovered your feet and they are the greatest thing ever.  Every chance you get, you've either got them in your mouth or your oogling them.  Last night, I had already put your sock back on about 4 different times in the last hour.  As you were swinging in your swing I looked over and you had a foot in your mouth.  You saw me looking, chomped down on that sock, and pulled it off your foot.  You gave me the biggest grin as that sock dangled from your mouth.  I can already tell you are going to be stinker.

It took me forever to get this picture.  Every time you saw the camera, you'd pull your foot out of your mouth.  I think you know you shouldn't be eating your feet so you don't want it documented.

We also picked up a jumperoo for you at a consignment sale this month.  You love it!

Mom!  This is so cool!

Honorable mentions:  Practicing turning over.  You're working so hard at it, buddy.  I was hoping you'd get it before it was time to write this post, but it just doesn't seem like it was meant to be.

You're pretty good at going from your tummy to your back, but back to tummy is tough!  That stinkin' shoulder is the only hurdle you have left.  Any day, Little Man.  Any day.

You are fascinated by everything.  All of a sudden, you've discovered that there is a world all around you.  You love to look around.  We took you on a walk this month and it was like you'd never been on a walk before.  What are those?  Trees!  Ooo, look that bush is moving.  Ohhh, look at the neighbor's flag.  It's up high and it moves.  I like it!   

One of the few times you'll let me cuddle you anymore...you're too busy looking at everything around you.

Least favorite activity:  Napping is your new nemesis.  I think you're reluctant to sleep and miss anything that is happening while you are asleep.  Just like your Daddy when he was young, you're afraid we're going to pop popcorn without you.

I will never sleep!

Milestones:  Rolling from your tummy to your back was kind of a big deal.  You also hit your 4 month sleep regression two weeks early.  Mommy's little overachiever.    Please locate Mommy's good sleeper and bring him back!

Words:  You don't have words, but you are very expressive.  You chatter along with us in the car and when we're talking.  It's like you can't stand to be left out of the conversation.  You're cooing and picking up new sounds every time we turn around.  

Sleep:  You are smack dab in the middle of the 4 month sleep regression period.  You take two or three 15 - 30 minute "power naps" every day.  That's it!  You're running Daddy ragged.  Luckily, you seem to be sleeping well at night, so it's a trade off.  Most nights you sleep in your crib, but it takes multiple trips to get you settled and sleeping.  Your daddy doesn't give up though.  I don't know what I'd do without him.  He's such a good daddy.  You're a lucky boy.

Every morning, we find you at the bottom of your crib.

Best Moment:  Listening you and Daddy giggle the other night while he changed your diaper.  You laughed so hard you guffawed.  It was hilarious.  Luckily, I caught a little of it on video.

Worst Moment:  The nights when you get overtired are the worst.  You're inconsolable and it breaks my heart.  Once again, Daddy is a trooper.  He rocks and shushes you until you eventually stop fighting and fall asleep.  Me?  Generally, I'm sobbing in the next room because you sound so heart broken.  Crying I can handle, sobbing/screaming/pitiful whimpering I cannot.  Mommy is going to work on getting tougher.  Good luck with that.

Eating:  Your eating is all over the board.  For a week or so you were drinking 7 ounces per feeding.  Hungry boy!  Then you went to four or five ounces a feeding.  Now you're handing out around 6 ounces.  We plan on 6 ounces and sometimes you finish the whole bottle and other times you don't.  I figure you'll stop eating when you're full and so far that seems to be working out for us.  

Your doctor mentioned talking about starting solids at your 4 month appointment but I'm not sure we're going to start you right at 4 months.  I think we may hold off to the APA's recommended 6 month mark.  We'll talk to your doctor and see what she says.  I want you to get all the nutrients you need so we'll base our decision on what is right for you.

That being said, you now realize when we are eating.  You are definitely interested.  You watch every bite like you're trying to figure out how to do that, too.  You may be ready sooner than we think.

Teeth:  We think you may be getting a tooth, but we're not sure.  You have a lot of the signs of teething...but no actual teeth yet.  Goodness you're drooling.  Yipes!