Right after Christmas, you turned 5 months old. This past month has been one of the most rewarding, yet challenging months yet. Your sleeping has been much less consistent, and you have struggled to fall asleep at night and stay asleep. You've also had some great nights where you've slept through the night completely without waking up at all. Growing is hard work!
You have been taking two naps a day; one in the morning, and one longer nap in the afternoon. Mom got to spend two weeks home for Christmas break, and that was really fun, but that might have messed up your schedule a little bit, also. We went to bed and got up later, and you seemed to really enjoy being with us. This has been a month of major changes and growth for you as well.
You transitioned into size 3 diapers, and are weighing about 17lbs and are almost 27 inches long. Your doctor appointment went well, and we got the okay to start you on solid foods. We were really happy about this since you had been really grabbing at our food and tracking it. You ate oatmeal first, then rice cereal. We added in carrots, then sweet potatoes. You LOVE eating! Sweet potatoes were a major hit, but it is hard to tell what you like more: oatmeal, or rice. We are excited to try more new foods with you. We noticed that since starting solids you are pooping less often, and it is much stinkier! Sitting up on your own is still a challenge, but you're getting better. You're not great in the Bumbo seat, so we put together your high chair and seem to be doing awesome in that.
You graduated out of your playmat and now are playing on a quilt with your toys. You also have a tented bear mat that helps contain you when you're rolling around. You easily roll over from your back to your tummy and are rolling more easily from your tummy to your back. You are starting to support yourself on your arms and look around more, as well as wiggling your bum in the air acting like you want to move forward. You have also found your feet and enjoy chewing and sucking on them.
When you play, you grab more intentionally at things and have started to put more and more things directly into your mouth including your pacifier, toys, hands, and our hands and mommy's hair. You are starting to "hug" more like a little spider monkey and grab on with your hands and legs. Learning new things seems to be common for you on a daily basis. You are starting to learn how to manipulate your hands and are "waving" at us backwards sometimes. We are working on some baby signs like "all done" and "more, please" to help you communicate, because it seems like you might catch on quickly. We will add more in as you continue to learn.
Bathtime, books, and music continue to be some of your favorite things. You have also started showing more of an interest in your dog, Turk. He is rarely far away from you, and is very patient as you grab his ears and watch him chew on his toys. He lays in your room as you're going to sleep, and you enjoy watching him from your chair.
We are loving this stage that you're in as you are discovering new things everyday. We are trying to be patient with your sleeping schedule when we are tired and you are tired, too. Your smile and giggles make those times we are frustrated or exhausted all completely worth it! We love you!
