five months old

Five has always been my lucky number.

This month has been great, I really feel like you have grown by leaps and bounds. You are doing and trying new things everyday and it seems like every moment you leave a little piece of your newborn self behind.

I put you into bed the other night and stared down at you, all swaddled in your crib (yes, still), and I couldn’t believe how old you suddenly looked. Gone are the days of my little bean burrito all wrapped up snug as a bug in her muslin wraps. This time, you looked like a little girl, clumsily wrapped up in a loose blanket, with skinny limbs poking out this way and that. While you are still so very tiny for your age, you are looking more grown up than ever.

I love all the new things you are trying lately. Like when I am drinking a glass of water and you grab it out of my hands and bring it to your mouth to drink. It’s so crazy how you learned how to do that just by watching me. Little babies don’t do that, do they? Looks like we have to invest in a sippy cup already.

And every time you sit on my lap when I eat, you eye my food more and more, which is why we went ahead let you try some cereal as a 5-month birthday treat. It’s no cake, but for now it will have to do. I couldn’t believe how well you ate with a spoon. It was like you had been doing it for years. How is it that I have a child that can eat real food already? Are you really that old?

You have done so many new things this past month: eaten solid foods, gone swimming for the first time, rolled over, looked around when someone calls your name. You also “talk” SO much now (very loudly, I might add) and laugh and smile all the time. It’s so wonderful to watch you do new things every day.

Other things you are into this month:

Scratching

You are a regular mix-master all the sudden. You love scratching anything you can get your hands on over and over again. I’m not sure if it’s because you like to feel different textures, or you are just figuring out different ways to use your hands. You also wave constantly with your left hand, which is hilarious.

Sleeping partially unswaddled

Lately, we have been trying to make the transition to an unswaddled sleep. We gave it a go a few of weeks ago cold turkey and it was not pretty. You woke up EVERY hour for two nights until I finally had enough at 3am and wrapped you back up. Lately, I have been swaddling you less tightly and when it comes undone in the night, I just leave it as long as you’re covered. The past few nights, I swaddled you with one arm free, which a lot of moms suggested I try, and you have been fine. Hopefully, in the next few weeks, we can have you transitioned off of it. We have to make sure you can sleep without it before starting daycare in the next few weeks because let’s face it, I can’t swaddle you when you are still in high school.

Facing outward in the Bjorn

You love this thing now that you can see the world. You kick your legs the whole time you are in it and even start to smile and laugh when you see daddy putting it on.

Walking in the Maclaren

We tried out the big-girl stroller this week and you seemed to love it since you can see where you’re going. You passed out after like 5 minutes though. I’ll take that as a good sign.

Being part of the conversation

It doesn’t matter how fussy you are, if we take you into a group of people where everyone is chatting, you instantly calm down and just listen. It’s pretty cool.

Led Zeppelin Rockabye Baby CD

We just got it this past weekend and you really seem to like to fall asleep to it.

Screaming

Not crying, just screaming. All the time. For no good reason. Loudly.

Sticking everything in your mouth – mostly your fingers.

Tummy-time

Finally! Thank goodness. You will hang out on the Boppy for a long period of time on your belly. If we lay you flat, it’s a little less, but still such an impovement from last month.

Rolling Over

This is your new favorite activity. Although, I have to say, in the past few days, you have been doing it less and less. You’re all, “Been there, done that.”

Seeing us walk into your room in the morning

When you see one of us come over to your crib, you start shaking, kicking and laughing uncontrollably. It’s pretty much the best thing ever.

Splashing like a maniac in the tub

Seriously, it may be time to move you to the bathroom.

Hitting yourself

I guess since you don’t have an older sibling living here to torment you with the whole “Why are you hitting yourself?” routine, you have decided to take it upon yourself. It’s a little frightening for me when I hand you a wooden toy and you proceed to beat yourself repeatedly in the stomach and face, so I always have to watch to make sure you’re not going to lose an eyeball. I guess that’s why they make soft toys for babies. Hmmmmm…

Things you still don’t care much about.

Toys (except when using them as weapons against yourself)

Would have never guessed this one. We give you random rattles and other toys to grab onto and play with, but if you can’t put it in your mouth (or beat yourself with them), then it’s of no use to you.

You are also not into any sort of toy that will contain you (much to our dismay). It seems like you just tolerate the bouncer and exersaucer for a short while to amuse us before you start screaming (please see above). This is not good and I hope it will eventually change. Seriously, your favorite thing to do is to lay on a blanket on the floor with a burp cloth in your hand to chew on. Who knew?

That’s pretty much it. Thankfully, there are more things you love than things you don’t. And, I think it’s safe to say, the toy thing will come to an abrupt end soon.

You are becoming such a wonderful, smart, strong fascinating little lady. I think we learn something new everyday just by watching you grow. Thank you for being so totally fun and awesome. Your personality is really beginning to shine and I think the three of us are going to have a wonderful life together.

Happy birthday Bubsy-boo.