5 Months

Height: 26.5 inches

Weight: 16 pounds

Oh, my little sweetie, you are not looking like your usual happy, smiley self in the picture above because you have your first ear infection. An ear infection so bad that the doctor described it as "horrific" (cue MAJOR mommy guilt). Jax, daddy, and I had all been passing around a pretty nasty cold for about a week. You didn't have any symptoms for a while and, just when I thought you had been spared, you got a runny nose and cough. A few days later, you developed a fever and would hardly sleep. We knew something was definitely wrong, so I brought you to the doctor. (I'm so glad I didn't wait any longer!) You're on antibiotics now- I sure hope that does the trick. I hate seeing you in pain!

Your sleep has been a little out of whack with your cold and ear infection. You've been waking in the middle of the night some and haven't been sleeping in as long. You're still sleeping in your little pack-and-play in our room, which I'm afraid might be part of the problem. My theory is that daddy's snoring wakes you up. Or, it could be because you hardly fit in the pack-and-play and no longer sleep with your arms swaddled...

On the bright side, your naps are starting to become a little longer and I have even been able to get you to nap in your crib. With the darkness and quiet of your room, and a little white noise, you've been known to nap up to two hours! This is by no means the norm, but at least we seem to be headed in the right direction.

Probably the biggest development over the past month has been the introduction of solid foods! We've started pretty slow and easy with rice cereal, apples, sweet potatoes, and peas. You even tried a little bit of mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving. You're definitely getting the hang of eating and don't seem to be very picky.

You've continued to refine your rolling skills and can get across the room pretty quickly! Another one of your favorite pasttimes is bouncing in your activity center. You are getting so strong!

Speaking of Thanksgiving, we were lucky enough to celebrate with both sides of the family. We went to your great-aunt Char's on Thanksgiving day and to Grammy Ginny's the Saturday after. I know I already posted a picture of this, but I have to include another one of you in the turkey crown. Jackson was so excited to pass this tradition on to you, but you didn't seem to be very amused... Sorry.

Once Thanksgiving was over, we started preparing for Christmas (okay I'll admit that we might have put up our tree before Thanksgiving this year). We made a handprint ornament to remember your very first Christmas (of course Jackson helped).

We also went to an old fashion holiday village and you got to go on your first carriage ride. (That's you in the car seat. Safety first.)

Last, but not least, you got to meet Santa!! Well, sort of. They distracted you while I sat you on his lap so you wouldn't be scared. I'm pretty sure you had no idea what was going on... or maybe you weren't scared since you had your big brother close by to protect you...

 

Happy 5 months, sweetheart!

Love, Mom