5 Months

Dear Nolan,


Today you are 5 months old!! You are currently 17.2 pounds (according to Grandma's scale) and 26" long. You've grown a lot this month, and I sure could tell. It seemed to happen overnight. One day you were wearing 6-9 month clothes and the next, nothing fit. We had to buy some things in 12 months, including ALL new pajamas. What a big, healthy boy!!

This month wasn't too terribly exciting, but we still managed to have fun. At the beginning of the month you surprised me by rolling over tummy to back! It happened for the first time on January 6. I put you down on your play mat and you rolled over like you've been doing it your whole life! After that, you've done it a handful of times but never when we want you to. Your dad still hasn't gotten to see you preform your new trick! You're still working on back to belly, but I don't think it'll be long now.

At your four month appointment, the doctor said you were very strong and right on/ahead of schedule. She mentioned that the next milestone/development we'd need to work on was getting you to sit up straight instead of slumping over when you're on the floor/in a chair. It only took you a couple of weeks but now your core strength is incredible. The only time you slump is when you're trying to reach your toes. ;-)

On January 23, you reached for me for the first time! Now you do it all the time. If you're in the bumbo and I bend down to pick you up, those arms fly up like you're ready for me. If someone is holding you and you want me back, you lean and reach those arms towards me. Melts my heart.

Because this month was so cold and dreary, we didn't get to do a whole lot outside of the house. We are trying to keep you as healthy as possible so whenever we take you places you usually hang out in the moby so you can be close to me. You LOVE getting out of the house though. You're always such a good boy and just look at all of the surroundings and people. We took you to the Franklin Park Conservatory last weekend and you loved looking at everything. That time we put you in the "big kid" part of the stroller and you really liked being able to sit up more and look around. You passed out as soon as we got to the car. I think you were so tired while we were there but there was too much going on to be bothered with sleep.

Speaking of sleep, well... it's changing a little I think. A few nights ago we put you in your crib for the first time. You went to sleep after watching your mobile, and me patting your back. Oh yeah, you only want to sleep on your tummy now by the way. Just like Momma. Anyways, you slept "ok" until about 1:15 and then you would fall asleep and wake up, fall asleep and wake up. Eventually I brought you back in our room and you slept normally. Last night though, your dad was out of town so you slept in his place, on your tummy, all sprawled out. You slept GREAT. This is what makes me think your crib would be a good change for you. We'll keep trying.

A few days ago (Jan 27) we decided to give you cereal for the first time. I wanted to hold off but we went for it and you LOVE it. We are only giving you a little bit of whole grain oatmeal, once a day at dinner time for now but you are so cute when you eat it. I'm starting to thicken it up a bit now and you're still doing great! You open your mouth, grab my hand, and swallow it like a champ. Very little escapes that mouth!! I'm on the hunt for a baby food maker because pretty soon I'm going to start making your "real" food. We're going to start with sweet potatoes or avacado I think. Exciting stuff!!

Your hair is getting SO long. I am brushing it out of your eyes multiple times a day now. It's not really getting any thicker though, so some spots look a little thin but no bald spots to speak of. I just love your crazy hair.

We got out your jumperoo at the beginning of the month and you are slightly obsessed (well, as long as you can see me)! You don't really "jump" but rather you take steps that make you jump from foot to foot. It's adorable.

Today you nom nommed on your toes for a minute. I couldn't get my camera quick enough to capture it though. You are changing so much and learning new things each day, and I can honestly say it's my favorite thing to do- watch you learn. You look at things with such concentration and I can just see your brain working. You are a pro at getting your paci out and now you really focus on getting it back in as well. You like to chew on it more than anything but it's so cute to watch you really focus on your hand-eye coordination. You also started using a sippy cup (with a little water) at dinner time and you're doing great with that too! You're my little genius. :)

You growing up is so bittersweet. I get misty eyed each time I look at your newborn pictures, but yet I love the little person you're becoming as well. You truly bring joy to us each and every minute and I love that I have the rest of my life to cherish your every stage.

Love you so much baby boy, forever and ever and ever.
Mommy