5 Months

Dear Sam,

You are 5 months old today!  How can 5 months go so quickly?  It is so strange for me to think back to your sister when she was this age and remember things we were doing or not doing.  I think I keep forgetting you're as old as you are.

We have no official growth stats this month, but gracious, it seems like all you do is grow.  People who see you after going a month or so without seeing you are shocked at how big you've gotten.  You fill out your car seat so much and are heavy in my arms.  You wear 3-6 months and 6 month clothing, but according to the sizes on 6 month items, you won't be in them long.  You wear a size 2 diaper.

Eating is something you could do all day.  You eat 5 ounces with cereal every three hours and have a 6-7 ounce bottle before bed.  You can go 4 hours between bottles, so we may think about stretching them out soon.  Right now your eating schedule is working for us.  It will be time for solids before we know it.

You wake around 6 a.m. each day, although lately we've had some 5:15 squeals.  We don't start our day until 6 a.m., so those squeals usually turn to cries for a bit.  I'm hoping you'll catch on that nothing good is going to happen before 6 a.m.  You still take one long nap a day and usually 3 other short ones.  I probably need to stretch your awake time and drop a nap, but your napping schedule will change a good bit once you start at Jen-Jen's.  We stopped swaddling you at night right after we came home from the beach, and that was a fairly easy transition.  Now we're going to work on getting out of it for naps.  I think you can, I just haven't tried.  We are also balancing naps between the crib and Rock and Play.  You nap the longest in the Rock and Play, but you'll go to sleep on your own in the crib.  I'm counting on Jen-Jen to take care of that but we are working on it at home.  You now go to bed after your 7 p.m. bottle.  Last week we decided it was time for you to remember how to put yourself to sleep at bed time, so we started working on that.  Important lessons can be hard to learn, but you did much better than I thought you would.  I know you would love to keep Duckie with you in the crib, but it's just too soon.

We've had quite a few milestones this month.  You grew your first tooth without even telling me!  Lolli was the first one to spot it.  I hadn't even been looking since Avery didn't have her first tooth until 6 months, so you really surprised me.  I feel a lump beside it so we'll see if it's partner shows up soon.  You also started rolling back to front just the other day.  You can scoot off your play mats in a second, and I usually have to pull you out of the corner of your crib each night before I go to bed.  You also went on your first vacation to the beach this month.  You did so well being away from home.  While I enjoyed our time this year, I couldn't help but look ahead to next year and think of how you'll really learn to love the beach.

You still like to hang out on you back and wiggle all around.  You also really love the bouncer and can kick and kick to make it bounce.  Your left leg is an especially good kicker.  This month you started spending more time in the Bumbo and excersaucer, but you don't want to spend too much time in either.  Your feet still find your mouth frequently, even if they are covered by your jammies or socks.  Your hands want to reach to everything, and usually can.  Just yesterday your pulled a monkey toy off its ring on your car seat.  Luckily I spotted it before we left, so no more monkeys ridding in the car.

Your smile is still huge and comes so easily to those you know.  Sometimes you are willing to smile for strangers, while other times there is no chance you'll crack your lips.  You're not a big fan of people you don't know being in your face.  I understand, as I have a large personal space bubble.  You're laugh is coming more frequently these days, and Avery can get it out of you better than anyone else.  In addition to bringing out the giggles, Avery is like a free variety show all day long.  Watching her is great entertainment, and she is always willing to "help" when she feels you need something.  Sammo is your new nickname, and it gets said often at high decibels.  You still like to talk to us, but this month you've been perfecting your squeal.  Boy are you proud of that!

You spent your first day at Jen-Jen's on your 5-month birthday.  Sadly, it's almost time for Mommy to return to work, so we needed to do a trial run.  Jen-Jen said you laughed and talked and acted as if you'd always been there.  I know without a doubt that in no time you'll love Jen-Jen and all the buddies there just as much as Avery does.  We count our blessings each day for her and the love she provides to all her kids.

Sam, you are such a wonderful and perfect addition to our family.  Everyday I'm shocked at how quickly you're growing.  While I'm so excited for what each new month holds, I still wish you wouldn't grow so fast.  My favorite time of the year is approaching, and I'm thrilled that you're here to experience it all with us.

We love you big buddy!

Mommy and Daddy