5 Months Old

Nathan,

You are five months old! How did this happen? You are growing so fast. I know everyone says that, but it really is true. And my goodness, you have changed so much in the last month. There really seemed to be a big transformation during your fifth month. I've mentioned it to a few other moms and they have agreed that the period of time between four and five month really is a magical age. You're turning into a little person with so much personality and curiosity. You discover new things every day.

 This month, you began rolling from your back to your tummy. Now that you can roll both directions, you are a mover. You roll all over the place until you get stuck (usually under your bouncy seat, against the coffee table, or the cabinet in the bathroom). Then you'll fuss, and we will move you back to your blanket and you'll take off again.

You are so aware of your surroundings. You stare at everything and want to touch (and eat) everything you see. If we put something in front of you you reach out your arms to grab and then pull it straight to your mouth. Your motor skills are improving and you can usually get whatever you are grasping in your mouth. Your curiosity and desire to explore and learn reminds me so much of your daddy. We might have another engineer on our hands.

I've also noticed this month that you are interacting more with your toys especially the mobile on your swing and your car seat toys. You used to just stare at them, but now you grab and bat at them constantly.

 You've recently started to reach out your arms to be held. It's precious. I've been waiting five months to see you do that :). You also give hugs sometimes. I'm not sure they are intentional, but you'll wrap your arms around my neck.


You found your feet this month and you grab them all the time. You are flexible enough to get them in your mouth too, and your daddy has even caught you with both feet in your mouth at the same time.

We discovered some feeding issues at your four month well check. We've had to supplement after feedings now. The doctor told us that you are just a happy baby and sometimes really content babies  don't demand enough milk.  You remind me of your daddy in that aspect too. He rarely complains about anything. We are using breast milk to supplement as much as possible, but you are taking formula too. I was sad about having to start you on formula. I had intentions of nursing you exclusively for at least six months, but it was very clear that you needed some extra milk, and you've done great with it. We've kept a close eye on your weight since then, and in less than a month you have almost completely caught up and are just about back on your growth line. You and I have worked hard at getting your weight back up and it's paid off.

Since we've been supplementing, you have taken a lot more bottles than normal. You have never had any problems in the past taking a bottle or preferring one over the other. You just really like to suck. You do seem to prefer a bottle now over Mommy. Sometimes you just don't want to work to get Mommy's milk, and you enjoy the instant gratification of a bottle. You are still nursing pretty well though, unless you are just really hungry. Then you get frustrated and start looking around for your bottle. You love your bottle and start panting, kicking your legs and reaching for it as soon as you see it. You've been trying to hold it too and are actually pretty good at it.

You've started blowing raspberries lately too. At your four month well check the nurse asked if you were doing that. I had no idea that was even a developmental milestone, but you've got it down now. You do it a lot in your car seat when we are driving. You talk to yourself pretty often when we are driving too.

You are wearing 3 month and 3-6 month clothes and size 1 diaper. You weight 12 lbs 2.5 oz and at the doctor last week you were just under 24 inches long.

You definitely know who your mommy and daddy are and you seem to prefer me over other people especially if you are tired or upset. We haven't run into any stranger anxiety yet, but sometimes others have a hard time comforting or soothing you.

When you see someone, and I'm holding you, you'll look at them and smile and then turn and bury your head in my shoulder. I'm not sure why you do that. Maybe you are a little shy or want to play peek a boo with them. 

 We started you on rice cereal this month (just last week). We had been seeing some signs that you were ready (you've been very interested in watching us eat and have not been sleeping well at all at night) and although I was a little hesitant starting you before six months, the doctor agreed you were probably ready, and told us it wouldn't hurt to start you a little early. It took you a little while to figure out what you were supposed to do with it once it made it in your mouth, but you're starting to understand. You still spit out about half of the spoonful, but manage to swallow the other half. We are giving it to you at breakfast and at bedtime.

You've been eating about every three hours this month, usually around 7, 10, 1, 4, 6:30, and 8:30. We put you to bed after your 8:30 feeding, and you've been waking up to eat between 2-4 (and sometimes again between 4 and 6). Since we've started you on cereal, I've noticed you're starting to sleep better at night. The last two nights you have slept from about 8:45-3:30, and then went right back to sleep after you ate until 7:00. You are still napping usually during every feeding cycle. I think it's getting close to time to cut your naps down, so you are just taking 2-3 instead of 4. Sometimes you will take long naps- 1.5-2 hours, and you'll only take 3 a day. But other days you like to sleep for 30-45 minutes at a time and need more naps. A lot of it depends on our schedule for the day and what we have going on.



You have been more interested in Rhapsody this month and keep a close eye on her when she is around. You try and reach out to pet her, but usually she's not real interested in that. Missy has stayed with us some this month and you love to watch them play. It gets you laughing a lot of times. I caught a little on video last week.



You are just the best baby, and I'm loving this stage you are in right now. Your daddy and I love you more than you can imagine, and we are looking forward to watching you continue to grow and learn. You are turning into such a fun little boy.