Five Months Old

Dear Will,

You had such a big month! So many new milestones, I don't even know where to begin.

Let's start with what is arguably the most exciting milestone to Mama and Daddy: sleeping through the night. You have slept for an 8-10 hour stretch on a few occasions now. We wish it was more consistent, but we are encouraged by the fact you can do it at all.

Your longer stretches of sleep came just a week after we introduced formula. I guess that isn't surprising, as formula stays in your tummy longer. Starting formula was a difficult milestone for Mama, but you don't seem to mind. You just love to eat (breastmilk or not).

We started working harder on tummy time this month. At first you screamed your head off whenever we laid you face down on the blanket, but day by day, you tolerated being on your stomach longer and longer. Now you're a tummy time champ, spending hours on your stomach every day.

With your newfound tummy time skills, you also rolled over for the first time this month. However, you seemed startled by it and have not repeated it since.

You are such a busy boy now, no longer content to be cradled in my arms. Granted you still want to be held, but you prefer to be perched on Mama's hip so you can see everything around you. You are reaching, lunging and grabbing for everything. Your hand eye coordination is getting really good (excellent even), though you don't always have the dexterity to hold objects in your hand for very long.

Your poor little gums hurt from teething, so you always seem to have your hands or a toy in your mouth. Though you have dozens of toys to choose from, you seem to prefer chewing on straps. Like the strap on your pacifier clip, or the strap that your favorite rattle dangles from.

You got a jumper and an exersaucer for Christmas, both of which are endlessly entertaining. You love turning yourself in the exersaucer, inspecting all the toys and trying to get them into your mouth. You're still trying to figure the jumper out, but when you get a couple of good jumps in you smile from ear to ear.

You get the giggles now, which just warms my heart. Silly sounds make you laugh and laugh. You love to be tickled on your neck and around your ears. When we tickle you, you scrunch your whole body up, tucking your chin into your chest. It's adorable.

We started baby sign language this month, introducing a few basic signs like milk, more, eat, diaper, up and airplane. The first few are basic need signs. But airplane? That's just because you love your airplane mobile so much.

Every night I put you to bed and I can't imagine loving you even one ounce more. But then in the morning you smile up at me and somehow my heart manages to grow even bigger than it was the day before. You are my pride and joy. I love you more than you'll ever know.

Love,

Mama