Charlie Update | Month Five

Well, the last time that I blogged was Charlie's four month update so... another win for the mom-blogger!
One-post-a-month for the win!

oops.

Our little man is wrapping up his fifth month of life.
And he is getting sweeter and more fun with each passing day!

Have I ever mentioned I'm not a huge baby person?
I don't hate babies. I'm not a monster! I just... don't prefer that stage. So far the toddler stage is my favorite... but I'll keep ya posted as I keep experiencing new stages.

Now back to my lack-of-baby-loving. Don't get me wrong, I love the cuddles, I love the coos, I love the fact that they fit in your arms and have cute little baby features. I love a lot about babyhood. But it's just not my favorite. So as Charlie grows I'm getting more and more excited because he becomes more and more interactive.

No hate-mail, please. I still want to snuggle and hold every little baby I see! Trust me!

This past month has been a big one for development for Charlie and I'm so happy for it!! I just love this little boy to pieces. My heart literally aches with emotion and love for his cute self. I'm so thankful he is my little boy!!! And I am so excited to be heading into Christmas with both of my kiddos! Lucy is finally aware of what's going on and visibly excited for the holiday... Charlie has no clue, but babies are so cute at Christmas!!

This is Charlie's FIRST Christmas... but this is our Family's FIRST Christmas together in our own home. Words don't suffice to explain what joy that brings!

Now, on to the update!

M O N T H

F I V E

Stats: 

I don't have any new stats since the four month update. He has definitely grown as his 6 month pjs are now too short. He is still staying in the 6 month clothing range for most things: shirts, most pants etc. But anything that is full-body he has got to be in 9 month. This boy is just so long! So, I don't know his exact length nor weight nor percentiles but... he's growing and he's gonna be tall just like his daddy!

Who you callin' big? 

What's New?

• Smiles and laughs: these have increased by leaps and bounds this month! He belly laughs at times, and smiles a lot more! It's our favorite!!
• Standing : He was really behind ( in my mind ) when it comes to developmental milestones like this one. But this month he really rose to the challenge! (see what I did there?) He has started to  want to stand and just is so happy with himself while he is doing it! He is getting stronger every day. 
• Bounce: One of his new favorite things is his jumperoo. Lucy LOVED this thing from about 4 months. So it took Charlie a little longer to realize how great it is but... now he just bounces away in it while smiling and giggling at it's greatness. 
• Recognizing his name: I don't know if this is a thing. Maybe he is just responding to my voice, but he seems to turn his head when I say his name. 
• Oral fixation: This isn't new, per say. He has always had a bit of an oral fixation. But this month he has started to put toys or blankets in his mouth. Teething maybe? Who knows! 
• Scooting: He just wiggles and scoots constantly! I lay him on his play mat and in 2 minutes he is off the mat and headed elsewhere... all while being on his back! He's already mobile and he can't even crawl! What on earth!? 

Sleep

Not much has changed here. He is still taking 3 naps a day and most times they are 1-2 hours which is much appreciated! Overnight he is about the same as before: he is still waking between 5-6 am and has not yet figured out he doesn't need to eat then. I nurse him for no more than a minute and lay him back down and he settles to sleep just fine and sleeps until I wake him at 8. We are really, really, really hoping he catches on soon that he can just go ahead and sleep 8-8 and no one will mind! :) 

But I am not naive to realize he has come a LONG way in his sleep since just 2 months ago! I am SO thankful to be out of the baby sleep-training trenches!! 

We haven't hit the rolling over stage yet so... I'm sure there is still sleep-disruptions in our future, but I'll enjoy the bliss while I have it! 

His sleep routine looks like this:

8:00 am wake up!

9:30 -11:30 nap

1:00-3:00 nap

5-6 cat nap

7:30 ready for bed

8:00 in bed

Eating

Same 'ol same 'ol. 

Five feedings a day. 3-3.5 hour schedule

(plus that 1 minute at 5 am.... eye role)

The doc said we could start solids... I'm not in much of a hurry because it's just one more thing to fit in the day... and it's messy! I did try once or twice and he was not a fan, and it just ended up everywhere... so we'll revisit that next month... maybe! :) 

I do not remember a darn thing about starting solids with Lucy... it's incredible the things you forget!

I guess this goes under eating... or at least digestion. But OH. MY. WORD with this kid's intestines! He poops 3-6 times... a day on some days... spits up like insane amounts and belches like he's trying to win a trophy for it.

ALL. BOY.
All. the. time. 

Favorite. Photo. Ever. 

Play / Development

Like I said... he's on the slower side in the developmental department. 

He has not rolled yet and does not even seem to want to. He lays flat on his back like a champ! 

Tummy time is few and far between. For some reason he INSISTS on throwing his hands to his side so all he is working is his lower back. It's like yoga and pilates time more than tummy time. I try and get him to push up on those hands but he will not have it. 

I quit. 

Can I quit? 

'cause I do. 

But he is standing (with help) and bouncing. So that's fun and developmental!

At 5 months Charlie loves:

  Holding onto anything: toy, blanket, skin, hair, his clothing. I've had many people at church or wherever come say hello to him and touch his belly or arm and he grabs onto their finger with the grip-of-death and they don't know what to do!

       Uh... you're kid won't let go of my finger. 

        Sorry... it's just his way. :)

  His jumperoo, standing and bouncing. 

  When you make funny faces and noise at him. 

  Being held. 

  Cuddles

  Spitting up everywhere, at all times, no matter what.  

      I say this as I am in my third outfit of the day. It's noon. 

My Sweet Little Man

   I put you to sleep at night, and then want to get you up and cuddle and squeeze you. I miss you when you aren't with me. I love your smiles, your coos, your laughs, your wiggles! You fill my heart with so much joy I feel like it could burst! I pray for that little heart of yours that I listen to beat within your chest. I pray it grows strong. I pray it is tender and gentle. I pray that it is open to your Creator and that it chooses obedience and love as you grow into the man God has designed you to be. I am so honored and grateful to be your momma!! 

With love, sweet one. 

M O N T H

F I V E

P H O T O 

D U M P

He was placed on his mat. This was 4 minutes later. 

Out take from our photo shoot. hahahaha