On being 5 months old...

Dear Hunter (boo-boo, babe-sicle, sweet pea, blue-eyes, handsome...),


Yesterday you turned 5 months old. I cannot believe it! With each passing month comes new milestones, feats, and quirks, all of which fascinate your dad and me. We spend countless hours talking about you and your endless cuteness...from your wrinkly forehead to your little toes, we discuss it all. 


Beginning in early January, we saw gummy smiles form when we really did something outrageously funny, or when you were really really excited...and now I am delighted to say that your smile graces your face about 80% of the time. Dad and I are obsessed with it and do everything we can to make it appear (funny sounds, goofy faces, high-pitched voices, etc...we do it all:)


Your latest accompaniment to this little grin of yours is a giggle that overwhelms you so much that it doesn't come out...you just sit there with your mouth open wide and curled up at the sides, overcome with enthusiasm... that's my favorite, and kissing your little sweet neck is the best way to get those silent giggles...


Last week I was nursing you and eating at the same time...you kept jerking your head away from your meal to watch me eat mine so I figured that it may be time to start you on some solids. Rice cereal was your first big-guy snack, and you ate 5-6 spoonfuls like a champ. After a few days of that, I figured it was time for a little excitement, so we whipped out the pureed carrots today. And...you like them! Yay! You wore half the little bowl and ate half... and decided that although you do like them, 7-8 spoonfuls is ALL you want.


Your preferred pastimes include sitting in your bumbo and hanging from your bouncer suspended from a doorway. Your little legs are getting so strong from all your bouncing and you love standing up. You are almost able to sit upright by yourself, and you can handle about 10 seconds before you nose-dive..hehe...I give you one more month before your golden.


In other news...you have been sleeping through the night since you were about 2 months old, which has been an incredible blessing to your dad and me...and we say almost daily that you are spoiling us for down the road when your little siblings arrive, hehe. 10-12 hour nights are your norm!! This past Saturday I had to wake you up at 8:45am to keep you from reaching the 13 hour mark!! 


Your still a little dude...only 22 inches tall (5th percentile...woot woot:) and 12 and half pounds (11th percentile...hehe:) at your 4 month check-up. I am excited but nervous for the rapid weight gain that I'm sure will ensue once you take to solids. It is a strange mix of wanting to see you flourish and wanting you to stay little forever that I am experiencing as a mom.


You love to hold things in your hands now, and move them to your mouth to chomp on. You can reach out and grab what you want, and let go of what you don't. When we pick you up to hold you, you hold us back... which is wonderfully rewarding as a parent to have little fingers and hands wrap around our shoulders and cling to us for love.


Your gums have been bothering you for almost a month now as well, and we keep checking them to see if any little pearly whites are ready to pop out! You have been getting a little fussy and stuffy from teething, but despite the discomfort you continue to be mild mannered and happy most of the time.


You bring your dad and me so so so much joy and we love you more than we ever thought possible. You being in our lives has united us more than we ever expected, and has bound our hearts and lives to one another in a new way, for which we will be eternally grateful. Your smile and laughter has filled our home with happiness and lights up our faces when we see them. 


You are truly amazing. God out-did himself when He made you, and we are so thankful to Him for giving us the responsibility of raising and loving you.


Sweet dreams baby, 
I love you,
Momma