Annie :: 5 Months Old

These pictures are a compilation of a couple of tries to get some good shots of this little munchkin.

After several failed attempts,

 I decided that there was no need to capture something that just doesn't exist.

Simply put :: Annie does not sit still.

So, bare with these photos.

Her little personality keeps coming out more and more with every single day 

and I can hardly contain my love.

Some times I squish those chubby cheeks right up next to mine and take a big deep breath in.

I never want to forget these moments.

Having just one baby is something that will never happen again

and I am soaking all of her in each and every day.

We had her 4 month appointment a little late due to our traveling.

She got all of her shots and weighed in at 12 pounds 13 ounces.

She was in the 25th percentile all the way around, 

which is exactly where she was when she was born.

The doctor noted that Annie is very "strong willed."

And yes, I would agree.

She wants to be very involved and active in just about every area of life.

I cannot believe how distinct each baby comes.

She most certainly has a little spit fire personality and keeps us constantly laughing.

She is still wearing size 3-6 month clothes and size 2 diapers.

The doctor said no rush - but anytime we are ready we can start rice cereal.

I'll be honest - I am terrified to start solids.

I am somewhat careful with what I put into my own mouth -

I can only imagine how paranoid I will be with what I put in hers.

I want to exclusively nurse until 6 months

and then I am going to delve in.

I just bought stuff today and am hoping I can read up and feel at ease with my plan.

I love nursing. And pray I can nurse until she is 1.

Her naps are getting longer all the time.

Typically they are an hour long.

She is still on the sleep, eat, play, repeat schedule.

I didn't try to enforce this but it just kind of fell into place and I am so glad it did.

If she is crying - I know she is tired, not hungry.

It has worked really well for us.

We are still pretty much on the three hour schedule -

but I can tell we are in a transition.

A few days this week she has dropped her last afternoon nap.

I think by about 6 - 6.5 months she will only be taking 3 naps a day.

Annie started sitting up about 10 days before she turned 5 months.

She still topples over when using her hands or if she tilts her head too far back.

But for the most part she is a good little sitter.

After a minute or two she will slowly ease herself to her stomach -

so she can roll around and wiggle a little.

Her first two bottom teeth popped through the skin about a week ago.

Just the tops are through and more and more come in every day.

Teething was rough -

but not as bad as I expected.

She is drooling and blowing bubbles like crazy!

She is fascinated with the new poky objects in her mouth.

She is constantly pressing her tongue against them 

and has discovered how to squeal while doing it.

It is a high pitched hilarious sound

and while it is probably painfully annoying to others

we can't get enough of that screech.

She is still desperately trying to crawl.

I am positive it is because she never wanted to be on her back.

Not to sleep. Not to play. Notta.

She is up on all fours and does the little rocking motion.

She can move one knee a few inches but then slides right back onto her belly.

Somehow she is able to get across the room by rolling and scooting that one knee.

I would be perfectly fine with her staying in this stage for another month or so.

Especially since this place isn't baby proofed and she is already finding plugs etc.

Although Daddy bets she will be crawling in no time.

The attempt to crawl has caused us quite the headache with sleep.

That paired with teething have me at a complete loss.

This deserves a post all in itself but the short story is this.

My doctor told me this is the best time to get her sleeping through the night.

And I am trying with all my might - but my goodness it is hard.

She used to sleep a good 6 hour stretch.

Now she goes to sleep anywhere between 6:45 and 7:30.

She wakes up to eat around 10, 2 and 5.

Usually when I go into her room I will find her in the crawling position crying.

I have read in multiple books that this is normal.

Both the crawling in the sleep and the waking times.

We are trying to push through and slowly teach her how to soothe herself.

I've said it before - this is not my strong point.

Any suggestions for a mum that hates to hear that cry?

Her favorite toy is the swing.

Yes, it is now a toy.

Occasionally she will use it as an actual swing 

but for the most part she likes to climb all over the base and push the seat.

Her hands are grabbing for everything.

I cannot believe how active her little hands are.

Her favorite thing to play with is, of course, my phone.

Apparently it makes an excellent teething ring.

She is grabbing her binky more and more and getting better at putting it back in.

She kicks her little legs constantly when you hold her facing outward.

She still loves her bath in the Puj Tub in the sink 

but has learned how to push up on her legs.

I know our time in the sink is limited.

I am trying to stall as much as possible because I know the big tub will be easier once she is a bit older.

I am excited to see her splash around in it. 

Breaking news.

The carseat is getting better.

Much better, in fact.

I think something about the sleep training must be helping.

If she is tired she cries for just a second.

I try to pop the bink in and snuggle her lovey blanket up next to her face as soon as I can pull over 

and she is it out.

But forget moving her while in that thing.

The second the carseat moves out of the car her eyes pop open and she wants out.

I am sure we will still have bad days.

But this improvement makes me feel like a  new person.

In some ways I am happy to trade the rough nights for mobility.

I was starting to get really nervous that she wasn't giggling as much as she should be.

But a few days ago a switch flipped and she is giggle all the time.

She loves when I slowly say, "I'm going to get you"

and tickle her.

She thinks its hysterical.

She is the most happy in the morning.

She doesn't cry when she wakes up and when I go in there she is just swinging her legs up and down against the bed in excitement.

The second I pick her up she reaches up and touches my face.

I swear she knows how to kiss as she puts her mouth against my cheeks when she grabs my face.

But that is probably just my own imagination.

The stranger danger has set in.

She is a huge Mama's girl.

Sure, it is nice to know she loves me.

But I really want her to show other people how fun she is.

She is a wild child at home but when we get her out in public she gets a little clingy -

especially to me.

I worry that with James' hours she may cling to me more than him 

so I am trying to let them be together as much as possible on the weekends.

He definitely lights up her world.

Whenever he is home she locks her eyes on him.

I have never seen anything quite like it.

In the morning I will bring her in bed to wake him up 

and she stares at him - even when he is sleeping.

She adores that man and especially loves when he lays on the ground with her.

She goes about her business playing while he catches up on news and sports.

Just two peas in a pod hanging out.

Can you even take that face?

All scratched up from playing so hard

with drool dripping down.

Yes, she is our little princess.

I am also certain she has the Staples eyebrows.

Bless her.

I tell you what -

we are two very smitten first time parents.

I can say that the jump from 4-5 months was the most significant thus far.

She is definitely more active and involved with us.

Oh Annie,

we sure do love those bright blue eyes and beaming grin.

We are soaking in every second and love watching you explore your new world.