5 months!

Here we are at 5 months today.....almost 1/2 a year! It's amazing when I think about it in that way. All is going well in Eli land (and it is Eli land, for sure....he rules!!). He continues to be his cute self and growing bigger and bigger....in fact....we have reached 20 lbs!!! I never would have thought I'd have a 20 lbs. 5 month old! I'm so happy he is such a healthy baby but there are some draw backs to having a bigger baby:

1) Grows out of his clothes SO fast....just can't keep up or plan ahead very well! Currently he wears 12-18 month old clothes comfortably with a few 9 month clothes still hanging around!
2) Grows out of his car seat before it seems he is ready to. We will buy his convertible car seat within the next couple of weeks. I wanted to try to hold out until the weather was warmer, but I don't think we can! Gone will be the days when we can carry him in his car seat (but I must say, I won't miss lifting the car seat up into the SUV which KILLS my back) and we'll have to use our stroller, Baby Bjorn, or just carry him until he can sit up by himself in a cart.
3) Grows out of almost all of his activities: swing, jumperoo, baby bjorn, bumbo (actually 22 lbs), have a max of 25 lbs! Although it should take him another couple of months to reach this weight, it's still sad that he won't be able to use them anymore!
4) Kills mommy's back to get him in and out of his crib, pick up from floor gym, pull out of jumperoo, and even just carry around the house too long....need to go to a chiropractor for sure!

Regardless, he is such a cutie pie with his fat rolls that all the above doesn't even matter :)

Eli's sleeping continues to be a little crazy. It's so random that I just have no idea what to expect anymore. It's not as though he used to be predictable, but I at least knew he would initially sleep 5-7 hours, nurse, and then have another 2 periods of 2-3 hours of sleep. Now I don't know if he'll wake up after 2 hours, 4 hours, or 7 hours!! I know it's just developmental because I've tried to make sure everything is right in his room: temp, noise, light, etc. and it doesn't seem to make any difference. But, last night he slept 7 hours, then 2 hours, then 1 1/2 hours and we were out of bed by around 8:30am, which is what he used to do. So, who knows, but I ask Eli daily to try to get this all worked out by the time I find a job!!! I will say that the video monitor has been great and I just love being able to roll over and look at him and then go back to sleep....very good investment for my peace of mind.

Not sure when we'll start solids. I was thinking around 5 months but continue to read (this site, recommended by the lactation consultants and LLL for info about breastfeeding babies, recommends delaying solids) about how waiting until 6 months is best (allergies, allowing their digestive system to mature, etc.). He still shows interest, but hasn't had a fit yet about wanting food. He continues to gain very well with just breast milk, so he's doing fine without solids. I think I'll just continue to just see how he does and try to hold out until 6 months....that's only a month away! I've also been reading about how some doctors, groups, etc. suggest starting with food and not rice cereal. I don't know enough about this yet to make a decision, but I may go with the pediatrician on this one and start with rice cereal mixed with breast milk. Once again, I'll research it a little more before deciding for sure.

I'm happy to report that Eli does so much better in his car seat. He only seems to cry in it now if he's been in it for a long time (mommy sometimes pushes him to his limit if we are out shopping....I know, bad mommy ;) or if he is hungry or tired and can't fall asleep (but he usually can). This is so wonderful and I pray it continues when we transfer him to his convertible car seat in about a month (or sooner if he reaches the limit before then!!) Yay Eli!!

Eli still has some fussy times during the day that mommy can't quite figure out what it is. Teething? Reflux? Boredom of being with mommy all day? It was even suggested to me that maybe because he is so active (in his jumperoo, on his play mat) that his growing and active muscles may hurt sometimes! Who knows. In reality, it's probably a combination of all of these. Babies are people too, just little people, and they have aches and pains along with occasional grumpy days. Thankfully he's not like this all day, though. He does well when we leave the house so that's why I threw in boredom. Gotta have a little variety to spice things up when you are 5 months!

Well, enjoy this weeks pics and videos!

My many faces in my high chair:

Content yet questioning

Really??

What are you talking about, dad!!??

Oh....I see....

Yummy....something else to put in my mouth!

Daddy & I watching "Deal or No Deal"....Deal! Deal!!

Happy Days!

Working out under my play gym....aren't I buff?

Sitting up with help from mommy's boppy....but....

....somehow I always end up like this after about 20 seconds

Bumbo teaches me to sit.....

.....and allows me to watch t.v. and laugh!

My 5 month pictures....see my crazy socks that I pull off at least 5x a day?

Now my socks are fixed...thanks mom!!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Daddy always is able to make me laugh!!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

This video is REALLY long but mommy is trying SO hard to get me to copy her and make different vowels sounds....I really know how to make them I just like to make her say them over and over....

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Fun in the high chair....can't wait for food when I can fling it all over!!