5 Months

Holden is already 5 months old! He officially turned 5 months last Sunday, May 24th but he just had his well-baby checkup and shots today. He weighs 18lbs. 5oz and is 27.5 inches long. He is doing soooooo much better these days (oops, don't want to jinx it). Pooping is slowing down again and it's the right color. Still a gassy boy and sometimes it seems pretty painful. If only he would sleep better. He has started to fight sleep lately. He knows when it's time for bed and he either grunts, moans and cries or he just squirms all around and tries to eat the chair and babbles away. Once I finally get him down, which is around 8:30 or 8:45 these days (used to be closer to 7:00 but I think because it's so light outside he thinks he should still be awake) he sleeps anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours (if I'm lucky). After that it's up about every 1 to 1.5 hours and sometimes less than that. The Dr. said today that he is the size of an average 7.5 month old so I should start feeding him like a 7.5 month old. Therefore he really wants me to start mixing fruit, such as pears, applesauce, bananas, or peaches with his rice cereal and work really hard at getting him to eat some. He wants me to try giving him small amounts all day long instead of at just one sitting. He thinks this will hopefully help him sleep longer. My fingers are crossed because I'm exhausted. Also, I'm doing my best to get him down in his crib each night and keep him there most of the night. But by the time 3:30 or 4:30 rolls around, I'm so tired I usually bring him to bed with me. Dr. wants me to try as hard as I can to not bring him to bed with me. I'll do my best. :)

My big smiley boy!

A few of Holden's favorite things right now:

- Loves to scream. Seems he is finding his voice right now and he belts it out. Cracks me up.

- Loves to put anything and everything in his mouth.

- Enjoys his exersaucer (but only for about 10-15 minutes).

Sitting up like a big boy - but it only lasts about 30 seconds before he topples over.

Sitting in the stroller like a big boy. He loves being able to look out at the World. It's so funny though, he holds on to the straps for what looks like dear life!

He can't get enough of my water bottle and my mom's.

Loves dogs! He could sit and watch Tyson and Mylee forever. He talks to them and pets them (well, actually it's more of pulling their hair and ears than it is petting). Here he is with Bailey, Auntie Megan and Uncle Erich's dog.

He just adores his sissy. She cracks him up.

He really likes sitting in his Bumbo. I call it the poop chair because he poops in it 90% of the time.

The swing might be his all-time favorite thing right now. He just chills in it until eventually nodding off to sleep. I love how he holds on with that hand even while sleeping!

Now my parent's know what to do if he gets fussy. Notice the hand holding on again!

Some of Holden's dislikes right now:

- Doesn't enjoy his changing table like he used to

- Does not like to get dressed. He throws a little fit when I put his shirt on.

- Really dislikes the bath. He does ok for the first few minutes, but seems nervous the entire

time until finally he can't take it anymore and let's me know it. Continues to cry until he is

dressed and nursing.

- Kinda over his indoor swing and bouncy seat. He'll last a few minutes in each.

- Not a fan of going to sleep.