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| The Bear Series: Five Months |
You are five months old, my son, and we've finally turned a corner. In the past month, you've grown into yourself a bit and are happier in those moments when you aren't being carried or entertained. Mind you, you're still a demanding little soul. You're happiest in arms, but there will be no relaxing cuddles on a lap for you, my boy. No - you must be held in a standing position, as you bend and flex your little legs over and over. Frankly, it's exhausting as you weigh somewhere north of 15 pounds now.Despite what I think is best for you, you have insisted that I bow to your wishes to be up and about in the world, and if that means a bit of time in the bumbo seat or the door bouncer or propped into a sitting position on the sofa, then so be it. Although there was that one day when you used the sofa cushion you were propped up against to "stand" and then did a face plant on the sofa. We were very lucky it wasn't a face plant off the sofa, so there's that. I really must be more careful. What with your refusal to spend much time playing on your back, you haven't yet figured out how to roll over, except that you can do it from your tummy. You've spent about 5 minutes on your tummy since you were born, but this week when I put you down on your front you rolled over like you'd been doing it all your life. So I really mustn't get too complacent about this staying in one place thing.
I had new mummy friends after your sister was born tell me that they had to get out and about with their bubs every day, and really I couldn't relate at the time. But you've educated me, my boy, because you are much happier when we're out and about. This effectively disguises your tyrannical nature and you become a smiling, happy baby. That's one thing that everyone who meets you comments on - your gorgeous, ready smile. It's transformative, that grin, and I often turn in a queue to find that you've charmed yet another person with the power of that smile. You still seem to consider every stranger a friend you haven't met yet, though I suppose there may come a time when that might change.You've developed a few consistent habits that are uniquely you. You like to grab at the clothing on your thighs and although you're not a thumb sucker, you spend a lot of time chewing on the thumb and index finger of your right hand. You've started to laugh, and are particularly prone to it when your neck is tickled. You've also taken to sucking or chewing your bottom lip - something your sister did when she was teething - but you also try to chat when you do this, which means your communication comes out as this delightful little hum backed by a cheeky smile. Then there's your reaction when you know you're about to be freed from the car seat and picked up. You crack a smile as I approach you, then draw your little arms into your chest and kick your legs, grinning widely, practically vibrating with excitement while you do baby sit ups to try to levitate yourself.
The best thing, the very best thing, about this stage of your babyhood is cosleeping with you. You haven't once given me trouble sleeping at night, though you may still wake up several times overnight to latch on. You may not be eating much each time... who even knows - I fall asleep almost immediately anyway. There's been a few times when I've scooted away from you to get more comfy and then you've fidgeted and squirmed and I think the best way to keep you (and me!) sleeping is to move back to you and offer the breast. But you just curl into me, turning your head to shove a nipple squarely in your eye then go back to sleep. You're happy as long as we're cuddled up close, and your beaming, grinning face in the morning is priceless. I'm just as charmed as one of those strangers you try to make friends with, and like them, I can't help grinning back. I do hope that you keep this habit of sleeping, and sleeping well. It's one of your best features, second only to that gorgeous smile.I love you with all my heart,
Mummy
He is a cutie
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