5 Month Update

Five Months

16 lbs

27.5 in long

Personality

Every month you teach us a little more about your personality. This month you've shown us that you hate to be tired, and that you struggle to sleep when you're not at home. You've shown us that you love to give kisses, and you smirk like your daddy. You've also decided that you love to be worn in the baby wrap (or the "papoose" as Nanny calls it). It's your favorite place to be right now, and you love it when we cook together.

Our favorite thing to do is be cuddled in the wrap

Loves

Giving mommy kisses

Pinching and pulling hair

Teething toys

Chewing on fingers (even more than teething toys)

Bath time!

Watching TV

Being carried in the Solly wrap aka his papoose

His Aussiedoodles

Dislikes

Teething

Being put to sleep

Getting put in the car seat

Being hot

Watching mom walk away

Waking up and realizing he's swaddled

Being overstimulated and tired

Major Milestones

I started giving mommy kisses this month, as well as pinching and pulling hair.

I had my first pool day and celebrated my first 4th of July!

I am in mostly 6-9 months clothes, but growing out of them fast.

I've made it through my first sleep regression (more on that below)!

Trying Moments

This month was really hard. We realized that newborn sleep depravation was nothing compared to sleep deprivation at the four month regression. Clark had his four month shots on July 12th, and he was immediately thrown into the four month sleep regression. Our wonderful sleeper went from waking once at night to waking up every hour or two. We struggled to figure out what was causing his regression, and we tried desperately to fix it. To add to the sleeplessness, Clark also started teething. He was obviously in pain and exhausted, and we struggled to get him to sleep every night. Towards the end of the second week, we were all so sleep deprived that my mom spent the night so that we could get some rest. After that night we started making some changes:

- We went back to swaddling him, this time with the amazing Ollie Swaddle (thanks Amy!).

- I took a frantic trip to Target and bought extra Tylenol as well as various binkys and teething gels & toys to try. Praise Jesus we found some things that worked for him with this, this, and this!

- We started listening to Scripture Lullabies before naps/bed (thanks Lauren!).

- We let him sleep anywhere and everywhere to get caught up on sleep!

I really think the combination of sleep regression and teething made for a perfect storm. We are thankfully through the worst of the sleep regression, and we are all feeling much better. He is starting to teeth more and has been drooling and gnawing on everything. Some days are worse than others, but thankfully we are beginning to tell what is teething pain versus curious chewing. So far month four-five has been the most difficult, but it's also included the most growth, grins, and giggles!

You do what you have to with sleep regression!

Favorite Moments

Because we were so deliriously tired and the weather was ridiculously hot and humid, we spent most of our days at home. These sleepy stupor days were better and more difficult than I could have ever imagined. They were bittersweet. They marked the end of your newborn phase and the start of your playful baby stage. Being home with you is truly my favorite part of every day!