5 months old

Well, Mr. Monkey, time truly does fly, doesn't it? January 23 doesn't seem like it was that far away and here it is June, and you are 5 months old this week. The last month has been a pretty good one for you with some major accomplishments and challenges.

At the doctor last Friday, you weighed in at 21.5 pounds and 27.5 inches long. This means that you are the size of an average 9 month old baby. No wonder all the 12 month size clothes you are wearing are getting a wee bit too small. The 18-24 month jammies that you've been wearing lately seem to fit just right.

As Hilary (Ross' cousins wife) said to me in an e-mail today, you are finally at an age where you will let me love you. We can laugh and play and you wake up happy to see me, instead of the constant screaming we dealt with for what seemed like an eternity. I am so happy to love you, and even happier to have you love me back. So what if loving me means you slobbering in my face and pulling my hair. As long as there is a toothless grin staring right back at me, it's just fine by me.

In the past month, your personality has gotten even bigger, your opinions more vocal, and you've definitely developed your voice. You are constantly yelling at me for attention, and talking all the day away. You giggle, and guffaw out loud at your dad, especially when he sings "Springtime for Hitler" to you in a falsetto I didn't know he was capable of. (Side note: The song is from the musical "the Producers" and it makes fun of Adolpho. Elliott joins in that thought.) Both of your grandma's think that your sense of humor is a little strange, but with the mom and dad you got stuck with, that is to be expected. You and dad have created lots of games and tricks to get you to laugh and scream from dad throwing you in the air, to having you pound your fists into his head.

This month you ate sweet potatoes and liked them, but didn't care for peaches. We tried to feed you apple juice the other day and it made you puke. Teeth are definitely in the near future and you have become a slobbering machine awaiting their arrival.

You have mastered the baby Einstein, now being able to spin yourself all the way around to get to whatever toy suits your fancy. And, you want nothing to do with lying down anymore, unless you are asleep. It is standing for you, all the time, no questions asked. How your little teeny, stubby legs can support your massive weight, I do not know.

Airplanes were on your list in the past four weeks and in retrospect, you did very well on your first trip. Vegas definitely wasn't your cup of tea, but hotel rooms seemed to suit you quite well. The relaxation of a hotel bed in your undershirt seemed to be just the fit for this growing boy.

Baseball and swimming pools also made the list this past couple of weeks. The baseball game, you weren't so fond of, but the pool? Oh yes, the pool is right up your alley. Grandma Judy had the right touch lowering you into the water and splashing with your feet. Just wait until we throw you in little monkey. That will be quite the sight.

An even bigger milestone than swimming pools happened to you just last night. Dad, in an attempt to trim your itty bitty fingernails as you were waking up from a nap cut off your finger. Not your whole finger, but a good chunk of the tip. You bled for what felt like hours, but was more about 10 minutes and you didn't even cry. You were more anxious at the fact that I was holding you so tight and wouldn't let go of your hand, than the fact that you were oozing blood all over a dish towel.

Keeping a band aid on your teeny tiny finger has been more work than I ever imagined. If you would just stop sticking that finger into your mouth, all would be well.

It is so exciting to see you get bigger and stronger. Maybe in the next month you will actually roll over and maybe even enjoy being on your tummy. Right now, your body mass seems to get in the way. And, why bother learning to loco mote on your own when mom and dad come running at the smallest squeak.

We love you baby! You and all your slobber!