Baby Elizabeth is growing up

Elizabeth, you are five months old now! While time seems to have ticked so slowly, it is really hard to believe that the newborn stage is behind us. Phew!!!

You have become quite more cheerful/content the latter half of this month. Up until 2 weeks ago, you used to scream non-stop ANYtime you were put in your carseat. Thank you, Lord, that you are now much happier in the carseat most of the time.

You have developed so much this month in other areas too. You sat up on your own for the first time the end of last month (about 4 1/2 months), but unlike your brother, you never wobbled. From moment one, you could sit in place for 20 minutes or more. I think you were so pleased to be upright... Perhaps this was also the impetus for the next HUGE milestone. About 1 week later, you found your way to sitting on your own from your tummy. And not just once, but over and over and over and over! I still put you down to bed on your tummy but you will roll onto you back, back to tummy and then just sit up. I laugh everytime I come in to find you sitting in your bed playing with your toys. What a comical sight for someone so tiny and young! Is this another reason you are so much happier suddenly?

Yes, the pediatrician did say that 3 months was the charm, but it was 4 months for D and pretty nearly 5 months for you. You now are quite content playing with your toys (which you reach for, grasp, and chew on all the time.)

I fear that you sleep far worse than D with far fewer/shorter naps and definitely a very light sleeper (despite all the noise we make around you). However, none of that matters as you will happily sit in your bed for hours without a peep, playing.

You are also far less fussy about eating at a certain time than you brother. You are really quite laid back about your mealtime, until you see the bottle. Then you reach for it and squeal until you get it.

Another huge thing? You hold your own bottle! Coming right after a brother who refused to hold his own bottle, even at 11 months old, this is all so new. You can and regularly do hold your own bottle and feed yourself when I am preoccupied with taking care of your brother.

You still show a strong preference for your Mommy. Much of the time you fuss when handed over to nursery workers, at least until I am out of view. You may be fussy when picked up too, but the instant that I take you, you calm down.

You seem to be pretty ticklish and laugh quite sweetly when kissed on the stomach, legs, or chin.

While you are petite, you have definitely outgrown your 3 month onesies in the length. You can fit the 6 month clothes pretty well, on the whole. Size 1 diapers are getting a bit snugger too.

Perhaps the solid food is contributing to this too. You started solids this month with sweet potato. You were not a huge fan at first, but were willing to eat a bit more. We have also tried oatmeal and applesauce, again not a big fan at first, but you seem to like a bit better now. And vanilla yogurt. Yum--no objections there! You are extremely messy and refuse to keep your fingers out of your mouth. If I hold one hand, you then insert the other hand into the mouth as soon as the spoon comes out. Oh, well...

Still taking about 4 bottles a day (maybe 7 oz. each). Lots of spitting up between.

You no longer take a pacifier at all--in fact, you get quite angry with it generally. You always suck the middle two fingers. (most often right hand)

Don't ask how you got the following nicknames: little one and/or onesie and twosie.

You have taken a fond interest in your brother now (who also calls you little one). You especially like to pull his hair (not his favorite, of course).

How much more fun it is to enjoy a mostly cheerful, laid back baby. Love the glimpses of your personality showing through. Can't wait to see the upcoming changes in the next several months. Love you dearly, Elizabeth!

PS: here are some random pictures with your cousins and Tia Ana.