Gage - Five Months Old

5 Months Old!

This last month has been quite eventful, full of many milestones for our sweet baby boy.  Just like the last four months, there seems as if so many things have happened during the last month, so many firsts.  Every day it seems like there is something new.

There was no doctor's appointment this month, so your stats are just a guess:

Height:                           25.5 inches
Weight:                          15 lbs. 9 oz. 

Diaper Size:                  Size 2

Clothing Size:               6 month clothes, though you still fit into one or two three month shorts, but you also fit into some 9 month outfits

Here are a few of the things you have been up to in the past month:

• You had your first full weekend away from mommy and daddy this month.  At the end of June, mommy and daddy went away for the weekend to celebrate our third wedding anniversary, so Grammy and Grandpa McGuire came up to Kansas City for the weekend to watch you.  You were in good hands, and it sounds like everyone had such a good time.  There were a lot of walks and trips to the pool for you during the weekend.
• We were able to take you to the pool a few more times this month.  I think you are finally starting to warm up to it, as the last time or two you started kicking and smiling while we have you in the pool, though we have to be careful that you don't swallow the water!
• We also got to celebrate your first 4th of July.  Since Mommy had to work the day before and after, we didn't do anything special.  We made sure to get in a trip to the pool during the day and you were asleep before the fireworks ever went off, which is okay as you are not a huge fan of loud noises, so I don't know how you would have handled it.
• At the last minute, we made an impromptu trip to Topeka to see Grandpa and Grandma Blow and all of the Blow cousins.  It was so great that such a last minute trip worked out so well where we got to see everyone!  That is an occurrence that does not happen very often, so it was a very special trip, and I know Grandpa loved it!
• Even though our first attempts at eating cereal didn't go over so well, we have kept working with you and now, you love to eat it.  In fact, two days before your birthday, we went ahead and let you starting eating real food.  We started you with squash (mommy made it at home with the blender) and you loved it!  You didn't even hesitate to eat it, so I am going to bet you are going to be a foodie just like your mommy :).
• You are now eating 6 to 8 oz of formula, four times a day.  Twice a day you are also eating two tablespoons of cereal (or one tablespoon of cereal and one ounce of squash).
• You are learning how to grasp toys and put EVERYTHING to your mouth, and I mean everything.  So far your favorite thing to chew on is your burp rags, especially the gross, spit up ones.  However, you are starting to really love your Sophie, I think her soft rubber feels pretty good on your gums since you have been teething.
• That's right, our little man, you popped not one, but two teeth this month, at the same time!  Your bottom front two teeth have popped through at the exact same time.  No wonder you had a few days that you were a little fussy, though I must say overall you have handled it rather well!  You still have been sleeping through the night, though I think it explains why you were boycotting your naps at daycare for a while.
• Also because of your teething, you have started drooling....all the time.  Now when I pick you up from daycare I find that the front of your shirt is pretty damp from all of the drooling you are doing.  Mommy has learned to become an expert drool ducker.
• Nothing has changed in the sleep department, as you are still our good little sleeper.  You have been going to bed between 8 and 8:30, but you are starting to wake up a little earlier recently, between 6 and 6:30.  Mommy and daddy are (selfishly) hoping that this is phase and that you will go back to sleeping until at least 7.
• In the mornings now when you wake up, instead of waking up crying, you wake up babbling and talking to yourself, which has been a fun change for us.  Now when we come in to get you, you give us the biggest grin like you are so excited to see us and happy to start your day.  Seriously, just melt our hearts.
• You like to roll at will, front to back and back to front.  You are also really starting to work on your scooting skills.  I have a feeling we're going to need to start babyproofing the house soon because you seem to want to get on the move, and fast!
• You are also doing so well sitting with support, either in the bumbo or the boppy.  Just recently I have started to see you sitting yourself up from leaning back in your bath seat or your bouncer.  You are on your way to sitting up on your own!
• You are such an active little boy.  You like to do all sorts of different activities, whether it be playing in your jumperoo or on your playmat.  Your favorite though is your exersaucer, I think because it is so interactive for you and you love all of the noises it can make.
• You still don't quite give out laughs freely, but we are definitely hearing it more and more.  Sometimes if I just say something you think is funny, you will just start giggling, which I love!
• You LOVE to babble, babble.  Half of the time you sound like a screeching pterodactyl (you can get pretty loud if you want).  The daycare seems to think you have learned to be loud because she is so loud.  I don't know if I would disagree (though I'm guessing too you just like the sound of your own voice).
• You love to do 'Nanzer with daddy.  Anytime you start to fuss or whine, if daddy bounces you on his knees while doing the Bonanza theme song, you light up at him and give the biggest smiles and squeals.  You may end up being a John Wayne and western fan just like daddy!
• As you start to show us your personality more and more, we are learning that you are overall a pretty chill baby.  However, when you do decide that you are upset, you have a temper, and quick!  And when you get upset, you can cry loud, like someone is hurting you!  I guess they were right that when you cried as a newborn, we hadn't heard anything yet (and I'm sure it can get worse).

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the last month:

Sporting the overalls, ready to go hang out with Grandpa on the farm!

Cereal face

Getting some play time in before bed

Taking a play break to watch American Pickers

Eating cereal, definitely going better than before!

Chilling with daddy after work, your eyes match his shirt!

Watching golf, or the Royals....it's what they do (and look the exact same doing it!)

Swimming with mommy (though you don't look so excited)

Looking cool with my shades

Meeting Aunt Sheri and cousin Sadie for the first time 

Cousin Emma, what a sweetie!

Gage meeting cousin Emma, though he's not too interested

Grandpa Blow with his grand-girls

Gage with cousin Maddie

Gage with cousin Sadie, she is such a great big sister to Emma!

All of the Blow grandkids, what a special day, that doesn't happen often enough!

Mommy meeting baby Emma

Gage ready for the luau with cousin Maddie and cousin Lauren

This guy had such a good time partying with his cousins!

 

Happy 4th of July!

So excited, squealing like a pterodactyl!

Such a happy guy

Caught him laughing

"Say what?"

What happens when daddy dresses me...not quite matching

Two teeth coming in already!

Here are a few outtakes from your 5 month photo shoot (which I must say, you're making it harder and harder to do, you just want to move!):

As if that wasn't enough, here are a couple of my favorite videos from the month:

I so LOVE to hear his laugh!

Our little rolling machine

Gage, you have been such a blessing to your dad and I.  We so love watching you grow and change, and think that you are a special little man.  We love you to the moon and back!