5 months old! ... a few days late :)

I'm late.  Not shocking, I know. . .  Jakob has graduated out of that newborn baby and is turning into quite the little munchkin!  I love this age, mostly because of the interaction between him and the rest of the family.  He is quite the character.  He seems to have that third-born tendency of just "fitting in" to our schedules, but I have to remember that he needs a routine, too :)  This month has been a little bit rougher. . . He has had two colds back to back, and they seem to make it harder for him to take regular feedings and sleep as well at night.  Overall, he's handled it pretty well, but I'm excited to have non-snotty Jakob back!  He cut his first bottom tooth this week, and his second bottom front tooth is quite close.  I had wondered why in the world he was such a drooler so early (my other girls cut their first teeth at 7.5 months), so I guess that explains a lot!  The drool is NOT COOL, but hey, it's for a good cause!

I'm going to start him on cereal in the next week or two, mostly because my mommy instinct tells me I should.  Expect some pics soon :)  Jakob's current tricks: rolling all over, grabbing both feet and trying to roll (love that one!), squealing like a pig, sticking out his tongue, blowing raspberries every once in a while, making funny faces (he loves to chew on his bottom lip), giggling, standing (with help, of course), and family-watching.  He loves to watch us and the girls, and he seems amused at our antics.  I've caught him up on his knees several times, and he's getting familiar with the push-up position, so sooner or later, he's going to put two and two together!

One of the biggest differences I now notice in having a boy is the way he is constantly in motion! Slapping, hitting, thrashing around...  it's so different :)  I know it's only the beginning, right?  Here are my current fun's and not-so-fun's for this age.  Nothing really new, but it's good for me to make these notes!

fun's:

* bathtime!  He has so much fun- he just hangs out and kicks away!
* He still loves to be held.  If I'm not somewhere I can put him down to sleep, he will crash on me (when his sisters aren't poking him) fairly easily.
* He loves hanging out with Daddy!  I think they have a special male bond that we just can't relate to!  p.s.  I swear, Jordan's extended paternity leave seems to have made that bond a bit stronger :)  I love it!
* I love getting him up in the morning.  He's quite happy to see me :)
* He's been pulling 10 hour stretches (finally!) - at least he was before the sickies hit :(
* His knee rolls.  'nuf said.

 (sporting his new goofy face) 

not-so-fun's:

* the inconvenience of cereal. I know he needs it, but I'm somewhat dreading this transition to "prepared mommy" whenever we go somewhere :)
* Did I mention I'm tired of cloth diapering? I feel like I'm already doing a countdown to when this guy is potty trained!!!  I've been cloth diapering for over 3.5 years with no significant breaks.  It's time :)
* Spit-up and drool.  Still yucky!
* Seeing him grow is so fun, yet so sad.  I always knew I was a baby person, but it's hard to see that baby growing.  I will have to make sure I enjoy ALL OF THIS.  All of it.

Jakob Henry, you're sweet.  Stay sweet, please :)  ... and chubby.