Zoe Louise | Five Months

I hate that the first thing I think about when seeing this post is that I only have one month left at home with you.  This has been the most amazing few months and I am so fortunate that I work at a company that allows me to take this much time off.  I just think about everything we got to experience together and I wouldn't trade it for anything.  Let's make this last month count Goose.

Stats:  Not sure.  We'll know next month at her 6 month checkup.

Likes:  Swaddled to sleep.  Eating.  White noise CD.  Bath time.  Your mobile.  Momma Sofie.  Mr. Hungry Caterpillar.  Daddy's crazy songs.  You also love your hands and feet.  And EVERYTHING goes in your mouth these days.

Dislikes:  Being burped during/after your bottle.  Being overtired.  I've also started to try and ween you from your swaddle (one arm out during a few naps).  Sometimes it goes ok and sometimes your naps are horrible.  We'll keep working on it.

Biggest Achievement This Month:  Keeping up with your earlier bedtime and sleeping until 7:30 or 8 am!  Although, you are starting to get up earlier around 7.  We'll see if that stays consistent.

Biggest Challenge of the Month:  The 45 minute nap intruder is still in full force :(  Also, weening you from your swaddle.  Part of me wonders if we should just go cold turkey.  I don't think I could handle the cries though.

Secret Tricks:  You still are a busy body and get bored easily.

Sleep:  You still take your last bottle at 7:30pm and are down by 8pm at the latest.  You are then down for the night until anywhere from 7-8am.  You now take 3 naps during the day.  Two long ones that are around 2 hours or a little more and then a short catnap from about 5-6pm.  There have been a few days recently where you decided it was best to get up at 6:30 am.  While working, this time was normal for me, but I've definitely gotten used to staying up later and getting up later.  I need to work on that before going back to work.

Temperament/Personality:  You are hilarious.  You started babbling a lot more this week.  We visited your friends in Chicago this past week and I'm wondering if you finally learned a little more from Caroline.  We love hearing it though!  You don't really talk to us, but hearing you chat with your safari friends and mama Sofie makes our day.  

And the things that make you laugh.  I will never understand them, but daddy and I will gladly act like idiots to hear those laughs :)  Last weekend, daddy kept saying "Ok mommy" a million times and I kept thinking he was actually talking to me.  Nope.  You found it hilarious and giggled FOREVER.

Eating:  Still at 5 feedings.  You're now taking about 5.5 oz for each of your bottles.  I still nurse twice in the mornings.  I pump once at night before bed.  I'm dropping the afternoon pumping this week.  I've been conflicted on doing it, but it's just getting to hard to fit it in while you are up and wanting my attention.  I need to start weening anyhow before going back to work so I guess this is as good of time as any.  You still only get one formula bottle.  I don't know if we'll make it quite to 6 months, but it will be close.  I think stopping all the way is going to be harder for me than I thought :(

You are getting much better at eating your rice cereal.  Some of it is FINALLY making it to your belly.  And you actually like to "help" me put it in your mouth which generally means it ends up all over your face :)  But it's super cute.

Randoms: All 6 month clothes.  We did keep the 9 month Easter outfit for you since I want you to wear it more than once.  You are in size 2 diapers.  

Milestones:  You still are trying SO hard to roll from back to tummy but no luck yet.  Talking is definitely the biggie this month.  You are starting to get better at tripoding too.  If I sit behind you to catch you, you do pretty well.

Outings:  Chicago!!  This was big for mommy.  We made it all by ourselves without too many meltdowns :)  A big thank you to the Hansons for letting us visit for a few days.

Favorite Baby Gear:  I am so glad we registered for the City Mini GT stroller.  And I'm so glad you can go in it now.  Even Beeba commented on how nice of a ride it was when we took you for a walk last weekend.  I'm excited for warmer weather so we can go out with it more often.

Comparison shots!  It's so crazy to look back at these.  Obviously, I know you are so much bigger compared to one month.  But even just from 4 months!

Love you Goose!  I can't wait to spend this last month off work with you :)