5 months old!

Our sweet Jackson turned 5 months old today! He is such a bright and joyful baby (for the most part) and we continue to feel incredibly blessed to have him as our son. His milestones this month include eating solids, which has been fun for all of us. Along with his rice and oatmeal cereals, he has also had squash, carrots, sweet potatoes and peas. He seems to like them all, with squash easily being his favorite and carrots his not-so favorite. We are looking forward to the fruit introductions, knowing he will probably love that! He actually eats 3 solid meals a day, which his GI specialist told us to do in order to help with his constant spitting up. Yet another milestone we think he has really embraced is playing with toys. He is finally taking interest in toys and playing with them. It is so adorable to see him trying to control his little hands. They don't always do what he wants them to, which can be frustrating for him! Jackson also rolled over for the first time this month, but he's only done it once or twice. He seems to still not have any desire to be mobile. Oh well! He'll do it when he's ready!

Jackson is a big boy for sure! He saw the pediatrician last week and weighed 16lbs 8oz, which is in the 60th percentile for his age. He was 26 1/4in long, which is in the 75th percentile! He is healthy as can be, except for his reflux. I venture to say we have his reflux under control...for now. But, as with all babies, things are subject to change at any given moment:). As I write this, Jackson is talking away, bringing his hands to his mouth, and sucking on those fingers as he talks. He loves, loves, loves to hear his own voice. He has a high pitched squeal that pierces ears, but shows how happy he can be with life in general!

Jackson is now wearing 3-6 month or 6 month clothes. In one or two brands, he can wear 6-9 months! While he has so much adorable clothing, I have to admit, he spends many days in his sleepers (and mommy in her pj's). I figure if we aren't going out, why put on clothes when we can be so much more comfy in our pj's?

Jackson continues to sleep like a champ in his crib (at night, still not so much for naps). He has rough nights here and there, but I think he qualifies as sleeping through the night most nights. Currently (and, again, this changes week by week), he is having his last bottle and going to bed between 10 and 11pm, and then sleeping until around 6am, then has his bottle and sleeps again until anywhere between 8:30 and 9:30am. He wakes up happy, somehow escapes his miracle blanket (yep, still requires swaddling to sleep, which is crazy to me!), and chats with himself until we get in there to get him. If he wakes up crying, I know without a doubt he needs to sleep a little more. If he is well rested, we find the cutest little smiling and cooing baby, chewing on his fingers, when he go to greet him in the morning. He watches through the crib slats to see us come through the door and then does his full body smile and squeal when he sees us. It makes getting up in the morning with him such a joy.

Each month holds amazing growth and milestones for Jackson. It is such an honor and a blessing to watch as he grows and develops. I swear he gets cuter every month. His smiles and laughs get brighter and more frequent, and our hearts continue to swell. Happy 5 months, baby boy! We love you!

(On a side note, this is my 101st post!! Wow, over 100 posts in a year, and what a year it has been! Thank you to all of you who have followed me and supported me through this year!)