Oh my how quickly the time has gone! You will be five months this Friday, or if we go by weeks, you're 21 weeks and 3 days now. Quite a bit has changed so I had better record everything before my absent mindedness kicks in. Let's see, you weigh around 7.5 kilograms and will soon be moving onto Size 0 clothes. We haven't had your height or head circumference measured but all seems normal. In fact, you could very well be above average with how nicely you have been growing and plumping up. Everyone we know loves how chubby and adorable you are. I think you know that you're the center of attention and are quite enjoying that fact.
I have inherited Grandma's habit of creating strange nicknames and have developed a whole string of odd sounding words for you. Apart from regular terms such as cutie patootie, dumpling, pumpkin, pumpernickel, darling, cuddle bug, bubba and baby, you are also Mama's chumcheewumchee, pookee bear, boogee bear, pumcheese, pookeewoowee, bumcheeboo, choocheewalla and a host of other weird and wonderful things. Let's hope you do not end up with an identity crisis, wondering what your name really is. Whatever you're called though, all you need to know is you are super precious. My little pupcheeboowee, you have beautiful eyes and the cutest chuckle. Smiles and laughs come very easily these days, even when your nap has been cut short for us to get you ready for church. You didn't stop smiling and laughing at the nurse the other night despite it being way past your bedtime. We took you to the hospital as you had broken out in a bumpy red rash all over and were throwing up quite a bit. Waking up to your bright eyes and sweet smiles warms Papa's heart and mine. One morning when Papa went in to say goodbye before leaving for work, and you were still asleep, he gently held your left hand to say a little prayer over you. You opened your eyes briefly, smiled at him and went back to dreaming. I've experienced this too and it is special beyond words.
You have now mastered the left turn roll from your back to your tummy, and often attempt to do this while on the change mat, which makes cleaning you and putting on a fresh nappy rather tricky at times. For some reason, you get very excited when we lay you on the change mat. You flap your arms and kick about and wriggle and squirm. I have tried to occupy you with small toys but this has not been successful. Making eye contact and speaking to you slowly or singing sometimes grabs your attention and helps still you enough for the job to get finished. The same cannot be said for when you are in the bathtub though. It's really cute to see you get all happy and splash around in there, but we have to hold your legs down at times as the bathroom floor ends up getting flooded otherwise. I am sure you will enjoy swimming in the future. One day you will get used to turning towards your right to get onto your tummy and will be able to roll onto your back easily.
Papa and I are still learning to understand the ways in which you communicate with us. Easy signs to pick up on are when you lip smack, appear to be rooting, yawn and rub your eyes. Your cries have somewhat changed and you now are in the habit of making strange constipated type whining sounds as a way of fussing to ask for something. Sometimes it means you are hungry, sometimes it tells me you are trying to poop or just release some gas from the bottom. Other times you're just tired or wanting to be carried. You like joining in the fun when we have friends and family over and at times prefer to be held while Papa and I are having dinner so you can watch the food go from our plates to our mouths and be a part of the conversation. Just in these last few days, I have offered you tiny bits of mashed avocado to test your reaction to solids. I have also let you sip a little water from my cup in response to your curious expression and the way you lean towards it and reach out for the handle if I am carrying you while drinking. You like both these experiences.
At around 4 months, after we were convinced you were not suffering any side effects from your vaccinations, you graduated to the nursery. You did so without a peep and seem to love being in your own room. Papa and I stared at the empty space in our room where your cot was and found it rather strange. There is now a bookshelf sitting in that spot. I am sleeping better now that you only need one night/morning feed and make far less noise in your sleep. I am so proud at how adaptable you are sweetheart. You nap far less given you go down for longer stretches at night and like to sleep in. There are some days you will only nap on my lap and not in your cot but while it means I cannot get much done, these are the moments I cherish for they will not last long.
Papa and I believe you have started teething as your cheeks turn a bright red most days, signifying inflammation, and you drool a great deal more. Since becoming pretty apt at grabbing things and hitting the stage where most things go into your mouth, you like sucking on various teethers and bug toys. I like watching you get excited when we bring a teether or toy towards you. It may take months for those pearly whites to make an appearance. I just pray you will have it easy during the process of them popping out.
Well, until next time when there is more to write about, I shall end here.
Love, Mama
