“Who, me? 5 months old already?” HA!
No seriously, it’s unbelievable that Lincoln is already 5 months old. It’s too close to 6 months, which is practically a year. WHAT?! Here’s what’s on my mommy mind this month!
This has hands down been the best month so far. I feel like a switch went off in Lincoln’s brain as he seems to really “get it” now. Jokes, games, his name, expectations, etc. He’s gone from observing to participating and it’s so cool. I can see his personality coming out more and more everyday.
It was so fun starting holiday traditions this year like visiting Santa which, ok, was more for us, but still. No tears for the jolly old elf, just mild contempt. BaHA!
I’ve started panicking about fine lines on my face that don’t go away when I stop smiling…which is probably because I never do! It feels like everyday Lincoln’s learned a new and hilarious trick – from panting while running in place like he’s running a race, to sucking on his big toe like it’s his thumb (so gross,) and blowing raspberries every chance he gets. I think he’s the bees knees (and have the wrinkles to prove it!)
WE’RE FINALLY SLEEPING!!! Lincoln was using a pacifier to go to sleep up until 4 months and a week or so. After a particularly horrendous night of getting up almost every 30 minutes from 1-6am when he spit the dang thing out and woke up, Ben and I agreed we could no longer be slaves to a stupid rubber object and got rid of it the next day (we also unswaddled one arm at the same time so he could suck on his fingers to soothe himself.)
After fussing for 20 minutes, 2 naps in a row, I swear he forgot the thing ever existed. Now he goes down fully awake in his crib and puts himself to sleep within 3 minutes. Every time. Naps have lengthened from 35-40 minutes, to 75-90 minutes (sometimes longer!) and he’s sleeping much, much better at night. Usually from 7pm (dreamfeed at 9:30pm) to 6am then back down until 7:30am, though sometimes he still needs to eat around 3am. Of course it’d be nice if he was consistently sleeping through the night, but the fact that I can feed him then put him right back down to fall asleep on his own is enough of a miracle for now!
Did I mention how much he cracks us up?! Such a sweet and curious little boy. : )
Lincoln loves his Daddy. Like, LOVES. He gives me some pretty good giggles and grins, but saves the biggest laughs for goofing around with Ben. It annoyed me until I heard Jenna Dewan Tatum said the same thing re: her daughter and husband Channing on E! News one night, which made me feel much better. Besides, I get the best snuggles. ; )
One of my favorite parts of the day is cooking dinner with Lincoln. I’ll put the Beatles station on Pandora then plop him in his high chair with Sophie. I chop – he gnaws. I’m excited to start making him food though! We gave him rice cereal in the middle of 4 months which he LOVED (took the spoon out of my hand and started feeding himself!) but it upset his stomach. Think we’ll try again with real foods like sweet potatoes, squash, and applesauce this month (which his Dr okay’d). Cannot wait!
Thank you, as always, for following along on my adventures in Motherhood!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health 01.07.2014
All of the wrinkles are worth it for that adorable face! He is just too much.
That’s interesting to know about the pacifier. My twin nieces were never given one and one of them developed a thumb sucking problem but the other is fine.
Ashley | www.ourfulltable.com 01.07.2014
Wow amazing he’s such a great sleep already. My son still wakes up once a night a few days a week at 15 months old. He has no sleep crutches. I’m hoping he grows out of it soon!
Angela 01.07.2014
I love your Mommy updates! When you first announced you were pregnant I was a little worried my very favorite food blog would turn into a Mommy blog–but it turns out I really look forward to your family updates!!! Plus your little one is absolutely adorable!
Katie 01.07.2014
He is SO adorable! I love all his little faces he makes!! :)
Kendra 01.07.2014
Lincoln looks SO much like Finn (when he was younger) in the bottom picture!! So cute! :)
Iowa Girl Eats 01.09.2014
He’s looking more and more like him everyday – so crazy!
Becky Walker 01.07.2014
What fun! And that Santa picture is PRICELESS! Hang on to that one.
Amy 01.07.2014
He is absolutely beautiful!! Enjoy these months they are THE BEST and they fly by! I am a long time reader- first time commenting. Love your blog!
Adrienne 01.07.2014
I get some smiles and giggles but my 5 month old (on Thursday, don’t want to rush the days) also saves his big smiles and laughs for his daddy. I felt like chop liver for a while, so it is good to hear that I am not the only one.
Do you have any travel tips for traveling with and infant? We avoided going up to MN to see my husband’s family for the holidays. I had anxiety about taking him that far with all the stops and what if he is awake the whole time etc. We have only taken him on a 2 hour car ride and he slept for an hour of it, this would be 5 without any stops. I have heard to plan for 2 extra hours.
Iowa Girl Eats 01.09.2014
I totally hear you! I usually sit in the back with Lincoln during long car rides to entertain him if he gets fussy. Just guessing that he’s eating every three hours? I would stop every three hours somewhere for 30 minutes to feed him and let him stretch out then get back on the road. The ride should be over before you know it, and who knows, he may do way better than you think. I thought our first plane trip would be a NIGHTMARE, but he did way better than either of us thought!
Sara 01.07.2014
He’s so cute! My little guy LOVES his daddy too…and looks just like him. How was it that I did all that work to make him and deliver him, yet the hubby gets all the love? :)
Autumn@Good Eats Girl 01.07.2014
What a cutie! I love when their personalities start to show and they start becoming their own little person!
Chelsea @ Chelsea Eats Treats 01.07.2014
He’s getting so big!! You must be so happy he’s finally sleeping more. I can’t wait until one day I can be a loving, happy mom like you! You and Ben seem like you’re doing a great job!! Thanks for the updates :)
hillary 01.07.2014
haha, the photo with santa – love it! his eyes, they crack me up :) adorable.
Brie @ Entrée the Giant 01.07.2014
Thank you, Kristin, for these updates – I look forward to them every month! You’re boy is beautiful, just like his mommy. And um, what wrinkles?! You’re out of your mind, woman!
Rebecca 01.07.2014
Our Ped said the same for our twins that are the same age as Lincoln…no cereals because they are empty carbs and as much pureed fruits and veggies as they like. So far we’ve had good success with apple, banana, prune (small amts to keep everything moving!), squash, carrot, cauliflower, sweet potato, peas, and chayote (we live in Mexico so I don’t know if you can get this easily in DSM.)We also introduced pureed salmon in the last week so they start getting omega-3s.
Danielle 01.07.2014
I try not to give unsolicited parenting advice, but let me just say that making my own baby food was by far the best thing I could have done for Milo at that age! Get a good blender and once spring comes, hit the farmers market with a vengeance. Pureed baby food freezes in ice trays beautifully… if you don’t want them stained, just invest in a silicone ones. Seriously cheap, seriously healthy. :)
erin @hooleywithaz 01.07.2014
i cannot get over his eyes! they are just so huge and expressive and adorable! i am sucking up your experiences for when i have my own too btw…
Kara 01.07.2014
I was a big fan of the dream feed too! I will say that it was the hardest feeding to drop because I was always scared our son would stop sleeping through the night… but that’s a problem for another day
Iowa Girl Eats 01.07.2014
When did you start skipping yours? Like you, I’m terrified, but I suppose he is only 5 months so I have a while to go!
Kara K 01.07.2014
I think it was around month 6 1/2 or so. Really, I got tired of going to bed so late every night. Our son was well onto solid foods at that point, so we decided to try it out. VERY SCARY. I think we worked to just space out all of his feedings just a bit so it seemed less of a shock when we did give up the dream feed.
Jill 01.07.2014
He is adorable. I was so proud of myself to make my childs food. You can start now and have some frozen foods to make meals easier during the day. I did have one box of cereal for him so I used a small amount with pureed foods. FYI – avocados are a great first food and easy to puree and freeze.
Alexa 01.07.2014
Try oatmeal instead of rice cereal, that worked much better on my little guy’s tummy.
Iowa Girl Eats 01.07.2014
That’s what I’ve been reading too – I’ll definitely give it a go along with the veggies!
Kristi 01.07.2014
Wow! Five months old already! I can’t believe it, so I know you’re thinking the same thing.