“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!
Donna R. 01.07.2014
Lincoln is such a cutie pie! Enjoy every moment! I just sent my son off to college but it just seems like yesterday that he was Lincoln’s age…
The Santa pic is too cute and I’m loving the ‘wide eyes’ one too! :D
Kathy 01.07.2014
He is such a cutie! I cannot believe he is 5 months old. They do grow fast. Thanks for sharing the family updates
Melanie M 01.07.2014
I just love his expressions! Thank you for sharing pictures of your little sweetheart!
Lindy 01.07.2014
He’s absolutely delicious! Enjoy!
Amy Grossman 01.07.2014
He could not possibly be cuter!
Candy 01.07.2014
I think you were told they grow up VERY fast…hard to believe he is 5 months old. :) Love all of the pictures…especially Lincoln and Santa…too cute!! I know what you mean about smiling all day long. I take care of 14-month-old twin girls, Hazel and Eliza, and they crack me up all the time. Today I taught Eliza how to wink….she squishes up her face and closes her eyes. It’s totally adorable!!
Sueann Haseloff 01.07.2014
Such a cute baby and cute family! I really enjoy your pictures, recipes, etc!
Greg Hankins 01.07.2014
The post was great – I’d save that Santa shot for your Christmas cards next year.
re: food. We were lucky – our kids tolerated all foods easily, and we used a hand food grinder from the earliest possible moment (about 6 months). We ground what we ate at each meal – and I have to say they’ve always tried everything put in front of them, and as adults are adventuresome eaters. And their kids are as well.
Shonda 01.07.2014
Lincoln looks like your dad in the last pic! I love his facial expressions.
Sally Hanselman 01.07.2014
As the mom of a 23 year old, 18 year old, and 16 year old, it’s hard to remember those sleepless nights (the kind that come from a cry in the next room, not “Where IS he? and what TIME is it?”)….but what I DO remember is, 6 months is my ABSOLUTE favorite time of my babies’ lives. Savor it.
Jane 01.07.2014
I love your Lincoln updates! He is growing up, and so very adorable. I loved the 5 months to year age, they are the sweetest! I think you’ve done an awesome balance on here with your regular updates and family updates. I love the family ones, but I understand you are catering to a large audience, plus we still get mini family ones with your regular posts :) You’ve managed to have a good balance for everyone, and I look forward to reading your blog for a long time! :)
Anita 01.07.2014
I almost never comment, but I just had to say that he is SO sweet and adorable… I’m only 22 but reading your blog makes me look forward to this whole parenting thing. :)
Carrie 01.07.2014
I am sure you will probably make your own food, but if you are in a bind, the organic pouches of fruit/veggie (stage 2) mixes are a dream. My daughter loves them, and this way I don’t worry about when she’s had veggies and/or fruit. Easy to tote along while out and about too.
Francine 01.07.2014
What a little cutie! Love the one where his eyes look crossed. :) Don’t you feel like a rockstar now that he’s sleeping better? It’s amazing the difference it makes! And yes, both of my girls give their best smiles to their dad… the 10 month old crawls as fast as she can to the door when he comes home, and pulls at him to pick her up, even if I’m holding her. They know who the fun parent is! ;)
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance 01.07.2014
Oh my sweetness, he is too cute for words! That photo of him looking at his toy cracks me up, he looks so excited!
The many thoughts of a reader 01.07.2014
So freaking adorable!
Susan 01.07.2014
Happy New Year!
Lincoln is growing up so quickly! He is such a doll. I know that he’s the sunshine in your and Ben’s day.
Do you have the Fitbit? I have the fit it One and love it. You would be shocked at the sleep feature that it has. Especially if you have to tend to wee ones during the night!
Ben might enjoy the Fitbit Force. It’s the band that you wear on your wrist. I had that but returned it because I didn’t like wearing the band 24/7
Check it out!
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe 01.07.2014
Lincoln is ADORABLE. That Santa photo is top notch!
Morgan 01.07.2014
Re: the rice cereal upsetting Lincoln’s tummy – My daughter had the same issue. We gave up and did oatmeal cereal with her at 6 months when we introduced other baby foods and she did absolutely fine. I also found that she couldn’t tolerate those little puffs because they have a lot of rice in them too. Good luck!
Kelly K 01.07.2014
I have to second (or third or twentieth…) everyone else’s gushings about Lincoln! He is precious. And that’s not a word I just throw around willy-nilly. We’re having our first child, also a boy, in March, and reading these posts and seeing these pictures gets me all excited!