“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!
Jane Sullivan 01.08.2014
I know I’ve said this before, but he is without a doubt one of the cutest babies I have ever seen! You must be having a ball with him! Love it!!!
AmberLynn Pappas 01.08.2014
Your son is adorable! My second little boy just turned 7 months and both are thumb suckers. Despite their dad’s best efforts to give them a passy, I agree that kids who are just allowed to soothe themselves are the happiest kids alive! Keep up the great work Mom!
Katie 01.08.2014
You capture the BEST pictures of him! What a cutie! And the one with Santa had me cracking up :)
Jenn 01.08.2014
Our son is 7 months old so we’re just a little ahead of you guys. I’ve repeatedly said, all babies should be born 5 months old. I will tell you, it only gets better! Thank you for sharing with us. He’s such a handsome little man.
Dana 01.08.2014
Lincoln is adorable! What is he gnawing on in that one photo, is it a teething necklace? My little guy is a month behind Lincoln and starting to teethe so I’m looking into toys/products to soothe his gums since he likes to put everything in his mouth! :)
Lori 01.08.2014
Oh, Kristen! Please keep posting these updates. Lincoln is an absolute doll, and a pleasure to watch grow up. This particular email was so good about getting rid of the pacifier. I’m sure a lot of moms will use your words of wisdom. Love your site, recipes, and now Lincoln. I would add your husband, but I’ll let you do that. :) Keep up the good work.
Teri [a foodie stays fit] 01.08.2014
I am not a baby person at all, but I had to comment and tell you how darling he is! He is seriously such a cute kids; melts even my heart! ;)
Vanessa 01.08.2014
I love your blog and thank you for sharing your mommy experiences. This is the first blog I ever actually followed and I’m hooked! :) I’m not a mommy yet and not sure if I ever will be, but you definitely make it look like a fun time. Your family is absolutely adorable and I can’t wait to see more of Lincoln growing up. He is just precious! Yay! for him sleeping more.
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Tengo un plan B 01.08.2014
Oh my God those eyes!
Love these updates.
Can you imagine how he will love to see and read all this when he is a grown up.
Really looking forward to see the 12 months update!
Kisses from Madrid (Spain).
Desi 01.08.2014
I never comment but love your blog! Love these mommy update posts and your Friday Faves posts!! He is absolutely adorable… makes me want one LIKE NOW! OMG his little facial expressions!!!
Katie / The surly Housewife 01.08.2014
My oldest is a total papas girl so I totally understand :) but it’s so heartwarming at the same time. Thanks for sharing your baby boy with all of us. He is gorgeous. You are gonna love having these posts to look back on. I have a hard time remembering these milestones and my girls are only 3 and 5!! Aside from the sporadic sleep, this age is one of the best!! enjoy :)
Carole Ann Spear 01.07.2014
What a happy, healthy, well cared for baby you have! You are doing such a good job with him. Congratulations to all of you.
Catlin 01.07.2014
I’m so glad to here another new mommy feel the same way about her husband and baby. I have a 4mo. old and she just cant get enough of her daddy :) but the snuggles are the best.
Lisa 01.07.2014
I love seeing all of your pictures. Y’all are a precious family!! Thankyou for sharing:)) God bless your sweet family.
Wendy 01.07.2014
Hi Kristin! I’m just curious about why you chose to start giving Lincoln real food? I just watched a documentary that links feeding babies real food before 6 months with significantly higher risk of childhood obesity. Furthermore, the World Health Organizations recommends exclusive breastfeeding/formula for the first 6 months. Even though babies may be able to eat and digest food at this stage, I’m surprised that given the length of studies done on this area that the pediatrician would approve giving Lincoln real food at 4 months.
Tracy 01.08.2014
I was wondering the same thing too! I’m an RD and counsel moms daily about infant nutrition. I always advise to hold off til six months because studies have shown that early intro of solids can lead to allergies, asthma, and constipation.
Iowa Girl Eats 01.09.2014
Our pediatrician recommended starting rice cereal as young as 4 months, taking it slow, of course. As I mentioned, he didn’t seem ready so we will try again later!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough 01.07.2014
That face just kills me every. time. And that photo with Santa… KEEPER. :)
Traci 01.07.2014
I enjoy your emails, you give really great meal ideas! My absolute favorite emails include Mr. Lincoln! I enjoy seeing your family times. Enjoy…time goes by so quick, (I swear that I just had my son a while ago, now he is a 21 year old college senior :) how did that happen?)
Lisa 01.07.2014
Love all of the pics- especially the one w/ Santa! We had the same problem w/ rice cereal and moved to oatmeal and everything was good again. The dream feed is ingenious isn’t it? I was really worried to wean my son from them and the Dr. said “it’s buying you extra sleep, what’s the big deal?” He did start to get up about 10 min. before his dream feed looking for it out of habit, so I slowly weaned him from them (it made it easier for dad to go in to soothe him) around 8 mo. You look like you guys are doing a great job. Keep enjoying that beautiful boy of yours!
Maria W. 01.07.2014
I just had to let you know you’re doing an amazing job enjoying each stage of Lincoln’s growth and sharing it with us. I love the pictures you share! I enjoy your blog!
I had four brothers, four sons and now, I have four grandsons!! It’s quite amazing but I also have one sister, one daughter and one grand daughter, too!! What a wonderful blessing to have a beautiful family! May God bless you and your husband!
Iowa Girl Eats 01.09.2014
You are kind, thank you Maria! :)
Krissy 01.07.2014
He is a gorgeous baby!