Five Months

Looks who's five months old!

• B continues to roll with the punches like most 3rd children do - he takes most morning naps in his carseat while we're on the go, and he cries more than I'd like because I can't always get to him when he needs me. His smiles melt my heart, and I cherish every (rare) moment that I am able to sit and snuggle him.
• After some sleep training upon our return from Arizona, B has started sleeping from 7:00 PM until 4:00-4:30 AM. I will feed him at 4:30, and then he goes back to sleep until 7:30 AM. This is a huge improvement from waking up multiple times a night. I am starting to feel like a normal person again, as I had not gotten more than four consecutive hours of sleep since B was born. Now I am getting six or (gasp!) seven hours. As much as I am dying for a full night's sleep, I do love those early morning hours when I'm able to nurse B and hold him in my arms.
• Brayden has started drinking formula. It took about a month for him to warm up to it. In the past week, however, he's been having about four ounces a day in addition to breast milk. We also started rice cereal last night, so I am hopeful that our little guy starts to bulk up a bit with the introduction of solid foods.
• B "found" his feet a week ago - he loves to grab them on the changing pad. He is also constantly rolling from stomach to back and back to stomach. He is a man on the move!
• Taylor and Matty adore their little brother, sometimes to his detriment. Dare I lay Brayden on the floor to play, those two are on top of him immediately - pulling at his arms and legs and singing right in his face. Last week, Tommy caught Matty stabbing Brayden with a fork. He is going to be a tough guy.
• My baby boy is growing too quickly. I feel time slipping through my fingers and I dread the loss of the "baby phase" in my life. I put all of Brayden's swaddle blankets away the other day and felt a twinge of sadness. I know I'll continue to feel this way with every stack of baby clothes I put away.
• We love you, Brayden! Stop growing, please!