I had to go back and double check this one, because how can it be five months already?  Shouldn’t I be writing a four month update?  Nope – already did that.  This little guy is getting so big, so fast, and I just want time to slow down a little bit.

What a month Nugget had!  We were on the go in a big way – first a trip to Albany for several days leading up to, and culminating in, my cousin’s wedding, and Nugget’s first experience with a babysitter.  (A very dear family friend watched both kids while Steve and I were at the wedding, and while I knew they were in wonderful, loving, capable hands, I was kind of afraid they’d eat her alive.  They didn’t – thank goodness.)  Then back to Buffalo for a few days, and on to DC and the Outer Banks for a beach vacation – Nugget’s first out of state travel!

He was a champ – eating and napping on the fly, enduring multiple rounds of sunscreen application, being passed around from family member to family member, bouncing on my lap through innumerable restaurant meals – and he kept up his happy, cheerful personality the whole time.  I was so proud of him for being such a good traveler!

Actually, on the topic of sunscreen – it turns out Nugget really enjoys having it put on.  Especially on his face.  He loves the feeling of having his cheeks rubbed and squished.  My kid is so weird.

Lap naps are fun anywhere, but they’re especially relaxing on a beach chair.  And the ocean – the actual ocean! – is the best white noise maker out there.

Nugget at 5 Months:

Weight: 13 lbs, 14.5 oz (although he feels heavier, so I’m wondering if I messed up somehow)

Height: 25 inches cooperative

Clothing Size: Still in six months, although his little onesies are starting to look suspiciously short again.  What gives, Nugget?  Didn’t I just buy these?

Sleep: Nothing new to report.  Still no schedule; still no crib naps.  I’m not so worried about the lap napping – daycare will browbeat that out of him in short order, so might as well give him all the snuggles now.  But we desperately need some sort of a bedtime routine.  Nugget has no interest in going into his crib before 11:00 p.m.  He’s generally not fussy (at least, not for me) but he wants to hang out and will have no part of an earlier bedtime.  It’s been tough on all concerned.  I’ve been picking up a lot of extra slack at bedtime as Steve has been traveling or busy at work, and Peanut is dealing with a major sleep regression of her own.  It has me so drained that I’ve been physically ill a few days, and I’ve simply got to bank a little more sleep before I go back to work next month.  We brought the issue up with the pediatrician, who wasn’t concerned – he said that some kids just need less sleep than others, and since Nugget is growing really well he might just be one of those kids.  To which we replied, that’s great for him, but in the meantime Mom and Dad are delirious!  I just keep reminding myself that there will come a day when he wants me to drop him off a block away from the movie theater, and try to enjoy the extra snuggles now.

Likes: Having sunscreen applied (seriously, what a weirdo!).  Related: having his face smooshed around and his arms and legs rubbed.

Dislikes: His car seat.  Sigh.  This was a big issue when we drove to North Carolina and back.  The trip from DC to Buffalo was particularly brutal.  Nugget cried almost the entire time.  I felt awful for him, and for the rest of us too.

Favorite Toys: Still really enjoying the play gym!  It’s great to have something to lay him on that engages him and holds his interest for a little while.  I love to sit next to him and rattle the toys for him, and watch him crack up.

Milestones: So many this month!  Lots of laughing, especially at Peanut – she’s the funniest.  And, exciting stuff, he’s found his FEET!  They’re not quite as exciting as hands, which are still seriously the COOLEST EVER, MOM, but they’re pretty great.  He’s gotten his toes in his mouth a few times, and I often find him holding his foot and giggling.  Seriously so cute.  As for non-developmental milestones, we had a lot this month.  First trip across the state; first time being left with a babysitter; first trip to DC (and first time visiting a museum); meeting tons of friends; meeting his uncle and aunt for the first time; first boat/ferry ride; first BEACH VACATION!  I’m exhausted just typing all of that out!

Quirks: I’ve started calling him Rico Suave Baby.  Seriously, this guy is smoooooooth.  You know that guy who does the yawn-stretch-arm-around-the-shoulders routine in the movie theater?  (We’ve all dated that guy, right?)  Well, that dude could take lessons from Nugget.  The kid has moves.  I can’t even count the number of times I’ve been sitting with him in my lap and suddenly found my thumb in his mouth, with no memory of it getting there.  He’s gotten good at just guiding the knuckle right into his little jaws and getting to work before you even know what has happened.  I’m telling you: smooth.

Now we’re back in Buffalo getting ready to enjoy one final month at home together before my maternity leave ends – sniff – and I’m back in the office.  I’m already dreading the transition.  He’ll probably handle it better than I will!  In the meantime, I have lots of fun Mommy-and-Nugget adventures planned for this month – and I can’t believe that the next update I’ll write will be SIX months!

Happy five months, little man!  Stop growing so fast.  Seriously.