Charlie at 5 Months

At 5 months, Charlie is a darling, sweet baby who is still adored by his big brothers. Even though he's been challenging us with frequent night wakings this last month, we're soaking up his happy, easy-going personality during the day. This month, Charlie:

• Rolls over from his front to back and back to front.
• Weighs about 12 pounds and is in just the 2 percentile for weight. He nurses about every three hours and seems satisfied, so our pediatrician isn't concerned.
• Plays independently, often squealing happily at his toys....
• ...but still loves to be held more than anything.
• Puts everything in his mouth and drools and drools. 
• Seems fascinated by Ted the Hero, following him with his gaze whenever he's in the room.
• Laughs uncontrollably at Miles' "funny guy" routine, which involves Miles falling on the floor over and over. 

Charlie's past monthly photos.
Monthly photos of Miles.

Lego Building Machine

In the last six months, both Grant and Miles have discovered a love for Legos. While Grant loves to build from his imagination, Miles patiently follows the step-by-step instructions from his Lego sets. He can sit for hours with intense focus, often refusing to get dressed or eat. And then when he's finally done building, he'll often take the creation apart and start again.

Grant recently saved his allowance money for months, finally deciding to buy a giant Star Wars Lego set. When he got home from Target, he handed the box to Miles: "Here Miles, build this." Miles set to work, and within an hour handed Grant the Naboo Starfighter. "Thanks!" Grant said, and went off to play with it. Many weeks later, he allowed Miles to play with it too.

Miles also sleeps with his Lego creations and their instruction books. At least once he's called for me in the middle of the night, and when I went to his room, he wanted help finding a tiny Lego piece that had gotten lost in his sheets. (I refused.) 

The beauty of this new obsession is that he can occupy himself for hours, which is helpful at a time when our hands are more than full. 

Love Those Baby Blues

Cousins

Charlie met his new cousin, James, a couple of weeks ago. These two are about seven weeks apart and already look like they'll be getting into mischief together. James is the NINTH boy in the family.

Here are the other boys with their same-age cousins. 

Charlie at 4 Months

At 4 months, Charlie is growing and changing in big and little ways. What's new:

• He's transitioned from sleeping in the bassinet to his crib. We still swaddle him, but he often works his hand out to suck on. 
• He holds onto and plays with toys. His favorites are ones that he can chew on.
• He likes to be held and rarely lets us put him down without crying. 
• He loves to blow spit bubbles. Between that and teething, we're constantly wiping up drool.
• He recognizes when Mommy or Daddy are leaving the room and often cries.
• He's ticklish and will roll with laughter when tickled around his ribs and knees. 
• His biggest smiles are reserved for Miles and Daddy. 
• He HATES baths. We've tried warmer and colder baths, bathing him in the sink and in the baby bathtub, but nothing keeps him from screaming. As the third child, he hardly ever gets a bath, so at least he doesn't have to suffer often.
• He tolerates "tummy time" for longer periods of time and holds his head up better than ever. 
• He makes little squeals and loud coos when everyone is talking and he needs attention.

Charlie's past monthly photos.
Monthly photos of Miles.

Sunday Morning

Thumb Suckers

Charlie recently discovered his hands, and we're starting to wonder if he's going to be a thumb sucker like his big brother, Grant. We're still swaddling him at night and during naps, but his hands go straight to his mouth as soon as he's free from the swaddle. And every once in awhile, his little thumb works its way into his mouth. Aside from all the drool, we find this very cute right now. Maybe not so much when we're paying for braces...times two.