Noah at 5 months

I can't believe how little I have to show for the last month. I guess that we've just been so busy doing life that I haven't had time to document it. But I want to write a quick update on Noah, as he's changed so much since the last time I really sat down to capture his little life.

Physically, Noah is right on track. He rolls from front to back and has recently started rolling from back to front, as well (much to my chagrin). Diaper changes have become more difficult because as soon as I lay him down, he grabs his feet. He loves to hold his feet and works very hard to get them in his mouth. His socks don't really stand a chance these days. Noah can sit unassisted for a few seconds, but is definitely not stable. He still folds forward on himself or tips over. But he's working on it--Sometimes when he's on his back, I see him straining to pull himself up. He's going to have some serious abs! 

Noah has found his voice. He loves to talk and yell. He has learned to make these funny guttural sounds, almost like he's gargling. He still says ah-goo, but has lots of other sounds, too. Mostly he just seems to enjoy hearing himself. He has also started laughing at things around him, not only when we tickle him. He thinks Abbie is the bees knees--She gets more grins than any of the rest of us.

Sleep... I think I remember what that is. Noah is a cat napper. He sleeps for about 20 minutes at a time, maybe three times per day. I can't understand how he isn't exhausted, especially because he's been up eating every 2 hours again at night. But he is a happy camper, despite the lack of naps. It's driving me nuts, I must admit, because I can't get anything done. He's not a real self-occupier, so when he is awake, he expects me to be very interactive and playing with him. He has definitely figured out what he does and doesn't like. He doesn't like to be put down and left alone. That makes laundry, dishes, cooking, cleaning, etc. pretty difficult to get done. But he's just such a sweet baby that I don't really mind spending my entire day entertaining him. He still lights up at my face which is all I need anyways.

I've started giving Noah some solids. I've never seen a baby so interested in food before. This kid will sit in my lap at dinner and open his mouth every time I bring a bite to mine. He cries if you don't give him a taste. So I've given him some rice cereal (not a fan), applesauce (not a fan) and pears (yum). He has also tried all manner of other foods. I guess with the third you just don't care that much, so he's tasted popsicles, chocolate, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, yogurt, rolls, etc. His favorite is popsicles. That's what he cries for until you give him another lick. I love it. Noah is still breastfeeding a lot. He's been sick again this week and I feel like I have a newborn again. He just wants to eat and eat and eat. That goes for the nighttime, as well. But it's been good for my weight loss and comforting to him, so I'll take it. He's reached that distracted stage of nursing, though. He pops on and off, on and off, looks around, grins at me, spills mouthfulls of milk out the side of his mouth, grabs at my face, claws at my chest... But nursing is such a special time for us, just the two of us. I just love nursing him, the way that he stares up at into my eyes. I love this kid.

So Noah is doing great. He weighed 15.5 lbs a few weeks ago; he's chunking up nicely. He's brought so much joy to our family and brings so much on a daily basis. I can't even begin to explain how much I love him. He makes my life worth living.