5 Months!

How in the world has it already been 5 months? It seems like maybe 2 months...but certainly not 5. As much as I do miss the newborn phase where you were so small and were perfectly content being swaddled and held, I do love the 5 month age. We finally have a feeding, nap and bedtime schedule (Hallelujah!) and I enjoy seeing your personality develop more every day. I thought I'd take a minute and make a list of all of my favorites about you right now.

I love picking you up from your bed when you wake up. Sometimes you wake up crying and screaming but calm down when you open your eyes and realize Mommy is holding you. The best time is when I walk in there and you start smiling and blowing bubbles the minute you see me. When I pick you up you arch your back and stttrrrrreeettch!

You love naked time! When you get fussy at night, we put you on a blanket with your toys and let you have naked time for 30 minutes. You roll around and laugh until it's bath time.

You love bath time! You especially like when Daddy gets your bath ready because he puts extra bubbles in it. Daddy and I both pat your buns before putting you in the bath and after we get you out. Seriously...you've got the cutest buns ever! (I'm sure reading this in years to come will totally embarrass you...get used to it sister)

You have learned to laugh and nothing makes Daddy and I happier. You crack up when Daddy blows raspberries on your belly. It's the sweetest sound and makes our home so full of joy.

You adore your boy cousins and they absolutely adore you. They are all so fascinated with you and are so gentle around "Little Baby Reagan." You just beam when they come around you. (I think you enjoy being the center of attention).

You like being outside and watching Mommy and Daddy work in the yard while Emmy runs around. You started having allergies (my fault!) so we've had to limit our trips outside. You also love going on walks around the neighborhood.

You attract attention wherever you go. We have never been out in public without someone (usually multiple someones) stopping us and commenting on how beautiful, how happy or how adorable you are.

You are so loved and you exude love back to those around you. You are so blessed to have people who love you take care of you while Mommy and Daddy are at work. Here's your current schedule:
Monday: Daddy
Tuesday: Mamaw
Wednesday: Nanny Rachel
Thursday: Grandma
Friday: Nanny Rachel

You LOVE to talk...ALL the time! When we went to see Dr. Hampton for your 4 month check-up, I was a bit concerned because you hadn't rolled over yet. She was laughing and asked if you always talked this much...the answer is yes. She said that you were more interested in socializing then focusing on rolling over. I think you may be taking after me.

You did finally roll over! The secret is you will only roll over while naked. Apparently the cloth diaper is too bulky and too much work for you to overcome. You now can roll from tummy to back like a champ and have rolled from back to stomach 1 or 2 times.

You loathe cereal! Seriously...loathe it! I've been trying to get you to eat ceral (oatmeal/rice) for a month now. I've tried it cold, warm, with water, with formula...nothing! You gag and make a face like I've just fed you a lemon everytime. We have one more month to conquer this before introducing vegetables. We better get to it!

I just stopped nursing you...and it makes me tear up to think about it. My initial goal was to nurse you until you were 6 months, but I felt that the timing was right to stop at 5. It's been difficult to nurse while being back at work and it was becoming more stressful to keep my supply up than what you were actually getting. It has been such a gift and a wonderful experience to share with you.

Songs we sing daily: a million made-up songs about whatever activitiy we seem to be doing at that time, This Little Light of Mine, Jesus Loves the Little Children and Jesus Loves Me. When Daddy is at work on Saturday, we crank up the radio and dance and sing around the house. I'm sure you think I'm crazy (and I doubt that will be the last time you ever think that...) but we have so much fun.

You love looking in the mirror at yourself. You can be super fussy but when you see your reflection you just give a big grin. We've introduced oursleves quite a few times to our friend in the mirror.

You watch ESPN Sports Center every morning with Daddy. I'm not a fan of letting you watch TV, but the one morning I tried to turn ESPN off, you had a total meltdown. So, you won and get your 30 minutes of Sports Center time with Daddy each morning. He props you up in your little Boppy pillow and y'all hang out together. I need to remember to grab a picture of the two of you.

Happy 5 month birthday my sweet Reagan Abby. Every night when we say our prayers, I thank Jesus for letting me be your mom. I don't think I can ever communicate enough how proud I am of you. How much I adore and love you and how much joy you bring to Daddy and I. We love you beyond words!