Well, I’m almost two weeks late posting this month’s update, but better late than never, right?! Mr. Cheeks is almost 5-1/2 months!
Just for Fun: Here’s a look at Lucas at 5 months!
Weight & Height
After a quick doctor’s visit on Tuesday thanks to a nasty cough our little guy has (thankfully his lungs are clear!) he is officially weighing in at 16lbs 13oz (I was totally off on his last month’s update). And I swear he’s getting bigger by the minute – especially those cheeks! Not sure on the height…we’ll get that at his next appointment.
Eating
Alex loves to nurse! He still averages about every 3-4 hours during the day, depending on how long his naps are. Most of the time, he still likes to eat once a night, although there have been a few nights where he’s slept (WAHOO!) and hasn’t had a feeding.
We also started some solids with him just recently! So far we’ve done rice cereal mixed with a little breastmilk, and he’s pretty much indifferent about that one. We’ve also done avocado, then banana, and just tried prunes (because I think he’s a bit backed up…) and he has loved all of those! He’s SUPER interested in anything anyone else is eating though, and it’s so funny to watch him stare you down.
Sleeping (naps)
I felt like we were slowwwwwly starting to get a little bit more of a predictable schedule with these, but then for the past two days his naps have been HORRIBLE. Ay yi yi! Most days, Alex takes three naps and they can last anywhere between 30 minutes to 2-1/2 hours. He’s usually ready for his first nap around 9am (assuming he woke up at 7am like he usually does). His second nap usually happens about 2 hours after he woke from his first nap (anywhere between 11-1, depending on how long he napped), and the same goes for his third nap (usually somewhere between 3-4pm). I try not to let him nap past 5pm so it doesn’t screw up his bedtime. He’s currently unswaddled for naps with a blanket in the Rock ‘n’ Play. We’ll be working on getting all of them happening in the crib this month…
He looks thrilled about it, doesn’t he?
Sleeping (at night)
The night before typing this up, Alex slept from 7pm – 7am, and it was the first time he’d done that in a LONG time. Most nights, we still never know what we’re going to get, although he does seem to have gotten into a pattern lately where either Friday night or Saturday night are just awful sleeping nights for him (Edited to add…this weekend, it was Sunday). Who knows why?!
Lately, he’ll fall asleep right away and will be good for maybe an hour or two before waking and needing to be rocked back to sleep. Other nights, he’ll sleep fine until he wakes up once to eat in the middle of the night (could be anywhere between 1-4am). If he wakes earlier, I try not to feed him unless he’s totally grumpy.
This past month, we also started using the Baby Merlin Magic Sleepsuit at bedtime. We had been doing the one arm out swaddle in the crib, but he’d often start smacking himself in the face and would wake up. We’ve had the sleepsuit since when Lucas was a baby but we only used it for about an hour with him! I’m so glad we decided to break it out for Alex because it really does seem to have helped a bit, and I’m hoping it will make for an easier transition to something like a sleep sack.
Alex is still rocked to sleep, and usually falls asleep within 5-10 minutes. He also only wants mommy to do bedtime, even though he’s fine with daddy any other time. We’ve tried having Jay do it, but Alex just doesn’t settle well for him. What is it about that mommy touch?!
We’ll likely work on putting him down awake at some point this month, which will likely require a little sleep training. We did the same thing with Lucas around this age, but I’m nervous about Alex just because he’s so much more unpredictable than Lucas was! So we’ll see what happens there…wish us luck!
Clothing
All 6 month clothes at this point, with some 6-9 month pieces trickling in. He wears size 2 diapers during the day and size 3 diapers at bedtime, although we’ll likely be sticking with size 3’s from here on out once we run out of our current box of 2’s.
Social
Alex is becoming a much happier baby with each passing day. Looking back at the way he was from months 1-3, it’s like he’s almost an entirely different baby. He loves smiling (saving his biggest smiles for his big brother), grabbing anything within his reach, and has just recently started giving a few kisses here and there. He’s pretty good around strangers and loves be held by his grandmas and his papa!
New This Month
Alex has started to roll a little more consistently from back to tummy, but rarely makes it back over from tummy to back if he managed to make the full roll. He also loves to stand any chance he can get! He’s started to show a little stability with being able to sit up, but he’s not quite there yet. And, of course, we also started new food this month, too!
Likes
His big brother, anything he can put in his mouth, Sophie the Giraffe, reading/grabbing books, being sung to, grabbing at faces, splashing in the tub, having his face traced with my finger (it looks like it almost gives him the chills when I do it and he gives the cutest smile), sucking on his hands/fingers/toes allllll the time.
Dislikes
Being in his car seat for too long, getting stuck on his tummy after rolling, pacifiers, his jumper for more than about 5-10 minutes, being overtired.
How is Mommy Doing?
I feel like I’m getting better, most days. I’ve noticed that my mood and outlook 100% correlates to how Alex is sleeping…on the days he’s not napping well or the nights he’s up all evening when I’m trying to get work done, I really start to feel down and like I’m getting behind on everything (because those are the times I’m trying to get everything done). But on the days he DOES sleep well, and in turn, I’m able to get things done…well, those days I feel like I’m totally winning at life!
And just the fact that he’s becoming a much HAPPIER baby really just makes a world of difference. Jay and I were joking the other day (I’m sure someone will get offended by this, but I’m writing it anyway) that he’s actually likeable now! Of COURSE we love him with all our hearts, so don’t take that the wrong way. But honestly, there were many days in his first couple of months when all he’d do was cry and well, it just wasn’t fun! But we’re making progress and it’s just making the whole family dynamic that much better, too.
I find myself drawn to the many, many different blog posts and articles and news stories that people are sharing all over social media about “this hard phase of life.” It makes me feel better seeing so many other people sharing them, because every time I see that, it reminds me that I’m not the only one feeling like I’m losing my mind.
I will say though…those of you who have been telling me that it just keeps getting easier? You’re right. It does! And on the tougher days, I remind myself of that a little bit more. You know…the days like yesterday, when Alex wouldn’t nap for more than 20 minutes at a time and would then fall asleep while nursing so I was stuck to the couch trying to type for work on my laptop with one finger…and when I left Alex at home with Jay to pick up Lucas from daycare to try and have a little nice, one on one time…only to have him whine, and whine, and whine, and be a total grumpster, and have a mini meltdown while racing through the grocery store because I wouldn’t buy him cupcakes from the bakery.
Yes, those are the days I remind myself a little more often that I’m not the only one down in the trenches right now.
I’ve learned to cut myself some slack in different areas and that has certainly helped lift some burdens. I know there will be a day when I’ll be able to get everything done again!
I could go into more detail (like usual!) but I’ll just keep it semi-short and sweet this time around. Mommy is good, and getting better and better!
Comparison
My little Alex, you are just such a little character and we love you to pieces! <3
Lizzie says
Oh he’s just so delicious! I love your honesty and can totally relate. And with the ‘it gets easier’ thing? My boy is just 2 and it finally feels easier! A huge part of it I think is that he is talking a lot so he’s able to communicate so much better.
Side note: can you recommend any blogs by working mothers? I love yours so so much and would love to have some more similar blogs to follow :-)
Jade says
He is delightful! My daughter slept through the night til she was 4 months old. Then she stopped, woke 2 or 3 times a night until 21 months old!! I always say I am so glad she slept those first few months because at least by that point I liked her enough to deal with the not sleeping. So I don’t think you’re a monster at all for the likeable comment.
Heather @Lunging Through Life says
Oh what a cutie! My daughter went through a phase (few months) where no one but me could put her down for night and it was exhausting. I also felt bad for my husband because it was always his thing. I’m glad things are getting more predictable. I think months 3-5 are the worst, in my own opinion. Mostly that 4 month regression haha .
Nikki says
We don’t know each other at all, but I have to admit that I was thinking about you this morning wondering when we were due for our next baby update. Creepy much? Sorry! My baby girl is just a month older than Alex, so I love to read how things are going for y’all and see if you share any neat tips or tricks that we can try. I especially love the account of another working mom. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done and some days I just feel so lost. It’s so nice to know I’m not alone. He is absolutely adorable – thank you for sharing!
Carolyn says
Right there with you! I feel so much better reading your posts, it is like a mirror to my life!! ?
Katie says
I love your posts & your honesty. My first two kids were such happy babies & great sleepers. My third little guy is 6 weeks old and i feel like he cries ALL the time. I try to remind myself it’s just a season and will get better, your posts keep reminding me of this. Alex is such a cutie!
Sheila says
I have a colicky 14 week old and I just want to say thank you for keeping it real! I love all my mom friends, but honestly it feels so hard to relate sometimes to those with really easygoing babies. I feel like I am working so hard but just don’t get the results. Sounds like Alex’s fussiness is going away slowly rather than suddenly and it seems the same with my little one. I think I was hoping for a magic moment when he was suddenly happy all the time when I should just do my best to be patient whatever the season! Anyway, thank you so much for making me feel normal :)
Bethany @Luluruns says
Oh those chunky legs are just delicious! I agree with you, these days are precious, but woah, they can be hard! My boy (almost three months old) is a super good baby, but hormonal imbalances have had me weepy one too many times for my liking. Thank goodness, each day it gets better and these moments go by so quickly.
Catherine says
I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL…. I love my baby girl sooooo much but man, the first few months were rough. She slept horribly and would only nap in my arms (still working on the napping). Most days she will nap in her crib but for only 30 minutes on the dot. She sleeps so much longer if it’s in my arms. There are a few of my friends that say their babies sleep great. Grrrr
Catherine says
Oh and she’s 6 months old now.
Nan nan says
THOSE THIGHS!!!!!!! LOVE HIM TO PIECES
Emily says
I can so relate to you Courtney! First I love how honest you are especially about motherhood and your two boys are darlings!! My girls are two and almost four and I am due with my 3rd in January. Anyways my 1st was an easy baby and slept good and my second did not. I tried it all and I just remember how it effected me so much!! It’s so hard not having set times that you know the kids will be in bed and it really does mess with your head. It did for me and it took me so long to feel like myself!! But she did get there in terms of sleep and I did start to feel normal again. My girls do fight but oh my word having them
Play together is my favorite thing in the world…that’s a fun thing to look forward to. I am thrilled to be having another but I am not looking forward to the unpredictable sleep and not feeling like me
For awhile. Hang in there your doing a great job!!!!
tracy says
my youngest daughter just turned 1 and our other daughter is almost four. this has been the toughest year, oh so rewarding when things go right, but soooo tough. some days I feel like i’m totally killing it and other days I feel like I totally wasn’t cut out for this mom thing. thank goodness for sweet baby/kid cuddles and wine.
Katie says
I know what you mean about things not getting done. I feel like at least once a week, I look at my house and am like, how do people have time to clean, and organize or write in a baby book, etc?!? I feel like I never have 2 hands. But, like you, I remind myself that this too shall pass (too soon), and I try to enjoy it. It would be nice if my almost 6 month old didn’t have to eat every 4 hours at night though. Ugh.
Bethany says
So cute! You are doing great! Our LO only wants mommy at bedtime most nights too! I think it is a breastfeeding thing…..