5 months old

It is hard to imagine that Hank is already 5 months old. He's turning into such a big boy! While he's getting increasingly interested in his toys and environment, he still loves to snuggle with us. He will sit in my lap and read stories with me now, which I love. He eats rice cereal and some first baby foods every day now (bananas are favorites so far). He can already drink out of a sippy cup, and is working really hard on sitting up. He can sit independently for a few seconds before he tumbles over-won't be long now! He "talks" all day long, and seems to discover a new sound he can make almost everyday. Currently he's figured out how to squeal to get my attention. I'm introducing baby sign language to him now in hopes that he will be able to communicate through some simple signs in a few months. Next month we will be taking mommy and me swimming lessons to get ready for the pool this summer!

Here is a rundown of our current likes and dislikes...

Favorites at 5 months:

1. going places-he loves being out and about either in his stroller or in the baby bjorn. He's really turned into my little buddy, doing errands with me and "helping" me cook dinner

2. knocking blocks over

3. jumping in the "johnny jump up"

4. swinging in the park

5. blowing bubbles

6. peek-a-boo

7. eating his dinner in the highchair

8. blowing raspberries

9. looking in mirrors at himself

10. pulling mommy's hair

11. being naked

12. when daddy gets home from work everyday-he just starts giggling and grinning when he sees him walk in the door!

Not-so favorites at 5 months:
1. Getting dressed, and diaper changes

2. tummy time-we've made progress, but still not a desired activity

3. Getting his hands and face washed after he eats

4. When the sun is in his eyes on walks

Spring has arrived!

Spring has finally arrived in Atlanta, and we are more than ready to say goodbye to winter this year! We've been spending lots of time out enjoying the weather-taking long walks to the park, and Hank's new favorite activity is swinging at the playground. No more bundling up in coat, gloves, and hat just to go to the grocery store. We're breaking out the short sleeves now!

4 month stats

Let me start by saying, I LOVE 4 month olds! (although I imagine things just keep getting better and better). Hank has been a developmental milestone explosion lately. It seems that everyday he learns something new, and is so engaged and interactive with the world now. He's recently discovered his voice, and for 2 days straight has done nothing but blow raspberries at me. He grabs his toes all the time, can almost roll over on his own, and started eating rice cereal! Laughs and smiles are abundant, and his personality is really starting to shine.

We had our 4 month check up this week, and Hank is growing like a champ! He didn't even shed a tear when he got his shots either! What a big boy!

Here's how he's stacking up at 4 months:

Height 27 inches long 95%

Weight 16 lbs 12 oz 81%

Head 17.2 inches 85%

These are our official 4 month pictures done by our wonderful photographer friend Chris Delaney.

4 Months Old!!

Hank's First Hike

Johnny's birthday was last week, and Hank's gift to him was a backpack carrier for when we go hiking. We were anxious to try it out, and see how Hank likes the woods, so we packed up on Saturday and headed out to Sweetwater Creek State Park. It was a beautiful sunny, winter day. A little chilly, but not too bad once we got moving. Initially Hank was a little skeptical of this whole baby in the backpack thing, but by the end he was smiling and babbling up a storm! He "talked" to his Dad the whole time, and had so much to look at-we might have a future cub scout on our hands! (I'm sure his Dad would be thrilled!) He fell asleep about 30 seconds after we put him in the car for the ride home. It looks like he's a true Ritger-ready to take on the woods!

Thumbs, Tummies, and Toes

Hank is changing so fast in the past few weeks. He will now let me put him on his tummy for short period of time (still not a huge fan though). He LOVES to suck on his fingers, and my favorite-he has found his toes!! He's such a busy boy !!

3 Months

Happy 3 month birthday Hank! It is so amazing how much a baby changes in just 3 short months. Hank is such a big boy now! No more eat, sleep, poop, repeat for Hank-its now play, play, play...all day long! (although we still do the eat, sleep, poop in between). We had a trip to the doctor last week with Hank's first cold (don't worry-it sure didn't seem to bother him much, and he's all better now), at the appointment he weighed in at 15 lbs at 12 weeks, he's completely out of all his 3 month clothes, and in 6-9 month sizes. He's talking like crazy now, which makes his speech therapist mommy so proud. He can make all the vowel sounds, /g/ sounds, and just this weekend started making /m/ and /b/ sounds. He's just about to start blowing raspberries! Now he will sit in my lap or lay on the bed with me and just chatter away about whatever he's got on his mind! He continues to be such an active and alert guy. He's down to just two naps a day-a short morning nap, and then a longer afternoon nap. He's been consistently sleeping through the night for about 3 weeks now for about 11 hours-I am loving all the sleep! He can now grasp objects really well, and absolutely loves hanging out in his crib watching his mobile. He's just started sitting up really well in his bumbo seat, and will give a big belly laugh everytime he's sitting in it. He sits on the counter every night and helps me cook dinner. Just this week he's started jumping in his Johnny jump up, and seems really proud of himself for figuring that one out.

Now that I'm back at work 4 mornings a week, he spends his time playing with Cydni, his nanny. So far they seem to be having a great time together! It has been a challenge getting back to work-on one hand it feels really good to be back treating the kiddoes, but on the other I miss Hank terribly while I'm gone. I think part time work is perfect though, it really is the best of both worlds, and Hank seems to enjoy his time with his nanny. I'm not gonna lie, it is really nice to sit down to an hour lunch with adult conversation and not have a baby bouncing on my knees demanding attention. However, the best part of my work days are the huge smile he gives me when I walk in the door!

He changes every day, and in recent weeks, his personality has really started to show. He's no longer the needy, fussy newborn we brought home from the hospital. He's just plain FUN!

Hank being very serious about picture taking.

One of our many favorite activities, playing in the crib.
Hank has already discovered the Teletubbies
BIG belly laughs!
Another favorite-kicking in his diaper on the changing table
Working it in the play gym
Bumbo Boy! (and double chin boy!)
Hank now sits at the table with us during meals.

There's my favorite smile!
Enough with the pictures Ma!
His hands have found each other, always together then in the mouth.