Mommy Kahdib

Dear Chase (5 months),

Tuesday, August 26

Hi Mister-mister!

I can't believe you are already five months old, time is truly flying!I also can't believe that my tiny little boy is now rolling and sitting and laughing out-loud! You are growing up so fast, and while there is a part of me that expected it because I just watched your sister grow and change from a tiny newborn, I guess I thought you would take a bit longer because you started so small.

The world, lately, is less offensive to you...you tolerate so much more, need a little bit less sleep, and you don't need as much maintenence and upkeep as you once did. You're settling into routines and soon you'll have your very own bed and crib and space away from your snoring Daddy--as a I fear he may be the reason you only sleep for one five hour stretch a day and then you stir easliy after midnight until we are up for the day. You tolerate being worn in a wrap and in a pouch and in a ring sling...praise be to GOD! You love the bath and your sister loves to get in with you...embarrisingly enough she often says, "May I touch his penis?" followed by, "May I touch his knee, ear, cheek, elbow, eyes...etc." and she'll often say, "Naken BOoooy," and grab your litle cheeks and put her face close to yours. I'm sure you won't find this amusing when you're older, but for now, it can be cute!

You nurse now at 7am, 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5:30pm and 7:30pm....no wonder you're growing like crazy. Overnight you usually nurse once or twice but just long enough to fall back asleep with a smile on your face. You still need to be swaddled to get a good sleep and sometimes you are still sleeping in your swing, although the Amby bed is splitting the time pretty equally now. You still need to be bounced every day for your naps and I sometimes wonder if I am going to be bouncing a five year old on the exercise ball wrapped in an enormous swaddle blanket--probably not, but maybe.

You giggle and squeal when I tickle and bite your ribs--just like you sister! You smile when I come into view and cry when you can't see me. You grab at toys and like to pull everything into your mouth. Thank god the second round of gentian violet got rid of the thrush, it was not fun! You like to look at bright things and do much better at dinner time when we eat outside and you can watch the birds fly over head. You still aren't much for snuggling and fight sleep like you wouldn't believe. You're as cute as can be and I can't believe I get to be your mom! I can't wait to see what the future has for us...what you will be like, what you will think about and say someday.

You're getting a tiny bit better with the bottle although I know you would rather I just stay home and be available to you constantly...soon enough you'll have some solid food to try and then before we know it you'll be a big strong boy like your sister wolfing down whole ears of corn all by yourself! Weddings calm down in October, so soon I shouldn't have to leave you as often...just know that whenever I'm gone I miss you like crazy, little guy! Keep growing and changing and getting stronger, it is so amazing to watch my babies grow into people!

I love you more than words,

Mommy