Dear Andrew,

You’re FIVE months old today. Sometimes I forget that you’re still a relatively new baby. To me, it feels like you’ve been around for a long time. Often you seem older than you are, and most of the time you look much older. Most people would say, “I can’t BELIEVE my baby is five months old already!” But I think about it often, and I try to spend a bit of time each day concentrating on what you’re like at this age. In retrospect, it will have gone by very quickly, just a blip on the radar. It’s kind of like the day I was in labor – it was only a day, but I want to always remember it for the momentous time that it was.

You are slowly becoming more social, but you’re not quite sure how to really laugh. I keep waiting for the day that you’ll find something REALLY funny, but it hasn’t happened yet. You still regard most people earnestly and fearlessly. We often say that you’d win any staring contest. You’ve become a pretty darn good sleeper. When it’s naptime, you let me know that you’re tired, and I just carry you to your bed and put you down with your pacifier and blankie. You rarely put up any kind of fuss. It’s the same story at night. And lately, you’ve been going from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am without eating. While I enjoy not having to get up and feed you in the middle of the night, it’s difficult to keep the mommy milk bar regulated. Hopefully we can get that sorted out… but if I have to wake up in the night and pump or feed you, that’s okay. In another month or so, we’ll give solid foods a try. I have a feeling you will love that!

Your eyes are one of my favorite features. They are simply “light”, and most of the time they’re blue but can take on any number of different hues, including a steely gray. Best of all, they have a darker ring around the outside, which is not a feature of mine or your dad’s. Another testament to your independence, perhaps. I’m also still in love with your beautiful hair, which has been getting thicker and thicker. It lies down on your head so wonderfully, just like it did when you were a newborn. You’ve got the most gorgeous hairline, with only one sweet little swirly cowlick in the back.

I love that you’ve finally found your feet. You reach for them ALL the TIME. You haven’t quite figured out how to get them in your mouth, but you’re trying. And sometimes I find myself taking off your socks, just so I can see your cute little toes with your fingers. Of course, I can’t resist teasing you about having your Daddy’s toes – and boy DO YOU. They could be clones! Fortuantely they’re still pretty tiny and cute, and Mommy loves to kiss them. I keep hoping that they’ll be ticklish soon.

I am still working from home, so you spend quite a bit of time entertaining yourself, but we’re always in the same room. I love when you “check in” with me. You’ll look over to make sure I’m still there, I’ll smile and talk to you, and you’ll grin and squeal happily, then return your attention to whatever you were doing. I do the same thing, and it sometimes feels lonely when you’re upstairs napping and I can’t just look up and say hello to you.

We think you’re a pretty fantastic little kid. I often creep into your room at night and stand there just watching you sleep. Lately I have been experiencing a deep satisfaction when you and your dad are in close proximity to me. In those moments, it feels like I have everything I need.

We love you so much, Your Highness.

Love,
Mommy

(Month Four) (Month Three) (Month Two) (Month One)