Analiese: 5 Months

Dear Analiese,

You are growing like a weed! Well, a very petite weed, that is. As I look back on pictures from this month and read through my One Line a Day journal, I can’t believe all of the “firsts” you’ve had. You’re making your mama and daddy very proud!

In about ten years you’ll hate me for doing this, but…LOOK AT THAT LITTLE BOTTOM OF YOURS!

I was getting you ready for your bath and couldn’t resist the opportunity to let you roll around completely naked. At your daddy’s request, we put a pad under the blanket to protect the rug just in case. Before long you’ll be trained as a Chasey to “be careful!” yourself.

During that same bath time, your daddy gave you your first sudsy mohawk. There isn’t too much hair there still, but it’s growing! The little bald spot that started to form on the back of your head from being on your back so much has started to fill in since you are rolling all over the place these days. You prefer to sleep on your tummy or side and have mastered rolling both directions. It’s anyone’s guess where you’ll end up during your naps and night time sleep. There have actually been a few times where you’ve completely disappeared from the video monitor’s range. Kind of funny…kind of scary…but we know you’re there sleeping safe and sound.

Ugh, you know what happened this month? You got your first cold. It was so hard to see you so sniffly and uncomfortable. I think you did the best you could, though. You even made it through your first dinner out at a restaurant. You were wonderful in spite of the teary eyes, runny nose and cough. It would be nice if every day were all smiles and laughs, but life really isn’t that way, is it? This is the first of many times, I’m sure, that we’ll have to see you suffer through something. And that is hard. I can’t bear to think about your first heart break. Walking through those trials with you is going to be challenging and draining – physically, emotionally and spiritually – but the joy of seeing you become a faithful, strong and confident young lady will be such a reward.

On a much brighter note, you are SO alert these days and always on the look out for something new to take in. You’re reaching for your toys and want to be played with when you’re awake. You especially love to reach for Parker’s soft hair…he’s not a big fan, but he tolerates a pull and tug every once in a while. He makes you laugh so much! You’re using your voice more and more, too. Most evenings we can hear you chit chatting with yourself before you fall asleep. Our “conversations” leave us wondering what’s going on in that head of yours. Something fabulous, I’m sure.

You’re a thumb sucker in all of it’s glory! It’s becoming more of a comfort for you every day. You never liked sucking on a pacifier, so we were happy that you found your thumb to soothe yourself. I’m sure we’ll be regretting this at some point. For now, though, we think it is so cute!

We just love taking you on walks in your stroller. You’re sitting up in the stroller seat so well. Most of the time, you stay pretty focused on chewing or sucking whatever toy we’ve given you. Every once in a while, though, you’ll notice the trees or wind or birds…look up…take a deep breath…and smile! You are one happy baby.

We love you!

Love, Mama and Daddy