Five months (for real)

Dear X,

At five months, you are my calm and mellow baby. You gurgle and goo and look around with interest, but we rarely hear you cry unless you need something. You love bright colors and are happy in an art gallery or flower shop. You are solid on your feet and can sit upright for a few minutes at a time if you're propped up, but you seem to have no interest in turning or rolling. When you're on your back, you just lie there unless something catches your eye, and when you're on your stomach you lick the floor and cry. You like meeting people and dole out one big smile per new person, but when your brother is around you laugh and laugh. I can make you laugh, but it requires a lot more effort and the only foolproof way is to kiss you from your toes all the way up to your head.

You started solid foods this week, and you took to them right away. By the second day, you were already finishing up your oatmeal and wolfing down an entire jar of sweet potatoes. (That's right, I said jar. I tried the homemade baby food thing last time and I'm not going back.) I'm trying to break you of your habit of sticking your fingers in your mouth and then into your eye while eating. (Why into your eye? You never do that when you're not eating.)

People keep asking who in the family you resemble, and whether your personality is like your big brother's. You know, when I see you I don't see anyone else. And none of what I wrote above describes K as a baby. You are definitely your own little person and we look forward to getting to know you better.

Lots of love,
Mommy