5 Months

Dear DD,

Mommy always tries to take my picture on my monthly birthdays.  She wanted to take my pictures on my 5 month birthday, but I wasn't really in the mood.  I'm teething, so my gums hurt, and I just didn't feel like smiling.  I decided to tell my story in the pictures below (you can click on them to make them bigger):

Reilly tried to make me smile:

Jovie tried to make me smile:

Then I decided to make funny faces instead of smiling.  I made Mommy and Daddy smile!

Mommy said this one was cute, but she really wanted me to smile for you.

So I decided to do my best for you, DD!

And here's my "official" 5 month picture.  I'm getting so big!  I'm leaning on the chair, not really standing, but I'm getting taller!  I like standing.  I like eating my foods, trying to crawl, laying on the floor, getting tickled, listening to stories and looking at books, playing with my toys, petting the dog and cat, being held, and laughing.  I'm babbling a lot - especially in response to other people.  Thank you for the special note in the comments, DD.  Mommy and Daddy read it to me and told me how much you love me.  I love you too.

(And so do Mommy and Daddy!)

Can you believe I'll be 6 months already next month?  My half-birthday will be on the 4th of July!  I'm gonna be a firecracker!  :)  Have a great week, DD!

Milestones

(This post has a lot of videos.  Be patient - it might take a while to load!)

Dear DD,

I've had a busy couple of weeks!  I've been reaching some developmental milestones.  This is a long post because Mommy says I have a lot to show you!

I started solid foods a few weeks ago.  I've had rice cereal, oatmeal, applesauce, bananas, and carrots.  I really like applesauce.  Here's my first try:

Mommy and Daddy think I'm going to be a musician.  I love to hear music and play with my musical toys.  Mommy used to be an elementary music teacher and a middle school choir teacher, so she will help me learn to read and play music.  Here are some pictures of me in my high chair, playing my piano.  Our church nursery has a piano like this and Mommy saw that I liked it, so she got me one for home!  I like to sit in my high chair in the kitchen so I can help Mommy while she is cooking.

I also help Mommy make the bed sometimes.  I like to play peek-a-boo (we call it Peep-Eye).  Mommy says she'll try to get a video of that sometime soon.

I found my feet last week!  I love to play with them.  Every morning when Mommy takes off my pj's to change my diaper, I immediately reach for them!

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9...., Yep, I have 10 cute toes!

I finished making up the bed and posed for this picture!

Here I am at work.  Grammy helped me do my work on Tuesday.

After work, Mommy and I went for a walk to Grandma's house.  She was admiring my hat.

I also got on the floor and practiced crawling.  I haven't figured out how to get my knees underneath me yet, but I'm trying hard!

On Thursday, I took another walk with Mom.  Here's how I like to take my walks.  I don't remember much about them!

After my walk, I was hot and thirsty.  I tried to drink some water out of my sippy cup.  Mommy had to help me get it up to my mouth.

 I think I've got it now!

After my water, I decided to play on the floor in my room.  I like petting our dog, Reilly, and our cat, Jovie.

Reilly likes to kiss me.

This morning I held my own bottle:

Then I made some more music with my new jumper toy!

Tonight Mommy and Daddy are taking me to Houston to meet Daddy's college roommate and his family.  I'm excited!  I'll tell you more about that next week!  I hope you have a great week!

Happy Mother's Day

Dear DD,
Happy Mother's Day!

Here I am, dressed up as Coach Tom Landry.

Mommy and Daddy told me we needed to pray for you and remember you on this very special day, since you're my first mommy.  I imagine you might be missing me today.  Mommy and Daddy wanted you to know that they're praying extra hard for you today, and asking God to bless you in a special way.  They have been telling me all about you and how you made the choice to let me grow up with them because you love me so much.  They told me they'll never let me forget how much you love me, DD.  I love you, too.
I made something special to send to you, but Mommy forgot to mail it early enough to get to you by today.  You should receive it in a week or so.  You are so special.  I love you, Mommy and Daddy love you, and God loves you.
Love,
Landry

Giggles and Grins

Dear DD,

Mommy wanted to show you how adorable I am when I'm grinning and laughing, which I've been doing a lot lately.  This first video is with Mommy and Daddy.  Daddy is making me laugh.  Daddy is really funny.

This second video is with the Minister to Students at our church, Mr. Caleb.  He has a little girl who is 18 months old.  Her name is Tenley.  She is pretty.  She gave me my first kiss from a girl!  Mr. Caleb is pretty good at making me laugh too!

Progress Report

Dear DD,

Mommy thought I should show you my progress report.  She thought it would be good to put my monthly birthday pictures together so you can see my progress from month to month.

 

Beach Baby

Dear DD,

On April 12th, we headed down to Rockport, TX for the weekend.  In this picture, Daddy is wearing the t-shirt I got him for his birthday so that we could match.

 

Here we are on the beach in Rockport on April 13th.  It was very windy that day and a little bit cool.  I still had fun.  I sat in my Bumbo seat for a little while, but later I sat on the sand while Mommy held me up.  The water came into my lap and I just relaxed and enjoyed it.

Here are some videos of me experiencing the beach:

After the beach, we went back to the hotel and Mommy took me into the hot tub.  I liked that.  It was very relaxing and warm.

That afternoon, we went to the Rockport Aquarium and we also went and looked at this turtle sculpture.  Mommy thought it might be fun for me to lay on it, and at first it was....

                               Then I tried to eat it...                                  And the fun was over!

We headed back home on Sunday, the 14th.  I am sure I won't remember this trip, but Mommy and Daddy promised to take me back again someday!