5 Months old plus 1 day

Happy 5 Months!

One day after Christmas and we have reached the five month mark! Cannot believe it. Gabriel has had quite the growth spurt over the past month or so. He's grown about 3 inches and gained nearly 2 pounds. He is filling out and not quite the long skinny limbed baby. I get a lot of mixed comments about who he looks like. I think right now he's a pretty good mix of both families.

So what is the little guy up to these days?

He's mastering sitting up on his own and trying to keep himself in one place while he sits. He has excellent eye sight. Can spot me from across the house. He loves to listen to him big brother and sister sing to him. Laughs at the sight of Leah and Louis. He has his cranky baby moments but overall he is just a really happy baby. I get a lot of comments about Gabriel being a 'mama's boy' but what baby isn't? Also separation anxiety is developmentally appropriate for a baby his age.

There has yet to be a day where I am asked about whether or not he is eating food yet. He shows very little interest in food so we'll be holding off until 6 months and go from there. 

5 Month Developmental Milestones

Mastered Skills (most kids can do)
Distinguishes between bold colors
Plays with his hands and feet

Emerging Skills (half of kids can do)
Recognizes own name -- not quite
Turns toward new sounds
Rolls over in both directions

Advanced Skills (a few kids can do)
Sits momentarily without support -- not there yet
Mouths objects
Separation anxiety may begin -- He has had his moments.

Christmas Evening Family Photos

Our second attempt at Christmas Family Photos, all dressed up.

First Christmas

Leah at 5 months, Louis at 2 weeks, Gabriel at 5 months on their First Christmases

Christmas Morning Family Photo

We attempted to take some family photos this morning of the kids together. The kids all cooperated as best they could. I really love how the photos turned out.

Sleepy Christmas Eve

We had a Christmas Eve dinner for our family and friends tonight. Gabriel was a bit out of sorts, not his usual happy self. He did finally go down for a nap at one point.

Tree Trimming Time!

One of our yearly traditions is heading over to Grandma Ruth & Grandpa George's house to help trim their Christmas tree. Today was the day.

Gabriel helped out with looking so cute in a Santa hat and his reindeer outfit.

We each receive an ornament to hang on their tree. This was Gabriel's. 

Happy Baby in the Driver's Seat

Bumbo Playtime

Gabriel loves to sit and the Bumbo seat definitely comes in handy. Doesn't keep him entertained for very long but that is okay by me. Short spurts of playtime work well for us. It is also a great way for Louis to be a part of playtime with Gabriel and feel like he's able to interact with him more. Louis is pretty attached to Leah's Bitty Baby. He's pretty much adopted her.

Louis at 4 months in the same Bumbo

Say What? 4 Months!

4 months ago Gabriel was born. Unbelievable. He has fit into our family so well it's hard to believe he wasn't here before that.



He's another happy baby. No complaints really. He varies on sleep (to be expected) and I suspect he's been having some gas issues but we're working on that. Overall we are spoiled with happy children.

He currently weighs 13 pounds 2 ounces.

4 Month Developmental Milestones
Mastered Skills (most kids can do)
Smiles, laughs - He laughs, giggles, smiles. Especially when he sees Louis and Leah.
Can bear weight on legs - He's taken to standing up whenever he can
Coos when you talk to him - He has his talkative moments and then other times just looks around pensively.

Emerging Skills (half of kids can do)
Can grasp a toy - Depends on the toy. He will grab at them but there are only a few he'll continue to hold on to.
Rolls over, from tummy to back - He started to do this a few weeks ago. It took me by surprise. He loves being on his tummy.

Advanced Skills (a few kids can do)
Imitates sounds: "baba," "dada" - I noticed just today that his random sounds are starting to sound a bit like imitated words but it isn't quite there yet.
Cuts first tooth - He is teething up a mess of drool and lives with his fingers in his mouth. That being said- it means nothing with our kids. Leah & Louis started to teeth around the same time. Leah didn't cut her first tooth until she was much older & Louis well past his first birthday.
May be ready for solid foods - He meets some of the developmental readiness signs but we wait until he is ready for food, not when we decide to force it onto him. And most likely not before 6 months.

Let's Get Ready for Football!

Dressed everyone up in New York Giants gear today and watched the Giants game with Matt. If you can't beat 'em? Join 'em!

Rockefeller & More

We went to see the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. Afterward we walked over to Rockefeller Center, had lunch and walked over to Bryant Park. Gabriel seemed to enjoy being out. It has been unseasonable warm so the weather was just right for spending the day in Manhattan.

Happy Boys

Nap x2

Sometimes I get really lucky and the boys share a nap.

All Smiles

Roll Over, Roll Over

Gabriel has been working on rolling back his back to his tummy for a few weeks now. Today he managed to get himself over 3 times. Louis kept cheering him on "Roll Over Roll Over". Hopefully the next time I can get it on video.

He is built differently from Leah and Louis so his way of doing things differs from the way they did them. Leah and Louis used their girth to get themselves over. Gabriel uses his legs more and his long torso.

He's also started to try to stand and bear weight on his legs more. Every day he grows a bit bigger and stronger.

Mommy's Rockstar

Gabriel hasn't quite grown into his 3-6 clothes. Still cute.

Hand Me Downs

Gabriel has worn a few of Louis's newborn outfits. Some that Louis barely wore because he grew so quickly the first 2 months.

Here he is wearing Louis's take home outfit from the hospital.

1st Halloween Party

Gabriel came with me today to the PTA Halloween Party at Leah's school. Louis spent the evening with his grandparents. This was my second year co-chairing the party. I think it was successful. The kids had fun. Not much more I can ask for.

We wore coordinating costumes. Gabriel wore Leah's 1st Halloween clown costume.

Happy 3 Months!

1/4 of the year down and only 9 months to go till his first birthday.

Gabriel at 3 months is completely different from how Leah and Louis were at 3 months. There are some similarities as well but I noticed the differences more. I think partly due to the fact that it wasn't that long ago that Louis was 3 months old so it's easy to remember.

3 Month Milestones

Most babies should be able to . . .

• Hold up head at 45 degree angle while on stomach
  

• Hold head steady when upright

• Laugh and smile

• Recognize your face

• Open and shut hands

• Kick legs - Gabriel LOVES to kick his legs. All day, all night.
  

Some babies will probably be able to . . .

• Recognize your voice

• Hold up head at 90 degree angle while on stomach

• Bring both hands together

• Squeal and coo in delight

• Do small mini pushups

Some babies could possibly be able to . . .

• Bear weight on both legs - He has started to bear weight when I stand him up. Though it's pretty obvious he does not care for it.
  

• Bat at toys - He bats at the mobile on his swing.
  

• Reach for toys and objects - not quite
  

• Roll over - he is almost there
  

• Turn to familiar voices - pretty much turns to everyone in the family when he hears them. Often times Leah & Louis's voices alone will wake him up from his naps.
  

• Make a razzing sound

Best Boys

Louis picked out matching outfits.