5 Months Old- Such A Mama’s Boy

Dear Max,
This month has definitely had its ups and downs. You started eating solid foods and you love it because it is new and interesting. It is fun to watch the faces you make and seeing what you like and don’t like. This has also made diaper changing a new experience. I always tell Daddy that you want him to change your diaper so I can get out of it.

We have had an adventurous month to say the least. We traveled to the Alabama New Year’s meeting this year and flying with you was an adventure. You did a lot better than I expected. I was told to make sure you are sucking when we take off and land so that the pressure wouldn’t bother your ears. It seemed to work.

Getting out there was a LONG day. We got delayed because of the weather and we had to sit on the plane for an hour before we even left. You fussed when we were going through security but after that you did pretty good. You slept on the plane most of the time and I was very thankful for that.

The meeting was great but it wiped us both out. We were both so exhausted when we got home. The good news is you are now sleeping 10-12 hours and it is so nice not to have to feed you until I get up for the day. I still am not sleeping very good but it has gotten better. It is also nice to have you on a schedule and know when you are going to nap and eat and everything. It helps me plan out my day and our outings.

This past week I have started taking you over to my parents house (Meemaw and Peepaw- yes, Daddy and I call them that even though they don’t want to be called that!) in the morning so you can take your morning nap over there and I can go to the gym. I can’t tell you how good it feels to go workout. I am enjoying it so much and I think it is good for you to learn to take a nap in a different environment.

You are already a Mama’s boy. You always want me and you always want me to told you. You don’t go to other people well but you will smile and study other people if I am holding you- but you don’t want other people to hold you. I am hoping this is a phase but I’m scared it’s not. Other people at church hold you but you aren’t very happy about it. Wanting me to hold you all the time hasn’t worked out so great. I can’t and I refuse to hold you all day, so you are learning to deal with that.

Unfortunately you have already started to pitch a fit when I set you down. You start crying and arching your back and you get very angry. I have started to just put you in your crib when you do this and I wait until you settle down to get you out. I am hoping you will make the connection that when I pitch a fit I get put in bed and if I don’t want to get put in bed I better not pitch a fit. We’ll see if it works, and if it doesn’t you are almost old enough to spank and if I have to I will. I flicked your leg the other day when you started pitching a fit and arching your back when I was putting you in your car seat and you got upset but you stopped squirming. I just want you to learn early on that this type of behavior is unacceptable.

I am trying to have some quiet time with you at home so you can learn to be quiet (for the most part) during church. Every day I make you sit in my lap (I give you a toy) and I try to make you be still, I am gradually increasing the time I make you do this so eventually you will make it through an entire church service.

The funniest thing this month has been watching you in your Jumperoo. Uncle Ty, Aunt Bethany, and Cousin Emery got it for you and you love it. You bounce so high and so hard the whole thing almost comes off the ground. You bounce especially high when you are mad. It cracks me up. Daddy and I think you look like a River Dancer when you bounce because of the way you kick your legs. It is hilarious.