*5 MoNtHs*

I have my tissues sniffing over here.  The other day at church out of nowhere Rance says 'gracious Jayden is going to be grown and going to college before we know it.'  Seriously?  I know people say that all the time (and I get it - time flies - it's so true) but in that moment my mouth dropped open wide and I looked at him VERY seriously and said 'don't say that again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'

The beauty of it all though is the reminder each day to be engaged in THAT day.  I know I have said this before but I'm going to say it again - it seems like we live in a culture where it's always "I cannot wait until..." but we are not even guaranteed to make it 'until' and often times we miss the 'right now' moments always looking ahead.  The Lord has used Jayden to really challenge me greatly on the RIGHT NOW. 

Jayden was 5 months old on November 7th!  Looking at him and holding him feels like he's MUCH older than that though.  I am not sure what he weighs currently but I'd have to guess at least 18 lbs.  Just a little summary of Jayden at this point...

1. He is wearing 9 month clothes and some 12 months!
2. He is almost sitting up on his own.  He can sit for a little while completely alone but he's not 100% figured out how to balance himself permanently yet!
3. He's teething big time.  This started over a month ago and the doctor confirmed BUT the drooling is outrageous now and he wants everything in his mouth.  He hasn't been fussy as I expected yet but I have my orajel ready for when he is!
4. He talks and talks and talks.  What is really interesting is how when he gets upset he will say 'maaaa maaaa'.  It seriously sounds like he is actually calling for me BUT I don't think he really knows that's what he is saying yet but it's still the sweetest little sound ever. 
5. He still loves his diaper to be changed.  I am constantly saying 'diaper change, clean butt' every single time I change his diaper.  He has officially graduated to size 3 diapers too.
6. He has some very strong legs.  He loves to stand up and use his legs.  Heck, he may skip over crawling and go straight to walking. 
7. Speaking of, tummy time has gotten somewhat better.  He was trying so hard to move his body on his tummy the other day and eventually said 'the heck with this' and just rolled over and smiled!
8. He continues to LOVE laying on his changing pad and play mat.  He still loves a swing too.
9. He recognizes voices and it's SO fun.  He sure knows how to make a mommy and daddy feel loved.
10. He will go to anyone and the more goofy you talk to him the bigger the smile and the better chance of seeing those teethless gums!
11. He loves to stare at you and just wait for you to look over at him.  When you do, he will smile SO BIG!
12. He continues to be such a sweet travel baby.  I've taken a few road trips solo with him too and he just rolls on along!
13. He still has very little patience when he gets hungry; however, it is PRICELESS to see his face when he sees his bottle now.  He definitely knows what it is and goes NUTS!
14. He has only had breastmilk up until this point even though so many are dying for me to give him some food - I do believe he's well nourished if you look at his pictures!
15. He does not like to keep his socks on.  He will kick those bad boys off in a heartbeat.  Yes, I am that parent with a barefooted child in cold weather ;)
16. He is ready for a nap about an hour and a half or two hours after he wakes up in the mornings and then goes back to sleep for a couple of hours between 12 and 2ish.  Usually somewhere around 5 and 6 he will fall asleep for 15-30 minutes (I think this is his power nap). 
17. His sleeping through the night has definitely been 'off' the last week and I'm not positive if that is just the time change, teething, growth spurt or all of the above.
18. He loves to be held and I LOVE THIS!  He of course still loves his laying and kicking and sitting time too. 
19. He is just a JOY and HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY! 

Last Friday, I took the pictures below SOLO and I laughed SO hard.  The outfit Jayden has on is FLEECE and it was causing him to slide all over the rocking chair.  Not to mention, he was trying to kick his feet, eat his toes, and eat the chair all during the 3 minute photo session!

5 MONTHS OLD!

THROWBACK TO JAYDEN AT ONE MONTH!