FIVE MONTHS OLD!

Ian has grown from 16.6* lbs. to 17.6 lbs. and has stayed around 26 inches! *Our scales do not read the same as ones at Dr's office. For consistency's sake, even though our scales are probably off, I am using their reading! :)

Milestones this month:
-Still in size 3 diapers, and some 9 months clothes!
-Can look in all directions, and track objects up and down very well.
-He gets more and more compliments on his good looks every time we go out!
-Can pretty much sit by himself as long as he has the attention span to concentrate!
-Entertains himself for up to 20 minutes at a time with toys.
-Makes sounds with his hands in his mouth...like "strumming" his lips...
-"Mama," "nana," "abblll" are all spontaneous noises!
-Shows definite preferences for specific people...and seems to like women and/or babies better! :)
-Tries to wiggle out of his car seat...and arches his back to get out!
-Fights a nap some days!
-SOAKS through bibs and clothing with drool! EWW!
-Can stick his feet in his mouth...and is constantly pulling his left sock off!
-Will transfer toys from one hand to the other.
-Is improving with his problem-solving/physical coordination...sees what he wants, and purposefully acts to get it!
-QUICKLY grabs anything within reach!
-Favorite toys are ones that make crackling sounds.
-Loves to get any object and shake it up and down/bam it onto a surface repeatedly.
-When sitting propped in the boppy, will purposefully turn and roll out of it!
-Seeks out to explore his world with outstretched hands...he opens and closes his fingers towards many distant (and near) objects.
-Continues to teethe - gnawing on everything with gusto!
-Has enough hair to "style"!
-Will turn and hold arms out when he wants someone to pick him up...and alternately, will pull himself into a person's shoulder if he doesn't want to go!
-Makes humming sounds when he is eating sometimes.
-Can pull/drag an object closer to himself.
-Tolerates "tummy time" for a significant amount of time, and when he's done, rolls over! :)
-Obviously enjoys music...will often become quiet when it's playing, and start fussing when it stops.
-"Comments" at specific activities...attempting to make more meaningful communication with grunts, cries, and other noises.
-Lies awake in bed for his first 30 waking minutes talking to himself and playing with his feet.
-Has everyone around captivated by his smile! :)

FIRSTS:
*Day away from mommy! (I subbed at school...he got lots of compliments from Barb on his good behavior!)
*Crawling attempts! He is successfully low-crawling on the floor...with much effort, but slowly and surely is getting it!
*Solid food adventures! Rice cereal, grits, sweet potatoes in more substantial amounts!
*Shopping cart experience! With the help of a specialized baby gadget, we shopped til he dropped!
*Highchair usage! He's sitting well enough to use the big chair to eat!
*Playing in the kitchen! Pots & pans out in front of him, he really enjoyed banging on them with spoons!