Monaloca

Melina made five months on November 1. All parents will say this but I’m here to repeat: How did the time fly so quickly? What happened to our 8 pound newborn and wow, look how much she’s doing now! Even with all the joy, I’m already a little nostalgically sad about the fast passing of time.

This monthly “what’s she doing now?” update is as much for me as for anyone reading along. But if you’re here, enjoy!

We gave Melina her first taste of rice cereal about a week ago. She loved it, and was absolutely giddy with anticipation of each coming bite. Poor thing – at first we weren’t very consistent about feeding her cereal, but started making it part of her routine the day she made five months. We’ve also added peas to her diet. She’s a good eater – lapped ’em right up!

For playtime, her exersaucer (handed down from the twins) currently reigns. She’ll play in it happily for up to 30 minutes, several times a day if I let her. She also loves stories, mirrors (she now bats at her own reflection), and other babies and faces, plus water in her little tub and the Berkeley warm pool… and still adores her moo-raffe and other lovey blankies for both clutching and sucking.

She must be teething. My nipples are starting to feel like teething rings and it’s not pleasant.

Another first on her five-month birthday: She chewed on her first handful of sand. We were at the park with Suli and oops – there it went! I think we got most if not all out before she swallowed.

She is starting to sit on her own, gorilla-like, for a few seconds. She only rolls (belly to back) occasionally but has been quite mobile for a while. As early as three months I put her on the play gym mat in the dining room and left for a couple minutes. When I returned she was half-way across the room (she’d unwittingly slid on her back), kicking in delight as if the play gym was still above her.

Her latest movement trick is doing a 180 in her crib. We’ll put her down one way then check on her 30 minutes later and her feet will be where her head used to be. It’s hilarious.

Finally, she’s still our little super sleeper. She now sleeps for 11 to 13 hours at a stretch most (but not all) nights. We’re the envy of all our new parent friends. Naps are brief (anywhere from 20-45 min) but with nights like she has, who cares.

Since this post is so long I’ll be adding pics to it over the coming week or so. Thanks for visiting!

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