Rice Cereal

It was a day I was really excited about, so excited that I bought a box of rice cereal 2 weeks before Alex's 5 month appointment. The Dr warned us that he might not be ready, but I decided to try it anyways. I mixed it up with his favorite food, breast milk and fed him a little on a spoon. I thought he was getting the hang of it, but on the 3rd day he wouldn't have anything to do with it and most of it just ended up on is face like in the picture below. So now we are taking a break and trying it again in 1 week. Until then I will remain in the my baby won't take a bottle club and hope that I lose these last few lbs I gained during pregnancy with all the calories that breast feeding supposedly burns.

Balboa

Last weekend was great because we got to breath fresh ocean air 2 days in a row.

Somedays I wonder why we pay unfathomable amounts in rent, gas, and groceries to live in a over crowded state, but then when I see the picture below it kind of makes sense. What I'm trying to say is Al can we move to the beach?

Don't we just look happier in this setting? haha

On Saturday we explored Balboa Island which was so much fun. We walked by all the beautiful homes and boats. I found a 2 bedroom house I loved for 2 million dollars, what a deal!!

Pilates is already great, but by the sea would make it even greater.

We took the ferry from the island to the village which takes about 2 minutes :)

I told Al how I want to own a sailboat someday if we stay in California.

Another beautiful day at the beach but this time I didn't stick my toes in the sand.

We sat on the pier with Alex and saw some dolphins.

I wouldn't mind living in Balboa Village which is only a 10 minute drive to Fashion Island.

I couldn't leave Balboa without trying the famous frozen banana. I got shredded coconut and toffee on mine which was so yummy. I'm not a huge banana lover so next time I'm for sure getting a Balboa Bar.

Does anyone want to come visit? I told Al next time we have visitors that we should rent bikes in Balboa like the other thousands of people that thought of the idea way before me. Afterwards we will celebrate with Balboa Bars!!

Five Months

5 Month Stats

Weight 17 lbs 9 oz 75th percentile

Height 26 3/4 inches long 95th percentile

Head 43 cm 50-75th percentile

At 5 Months Alex is.....

Found his feet at 18 weeks and likes to suck on them.

Stopped swaddling him at 19 weeks and instantly turns over to sleep on his tummy now.

Hasn't been the best sleeper this month. He usually wakes up twice to eat which I'm hoping changes when we start him on rice cereal next week.

Loves to play with paper.

Makes spitting noises with his tongue until his face is covered with spit (perfect example in the 2nd picture above).

Puts anything and everything in his mouth.

Loves to be outside.

Still teething....his first tooth still hasn't come in yet.

Rolls around like crazy and strains himself to try and sit up.

Can stay sitting up for a little bit.

Can't keep his hands still while he eats. He loves to grab my lips and face, so usually I end up holding his hand so he will hold still.

Impossible to change his diaper because right when I lay him on the changing pad he flips over to his tummy.

Still won't take a bottle which just means he can never get rid of me.

Loves to hit things including computer keyboards.

Interacts a lot with you and smiles all the time.

Loves to play with laces and drawstrings.

Pivots around on his tummy.

Just started liking Peek a boo.

I don't know if he loves to pull my hair or if it's just fun because it's something to grab, but he always finds it even if there is 1 strand loose from my ponytail. I always find pieces wound between his fingers.

So close to crawling....just learned to push up and launch himself forward with 1 foot.

Fake coughs all the time to get our attention.

Arches his back and escapes his car seat, swing, and bouncer if he's not clipped in.

Easily entertained by laying on a blanket and playing with toys which is nice when I need to get stuff done around the house.

He's getting more hair....I put gel in it for the pictures above and it looks like he has way more than he really does :)

This has been my favorite month watching all the changes in his personality and watching him become more and more independent. He is such a sweet boy and I love spending every day with him.

Here are some pictures from his 5 month appointment. I can't believe he almost gained 2lbs.

Destroying the paper on the table at the Dr's

Al showing him the after damage.

As Of Late

Alex is growing at rapid speed and it's so hard to keep up on everything. He learned how to roll about a month ago and now he won't stop. He outgrew his playgym which provided hours and hours of entertainment. One of the best baby shower gifts I received.

We upgraded him to this Baby Einstein Bouncer which takes up our entire living room.

He has learned to escape his car seat, bouncer and swing if you don't have him buckled in. Usually I put him in the swing or bouncer while I shower and this is what I came out to the other day.

I may have a wild child on my hands, but from now on he's getting buckled in.

He wants to grab everything including my hair. He loves laptops and remotes which could be trouble in the future. Al left his on the floor the other day and when I looked over Alex was pounding on the keyboard.

He doesn't really take naps with us anymore like the sweet picture below, but I'm glad he's finally napping in his crib.

We spend a lot of time at our pool.

We watch Al swim

and last week we got mobbed by all the kids because they wanted to play with Alex. People love babies no matter where you are.

This next picture would be super cute if you could see the other baby Alex was playing with. I think we were a distraction at church.

About a month ago he started sleeping on his tummy and the rest is history. My favorite is when he has his bum in the air.

He discovered his feet and trys to suck on them.

He chews on everything. Luckily germs aren't a big deal to him.

I can't believe he's almost 5 months old.

Dog Days of Summer

I'm not sure if it's just a common phrase of 2011 or if it's because the song Dog Days Are Over is popular, but this is the Dog Days of Summer. Last weekend our friend Ross was in town so we had a yummy sushi dinner in Huntington Beach.

The Asian waitress told Ross that him and Alex look alike....hahah

On Saturday Ross and Al did a 70 mile bike ride on the PCH, no big deal.

We went to our friend Jeni's goodbye party at the W Hotel in Westwood. I was a little weary of taking Alex, but there was quite a few kids in the pool. I'm not sure why families with kids would stay at the W Hotel, but hey whatever works.

This pool was really warm and Alex loved it. He kept splashing water in his face, but I don't think he knew where it was coming from.....so funny.

His Fedora hat was a huge hit. I think at least 5 people commented on it, so Danielle thank you for the adorable hat.

Goodbye and Good Luck to our friend Jeni that is moving to San Francisco! We will miss you.

I picked another perfect day to go to the beach.....cloudy, windy, and no trace of sunshine. I'm not sure how it always happens, but hopefully I will get a perfect beach day once this summer. Al has managed to implement his trainings into every family outing.

While Alex and I tried to keep warm in the sand Al went for a swim and run.

Alex somehow managed to put his hands in the sand and then they went straight for his mouth. He did not like that one bit and luckily we had a water bottle to rinse them off.

I seriously froze and all I had was Alex's thin Aden and Anais blanket to wrap around me so next time I'm coming prepared with a hoodie for all of us :)

2011 Babies

Last week Alex and I were invited to a 2011 New Baby Party. This was seriously one of the best parties I've ever been to. Cute Babies were Everywhere.

There were 10 babies.....5 girls and 5 boys so everyone had a date :)

It was seriously the cutest thing watching them all look at each other and grab at each others faces. I loved it.

Towards the end it got a little crazy because nap and feeding times were in order, but we managed to get this group picture. Thanks for throwing a great party Nicole!!