I’ll let his 5 month photo speak for itself.

Even when he’s grumping the cuteness kills me.

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Here’s the round-up of the last month in the Tricycle household:

Sleep

We survived the four-month sleep regression and have come out the other side. We’re alive, but just barely. Actually, I’m surprised by my ability to function (with a positive mind frame) on such interrupted sleep. The big change this month was our transition from co-bedding to the Rock ‘N Play (what crazy parents START using the R ‘N P at 5 months??). I didn’t follow any prescribed method for the transition, and I’ll blog about it at some point, but we’re both sleeping better at night.

The Trikester still wakes up frequently, but I can usually lull him back to sleep with thirty seconds of bouncing on the stability ball. I know; I’m creating all kinds of horrible habits by responding to his night wakings, but it’s still all about maximizing MY sleep. He might snooze off on his own if I let him fuss and cry, but that process could take five or ten minutes, and on many occasions his protesting just escalates. If I get out of bed and bounce him quickly, we’re both back to sleep in two or three minutes. I will deal with the crappy sleep habits fallout later. We nurse twice during the night at around 1:00 AM and 4:00 AM. Are these feedings creating another bad habit? Who knows? I’m not stressing over it.

He always naps better when he’s home with Grandpa than he does on the weekends with Mom and Dad (it’s a conspiracy on their part, I’m sure). He doesn’t have a schedule per-say, but we do try to limit his wakeful periods to two or three hours. Nap duration runs anywhere from two hours to thirty minutes – it just depends on the day.

Food

We’re still nursing and pumping. The baby typically nurses at 1:00 AM, 4:00 AM, 6:30 AM, has four 4 oz bottles while I’m at work, and then nurses again at 4:30 PM, 6:30 PM, and 7:30 PM. I just barely make enough milk pumping to fill those four bottles, but some how we keep making it through each week, so I’m rolling with it for now.

Disposition

Above: I love this photo of my mom — it’s pretty obvious that the Trikester brings serious joy to everyone around him.

We are having SO MUCH FUN! The Trikester spends most of his time laughing and smiling. Mr. Tricycle is the best at eliciting giggles, but every once in a while I’ll get one too. He’ll smile at the checkout lady in the grocery store, the waitress at the diner, and just about anyone else that looks his way. He’s very alert and would make a great security guard (minus the whole no walking, no talking, falling asleep on the job thing).

Milestones

Above: The Trikester likes to scratch anything he can get his hands on. I’m not sure if he’s attracted to the noise or the texture, but his fingernails sure do get a workout.

The Trikester’s biggest accomplishment this month is blowing raspberries. It’s the funniest thing that amuses us endlessly – I guess because it’s quite the contrast to hear an adorable little boy produce such a large, indelicate noise. The only downside to his newfound passion is the drool – oh, the drool! I think it’s time to pull out the bibs because dude’s onesie is wet almost immediately. The Trikester has also perfected the “happy baby” yoga pose; if he’s on his back, chances are good that he’s grabbing his toes.

Adventures

Above: The Trikester all bundled up for a walk in his “big boy” stroller. I think he’s still deciding if he likes it.

We’ve started using our fancy BOB Sport Utility stroller for walks around the neighborhood. The Trikester is still a little tiny and bounces a bit more than I’d ideally like, but it’s got a racing style harness and God knows I’m not jogging with the thing, so I figure he’s okay. The Trikester’s disposition is now happy enough that we can eat out and not experience a meltdown – it was great to enjoy some Japanese for my SIL’s 18th birthday (so glad I’m no longer pregnant and can eat my fill of spicy tuna). This month we went to MIL Tricycle’s for Easter, and took at trip to see my parents later in the month. Naps while traveling were hit or miss, and I’m stuck in the back seat entertaining my dear boy during the drive, but things went smoothly enough that I’m willing to do more of these activities.

I can’t wait to see what month 6 brings! Side note — we still have yet to do anything but breast milk. Any wise advice for me as we jump into other eats (BWL, cereal, etc)?