Five Months

Once the exams were over in July I really started to enjoy the summer. Now it seems to be coming to an end way too fast. The weekends ("Mom and Dad days" with Ben) are too short and the work week is too long. Not enough time to go to the pool, take walks, pick fruit, make baby food, clean up the house, etc. With Grandma going back to work the last week in August we are looking at the start of babysitting.

I'm excited for Ben to go to the babysitter, but also a little anxious. I know that he is going to be very happy there, and he is especially going to love having other kids around. I'm looking forward to him making friends and having new experiences. He learns so fast that I think he will benefit from having a new surrounding. Of course until we have done this for a while I will continue to be nervous, but we really like the sitter and I'm optimistic that she is going to be great for Ben.

Five months old this week and how much Ben has grown. We have started him on cereal several times a day. We feed him with a spoon while we are eating so that he has an active role in our meals. He also started holding a sippy cup with a little bit of water. Last night was our first try at that, and he did really well. In general he really likes to do what we are doing, so this eating and drinking thing has been really fun for him. I've made the first round of baby food (cooked peaches, picked at the farm) and put it in the freezer. I'm thinking we will start him on some fruit and vegetables in September. I'm planning on making apple and pear sauce and some squash and maybe pumpkin for the freezer next month.

I'm also excited that things have gotten into a pattern enough for me to start back to yoga on Mondays. I'm so looking forward to that! My neck is hurting all the time from stiff muscles and tension headaches are my constant companion. I know that just that hour a week on the mat will make all the difference in the world.

Ben continues to be a happy, fun baby. He's so easy going and relaxed that it's hard to remember that he is so little. He adjusts well to change and really enjoys new experiences. We've found a pattern to life and have adjusted to that. It's fun to see him grow and learn and to incorporate new things into our days. I'm sure with the start of fall we will have to find new ways to entertain him, and that process will bring more fun and happiness to our family. Cheers!