Look who went and turned 5 months old while I was on my blogging break. Doesn’t it seem like just yesterday I was looking like this?
Health/Development
So many of you have emailed or left me comments regarding Luke’s health and asking questions. I suppose I was a bit vague about his digestive issues. This wasn’t intentional, I just didn’t think you’d be that interested. But since there seems to be a curiosity, I’ll fill you in more. I started to give the details here, but it ended up being much too long for one post. Instead, there will be a separate post coming soon with the low down. Be on the lookout if you are interested in baby’s poop. Ha!
Other than the digestive issues, Luke’s healthy as can be. He’s a happy, happy baby who is so much fun to be around. He loves people and smiles and laughs often.
On the development front, he’s rolling both ways, can lift his chest off the ground into a baby push-up, tries to sit up (but mostly tumbles forward so far), and puts everything he can get his hands on in his mouth. As you can see, he also turns into Mr. Serious most every time there is a camera in front of him.
He’s growing really well. At his four month check up, he was 17 pounds, 5 ounces (85th percentile) and 27 3/4 inches long (99th percentile). He’s a big boy! I think he is around 19 pounds now, which is just plain crazy. Meghan was 20 pounds at her 12 month check up! He’s already wearing 12-18 month clothing and size 3 diapers.
Sleep
Sleep deserves its own separate category, right? I wish I had better news to report here, but Luke’s sleep has not been great. Basically, he’s as unpredictable as one baby can get. He’ll have a few days where he naps well and I’ll think we’re on to something. Then, before I can blink he has a day (or two or three) where he wakes 30 minutes into every nap screaming, or won’t go down for the nap initially, or some other issue.
Then there’s night sleep. This teeters from bad to terrible. Most nights he’s up twice to feed. He goes down to sleep between 6-7 pm, depending on his naps, and then is up between 10-11 and again between 1-4. It varies widely. Some nights, however, he’ll be up three times to feed. Sometimes he even tries to get up four times, but I have to draw the line somewhere. Clearly, such a big boy can make it longer than 2-4 hours between feedings at night. But for some reason, he just doesn’t.
Every single morning he’s up for the day between 5-6am. I try to wait to start our day until 6am, but sometimes he gets really worked up and I have to get him earlier. No matter how the night went, he’s bright eyed at this time and ready to play.
His sleep is a big mystery to me. I have no idea if his digestive issues have disrupted his sleep, his reflux (which is really mild compared to some stories I’ve heard), or just an inability to get himself back to sleep on his own. I’ve encouraged independent sleep from the beginning. I put him down in his crib awake and he puts himself to sleep without a problem most of the time. I am careful to put him down for regular naps at appropriate times (when he’s tired enough to go to sleep for a good nap, but not so overtired that he can’t sleep well). Trust me, I’ve read every baby sleep book out there. (Back when Meghan was a newborn) I’m at a loss.
If it wasn’t for his poor sleeping habits, I’d say he’s a perfect baby. 🙂 I guess I can’t have it all. He really is the most laid back, happy little guy, so I can’t complain about the sleep. I’m hoping in time he’ll outgrow all of this and become the awesome sleeper his sister is.
Speaking of Meghan…
When Luke was first born, there was definitely a transition period for Meghan. Now, however, she’s the sweetest big sister. She just adores Luke. She loves to hold him and play with him. And he stares at her whenever she’s in the room. He will just watch her talk, sing, or dance for the longest time. I love seeing the sibling relationship develop.
And finally, me!
Despite being sleep deprived, I’m doing well. I’m on a really restricted diet (more on that in the post on Luke’s digestive issues), though, which stinks. I have a new-found respect for those who have food allergies.
When I first decided to take a break from blogging, I was really worn down. I realized I had to cut back on a lot of things. Blogging was one. Another was running. I just couldn’t maintain the 5-6 days a week of running. Since then, I haven’t had one clogged milk duct. Clearly, all the ones I’d had (I think it was 12!) were resulting from me pushing myself too hard. I’m not going to make that mistake again. Right now, I’m running 2-3 times a week max. The rest of my exercise is coming in the form of functional fitness. Running up and down the stairs. Carrying a 19 pound baby. Playing with Meghan. These are all ways to keep active even if they aren’t formal workouts. For now, it’s all I can handle, so I’m okay with it.
I’m just about at my pre-pregnancy weight, although my body doesn’t look the same yet. I know that will come in time. Well, at least I hope it will.
Life is good over here. It’s hard to believe my little man is already 5 months old. I’m trying to savor every precious moment with him as I know these baby days are fleeting.
Luke is so darn cute! Really both your kiddos are. Love the pictures of Meghan with Luke. Such sweet memories!
I remember sleep deprivation all to well. Its rough but it doesn’t last forever. Hang in there!
Wow! He is a big boy! How tall are you and your husband? I can picture Luke being a very handsome, very tall man someday! 😉
I am 5′ 7″ and Tim is 6’3″. So we’re both on the tall side. I think it would be funny if he ended up taller than Tim. 🙂
It is great to hear how things are going! I can’t believe he is 5 months already .. time does fly. The pictures of him and Meghan are adorable – she looks like a great big sister!
I am so glad things are getting back to some normal. I agree with the allergy statement. It is the best and worst of things to be on a restrictive diet. But it is totally worth it for your baby. I have been there for a year.
He is absolutely adorable, Maryea! So stinking cute!…. You have such a beautiful family!
Sleeping & breastfeeding are two issues that keep me perplexed as a mommy-to-be. Each and every child is different and I just want to do everything right for my little blessing- you are such a great mom!
As for that sibling relationship. It makes my heart melt in .00002 seconds flat! Awww! You can truly tell that they adore each other- even through a photo. Awww!
Thank you, Julie. You’ll figure out the breastfeeding and sleep stuff as you go; don’t worry! 🙂
Luke is sooo adorable!!! I love the first pic. of him — such a cute smile 🙂
You look great, Maryea 🙂 You do not look a bit sleep deprived!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Thank you–that means a lot!
He is so cute! I love the pics of he and Meghan. They are both adorable! You look great too. It was nice chatting with you the other day. Can’t wait to see you this summer!
Thank you. 🙂 Excited to see you guys next month, too!!
You look great and the kids are adorable. I shared your blog with a co-worker who just came over and informed me she is “obsessed”! (in a non stalker, threatening way of course lol). Thanks for all your great recipes!
Awww, thank you! I really appreciate you sharing my blog with others. 🙂
So glad to see you are back. Your family is beautiful and Luke looks so much like his mama. Your blog even got a make over…I like it!
Thank you, Katie!
Aaaah, what a cutie!! And what a big boy too! Isn’t it amazing the difference between boys and girls? My son and first daughter both started at the exact same weight but they gained so differently. My daughter is around 26 pounds and she’ll be 3 in November! Luke’s not that far behind her in weight, haha. We always laugh at the difference between my daughter and her cousin(he was born in August last year and weighs just a few pounds less than her, lol). So glad to hear you’re all doing well! You look fantastic, and Meghan looks like an amazing big sister 😀
You children are beautiful! And you’re an inspiration for weight loss after baby! I have a 2 year old and I’m 27 weeks pregnant now with my second. I just started a blog (lots of work to do on it still) about food, family and fun….with a food allergy twist….since my 2 year old has food allergies. I’m interested in hearing your experience with your son so far.
Thank you, Kathryn! Luke definitely has some food intolerances; we are hoping they won’t be full blown allergies but time will tell. I look forward to checking out your blog!
The picture of the two of them together is SO precious. I wish I had a picture like that of me and my brother. I have some but not in such a neutral setting, more like a studio. haha.
I can’t believe how big he is! He’s SO cute, though.
I’m glad you’re feeling better these days.
Thanks, Kelli. That was my attempt at getting some professional-looking shots of the two of them. I actually liked the shots I got much better than the ones we had done at Target. 🙂
You are beautiful.
I think you’re right on with saying that all the activity that goes in to taking care of your kids counts as (functional) exercise. I hadn’t gotten in a formal workout for a while, and then when I did, I felt like I needed to up my weights! (My baby is a big boy, too. I know I’ve gotten stronger just carrying him around and playing with him!)
You’re amazing! And your little boy is ADORABLE! Those blue eyes are just gorgeous. Happy 5 months to him! 🙂
I’m not much of a kid-person but your little ones are adorable.
I’m in awe of all you get accomplished. And post baby weight nearly? You’re way ahead of the game. Be proud 🙂
Welcome back!!
What a beautiful family – love Luke’s blue eyes! You look great too. My abs never quite bounced back from baby #2. They got 90% of the way back, but I think being stretched out twice took it’s toll. I can’t imagine what 3rd, 4th and so on pregnancies do….
Sorry you’re still not getting much sleep. It will get better eventually, which you know, but that doesn’t mean it’s not hard when you are in the middle of it. Hang in there!
Happy 5 months to Luke. So cute that Meghan is such a sweet big sister. I love that picture of them where she’s holding the flowers.
He’s such a cutie – and you look great! He is a big boy, that’s for sure! Ha! I’m interested in hearing about his digestive issues!