The Mayes Family: February 2013

For those of you who don't live in our area, we had our first actual snowstorm of the season this week (also referred to as the Blizzard of Oz). We've had a inch here or there this winter but nothing worth calling a snow day. Then we got at least 12 inches within a day. It was Charlotte's first official big snow - and the perfect opportunity to put her in her snowsuit and take her outside. She gasped with the first couple of snowflakes that hit her face. Then she enjoyed it (even if we didn't get many smiling pictures). I had her hands so bundled that she couldn't actually hold any of the snow; that will have to wait until she is older and can have better gloves. I also apologize for the darkness of the pictures - I have yet to master how to edit photos.

Charlotte is five months old now. I don't even know where the time is going! Here is her five month update:

She is about 27.5 inches long and weighs just over 16 pounds now. She just went through a growth spurt and is suddenly standing flat footed when she is in the exersaucer (time to raise up the level) and some of her pants are suddenly capris.
Charlotte is officially sleeping unswaddled. I would like to say she is sleeping well, but she isn't. It's not because she is unswaddled, though - she is just going through the same sleep regression still, teething, and growth spurts all at the same time. It is taking a toll on her. She actually enjoys sleeping unswaddled and I often find her sleeping on her side.
Her teething is in full swing. Swollen gums, fussiness, constant drool. I can see some white, but it doesn't look like her teeth are close to breaking through. With as swollen as her gums are I feel bad for her.
She loves to stick her tongue out. She thinks it's pretty funny when she does it. We think it's pretty cute.
She is rolling over every direction now. And she knows she can roll over to get things out of her reach. She also rolls over in a flash. Even trying to get her monthly pictures I would go to take a picture and she would have rolled over.
Charlotte has scooted forward a couple of times while on her belly. It's only a matter of time now before she learns to crawl.
Romeo is one of her absolutely favorite people (or animal). She watches him all the time and grabs for him. She'll pull him towards her. He just lets her. I have a feeling he just loves the attention. She loves both dogs as well, but we don't let her grab onto them as much as they like to lick her hands and then her hands go directly into her mouth. I know eventually I'll have to get over that once she is crawling and sharing a floor with them, but while I can control it I plan to.
She has started to develop stranger anxiety already. It is normal, but I was hoping it wouldn't start so early. As long as people let her warm up to them and just let her check them out for awhile then she is fine.
My mom made her a dog blanket that she loves. She gets really excited when she sees it and she just holds onto it. She actually takes better naps when she has next to her.
She has started reaching for Bryan and me. It's not all the time and it's usually when one of us is holding her she'll reach for the other and lean forward. Regardless, I absolutely love it when she reaches for me. It makes my heart melt.
She is exploring more while taking a bath. She wants to play with the water, her sponge she sits on, the faucet, etc. With that exploring, though, it is harder to keep her sitting still. It'll be nice when she can sit unassisted.
Charlotte loves "dancing" to Beyonce's "Single Ladies". If I hold her hands while she is standing up and help her dance, she smiles and laughs. I have a feeling she is going to be a little dancer like me.

Our fifth month as parents:

I am discovering just how much you can love a child and how much you are willing to give up for your child. I have always struggled with migraines. Before getting pregnant I was on a daily medicine and had an emergency medicine - this has been the case for many years as I've had migraines since middle school. However, because I am breastfeeding I can't take any migraine medicines. While I hate having migraines ALL the time, being able to provide Charlotte with the best nutrition possible is well worth it.
Bryan loves making her laugh and he is good at it. I absolutely love seeing the two of them interact.
I feel like I am becoming even more protective of her now that she has developed stranger anxiety. I try to make sure to keep things that may throw her off or upset her are kept to a minimum. I don't like it when she gets that worried look on her face!

Fifth month pictures: