A Letter to Judah: 5 months old

(Note from Ben: My bad, again. Rachel asked me to do this a while ago but I kind of forgot and got busy with school and such. Anyway, I know she'll be working on Month 6 very soon and I already have pictures)

My Sweet Son,

What a fun month! You are changing and learning new skills every day. Seems we've had a bit of a growth spurt lately, jumping almost overnight from 6-9 month outfits to 12 month at least. Wii fit estimates that you weigh 19.4 lbs! Pretty soon we will have to bid farewell to your infant car seat.....I've been looking online at a few models.



Last month about this time, you were just beginning to discover turning over. Now you are rolling all over our house! For about a week, you could turn from back to tummy, but then get stuck and soon become very frustrated. Now that you can turn both ways, you are having such fun exploring!

The world of solid food has been opened up to you as well. We began with rice cereal, then added sweet potatoes last week. So far, you seem to really enjoy both and are becoming aware of the social aspect of eating. Your high chair lets you be at eye level with us which is great fun during dinner.


You're also getting close to sitting up on your own! Right now you do very well leaning up against the couch or some pillows, and you can balance unassisted for a few seconds at least. It's fascinating to watch your new abilities unfold almost daily.

Our family has had a very good month, overall. We joined the YMCA! It is a mile from our house and Dad and Mom both are using it a few times a week. You get to go into the Child Watch room while we exercise, which comes with our membership. It has lots of baby gym toys and you are well taken care of.



We've enjoyed our Saturdays too. A few weeks ago we went to the Scottish Games with Jared and Melinda. Despite the sometimes-pouring rain, we enjoyed the ancient athletic events and the exhibits. This past weekend, we went to Stillwater with Grandma and Grandpa and toured the Oklahoma Gardens. Your dad has been researching landscaping and horticulture lately, so we took lots of pictures and got some good ideas to beautify our lawn.

It's amazing how much of your dad's personality I can already see in you. Like him, you thrive being around people, especially those you are familiar with like family. But in large groups of people, strangers in particular, you are quiet and very observant. You have some of your mom's stubborn nature as well!

One more exciting thing that happened was Ryan's homecoming. He has been in South Korea for the past year teaching English and we have missed him so much! But the same week he came home, we had to bid Anna farewell. She's off to North Carolina to a new job. I already miss her.


Well my little man, you are such fun. Your daddy and I enjoy playing and caring for you, and it's amazing to watch your interactions with us increase more all the time. May you continue to grow in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.

Love,
Momma