Don't let the picture fool you into thinking she still has a full head of hair. It is a farce, I tell you, a farce! From straight on, she appears to have thick hair. In fact, what appears to be beautiful locks are three tufts of birth hair, steadfastly holding on where all other have let go. She's rocking a five-month-old combover, and from the side, appears to be wearing a wig. It is quite hysterical. Her new hair is coming in nicely, so she'll probably never have a bald look, as this hold-out hair seems to be holding steady until the new hair (just as dark) fills out a bit more.
Dear Amalia,
You are now five months old. You continue to amaze and delight us, and make us want to hold onto these sweet moments of darling babyhood before you get a sassy four-year-old attitude like a certain someone else we know (kidding! sofia is a dream most of the time, emphasis on the most). Also, excepting the hours between midnight and six am. That's the only hours I'd like to see less of you, actually. Again, I jest! But only a little.
Amalia, you are funny. You love to goof around and giggle and do silly things. You also like it when others do silly things with you. You think your sister is just about the funniest comedian on the earth. Whenever she makes you laugh, which is often, she runs to me to tell me that "Amalia is laughing at me!" I can't imagine the days of sibling rivalry that I'm sure are ahead of me, so I just won't. Right now, you two are the best of friends.
You love to grab hair. Really. If I'm holding you, chances are there are chunks of my hair in your fists. It isn't exactly pleasant. Daddy's hair, Sofia's hair, Grandma's hair, Grandpa's beard, you love it all. The only time you don't love to grab hair is when it is your own.
You also love to grab books. You get SO! EXCITED! when your sister and you are read a story together and reach as hard as you can to get to the book. Grabbing at things is your new pastime, and you are getting really good at it.
You had your first tastes of non-breastmilk food this month. I wanted to wait until you were six months old to introduce anything, but did some reading, and learned to watch my baby, not the calendar. Since you had been nursing every hour and a half for a week, I decided you were ready. You're sort of luke warm to the idea, sometimes wanting to try the new tastes, but other times resolutely sticking your lips together, blocking access to the spoon. Your tongue is always working, though, licking at the food on your cheeks. I gave you an apple the other day, and you spent half an hour licking the thing, getting all the juice you could. I didn't taste too great after that.
You also achieved rolling-over status! You've been working on getting to your belly for awhile now, and on January 19, we had full back to belly business! You lay on your back, putting your face into the floor on your left side for several minutes, only to be rolled back on your back by the significant heft in your middle. After a while, you decided to go for the right. Lift-off! You did it! Daddy and I were right there watching you, and it was amazing. You were so proud of yourself!
You've also mastered sitting. You had a handle on it at four months, but about two or more weeks ago, you really got it down. You can reach for toys, lay back on your boppy and get get yourself back upright, go right, go left, and get back up. You even reached being on your belly from sitting up this morning, which was quite an accomplishment.
Amalia, you love your mama. Good thing, because I love you, too. So much. You are a dream baby most of the time, not crying much. Whenever anyone else has you and I'm gone for whatever reason, however, your very loud, very persistent cry takes over. As soon as I get back and pick you up, all crying stops. We're buddies, and we love to play, and sing, and read, and snuggle, and nurse, and talk, and so much more.
You love your daddy, too. He gets the biggest smiles, and you have the most to say for him. You love to dance with him, and giggle when he tickles you, or swings you around.
You are observant. When a situation is new, you need to study your surroundings before bestowing judgement. A person doesn't just get a smile for being there and smiling at you, you need to check them out, first. You are quite studious. Once the person or situation is deemed acceptable, however, you are full of smiles and giggles.
You love to blow raspberries and make all sorts of noises. Sofia calls it 'talking spit.' It is quite funny, and also quite loud. When you have something to say, no one can hear anybody else. That's alright, we're all usually too busy talking right back at you to care that our conversation has effectively ended.
Baby, you are the greatest. We love you so much, and are so blessed that you are in our family. Happy five months, my dear.
Love,
Mama
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