Aspen is 5 Months Old

In December Aspen turned 5 months old.  This was a major turning-point for her in terms of contentment and growth. 

• Aspen learned to sit up by herself.  She is much better about playing with toys and entertaining herself now that she can sit up.
  
• Sophie also taught Aspen to take a binkie.  FINALLY!  I don't know why my kids don't take binkies very quickly, but perseverance pays off.  After months of Sophie shoving that thing in Aspen's mouth, she finally willingly accepted it and learned to keep it in herself.  It is soooo nice to be able to stick it in her mouth when she is upset in the car or at the store, etc.
• Aspen and Sophie are able to play together better.  Aspen loves to smile at Sophie and watch what she is doing.  Sophie often lays next to Aspen and thinks it is hilarious when Aspen randomly touches her.  They are also fun to watch in the car because they will start singing together.
  
• Aspen still doesn't like eating solids very much.  She rarely opens willingly to eat her rice cereal.  Hopefully she will get better soon.
• Unfortunately Aspen reverted at night.  When she wakes up, she wants her mama as a human binkie.  So she has been feeding every 2-3 hours.  She often doesn't make it to midnight before her first feeding.  It doesn't matter if she has eaten rice cereal or not, she still wakes up and wants her mama.  We need to work on this.
  
  
  
• Aspen holds her head a little crookedly still.  I was really worried about it for a while, but Isaac and her pediatrician don't think it is a big deal.
• Aspen loves sucking her toes.  She pulls off her slippers and sock and sucks on those too.  Yummy toes.
  
   

Aspen is growing up so quickly.  She seems more like a kid now instead of a newborn.  She is awake a lot more and loves being involved in everything.  She doesn't like to be alone or left to play by herself for long.  She always laughs when we pull her pants off for a diaper change.  And she LOVES baths.  She always has and still does.  She also struggles at church because she is tired but doesn't sleep well with noise and distractions.  Aspen loves to be held, but isn't cuddly.  She refuses to ever lay her head down against someone if she is being held because she doesn't want to sleep.  She is also starting to wear a bald spot in her hair, but still has awesome hair.  We love our little baby girl.