february/5 months old!

five months old!

Little monkey loves his toes!

Even though February is a shorter month, it feels like we have fit a lot in!  Plus, our sweet Hunter turned five months old this month; we can't believe that he is almost halfway through his first year.  Here is what we have been up to lately:

At five months, Hunter's sweet personality continues to emerge.  He is a content little guy, full of smiles and the cutest little laugh.  He loves to just lie back, grab at his little feet, and watch his sister's antics.  Hunter has a very good nature.  

First time with baby food!
Yummy carrots

He is also making great physical strides; whether he's doing baby crunches in his chair, hanging out in his swing, or sitting up in his Bumbo chair, we have to buckle him in all the time so that he doesn't try to escape.  As Harper says, "That silly guy is trying to run away!"  

Maybe it's all the veggies that is giving him such superhuman strength; well, maybe just a few veggies.  Hunter tried carrots and sweet potatoes for the first time recently.  Neither was a huge hit, but he seemed to do a little bit better with the sweet potatoes.  It will be a work in progress.  Milk is still his favorite.

Hunter has also been enjoying playing with toys more and more.  He has a powerful grip, and he tries to get his hands on anything within reach.  He is now also fascinated by the toys that make sound.  Sophie the Giraffe is a special favorite.  When Harper was a baby, Sophie was the "it" baby toy, and I really tried to convince her to favor Sophie, but in typical Harper fashion, she wasn't convinced.  However, Hunter received his very own Sophie at my baby shower, and whether it is squeaking Sophie, holding onto her, or gnawing on her, he just loves his Sophie.  Now that Hunter plays with Sophie constantly, Harper has resurrected hers too.  When he is playing, she is is sure to make the distinction, wanting to confirm that he is playing with "Hunter's Sophie" and not "Harper's Sophie."  

The Sophie situation is just one example of Harper's growing possessiveness, which we correctly predicted would surface as soon as Hunter started getting his hands on everything.  The word "mine" is definitely part of her vocabulary these days, but she is also learning that it is important to share with her little brother.  One of her favorite things to share is her crib.  Whenever I come in to get her up from her nap, if I happen to be carrying Hunter with me, she will ask if he can get in her crib too.  He loves being in there with her, kicking his little legs, all smiles.  She gets such a kick out of having her little brother visiting in her crib, and she will sweetly snuggle up to him.  I hope this love never changes.

Hunter has also become quite the little laugher.  His baby giggle is just about the sweetest sound you will ever hear.  Harper completely agrees, and she loves doing different tricks to make him laugh.  She is such an amazing big sister, and Hunter is a very lucky boy.

   

Reading Corduroy to Hunter

Harper also loves to read to Hunter.  She has a fantastic memory and lately has memorized some of her favorite stories, which she then "reads" to little Hunter.  He is enamored with everything she does, of course.  Our time together lounging in Harper's room and reading stories is something that I cherish.  Even on some of the more challenging days, we can always seem to find a few peaceful moments on the daybed, stretched out and reading story after story, which Harper is more than willing to pull out of the bookshelf.

Our little snow bunny during yet another snow storm

Although, spring is getting closer, unfortunately we are still spending most of our time indoors.  While cabin fever definitely sets in from time to time, we have also found fun ways to stay occupied.  Here are a few sweet, fun, and memorable moments from this month:

A visit with Great Gramzy on a chilly Friday

Snuggles with Daddy

Harper discovers Barbie on the iPad

Laundry day

On the bright side, we have also been lucky enough to enjoy a few unseasonably warm days as well.  On those rare days, we try to spend as much time as possible outside, going for walks and even to the park.  The park is still covered in snow, but that doesn't stop Harper from enjoying the slides and the swings, even if it means getting a little wet.  After far too many months spent primarily indoors, Harper is thrilled when she has the chance to play at the park.  Spring can't come soon enough!

It has been a long, cold winter, full of changes and challenges for our little family. We are so looking forward to longer days, warmer temperatures, and hopefully--if it's not too much to ask--a little bit more sleep...  In the meantime, our sweet little Hs keep us smiling.