Dear Jack,

Today you are 5 months old. You’re napping now, which means I probably have about 25 minutes to write this letter. You take these little power naps and wake up with a smile, but I do think you need more rest. I’m trying to do my best to help you sleep better, but you may just be, well, like me. We will both be dragging your father out of bed on Saturday mornings.

Over the last month, you seem to have grown more in length than chub. You still have great big jowls and pork chop thighs, but you seem so long. Your hair is starting to sprout a little more and looks different in every kind of light – light brown, white blond, even a little strawberry at times. Your eyes are crystal blue with a darker blue outline, like mine, but prettier. People love to comment on your eyes. It helps that you are a regular charmer, grinning at everyone you meet. It’s wonderful, but it makes me feel a little bit like you are a germ magnet. Everyone wants to touch you! I can’t say I blame them.

I carry you in the ergo now that you’re so big. You are content to see the world from this vantage point, and every now and then you look up at me. I love the way people smile when they see us snuggled up like that. When you’re on your own, kid, you’re moving. You roll, roll, roll. For now you seem to only roll to the right side, but you’ll begrudgingly roll back to the left if you get in a pickle. I’ve moved the coffee table so you have the whole living room floor to roll around on. A couple of times I’ve seen you prop up on your knees but lose motivation. You’ll be crawling before we know it.

You’ve been a loud kid for most of your five months, but you’ve really turned it up a notch. You have started squealing and babbling with more frequency. In the evenings, you “talk” to your dad and squeak at the dog. I’ve heard all the vowel sounds and every now and then an “l” or a “g” or an “m.” You know your name now.

When I think about how much has changed in the last five months, I realize that you’re not waiting for me. I’m not sure why I ever thought you would. Go on, Jack. I’ll catch up.

Love,

Mama