This past weekend my mom visited us. My niece Lida, as the oldest grandchild, had the honor of ‘naming’ my parents. My mom is G and my dad is Pa, and we love both- short, sweet, and to the point. This was the first solo west coast visit for my mom. It was wonderful to have her spend time with us and see Sloane in her routine and groove here at home.

Sloane was very smiley and happy to see G. She wanted to munch on her knuckles and hands. She even tried to teach G about the forearm harmonica.

https://youtu.be/BNeCtNW7Rnk

The past weekend was also Sloane’s 5 month mark. We ended up going to see the pediatrician on Saturday because she was doing a gasping breath when laying on her back. Instead of a breathing problem, she has a little reflux that was irritating her vocal cords. Reflux can happen around this age and with a growth spurt, which Sloane had between 4 and 5 months. She has grown one inch in length and gained 19 ounces in the past month, and is now 19 lbs 11 oz and 27 inches long!

Some of these firsts are wonderful, like sitting up in a highchair.

Others are really cute, like sleeping like a grandpa.

Some are questionable, such as eating your toes.

This was a sad first, scratching yourself during a nap. We called her Harry Potter for a week.

Sloane loves her baths. A while back we had to stop putting the tub on the kitchen counter because she was splashing so much our piles of mail were taking a hit. Now we put her tub in the tub and fill it as full as possible. She splashes and kicks, flinging water everywhere. We can’t wait to get her in the pool sometime soon.

https://youtu.be/j0tVzmc0ZpU

As evidenced by this video, we have found that bath time is too stimulating for a bedtime routine. We are just glad she likes them because she gets pretty dirty and a little ripe in the folds.

We had a nice relaxing day this Sunday. Adam made breakfast, my favorite blue cornmeal pancakes, eggs, and bacon. The three of us went for a long walk in the neighborhood. Adam commented that the rhododendrons were having a really good year. I told him that it probably is just that we are walking about 10x more frequently than previous years. Sloane makes us get out of the condo on a regular basis. She has started to enjoy the carrier more and finds the straps very tasty.

I’ve had many people wish me a happy first Mother’s day. Last year, I was in Boston for Ryan and Jess’s wedding (my cousin and cousin-in-law) and it was such a treat to spend the weekend with my mother and the rest of my family. It was also the weekend I told my parents, Jesse, Cam, and Lida that I was pregnant. It amazes me that the little being in my belly a year ago was Sloane. I just feel so lucky that she made me a mom.

Sloane has got the giggle down! Mostly, it is when she is a little tired and punch drunk. Similar to how Hannah and I use to keep Linda up after we had taken our giggle pills!

https://youtu.be/TkkWa6xk1k8

We haven’t been able to catch it on video, but sometimes she belly laughs, which is hilarious and makes her sound like a toddler. It gives us some insight of what is to come.

Sloane was four months old last Friday. No surprise that the onesie did not fit again this month! She has remained in the 98% for weight and is helping Adam and me with our arm strength. Grabbing is her newest accomplishment. It is pretty amazing to watch her focus on an object, reach for it, grab it, and promptly put it in her mouth. Everything needs a good layer of drool on it, according to Sloane.

We can’t believe how fast these four months have gone by. We think she is pretty adorable and sweet and feel lucky for our healthy family of three.

Sloane is really a great baby. She flashes gummy smiles to everyone and needless to say it melts hearts. Her coordination is improving. When she wants something, she can grab it and bring it to her mouth. She is trying to improve our hands, her hands, and her toys with drool. We are hoping it turns our skin as soft as hers.

Watch closely at 15 seconds

https://youtu.be/OFMNiyFJ7us

Sloane has a sweet friend named Maera, who is six weeks older than Sloane. Maera learns new tricks first and shows them to Sloane. Maera’s mom also learns new things first and has been showing them to me starting during our pregnancies, which I am very grateful for!

I think Sloane looks super cute when she is on her tummy lifting her head up. Her head and cheeks are so heavy that she still doesn’t have much of a neck when sitting. When she stretches out her neck while on her tummy, I get a peak of what she will look like soon.

I had emailed my family a couple of these pics this weekend. My dad requested they be put up on the blog so he can show off his cute grandbaby!

Being a growing Bramble means getting a little (sometimes very) dirty… But she enjoys getting clean, so we are super thankful!