Liam is 5 months old!

Liam is 5 months old today!!!

He loves himself some "nakey toes"! So much so that he often fusses when you try to dress him because he doesn't want them to be covered up. And if he is upset, just uncovering them can quickly distract him and make his day. Seriously, he's so easy going and easy to please... just give him some nakey toes and he forgets all his cares and woes.

We've definitely entered the everything in the mouth phase, including his toes. It's the first thing he does when he wakes up and the last thing he does before he drifts off to sleep. He's been working on it for a while and now that he's accomplished it he doesn't want to stop. They make him so happy, it's so funny. It's amazing how flexible babies are.

He's a big kicker, especially his right leg. It seems like he can't stop it sometimes if he wants to. He'll pump pump pump it like there's music playing in the background. It's especially funny when he's trying to chew on his toes and he can't keep them in his mouth because his leg is pump pump pumping.

He loves any game you can make out of kicking. He especially loves to try and kick out of his clothes when you are dressing him. It's a big game and oh so funny to him.

...And he is so proud that he can now tackle any pair of socks we try to put on him. That was a major goal he focused on for the better part of a week til he honed his skills. He is especially motivated by the rattle socks I put on him during play time. They probably drive him crazy and all the while, I'm fussing over how cute they are.

He really plays with his toys now. Grabbing them, pulling them to his mouth to chew on, and shaking them to make noise.

But his absolute favorite thing is my nursing cover, the hooter hider (their name, not mine :)). He gets so excited when he sees it he starts yelling, I mean YELLING (another recent trick) and half laughing-half crying with an added huffing noise. Then he literally grabs onto me, my clothes, the cover... whatever he can reach and pulls himself towards me as fast as he can. Needless to say, it's not so easy to be discrete anymore. Good thing we're heading to Europe where it's so natural and normal.

And once we are settled into nursing, he just can't leave things be anymore. As much as he loves the cover, he doesn't really respect it's purpose. He likes to lift it and play with it and scrunch it up and peek out of it... you get the picture. And he MUST see what his brother is doing at random intervals just in case it's really exciting. Lovely.

He's been rolling for a while, but now he officially has mastered front to back... doing it over and over - often times in protest to being placed in the tummy time position. He certainly won't stay on that precious tummy if he's doesn't want to anymore.

We got a baby yoga dvd from Target and have been doing it together. He loves it. Of course he loves just about anything we say or do. He's just so happy and easy to please. He's one of those babies that makes us, and many of our friends, say, "maybe we should have one more".

He had his first ear infection. Just a minor one that quickly cleared up. And thanks to poor sweet Ben, my first child and learning experience, I clued in on the signs before it was unbearable.

He's waking up more in the middle of the night now, argh! But it's not terrible... and I'm hoping it's just because of the ear infection and move and that we'll be able to settle back into that great sleep schedule he's blessed our family with of only one wake up between 9pm and 7am.

He still has blocked tear ducts, but a really nice pediatrician in North Carolina showed me a better way to care for them and I'm hoping they'll clear up on their own in the next month or so.

He's really into feeling things now, different textures, and making noise with his fingers by scratching on things.

Back to how sweet and easy this little guy is... it is so easy to get him to laugh even when he is crying. He's a sucker for baby talk and big smiles, silly songs and exaggerated motions.

What a love love love! He's been an angel with our big move and has thoroughly enjoyed all the extra love and attention here in North Carolina with Grandma and Grandpa. Here are a few more 5th month tidbits mixed in with some pictures:

Liam really likes to ride in his baby Bjorn and ergo carriers. It's definitely one of his favorite past times now. He's no longer content to ride facing inward when he's awake, he wants to see and be in on all the action... kicking to show his enthusiasm in what ever exciting adventure his big brother is taking us on.

Liam is absolutely not content to sit back anymore. He tries to sit up even from a flat on his back position, but he's especially motivated when he's in his car seat. I have to gently push him back and hold him down just to get him buckled in. It looks like I'm torturing him, but I have to make sure he's buckled in safely :)

We're all amazed at how long he will sit up like this. Ben gives us updates from the back seat when we're driving.

And he loves to chew on his car seat safety strap... it's even gotten caught on his lip a few times, but that doesn't stop him from trying it again right after I free him.

I just LOVE baby feet! And of course his are the most precious EVER! And he's just as enamored with them now.

He is totally aware of his brother and loves all the loving he gets. He is quicker to respond to Ben's affection and Ben loves that!

Liam trying to use his Jedi Mind Tricks to move the toy closer to him.

He easily takes things we offer him now...

and immediately gives them a once over with his gums.

"That toy was nice... but wait! Where did my toes go?"

"What are those ridiculous things?"

"I love a challenge!"

"Ah ha! Got you!"

"See that mom? One down and one to go."

"Come here you!"

"Cheeky little bugger, but I'll get him."

I love his "this is serious work" expressions!

He'll roll and twist all around to get to toys now and really enjoys making noise with those that rattle and jingle.

It's soooooo funny to kick out of my clothes while mommy's trying to dress me!

Mellow post bath baby ready for his lotion and baby massage.

All diapered up and reminding my big brother how much fun it is to grab his toes too.

Mommy just had to get a chewing on my toes photo for the baby book.

What an absolute joy it is being your mommy! I don't think another baby has ever been so loved and adored by his mommy, daddy and especially his big brother! We love you "L", "Lee Lee", "Leester"!