Five.

Dear Jack,

5 months old already? Good grief! You are like a completely different baby now! You suddenly seem so old to us - a newborn no more! That's probably because you're doing so many Big Boy things now! Most notably, you're eating solid food. We introduced you to baby oatmeal this month, and it was love at first bite. It didn't take more than 2 or 3 attempts for you to completely get the hang of moving the food to the back of your mouth. And you gobble it up fast! While it has significantly helped your digestive system, it hasn't improved your sleep yet. Full belly or not, you're still waking a couple times a night. You're taking fewer naps, down to about 2-3 short naps and 1 longer nap a day. You bring everything you can get your hands on to your mouth. Though none have popped through yet, you are definitely teething - so much drool! Here's what is peaking your interests this month:

Favorites
Mirrors - You just love to look at that beautiful face of yours in a mirror. Though we're pretty certain you have no clue that the boy looking back at you is actually you, you appreciate his smiling face. You also love it when Mommy or Daddy is smiling at you in the mirror, too (and you don't seem to be jealous that we're holding another baby!)
Your Pacifiers - You are still a pappy addict! You are instantly soothed by a pacifier, which is an awesome tool for us to have in our arsenal. Sometimes, all it takes is a pappy and a snuggle with Mommy to get you to sleep within seconds. You've started playing with it now, too, grabbing it with your hands and chewing on the hard plastic. You can fall asleep without it if you're tired enough (unlike your siblings - they never could), but you are certainly comforted by it most of the time!
Splashing - You're just now starting to enjoy bath time. You splash around like crazy with the most serious face, like you're trying to understand what exactly is going on. You splash so much that the entire kitchen is soaked by the time we're done. Because of this, and the fact that you've grown so big, you took your last kitchen sink bath this week! On to the little blue bathtub now!
The Wheels on the Bus - This is definitely your favorite song. Mommy sings it over and over again, all day long. You often fall asleep to "The people on the bus go bumpety-bump..."
Technology - You are already fascinated with technology! If a remote control or cell phone is nearby, your eyes lock onto it and you start reaching for it. You must have it! We know it's only a matter of time before we have to start hiding them from you.

Not-so-favorites
Strangers - Oh boy, stranger danger is in full effect! If you aren't in a really happy mood, you want nothing to do with strangers talking to you! Outside of Mommy, Daddy, and a few token family members, you are already very uncertain of others and make it known when they get near.
Getting into your car seat - You do not like being buckled into your car seat one bit! About 75% of the time, you start to cry when we set you in there. You're so smart that you just know it means you won't be held for a while. That being said, about 90% of the time, you're completely calm by the time we snap your seat into the car and remain that way wherever we're going. You stare at your sister in the back seat, gaze out the window, and play with the toys dangling from your car seat.  

Another huge milestone you've hit this month is sitting up unassisted. You can sit up without toppling over for a minute or two if you have something to play with. This has opened up a whole new world to you. We brought up some of the baby toys from the basement, like the stacking rings, for you to play with now that you're upright. If your toys get out of reach, you stretch so far forward to get them. You're also rolling both ways constantly and even starting to scoot yourself backwards a little bit. You're just such a busy little man now!

Jack-Jack, we just love you to pieces. Your smile is the absolute best; it makes even the hardest days melt into blissful ones. You are such a perfect little boy and we just love to watch you grow!

Love,
Mommy & Daddy