Five Months Old: The Stats, Minus Any Actual Statistics, As Milo Is Not Due For A Check-Up Just Yet

At five months, Milo amazes me on a daily basis. He is learning so much so quickly.

At five months, Milo loves to reach out and grab things. Our plates and cups, my hair, and Andrew's glasses are particular favorites.

At five months, Milo slobbers and slobbers and drools and slobbers some more. It no longer matters what cute outfit he is wearing, because it just gets covered up by a bib. A bib that will get chewed on and drooled on.

At five months, Milo still has no teeth.

At five months, Milo can roll over quite handily. Front to back and back to front. If you lay him down on his back, it's usually a matter of seconds before he rolls over to his belly.

At five months, Milo scoots all over. He'll roll this way, then inch forward, then roll another way, then maybe push himself backward—and before we know it, he's in a completely different place from where we set him down. (Like a few feet over—he's not going to get away from us anytime soon.)

At five months, Milo can push himself up to his hands and knees, and he can even get his head off the ground. If he could figure out how to move his legs and crawl in this position, we'll all be in trouble.

At five months, Milo likes to stand and doesn't need a lot of support. We can hold on to his hips and he can balance for quite awhile. He can also stand while holding on to something else, but he tends to wobble and fall over.

At five months, Milo can sit unsupported for brief moments. Longer if he's in the tripod pose where his hands support his weight as he leans forward. He's not quite sitting up alone, though.

At five months, Milo is ticklish on his belly.

At five months, Milo likes to grab his feet, especially during diaper changes. We have to force his legs down in order to get his diaper on.

At five months, Milo is not a great napper. We have just implemented a new napping regiment, wherein we lay Milo down in his crib when he is sleepy and it is the appropriate time for a nap, and we basically keep him there until he sleeps. This involves me listening to lots and lots of crying over the baby monitor. I check on him every 5-10 minutes if he's crying and assure him that he's okay, but I don't pick him up. I'm glad we're starting this—sometimes when I go in to check on him, he just smiles at me, but as soon as I leave, he cries again. I swear, that boy has been playing me like a fiddle.

At five months, I have learned that I hate sleep training. (Almost as much as I hate the term "sleep training.")

At five months, Milo loves baths, especially when the water is poured over his belly and chest and trickles down his neck.

At five months, Milo has learned how to bang on things. He takes his rattle toy and bangs it back and forth between the armrests of his high chair.

At five months, Milo sits in a high chair while we eat dinner.

At five months, Milo loves Sophie the Giraffe. She is probably his most favorite toy.

At five months, Milo is generally easy-going and likes meeting new people. He'll make you work for it, but he might give you a smile even if he's never seen you before.

At five months, Milo goes to bed around 7:30 and gets up once a night for feeding, typically between 3:30 and 5:00. We're hoping to wean him of this middle-of-the-night feeding soon, though I really have no idea how. The books I got from the library have not been very helpful thus far.

At five months, Milo loves his bouncer/exersaucer/jumperoo/toy of many names.

At five months, Milo generally enjoys books and stays calm when we read to him.

At five months, Milo loves to chew on board books.

At five months, Milo does not like chewing on those teethers you put in the refrigerator.

At five months, Milo thinks it's hilarious when Mommy and Daddy dance for him.

At five months, I still feel awkward dancing around the house, even if Milo is the only one watching. I know this is ridiculous. Don't judge me.

At five months, I'm so excited for Milo to be sitting up and being more independent, but I miss my tiny baby.

At five months, I'm starting to think about how hard it will be to go back to work and leave him. His smiles make me so happy—what will I do when I need a boost like that when I'm at work? I am going to miss him like crazy. And only four weeks to go. But let's not talk about that. I'm going to sit over here in denialville and pretend it isn't going to happen.