My 5 month/ 12 month baby boy

Today Cooper is officially 5 months old! I can't believe it. I feel like it was just yesterday that he was born and yet I don't remember him ever being a tiny little baby. Maybe that's because he never really was a tiny baby. In comparison, Ellie weighed 20 pounds even at her 12 month check up and was 30.5 inches tall.

I know I've been a real slacker at charting his milestones on the blog, but my plan is to update with the months in-between later. For now, here is what Cooper is up to:

**I will warn you that this will seem like a brag session and it probably is, but I'm trying to write everything down here so I remember later. You don't have to read it all. I love to look back and remember what Ellie was like as a baby and I don't want to forget about Cooper too.**

Height: 27.25 in.
Weight: 20.5 lbs
Eating: He has been eating rice cereal and oatmeal once a day for about a month. Our pediatrician says he can start on fruits and veggies this month. He has milk about 5-6 times a day and when we feed him in bottle form it is 5 ounces each time. Coop gets really angry when you eat in front of him and can't share. He's had some very small pieces of bread, sucks of otter pop and some of Ellie's sucker once. We try not to feed him what we eat, but he just gets so mad and attempts to get your food in his mouth any way he knows how.

Sleeping: Cooper has been sleeping through the night (this week). He goes to bed around 9:00 and for the last few days, except last night, doesn't wake up until 6:30/7:30 a.m. or so. He has been an all around better sleeper than Ellie so far. I am especially grateful for that when I get home from work in the wee hours of the morning. He likes to have noise going when he falls asleep. Right now he is sleeping in his crib in our bedroom. I think he is comforted by Weston's snoring. There have been many times when he's over-tired that he falls asleep to the vacuum. He also likes to have a burp rag by his face or one of my shirts. I must smell amazing to him. He generally stays awake for two hours at a time and then goes down for a nap. We haven't been able to swaddle him with his arms tucked in for about a month.

Clothes/Diaper Size: Our big man is in size 3 diapers and even those can feel snug at times. He has just gotten into size 12 month clothes! The funny thing is that if he were to wear just a onesie, he could probably fit in 9 month, but his thighs are just too huge to fit in the pants. Some of his 12 month jammies are snug when zipping up his leg. We've spent a small fortune buying clothes for him because I bought things on clearance that I thought would fit him during the winter months. Yeah right! I had bought a bunch of summer stuff for 12 months so we've been to Carter's a lot in the past 5 months.

Toys: He really loves his jumper. We also just got him an Exersaucer because he likes to be standing to play, but our backs, shoulders, and arms just can't take it. We also got it because we can't keep him from rolling and spitting up all over the place. He starting rolling over from stomach to back at the beginning of August (just about 3 months) and then all the way around four months. He likes to roll from his back to stomach the very most so he stays on his tummy and cries. I think he sometimes forgets he can get back to his back. He really loves to play with his feet and I love watching him grab both of his feet and start into a roll. There's no way he can get his toes into his mouth without assistance though- too much tummy in the way. I think if he were a little slimmer, he would be rolling around the room. He sits assisted and can stay up for a second or two until he falls over. We would put him in the Bumbo more often if his thighs would fit. I'm not kidding. He's too fat for the Bumbo sitter, but Ellie can fit in it.

Cooper's language skills are advanced- :) just kidding. When he complains it sounds like he's saying 'ma ma' but I'm pretty sure he's not doing it on purpose. He knows who Ellie, Daddy, and Mommy are and will look at each person when you ask where they are. He especially loves his big sister. When he's fussing, she will sing to him and he quiets right up. He smiles at her every time he sees her. She loves to hold him on the couch and watch Mickey Mouse with him.

Cooper is a very happy boy. It is so fun to see him learn and grow. We love that he and Ellie get along so well so far and hope they will be best friends forever.