Baby Blase

Dear Harrison,

You are five months old almost six months old now (I know I know – a few days is acceptable… but, almost a month late – my ticket to mommy-hell just got upgraded to first-class).

When you were about four weeks old a client/friend told us that he and his wife thought that five months was when it really got good with their kids. At the time I was pissed, FIVE MONTHS! I have to wait FOUR MORE MONTHS until you get good!? Obviously living with you had been getting easier, more fun, more rewarding each day, but, I have to agree with him – five months is AWESOME!

We moved back to Austin this month. Which meant more traveling via plane. I was much more calm this trip, despite not having my drivers license (Marc had absconded with it on his drive to Austin two days prior). Turns out, that if you have a baby with you it is pretty easy to break the rules. Without, really any form of ID, I was able to get on the plane with a slightly more invasive search. You were of course #1-perfect-baby the whole time – charming the pants off of everybody we came in contact with. Once I got through security I treated myself to an egg-bagel-sandwich and mimosa, while waiting to board. The three+ hour trip was without incident… if you disregard the EIGHT diapers I changed! I think you must have been saving all of that up just to test my patience. I am proud to admit that I passed your little experiment with flying colors thank you very much. When we got to Austin your pops and Granny were there to great us. Granny had driven back to Austin with your dad to help him stay awake and take over some of 36 hours of drive-time. Then she got to stay with us and help us get re-settled. Having her here and along for the drive was incredibly helpful – we were all very grateful. After she left we found tons of new toys and clothes in your room that soon became favorites… thanks Granny!

A few days after getting back to Austin you started day care. Elizabeth is your nanny, which you share with your new buddy Finn. Elizabeth is equal parts patient, wise and fun. And you and your BFF seem to really dig her. I had some mixed emotions about the whole thing, but, soon learned that the pros FAR out way the cons to having somebody else look after you while we work.

You LOVE to rollover and have become an expert speed-roller from back to stomach which has made diaper-changes an Olympic event that test our mental as well as physical strength. You still dig standing and can do so on your own with a little help from a piece of helpful furniture. Even if we keep you out late (which we’ve been guilty of in order to finish our fancy dinners out) as long as we hold you standing on our laps – you can hang with us for hours.

Your smile is ridiculous – your whole face lights up the dimples come out, your mouth is agape and your eyes twinkle… this smile must be earned though, you don’t hand them out willy nilly – which makes them that much more precious.

You pops and I love everything about you and are so grateful to have you in our lives.

Love, momma

Listening: Built To Spill