Jonathan is 5 months old!

Poor Jonathan, I'm rarely sharing many of his adventures and milestones. So lets play catch up.

When Jonathan was 4 months old, he was 17lb, 1oz! Thats the 82nd percentile. So as big as he is, he's got nothing on Nathan. Nathan was almost 20lb and in the 100th percentile! And my arms aren't complaining!!

Jonathan is in the 75th percentile for height, at almost 26'' long. He's getting close to outgrowing his infant car seat.

He wears a size 9-12 month, still. It's nice! He was wearing 9-12 months at Christmas time, too. Though some 9month PJs no longer fit - he has the long torso all his siblings have. And shorter legs - he still fits 6month pants.

He's still a smiley, happy baby! He's been sleeping through the night for a few months (usually 9pm-8am). Though he's not the greatest of nappers... One day last week, while his sisters napped and he was just too darn happy to nap, he and I played a silly game and took some photos. hehe

Hopefully you can tell, his eyes are still bright blue with no signs that might change. Yay! - we might have finally gotten a blue eye'd babe to take after his daddy & grampa! And, although I'm sure he's teething, there are no signs of a tooth yet.

He's trying to sit up, he prefers to see what's going on around him. That's lead to him rolling out of his bouncy seat and even falling out of his swing once (which we no longer use - for that reason). But he cannot yet sit up on his own.

Jonathan doesn't roll from his tummy to his back yet, either. I blame me. I rarely give him tummy time because he hates it and I have too much going on to help find ways to get him to enjoy it. BUT he CAN roll from his back to his belly - go figure! He's been trying for weeks. But that silly arm just gets in the way. This morning, in the nursery, he figured it out! And I was serving there, so I got to help cheer him on!  He decided he likes to be on his belly - when he puts himself there. haha

Just after he rolled back-belly for the first time - in the church nursery.

Jonathan has discovered his hands and feet. For the last few weeks, his toys have become his favorite toy to suck on. And his hands will grab anything he can reach. Faith has learned this the hard way - baby's like hair ;)

He wants to grab whatever is near him

He's already learning to annoy his sisters!

And he's met a little girl friend, too! Trying to hold her hand during our Life Group meeting ;)

Jonathan has begun tasting "real food," if you can call rice cereal that. I've slowly been stocking the freezer with baby food as produce is on sale. Here's photos of his first taste of "food."

He absolutely adores his daddy. And second best is his big brother, Nathan.

But when he's ready for bed at night, no one will do quite like daddy! In fact, he doesn't go to sleep nearly as easily for me when Jacob is traveling. Jonathan just loves his Daddy, and the hypnotizing images from Daddy's Bonanza shows ;)

Yup, he's still swaddled. He doesn't go to sleep well without that swaddle blanket! But he doesn't stay asleep if he's swaddled... so it's a delicate task of loosening the velcro once he's asleep, to give him freedom without waking him ;)  He sucks on his fingers while he sleeps. So if he's startled by something, he finds his fingers and soothes himself right back to sleep. We are blessed!

The other evening he had far too many giggles to go to sleep. He's usally quite talkative/babbly in the evenings, but for once I caught some of it on video. Enjoy the short video:

Jonathan is growing up quickly! It's only been 5 months and I already can't remember life without him!

He loves his Mommy, too. Even if I am 2nd to Daddy

Ruth's 3rd Birthday Party

Yesterday we celebrated Ruth's birthday, finally. Sweet Ruth has the honor of being born during the Christmas season, so we opted to observe her birthday later, and spread the fun & gifts a bit ;)

Ruth loves Minnie Mouse, dressing up, playing house, and all things girly. So why not have a Minnie Mouse Tea Party?! I'm not sure Ruth has ever had more fun in her life! She loved being the center of attention, and said the best part of the party was her best friends all came.

Here's some photo highlights from her special day.

Mommy made Minnie hair clips for favors. Ruth decided to try them on and give herself pig tails. I was busy preparing for the party when I noticed her and had to smile!

While the kids napped, we decorated. 

Ruth was thrilled to see it when she woke!

We asked friends to wear a princess dress, but had plenty on hand in case they were needed for wardrobe changes ;)

I always forget to take a photo of the table before half the food disappears :)  Fruits, veggies, pizza, tea sandwiches and sweets galore.

Ruth wanted cupcakes AND a cake.

Strawberry cake. With a purple swirl in the middle.

Did I mention she's a girly girl? :)

Thank goodness for pinterest for all the ideas!

Once Ruth's friends arrived, they we're like magnets to the deck. Ruth got on her dress and said, "Look friends, I'm a princess!" I love how they're all so genuinely happy with each other!

We made edible tea cups, too. They were a hit!

Ruth helped make some treats before her party, like the dipped marshmallows.

While the little kids played, the big kids painted

And we all played "Pin the Ring on Minnie"

It took two turns for Ruth to get the hang of it ;)

But one friend was a little too good. hehehehe 

Haven't we all cheated at similar games when we were little? :)

Presents! She got some dressup shows and Minnie ears, and some puzzles.

She loved it, but I think she just REALLY loved having her friends there even more.

Faith wanted in a photo. And Ruthie posed with mommy once, too.

Happy birthday, Ruthie!

After her friends had left, the pizza was gone, and toys were cleaned up, Ruthie was still outside continuing her tea party alone. She didn't want it to end!

Yes, she's spooning kool-aid out of her big cup, into her play cup, and then drinking it.

It reminds me: when we were planning her party she said, "We have tea party? with cups?! and spoons?!" Who knew spoons were so important to 3 year olds :)

Here's some other cuties that made it to the party but didn't get in any photos! THANK YOU, Jacob, for all you did to help make Ruth's party a success. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY (again), Ruthie Bear!