Five Fabulous Months with Miller

As I sit here and reflect on the last five months of my life, I can't help but smile. Through all of the sleepless nights, worrisome moments, and overwhelming days, I can say I am a better person. Miller has not only brought so much joy to our lives, but he has also taught me some valuable lessons. One in particular is quality over quantity. I may not have all of the time in the world to be the best mom, teacher, wife, daughter, granddaughter, sister, and friend. However, the time I do get with the people I love and care about is not taken for granted. I cherish and relish in the small moments. Those days when a simple smile from Miller or a "I love you Mommy," from Miles make the days when I feel like I'm going to pull my hair out not as bad.

With that said, our little guy is now 5 months old. He is growing by the minute, it seems. Every time I see him, I notice something different.

 

Miller now weighs 20 lbs and is 25 inches tall. I was looking back at Miles' pictures and Miles weighed 18.5 lbs when he was 5 months old. We definitely have a ham on our hands!

This month's milestones:

• I am now eating rice cereal and baby food. So far, I
  like peas and sweet potatoes best. 
• I am still taking 6-8 ounces of formula several times a day.
• I have rolled over from back to tummy a few times, but I do it when Mommy and Daddy don't have their cameras out :) !
• I am still not sleeping through the night.
• I am wearing 9 month clothes.
• I am talkative, especially in the morning.
• I love watching my big brother Miles.
• I hate when my diaper is dirty.
• I love sitting in my activity seat and swinging in my swing.
• I like to sleep when I ride in cars for a long time.
• I smile when I see someone I know.
• I giggle when people tickle my belly and neck.
• I am very chilled out, and go with the flow of life.
• I still have eczema, but it is slowly getting better.
• I am obsessed with my feet.
• I am grabbing for toys and holding on to them.
• I have 1 tooth and close to having my second one.
• I have to be buckled into seats because I try to get out of them.
• I am constantly moving.

 

Miller's new thing is sticking his tongue out. I think it's because he is getting two teeth and it feels weird to him.

The many sleeping poses of Miller.

Miller's face when he sees Mickey Mouse on the tv.

I almost got him on camera as he tried to roll over.

Miller enjoys swinging in his swing, even though he is almost too big for it. He is so heavy now that the swing barely moves.

Big and little brother time

                                     

Miller vs. Miles at 5 months. 

Happy Four Months to Miller

Miller is four months old, as of December 23. Now, he is almost five months old...oops, Mommy fail!

He went for his 4 month checkup right before Christmas. Dr. Blake said he is growing and looking healthy. He weighed 17.13 pounds and was around 26" long. He is now in the 75% for weight and height. I think he didn't measure very big b/c he got a bad cold around his 4 month birthday and didn't eat much. Dr. Blake didn't seem concerned about his eczema and told us to keep putting on lotions and giving minimal baths.

                 

The scab above his eye is his first battle wound. Matt and Miles were having a snowball fight with socks. Miller was near Matt and when Matt reared back to throw a sock at Miles, he accidentally scratched Miller with his fingernail. Miller didn't even cry. He did bleed a little, though. 

Some of this month's milestones:

• I am teething. I think I'll get a tooth pretty soon. I've been working hard!
• I am eating 8 oz of formula at night before I go to sleep.
• I am sleeping in the pack and play now. 

• I am no longer sleeping through the night, like last month. I've been sick with a cold and I am cutting teeth.
• I am holding on to things, especially blankets and Mommy's scarves.
• I can sit in my activity seat.
• I am holding up my head really well.
• I am laughing out loud, especially when someone tickles my ribs.
• I love to watch my brother, Miles.
• I like it when people talk to me and I respond to them in my own language.
• I still love watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. That little mouse makes me smile!
• I am taking baths in the big tub with my brother. I sit in my bumbo seat.
• I am recognizing familiar faces and voices.
• I love to smile.
• I chew on anything I can get my hands on.
• I still have eczema.
• I got my first cold this past month.
• I love to look around at things.
• I hate whenever I'm riding in the car, and Mommy or Daddy stop.
• I like to lean forward, so I can see my toes and feet.
• I still HATE tummy time.

This is an after picture....I wish I had taken a before picture. Prior to this position, he was facing the opposite direction with his feet at the piano part of the activity mat. This is proof that he is going to be an active fellow.

Uncle Trey is Official

On December 13, Uncle Trey was inducted as an officer of the local Mason Lodge. He has been active in the local lodge for a while now and we are so proud of him for becoming an officer.

Miles, Matt, Kina Kina, Mimi, Papa, and Pops all went to his ceremony.

Congrats to Uncle Trey!!! Here are some pictures from his big day.

What a cute couple they are!

Matt and Uncle Trey

Pops and Uncle Trey

Miles and Uncle Trey

Mimi, Uncle Trey and Papa

Happy Birthday to Daddy and Mommy!

If you have been one of my blog followers for a while, then, you will probably know that Matt and I have birthdays within a day of each other. It is fun to celebrate together, and this year was no different.

We spent Matt's birthday celebrating with family. I cooked him dinner (his favorite-spaghetti and sour cream pound cake). Miles helped him blow out the candles....

Saturday, which was my birthday, Mom, Fairy, Miles, Miller, and I came to CCHS to a breakfast with santa. The boys got to sit in Santa's lap for the first time this holiday season.

Miles and Fairy stopped for a pic while waiting in line to see Santa.

Merry Christmas from the Cleek boys!

After that, we went to my favorite place to eat, HRH Dumplins.

That night we hosted a Tacky Christmas Sweater Birthday Party. Before the party, though, my brother Brandon surprised me with showing up for my party! I was thrilled to have him there.

We had the best time and are so thankful to those who dressed up to come celebrate with us. Here are a few snaps from the party:

Trey and Kina Kina

Erica, Kevin, and Baby Cami (in her mommy's belly)

Hidee and Fairy (we were thrilled Fairy got to celebrate with us all the way from TX)

Nan Nan and Uncle Joe

Papa and Uncle Brandon (the two pilots)

Papaw and Meemaw

Todd and Gigi

Lauren and Ryan

Lauren, April and I

Alex and Magen

Matt and I

I have the COOLEST, most dedicated grandparents on the earth!!

Love my Julie!

Mimi and her girls

Papa and Mimi--thanks for hosting the party!

Trey won tackiest sweater for the guys--it was all Kina Kina's idea and expertise on his sweater!

I won tackiest for the girls.

Aren't we just so tacky?

After the voting and eating, we played a little Christmas trivia.

The guys LOST!

Making a wish...and thankful for another year!

On Sunday, the whole gang--Hidee, JoPa, Uncle Joe, Nan-Nan, Uncle Brandon, Meemaw, Papaw, Fairy, Mimi, Papa, Uncle Trey, Kina Kina, Meemaw Cleek, and Pops--went to NUMC to see Miller get baptized. It was perfect and we were thankful to have all of the support from our family!

Miller wore the same gown as Miles, Uncle Brandon, Uncle Joe, Cica, and I did. 

The entire bunch

After the ceremony, we went to Say Grace for lunch.

That night....we were beat, but had a little energy left to play cars with Miles.

It was the perfect birthday weekend. We loved every minute of it!!