Baby Milestones

This time around I wasn't as neurotic.  Been there.  Done that.  My attitude was "he hasn't turned over yet.  Whew.  Now, I can still put him down and go to the bathroom real fast without worrying".   LOL  But, thankfully he is hitting them as expected.  My baby is crawling!  Pulling himself up!  and sporting two bumps in his gums. 

It is bitter sweet to see my children grow into big little people.  Particularly, my youngest.  He may be my last of the little ones.  I will never experience this again, so it is even more treasured.   I don't know how to describe it but, this overwhelming feeling that swells your heart to the point of tears in your eyes and happiness on your lips.  

I wanted to do somethings differently this time around.  First kid it was a bit or trial and error, but this time I was going to master putting this baby to sleep on his own.  Ha!  Nope.  Oh I know the theory.  Recognize the cues.  i.e. rubbing eyes, yawn, sleepy eyes.  Put him in the bed sleepy, but not asleep.  That way he'll fall asleep on his own.  Nope!   Of course when I talk to some other moms who were more successful with the sleep routine, they had their little ones sleeping on their own and sleeping 6 hrs within the first month.  Ah well.  Third times the charm right?

There are tons of charts online.  This one shows charts from birth to age 3. 

So far we're on point for the first 6 months:

Child's Age	Mastered Skills (most kids can do)	Emerging Skills (half of kids can do)	Advanced Skills (a few kids can do)
1 month	Lifts head when lying on tummy Responds to sound Stares at faces	Follows objects briefly with eyes Vocalizes: oohs and aahs Can see black-and-white patterns	Smiles, laughs Holds head at 45-degree angle
2 months	Vocalizes: gurgles and coos Follows objects across field of vision Notices his hands Holds head up for short periods	Smiles, laughs Holds head at 45-degree angle Makes smoother movements	Holds head steady Can bear weight on legs Lifts head and shoulders when lying on tummy (mini-pushup)
3 months	Recognizes your face and scent Holds head steady Visually tracks moving objects	Squeals, gurgles, coos Blows bubbles Recognizes your voice Does mini-pushup	Rolls over, from tummy to back Turns toward loud sounds Can bring hands together, bats at toys
4 months	Smiles, laughs Can bear weight on legs Coos when you talk to him	Can grasp a toy Rolls over, from tummy to back	Imitates sounds: "baba," "dada" Cuts first tooth May be ready for solid foods
5 months	Distinguishes between bold colors Plays with his hands and feet	Recognizes own name Turns toward new sounds Rolls over in both directions	Sits momentarily without support Mouths objects Separation anxiety may begin
6 months	Turns toward sounds and voices Imitates sounds Rolls over in both directions	Is ready for solid foods Sits without support Mouths objects Passes objects from hand tohand	Lunges forward or starts crawling Jabbers or combines syllables Drags objects toward himself