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 |
