This picture basically sums up life for Milo Chap at this point: constantly being squished in aggressive and enthusiastic brotherly love. And for the most part it doesn't phase him one bit. Oliver has captured his attention. And there is nothing Oliver loves more than Milo's attention. Which means for the first time since Milo's birth, he's in real danger.

I kid.

But also: No, really.

We don't leave them alone together in a room anymore.

We have hit the 5 month mark of life with this little guy, and although Matt and I are hurting for sleep, we can't hold a grudge when we see this little face grinning at us at 5 am. Or 2 am. Or 12:30 am.

This boy loves being outside, he loves fans, he loves anything he can grip and bring to his mouth. He shows no partiality. His fingers, our fingers, our guests' fingers. He is alert and playing with toys now, and has no patience for toys that won't fit as far into his mouth as he would like. But far and away, his favorite is someone getting within a few inches of his face and talking animatedly to him. The eye crinkles that light up this face are unbelievable. The grins. The giggles. The head cocked to the right in sheer joy.

He has zero tolerance for hunger. And his cry is fierce. Also, there is no tolerance for being put for a rest when he is not tired. Or would like not to be tired.

Milo continues to work through tummy issues. He seems to have developed a sensitivity to something in my diet, which means we did an overhaul this month. Which also means I can wear my pre-pregnancy skinny jeans for the first time in a year.

He's eating every three to four hours during the day, and I'm pumping three to four ounces at a time. He is ready for bed by 7:45pm and dream feeds at 10pm. We've tried skipping this feed, and it hasn't gone well. On a good night he wakes at 2:30am and 5:30 am to nurse. But ask me how often a good night happens. He's typically ready to be up for the day between 5am and 6am. Which means he and Matt get some good time together in the mornings. God bless my sweet husband who takes the early shift without complaining.

One thing I've been struck by is the difference in muscle tone between our boys. Even as babies. Oliver was always a squishy, floppy boy, who melted into your arms as soon as you picked him up. Milo could not be more different. He is all muscle, and holds himself stiffly when you pick him up, back straight, neck held high, firm grasp on my shirt.

All in all, I feel like this month has surprised us with how much we can do on such little amounts of sleep. We are capable of far more than we realized when we don't have options.

Also, I feel like this month has been, shall we say, an "opportunity" to work on some character building. And by that I mean, as some of the finer comforts in life (i.e. cheese, chocolate, ice-cream, milk, all the gluten in the world, and sleep) were not so gently stripped away, my bad attitude was put on display for my poor family. Seriously. I had no idea how precious and very dear to my soul is cheese.

And that is where I find myself.

A lack of cheese has pretty much brought me to my knees.

Apparently, I am very fragile.

Philipeans 2 is rining loudly in my ears.

Look out not only for your own interests, but also the interests of others, Soul.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, Soul.

Do everything without complaining or grumbling, Soul.

And we'll leave it at that.

Happy five month birthday, little buddy.

Milo Chap, Month 5