month five

December 8-January 7

Here are some of Miller's greatest achievements this month:

-passes objects between hands (Dec. 20- 4 ½ mo.)
-squealing, small giggles
-increasingly curious about everything around him, especially puppies
-very squirmy, wants to move
-turns and looks for sounds (Dec. 25)
-reaches for toys, brings hands midline to grasp toy,
-pulls toys/objects towards mouth, still puts everything in mouth
-loves pulling pacifier out of mouth
-dropping toys on floor
-pulls knees under him when lying on stomach, first step towards crawling
-starting to recognize name, smiles when he hears his name (Dec. 25-noticed when his new toy, Scout, said his name)
-sits momentarily without support (Dec. 25)
-uses hands to push up when lying on stomach (mini-pushup)

Most of our pictures this month were from Christmas and can be seen in other posts, but here are a few "extra" pictures from month five.



Miller in his new outfit for church.

4 months old on the left and 1 week old on the right.

Miller still likes being swaddled, especially to sleep. Look how much bigger he looks! In fact, we can't even use the same blankets to swaddle him.

All smiles during tummy time. Doing a mini-pushup. He holds his head and chest up so well now.

What a happy boy! Practicing standing with daddy.

He still loves bath time! He kicks and splashes so much that we had to move him from the kitchen sink to the bath tub to keep him from soaking everything!

Daddy gave him a mohawk.

Fast asleep on daddy's shoulder with his beanie on and pacifier in his mouth.

Still loves the swing, although he is getting a little big for it.

Eating machine.

Getting so big sitting in his rocker.

Five months old! Where has the time gone?!?!

Grasping a toy while playing on his quilt from Aunt Sheryl!

Miller loves kicking!

His first attempt at crawling. He pulls his knees under but can't figure out how to move forward. I know I shouldn't be in a hurry for him to master this skill, so I will just cherish my time while he is immobile.

I didn't think it was possible to love Miller any more than I did on the day he was born, but I love him more and more each day! We are having such a great time together!

pat-january visit

Thursday, January 6

I LOVE our parent educator, Jessica. Not only does she have great ideas for games and Tulsa resources, but it is just fun to swap stories with a fellow mom. She and her husband have one son and another little boy due next month! I'm so excited for her, but unfortunately that means I won't get to see her again until April or May. In the meantime, we will have a substitute parent educator (who I'm sure will be wonderful as well).

At this visit, we talked about vision development and the importance of an appointment with an optometrist. This allows for early detection of any eye conditions and prevents the brain from developing around abnormalities. There is a program called InfantSEE where participating optometrists provide free eye exams for infants between 6 months and 1 year old.

We also made a homemade toy-a freezer bag filled with odds and ends from the house (ribbon, confetti, buttons, pennies, etc.), a little water and then taped shut. It can then be taped to a highchair or Bumbo tray. Babies love to press on the bag and watch the objects move in the water.

Miller with his new toy. Although, I had to keep a close eye on him because he kept trying to pull it off the tray.

Jessica also did a mini-developmental assessment and said that Miller is right on track. He is so interactive, smiling and "talking", has great head control, tracks objects, reaches for objects in front of him, puts everything in his mouth, turns and looks for noises, and makes lots of babbling sounds (especially high-pitched squealing).

miller's journey

happy new year!

December 31, 2010-January 1, 2011

Patricia, Ray, Merrick, Aaron, Becky, and Richard came to Bartlesville to celebrate New Year's Eve. We had a great time playing games and bringing in the new year!

Grandma Ruby, Grandpa Jack, and Brett joined us on New Year's Day for lunch.

Happy New Year from Miller!

I know 2011 will be even more wonderful than 2010 as we get to watch our little one grow!

christmas with the dicks

December 26-27

From Bartlesville we went to Ponca City to celebrate Christmas with Colby's family.
Miller and Grandpa Curtis.

Miller with Colby's Aunt Sherry. Colby's Aunt Sherry and Uncle Mark along with Great-Grandma Smith came over for lunch.

Mommy and Miller.

Books from Grandpa Curtis and Nana Debbie.

Present from Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Dick. Miller loved the bow!

Miller opening his present from Uncle Brian and Aunt Krystle. He got some cute clothes!

Miller's big present from Grandpa Curtis and Nana Debbie.

A jumper!

He loves it!

Our family in front of Colby's parent's Christmas tree! Merry Christmas!

christmas with the mcdaniels

Decmeber 24-25

We went to Bartlesville to stay with my parents for Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

Our family all dressed up for Christmas Eve church service.

All smiles in front of my parent's Christmas tree.

Miller's first Christmas present. He got to open one present on Christmas Eve.

A Christmas book. The Night Before Christmas

He was more interested in eating the wrapping paper.

After his bath, Grandpa Randy read him the book.

Christmas morning with Aunt Maddie and Grandma Paula.

His very first present on Christmas morning from Mommy and Daddy.

I think he liked it!

Grandpa helped Miller open a present.

Miller sitting so tall with a little support from Grandma Paula! He will sit for just a few seconds without support. Here he is with his new DVD player for the car from Great-Grandma Betty. He was crying on the way back to Tulsa from Ponca City, so we tried out his new DVD player and new Baby Einstein movies from Aunt Maddie and Aunt Mackenzie. It worked like a charm!

All of the presents wore him out! Quick nap with Great-Grandma Betty on Christmas morning. He is covered with his new owl quilt made by Great-Grandma Betty.

Recordable books from Great-Grandma Betty.

Playing his new drum with a little help from Daddy.

Excited to open his present from Santa Claus.

My pal Scout. He loved it! Look at that smile! Scout plugs into the computer and can be programmed with songs, favorite colors, favorite animals, and favorite foods specific to the child. It even says and spells Miller's name! So neat! I think Daddy liked it almost as much as Miller!

Miller with his big present from Grandma and Grandpa.

He thought the bow was pretty cool! And tasty too!

It was a new highchair!

Miller with most of his presents! I think we are missing a few that he was playing with. He is one loved little boy!

Ready for Christmas dinner.

The family dressed up for Christmas dinner.

We had so much fun on Miller's first Christmas and made lots of wonderful memories! I feel so blessed to have such an amazing family!