5 Months - Wow!

I can't believe how fast the time flies by - Sam turned 5 months on June 1st, it feels like it was just yesterday when he was a tiny little bundle who cuddled and slept most of the day. Now, every day brings something new in his life, it's just amazing!
Some new current fun things that he is enjoying include his exersaucer (thanks Heidi, for borrowing it to us!), he loves to make the spinning toys go and thinks he's a big boy when he's playing in it. He has the same saucer at daycare so I think he really enjoys it. He's also liking sitting in the bumbo and playing with his toys on the tray - he loves to be upright so he can really look around. Hands continue to be a favorite plaything, and just this past week he discovered that he can reach his toes with his hands - and now every time he's on his back, the feet are up to the hands, it's so cute!
Last weekend was our annual "girls' fishing trip" so Matt and Sam had their first overnight alone on Thursday night. Everyone did great and Sam loved getting the chance to spend a few hours on Thursday and Friday night with Grandpa and Grandma Erickson. I swear he grew three inches and five pounds from when I left on Thursday until I got back on Friday night! Saturday, Sam got the distinction of being the first male invited to the fishing trip, and he hammed it up big time smiling and flirting with all the ladies. He even got to spend a couple of hours with Aunt Barb, Maggie and Veronica while the rest of us went golfing.
A big milestone this week was trying our first solid food. Sam had his first cereal on Sunday and although he wasn't initially thrilled, a few pointers from Grandma Goble on Monday have helped and he's downing like a champ. Tonight he even smiled after almost every bite - I wish I had four hands so I could have snapped a photo of the cereal smiles, but we'll get them next time.
Stroller rides are a daily event and with the nice weather it's been a fabulous time to get out and walk - Sam loves looking around at everything, but usually falls asleep during our strolls.
The biggest change is that we're really missing Daddy this week since Matt is gone to Canada, and I'm sure he's missing us too. We can't wait until he gets home on Saturday!