Things I love, 4 months.

The last month (April and some of May), Aj is more aware of his surroundings. He's Laughing a lot! He has started to baby babble (he talks to himself, and it's by far the CUTEST!). He figured out he has feet, and his hands are in his mouth, 24/7.
He's actually starting to watch television (Ugh, i was one of those Moms that said "my baby is never going to watch Tv"...but NOW look at me!).
He is still not sitting up on his own, but tripods...and he's still not rolling over on his own-but almostttt...(i keep thinking something is wrong with him that he's not doing it yet, but i've come to the conclusion, he will-when he's ready). We've started him on solids...cereal, and more recently some veggies/fruits...and to top it all off, he's started teething. The past month in a half is by far the most he's done his entire life. He used to just *sit/lay* there...and not move...and cry a whole lot...Now, he's actually, a baby. He's smiling, he's responding to me, and when he cries, i usually know what's wrong-either he's hungry, tired, or bored (sometimes, maybe all 3). He has different cries, and he's starting to whine a little-not necessarily crying but more of a whine.
The past month, i have a few things that have helped me...and a few that didn't so much.

Aj is usually really good in the car. As long as he is fed, and not in any sort of teething pain-he usually enjoys a nice car ride (sometimes he actually ends up falling asleep-which is always A PLUS!). I always put his toys in with him-and i can see him with my rearview baby mirror, looking out the window---or *Pulling* (This is another NEW thing he does this month) his Bright Starts Blue bird. I got mine at walmart for a few bucks, but it has been a great addition to his car seat---and no matter how many times he sees this thing- even when he's upset, all you have to do is pull the string-and he's instantly over it-and starts playing/pulling.
It vibrates when you pull, and the first time he ever grabbed on to it, i almost cried. It was really cute to see him actually do something---that wasn't just cry or spit up!
I give this (or any other car seat toy), 2 thumbs up!

Another toy that he actually really likes is his Bright Starts Lots of Links. These are the cheapest toys i've ever seen, and there is nothing really fancy about them---other than bright colors and linking together. You can also dangle them from the car seat, or just give to them to play. I usually do both.  Babies love bright colors!! I really like putting him in the high chair, and i put them on the tray and i watch him grab them and play, put them in his mouth. Lots of them have some little points, rough edges- which must feel nice since he's theething. Again, these are super *cheap* toys---and he absolutely loves them. You can find them at Target or Walmart, or even on amazon. I'd rather go to the store though, so you don't have to pay for shipping...but again, these things are 5 stars in my book. You can link them together and make a really long chain, or let him hold on to one...keeps the kid busy for about 15 minutes...which is amazing!





I've been using this for a few months now---it was a hand me down from my SIL...but i absolutely love it! It's the Fisher-Price My little Lamb Deluxe Infant SeatFisher-Price My Little Lamb Deluxe Infant Seat . I usually put this on the bathroom floor while i shower...or on the floor when i'm cooking dinner/cleaning the dishes etc. It folds completely flat, so that it travels nice for trips to grandma's or the baby sitter. I know this doesn't really help with learning to sit up, but i prefer this to the bumbo. Not that i don' t like the bumbo, but since Aj has a spit up problem (he spits up all the time)i'd rather not put pressure on his tummy---he is able to just lay back. In the bumbo he always spits up since he's sitting up....and putting pressure on his stomach.  Love this chair, even when feeding him cereal---it's not as hard as the high chair-but has a nice slant. I'm going to be a sad mommy when he grows out of this =(

Aj is on a schedule (he has been since he's 4 weeks old). We (depends on who's day it is) bathe him, give him his nightly massage, put him in his Pj's, and i nurse him while i read to him. Every night for the past twenty something weeks, i've been reading this book to him (On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman)

And EVERY.SINGLE.NIGHT. I cry. No joke, I literally shed tears, every single night.

The first page just gets to me Every time. 

"On the night you were born, the moon smiled with such wonder that the stars peeked in to see you and the night wind whispered, "life will never be the same."  Because there had never been anyone like you...ever in the world."

SOB
SOB

SOB!

Omg, i'm about to start crying now!!

I was given this as a shower gift from a friend---and she wrote something inside with permanent marker---and i read it everyday! I love this book, and whoever is having a baby next---i'm GOING to give this to you!! Love, LOVE, L O V E it.

And i guess, this should be a post all by itself...since i kinda love this, and i'm a copy cat (bc if any of you are bloggers/blog readers, you've definitely seen this): Monthly Baby Onesie stickers ! Ok, i first saw this on YHL and i loved it. BUT, i didn't have photoshop...nor did i have the time to sit on a computer to actually edit pics...so this made life a little easier. They are great since they don't get messed up with drool/vomit-which Aj seems to do pretty often...and i guess, it's a *knock off* of the YHL version...just easier. All you do is, peel-stick on a white onesie, and you're done...take pics and --TA-DAH!...

Easy peasy.

Anywhos, those are some things i've been using the past few weeks/month---how about you guys? Anything that you absolutely LOVE for babies between the ages of 3-5 months? Please share? How about things for 5-8? I need help!