The Mikels' Chronicals: 5 Months and counting

Written June 4th-

Yes. It is actually here. Aspen is officially a 5-month-old. Hard to believe. And sad that I always feel like I am continually saying it goes too fast. But, it truly does. And, it is sad. I'm sad. I'm sad that he grows before my eyes EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. And will continue to forever. Aspen as a "baby" is already a distant memory. I can't even close my eyes and picture what he looked like with all his hair. I can't even remember the nights when we first brought him home and were awake every few hours. I can't even remember when he started following moving objects. It all has "just happened". I'm beyond thankful that I have chosen to stay off work for an extended period of time to be able and cherish my time with him. But, I also can't believe how many new things he learns day in and day out. Like, just two days ago, he started taking steps! Yes, I said it correctly. He is already taking steps. I mean, where in the world did that come from? Shouldn't he be able to sit unassisted by himself (but, oh, we are sooo close), crawl, eat solid food, all before he is able to understand even how to take steps? I wish I could just have a living document of his every day moves, but we all know, we are far too busy to even reflect and look back on it all. In the mean time, I want to recap what Aspen has been doing in the past month. At least from what I can remember!
-Growing more hair. Dada still won't let me cut the small patch on the top of his head or his rat tail, so it all looks kind of goofy if you ask me. But, I guess you could say it builds character, right?
-We have opted to no longer use the swaddle as his Houidini moves were become increasingly popular in the night. Now, we will find him 180 degrees from the way we laid him, or even 90 degrees, and most typically laying on his stomach. He LOVES to sleep on his stomach. And, sometimes even with his feet or hands threw the posts.
-Rolling like he is the Champion of any 5 month old who knows how to roll. He would definitely win and hill rolling contest he entered. He is also improving his roll on his weak side. Also, he has totally mastered rolling from his belly to his back. He struggled with it for the longest time, but now has the whole system down pat.
-He absolutely LOVES when Ted comes home from work. We'll typically be sitting in the living room, but when he hears Ted walk in the door and the sound of his voice, he is all ears until he can make eye contact with his Dada. It's automatic smiles from ear to ear, with his dimple exposing itself in the cutest fashion. I can never get enough of this moment as it melts my heart.
-Aspen can not get enough of going on walks/runs/jogs with either me, alone in the morning, or as a family in the evening. I've typically been walking 4-5 miles in the morning and Aspen enjoys chilling in the jogging stroller and napping through part of our walk. We jam out to Pandora and call it a great morning anytime we are able to hit the trails.
-We have now gone camping twice, but both times ended up in Aspen catching a cold and or rain, raining us out. We are trying again Father's Day Weekend over with Grandpa and Grandma Swanson in Gladbrook. We can't wait!
-We have unsuccessfully attempted rice cereal and each time we laugh and laugh and laugh at his unfortunate reaction. I'm certain I would give the same expression if I were him though. We'll try again in a few days, but mix in some apples with it.
From what I can recall these are just a few of the major events in the last month. We can't wait to see what this next month brings!

The pics below were taken a day before his five month Birthday.