Happy New Year everyone! This past year FLEW by! In 2008 I welcomed my first son Adam. In 2009 I welcomed my second son David. What will 2010 have in store? Who knows. But, what I do know is that I feel EXTREMELY blessed and am thankful for my houseful of Dobbs boys and look forward to another year of milestones!

Wishing everyone a very blessed New Year.

Katie

I see it has been a while since my last update. I am growing tired of hearing about my Jul. 22 post. So here is an update!

I got a macbook pro. I started a nerdy blog to keep track of my freeBSD Notes As you can see I setup my FreeBSD box to act as a remote server for my TimeMachine backups. In normal speak that is I can automagically have my laptop backup all the cool videos and pictures wirelessly when I am home.

I started using iMovie to create the movies. That's why you see all the cool transistions.

We got an HD camcorder, returned it, and got a HD Flip mino. I was planning to keep our 640x480 cameras for now, but we liked the HD quality. So we got another flip.

I am planning for some nice upgrades to this site (with Adam), but have been busy working on my church website at http://www.divineshepherdlutheranchurch.org/ Save your keyboard and use the link! :-)

I haven't been playing Racquetball this season, since Dan, the guy that sets it up, never called me to let me know when it starts and who I am playing. I plan on signing up officially in a couple of weeks.

That's all for now. Look for updates in about 5 months!

MD

I have been paying particular attention to Mommy and Daddy and the Nanny's habits when it comes to child rearing. In doing so, I have found that they are neglecting an entire basketful of individuals in our living room. So, starting the other night I have found the need to pick up on their slack and start giving diaper changes to my friends Mickey, Pooh bear, Agu, Teddy, etc. Mommy helped me out with Mickey's diaper since him and I are the same size. I grab Mickey and put him up on the changing table. Then I take him down and give him a kiss. Then I put his head over my shoulder and pat his back (I see everyone do this to David often) and say "Shhh". Then I put Mickey in the baby walker and get him a bottle. A couple of hours later I start with the diaper change again.

This parenting business is a lot of work. But somebody needs to take care of Mickey!

Daddy Adam

Mommy and Daddy have been looking at me funny lately. They keep whispering something about me being even bigger than Adam and wearing clothes that Adam wore at 6 months. Mommy finally took me into the bathroom and weighed me in on the scale and I came out at a whopping 19 pounds. I am 15 weeks old and 19 pounds. My brother Adam was 18 pounds 5 ounces at 17 weeks. So, I have already surpassed him. Mommy is putting me in all of my Christmas clothes now so I can take advantage of them before I outgrow them. Oops! I'm just always so hungry!! I eat 6 oz bottles now and about a total of 30 oz a day.

I slept through the night twice this week (until 5:30 a.m.). The one problem with that is then I am awake and my parents have to play with me at the crack of dawn (actually there is no dawn..it's wintertime..it's just always dark).

Well, I'm packing my bags to head over to Nana and Grandpa's house to ring in this thing they call the "New Year." Mmmm...just the sound of that makes me hungry...

David

Oh boy! What a Christmas!! Last night Nana and Gpa Dobbs came over and we got to open a bunch of presents. I LOVED present opening!!! I would rip off a little piece of paper and then hand it to Nana to throw away and repeat the process. I loved my gift from Mom & Dad...a broom and mop! I was SO excited when I opened it. Then when I realized I would get more toys with every wrapped box I was even more excited. I got some "Cool Dude" sunglasses, a new toothbrush, outfits, and hershey's kisses! Yummy! I even got to open David's presents and I would give him the ones I didn't want to keep for myself. Then we went to Christmas Eve service. I got to play with my stickers during church and I rocked out to "We three kings."

On Christmas we went to church in the morning and I was a very good boy! I loved the Christmas music. Then we went to Nana and Gpa Dobbs' house. We got to eat more food and OPEN MORE PRESENTS!! I really liked David's mobile. I may keep it for myself. The more electronics in my crib the better!!! I am a little under the weather right now, but nothing will keep me from enjoying the Christmas festivities.

Well, since I can't say Merry Christmas yet I will leave on this note....

HO HO HO

Adam

Hello everyone,

It's been awhile, but I figured it was time for me to say hello and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. This was my first Christmas and my first observation is that my brother Adam got three times the presents as me. AND Adam opened all of my presents and if they were good ones he would put them in his pile to play with. Oh just wait until next year brother Adam... We spent the day with Nana and Gpa Dobbs, Great Gma Shum, and Uncle Bryan and Aunt Kristin. It was a lot of fun but I was wiped after the gift opening.

I can't wait until next year when I can eat all of the food everyone was flashing in front of me this year.

On that note, Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!@

David

Since I've last posted I've been working on my communication skills. I have learned that four phrases that can go a long way. Let me give you some examples:

UH-OH: This word can be used in many references. First is the classic I have dropped something and I want you to pick it up. There is also the David is crying Uh-oh. I have also used uh-oh in the middle of my screaming fits "Waah. Waah. Uh-oh. Waah." to indicate I am not happy. If I want out of my carseat "Uh-oh." If I am thinking about doing something bad..."Uh-oh." If I am hungry and waiting in my high chair patiently for food..."Uh-oh."

NO-NO-NO: If I am in a silly mood I will shake my head at mommy and smile and say "No-no-no." If I am mad at mama I will shake my head and scream "No-no-no." If mommy has said no to something I will walk up to it and point at it and say "no-no-no."

UP: This is one of my favorites. If I want to be picked up "Up." When I am done eating "Up-up-up-up!" When I want out of my crib "Up! Up!" When I want to go outside "Up!"

NIGH NIGH: When I want to go to bed "Nigh. Nigh." When someone is leaving I tell them Nigh. Nigh. and blow kisses.

Who needs sentences when you have these four basic phrases. Throw in a few kisses and you are set!

Nigh-nigh.

Adam

Well, I've been stuck with these people for 2.5 months now and I'm adapting well. I am outgrowing all of my clothes quickly and am jumping straight to the 6 month outfits. I barely even touched my 3 month outfits. Daddy keeps saying he's going to put me on a diet because my cheeks are overtaking my face and I am developing rolls on my arms and legs. My response is it's just more of me to love! Daddy looks at me shocked when I scarf down a 6 oz bottle, but hey he's the one that gave me the big boy Dobbs genes.

My favorite thing to do besides eating is smiling. Daddy can't get over the fact that anything will make me smile. A diaper change, picking me up, a simple hello. All of these things I find pleasing and will smile at. Sometimes mommy will notice I'm not sucking down my bottle anymore because I'm too busy smiling at her. I don't find this behaviour abnormal but my parents just aren't used to it because my brother adam would just glare at people at my age.

I had fun celebrating Thanksgiving and an early Christmas with the Karius'. Grandma Karius bought me some peek-a-boo books because Adam already ripped away the "surprise" out of all of his hand me down books. If I have to hear "Where's the baby?" one more time when the baby is staring at me on the page. And then Mommy will say, "there she is behind the blanket" but there's no blanket, just a ripped edge. That brother of mine! Thanks Grandma K for my own collection of books.

Well, I need to go eat something and smile at somebody.

XOXO,

David

Hello world -

Well I thought you are all probably DYING to hear about how cute I am these days so i thought I'd give you a few more of my ADORABLE stories. (I don't want to disappoint the fans).

I love it when mommy sings Head Shoulders Knees & Toes. When she starts singing this song I touch my head and start to run away. When she says "toes" I stop dead and touch my toes. Then I touch my head and start running again until we get to "toes." Then when she says mouth I start to blow kisses until we get to the head part again. You get the idea.

Also, mommy will sing "5 little monkeys swinging on a tree"...(I will wave my hands for this part)..."teasing mr. crocodile you can't catch me"...(I will shake my head no for this part)..."up comes ..." (I get my hands ready to clap at this point and start going sssssss)...."mr. crocodile.....SNAP" (I say SSSSS really loud and clap my hands and laugh. I love it when the crocodile eats the monkeys.

Well that's about it for now. I'll keep you posted as I get cuter.

Adam

Mommy is so proud of me these days. Forthe last 3 nights I have slept from 7:30 p.m. until about 3 a.m. Then I eat and go back to sleep until about 8 a.m. I've learned that I like it better this way because then when I get up the sun is shining and I get to play with my toys. Before mommy and daddy would just keep me in this baby straight jacket while I fussed and they would keep sticking me awake in my crib. Staring at a dark ceiling is SO boring! This is much better!

I went to the doctor and I am 14lbs 8 oz. I am in the 100th percentile! My brother Adam was 14lbs 10oz at 2 months so I'm catching up to that kid. He better not keep beating up on me because I may just end up surpassing him!! We'll see who has who in a headlock. I am about 75th percentile in height (24") and only 25th percentile in head size (keep your comments to yourself people)!

At the doctor's I was very dramatic. I would be happy and smiling one minute and then the doctor lady would stick something in my ear and I would scream as though it was the end of the world. As soon as she took it out I'd stop screaming immediately and just glare at her. I think she got my message. I very much did not enjoy my shots. When I get angry my face turns read and I have a "V" shape on my forehead that lights up bright red.

Well that's it for me for now. Nigh Nigh.

David

Why hello people. Now I know most of you are Adam fans that check in to see my status since I am now such an integral part of Adam's life. As you may tell by now you know a lot less about me than you did about Adam at this point in his life. Some say this is because I am the second born and Mom and Dad have less time to "blog" my life story. But, the truth is that I am much more mellow than my older brother who loves to be in the lime light and I prefer to be more modest about my many talents. My older brother on the other hand will brag about his ability to pick his nose and eat his boogers. Real clever that older brother of mine. However, I need to remind you all of my existence on occassion so I will give you a preview on what is going on in my world.

Mom and Dad have been getting a little tired of our "quality time" in the middle of the night so they are restricting me to a tougher schedule. The rule during the daytime is "No more than 2 hours of wakefulness." Then once it hits 7:30 mommy will say prayers with me and sing to me and then she puts me down whether I am awake or asleep.

The first night I cried for 20 minutes, then mom soothed me for 5 minutes, then I cried for 20 minutes, then mom fed me a bottle and then I was asleep and only got up twice to eat during the night.

The second night I cried for 20 minutes, then mom soothed me for 5 minutes, then I cried for 10 minutes and then I was asleep and only got up twice to eat during the night.

The third night I cried for 18 minutes and then I was asleep and only got up twice to eat during the night.

The fourth night I pouted for 3 minutes....I'll let you know what happens next.

Mom is celebrating. It looks like I'm finally getting to be predictable (or so she thinks.....)

I smile a lot these days and coo and even squeal in delight at times. It's nice that I can actually see things now.

Anyway, back to bed for me. I'll be getting up in a few hours for my midnight snack.

Nigh Nigh,

David

Oh the knees are aching and my back is sore. I am getting SO OLD! I am definitely a big boy now. I not only walk these days but I am running. Sure I look like I have two left feet (or as dad likes to say like i am drunk) but I can get from point a to b pretty quick these days. I like to run around in the backyard. One of my favorite things is running up and down the hill. I no longer like crawling up stairs. I reach for the arm rail and climb up and down stairs (of course with assistance). Today Mr. and Mrs. Woods were here and mommy opened the door for Mr. Woods to take me outside and mom had to tell Mr. Woods to get me because I ran outside right for the stairs. I've never seen Mr. Woods run so fast!!

One of my favorite new tricks is that I will put my finger up my nose. This makes mom say "Oh Adam No. Gross." This makes me laugh which I always put my hand in my mouth when I laugh...Mmmm...salty!

My vocab includes: Mama, Dada, Day-did, Up, Nigh Nigh, Teet Teet (tweet tweet for a bird), Ticka Ticka (tickle tickle), Uh-Oh, Dah (dog), tink tink (twinkle twinkle), gleek gleek (quack quack), duh (duck).

I love to blow kisses. I also shake my head no and yes. If I'm mad at mama I will talk gibberish at her and shake my head no very adimently..she gets my point! I can also do the chicken dance. Mr. Woods taught me that. My favorite show right now is My Friends Tigger and Pooh. That silly bear!

I've been getting in a lot of trouble these days for throwing food. I will grab my food and hold it over the side of the highchair and shake my head no. Mama will say "That's right Adam. No No." Then I will put the food on my plate and shake my head Yes. And mama will say "That's right Adam. Yes. Good boy." Then I chuck my food onto the floor and mama or dada puts me in time out. Ugh.

Well, I'm looking forward to the holidays coming up. I like all of the bright shiny things that I can get my hands on. Mama doesn't trust me to put them up in our house..but we'll see.

XOXO,

Adam

Well we are back now from the Milwaukee wedding and the MN trip. It was a great time. At the wedding I behaved enough not to have to be taken out of church. I kept pointing at a statue on the wall and talking to it. Every time the organist played I'd head bang to the hymns. At the dinner I sat with the grandparents and I'd clap a little bit and then the whole table would clap and say "Yeah!" This kept going on and on. They thought they were getting me to clap, but I was really training them.

I got to ride in grandpa's truck on the way to MN. That was nice, but I picked on mom a lot the whole way there. She had bruises on her arm from me pinching her because I was throwing a tantrum in my car seat. I was so tired and cranky after such a busy weekend. Once we got to MN I got to play with all of grandma's toys. We went to the zoo (it was David's first time). We visited Great Gma and Gpa Pfaffe. Great Gpa let me play with all of his turtles. I saw all of my aunts and my uncle and even my second cousin Naomi. I took baths in Grandma's tub and had my first "floating poop" in the tub. Oops. Mom was really grossed out. I thought it was funny. I also learned how to climb on and off of furniture without hesitation. I like to walk up and down stairs while someone holds my hand now instead of crawling.

I also got to go Trick or Treating. I was a crocodile. My favorite part was my pumpkin bucket. I liked walking up to houses and going "ooooohhhh" at the decorations. Dada liked picking out the candy to put in my bucket. Hey that reminds me..where's my candy? Dada and Aunt Suzy dressed up as Genevive and DC from Choo Choo Soul. That was funny!

Now we are back home and mama has David and I back on a schedule. Mama went back to work this week so I have been trying to be a very good boy to help her out. Mama is so proud of me. I am being such a good big brother.

Well it looks like Dada didn't fully charge his laptop so I am going to have to leave you all in suspense about my other developments.

Keepin' it real!

Adam

Hello Fans.

It's been awhile since you have all heard from me. The Fam has been keeping me busy with visitors, and the Woods wedding, and my first trip to Minnesota. It's been a fun first 7 weeks and now things are starting to calm down. Mommy went back to work this week and she is starting to put me on a strict schedule. She's doing this "2 hours of wakefulness rule." I'm doing my best to resist her rules...but I find myself drifting off to sleep before I can put up much of a fight. Mommy is happy that the schedule seems to be working like a charm. I am sleeping longer during the day which is equating to longer sleep stretches at night. This just doesn't make sense to me, but I'm too sleepy to fight it. I go to bed around 8 p.m. and wake up at 12:30 a.m. and around 4 a.m. Mommy still wishes for more sleep but at least this is more manageable.

I smile a little bit now. But, I've only really lit up for my Aunt Suzy. She cracks me up. I love my swaddle and my musical giraffe. Well, I think that's it for now. I'll keep you posted on my latest tricks.

Love,

David

Yucky, I don't feel very good. I woke up this morning with boogers in my hair. This is not very attractive. I was very fussy all night. I had a doctor's appointment today anyway, so I was extremely fussy all morning. I'm not very patient and I hate waiting in the doctor's office. I didn't have a temperature or anything so it's probably just these horrible canine teeth plus a small cold.

Mama is trying to keep me away from David so that I don't get him sick. This I find annoying as well. Pretty much everything annoys me these days.

Anyway, writing this blog is annoying me. I'm going to whine and then go to sleep.

Ehhhh!

Adam

I went to the doctor today with Adam. There are so many sick kids these days we had to sit in a wellness room to stay away from their yucky germs. Adam cried and cried the whole time at the doctor's office. I just slept. I guess Adam wasn't feeling very well today so he was extra cranky.

Anyway, I weighed in at 11 lbs. 4 oz. And I am now 22" long. I am in the 75th percentile for height and weight. I'm not as big as my big brother. But, I'm a hungry boy so I am working on it.

Last night I finally slept for a 3.5 hour stretch. I still don't sleep for long stretches but I just get up to eat and go back to sleep so the parents find it doable. I've been sleeping in my crib for the last two nights. I like having my own room. I like looking at the squares on the wall that Aunt Suzy painted.

Okay, I"m going to eat and then catch some shuteye.

David

I have now rolled over 15 times. When is this doctor lady going to believe that this is not a fluke. Adam is being decent to me. Pretty much he ignores me. I was screaming in the car seat next to him and all I got was a quick glare and then he stared out the window. I guess I 'll have to work harder to get on his nerves.

I had fun this weekend with Nana and Grandpa. Nana says that I am "Expressive." Mama calls it "Loud." Mama says I sound like a bear eating a goose when I eat. Dada says it sounds like a dying giraffe. I even got looks at church today. Man..it's nice to know everyone has such nice things to say about me. I tell them you just wait..one day you'll miss my baby noises.

Well, mama is hoping I sleep more than 3 hours straight tonight. We'll see!

Nigh Nigh!

David

I just had a fun family filled weekend. We kicked off the weekend with a Costco trip. This is always a sign of a good weekend. We loaded up on diapers and formula. On Saturday, Dada took David and I out for a walk to Petco where I got to point at the animals and buy Leonard crickets. It is getting very cold outside so David and I have to spend the first 15 minutes getting bundled up. My coat makes me look like a marshmallow. My arms don't go down all the way to my sides when I am in it. But I don't care because it means i get to go outside. Later that day we went to Nana and Grandpa's house. Mama and Dada went out for a little bit to work on their computers and David and I stayed back to play. Then we had a nice dinner and headed home. I fell asleep in the car and woke up in my crib the next morning. Mama & Dada got David and I ready for church and we were off. After church I took a nap and when I woke up Nana, Grandpa and Great Gma Shum were here. We ate a nummy dinner and I watched Grandpa blow out flickering lights on a chocolate cake. Cool! Later Nana, Grandpa, Dada and I went to the pumpkin farm. They had hay rides, pony rides, a train and little chicks that I got to touch. I had SO much fun. Now I'm sleepy again...I wonder what I'll wake up to tomorrow....

Other news - my top two canine teeth have now cut through. Ouchie. I am extra drooly these days. I also like to say "Up" and run up to mama and say it over and over until she picks me up. I also say "Uh-oh" after something is dropped on the floor (usually by me). My vocab is quickly expanding.

That's it for now. Nigh. Nigh.

Adam

Sooooo sleepy....

I like to eat. I like to sleep. I poop a lot. I still haven't slept for more than 3 hours straight but mama appreciates the predictability of my schedule (for now). I have a lot longer wakeful periods these days and I am starting to fuss at times where I'm not just hungry. Sometimes i just want someone to hang out with me. Mama is just happy that is not happening in the middle of the night yet. My bro is being decent to me. I just hate it when he feeds me old bottles. Oh well. It's the thought that counts.

David