I knew I had muscles, but I didn't realize my own strength until I found myself staring at the floor one minute and then looking at the ceiling the next. Today is my 2 month birthday and I celebrated by learning the art of rolling over. Mommy was shocked. She has also been practicing holding me up between her knees and seeing if I can hold my head up. I am pretty much there. I can do it for a really long time until I get tuckered out. I still like to head butt people occassionally though (even if I can hold my head up).

Well, I'm going to take a nap right now so that I will be bright eyed for Liz when she gets here.

Adam

Well, Mommy and I are finally getting settled into our routine again at home. Just in time for another one of Mommy's friends, Liz, to come and visit and tell me how adorable I am. I sure am getting an ego. Maybe that's why I was born with such a big head (literally). Mommy went to Panera last night to go study for her boring exam and I decided that instead of going to sleep like usual I was going to be fussy for the night. But, now I am on the extra fussy side today because I missed out on some beauty sleep. I'm going to have to talk to Mommy about this leaving me for studying business. Daddy and I got to hang out for awhile yesterday and of course i was nothing but all smiles for him. He's WAY funnier than Mommy. Mom and I sang a song together yesterday. She would start singing Jesus Loves Me and then she'd pause and I would smile and coo. That's my favorite song right now. I like that one and "I am Jesus Little Lamb" and "The Ants Go Marching." Actually those are the only songs Mommy always sings because they are forever stuck in her head now.

Okay. This was a short and sweet update. It's time for me to fuss and then get some beauty sleep.

Night,

Adam (WAAAAAHHHH!)

Well, Mom and Dad brought me back home again. We pulled in at 1:00 a.m. on Monday morning and they woke me up from my car seat (because of course I slept the whole way again). I woke up on my changing table and looked up at the monkeys Aunt Suzy painted on my wall and smiled. I knew I was home. On Monday Mom and Dad took me to the doctor. I did not enjoy this visit very much and they gave me 3 shots. How rude! What did I do?!?! But, I took it like a trooper and settled down after a bottle. Food makes everything better. I weighed 14 lbs 10 oz and am 24 7/8" long. The doctor lady said that I am in the 95th percentile for both weight and height. Well, duh, look at my dad!

Nana and Grandpa came over last night to see how much I've grown. I gave them some smiles but I was still cranky from my shots and the long car trip. A boy can't be perfect all of the time. Mom and I have been hanging out today while Dad went back to work. Mom appreciated my 2.5 hour nap this morning. She ended up napping too and woke up scared to death when she realized what time it was and I hadn't woken her up yet. We went for a walk because it was so nice out. I am learning to like my stroller and my car seat and just being mobile in general.

Well, Mommy locked me up in my crib and I'm being fussy right now. At least I get wi-fi from in here. But, all of this fussing is really making me sleepy. If only I could cry a little.....Zzzzzzz.....

Adam

Enjoy!
A

I must say I sure have grown up this past week. I have been at Gma and Gpa Karius' house for 5 days now. On the trip down I slept in the car the ENTIRE trip. We left at 7:30 p.m. and got to Grandma's at 3 a.m. Since that is when I usually sleep Mom & Dad didn't even have to stop to change my diaper or feed me or anything. They were quite pleased. I wanted to be very good so that they would take me back to visit gma and gpa soon. I have now taken over gma and gpa's entire house. But, they say I am well worth it!

I have started quite a few new tricks. First, I am very much on a schedule now and very adaptable to different environments. Mom says I'm so "predictable" now. I try to fight it but I can't. I sleep very well even in rooms full of noisy women. I also started a few new personality traits. If someone stops feeding me before I'm done I start whining. Before I would cry, now I whine. I have also been getting a lot of bottles now and I like to play with them and get the bottle giver to play back. I am very good at holding conversations now. If you talk to me and then pause I will talk back. I have also started squealing. That's as close to a laugh as I can get, but it's something. Mom and Dad have to buckle me into everything now because I will start squirming right out. I am also wearing mostly 6-9 month clothes now and mommy weighed me in at 14.5 lbs. Aunt Sarah measured me at 24.5 inches. I don't like to be held like a baby anymore either. I want to situp like a grown up and watch what is going on around me. I only like to cuddle if you have food for me or I am halfway asleep. The other thing that has changed recently is that I am doing much better in my car seat. Mom has to plan it around my nap times, but that's pretty easy since I get sleepy quite a bit.

Well, Mommy and Daddy are going out on a date tonight and leaving me overnight with Grandma and Aunt Sarah and Aunt Suzy. I'll try to be good. I hope everyone is enjoying my new pics!!!

Adam

Enjoy my new pics. I'm at Gma and Gpa Karius' crib in MN now. Good times!

Big A

Mommy and Daddy have been busy packing up all of my toys and clothes and diapers for our big road trip tonight. We are leaving after I go to bed because Mommy and Daddy don't trust me to be happy in my car seat. I'm so offended! But, they're right. I'm not too happy in my car seat.

Mommy has been reading a book about how to get me on a sleep schedule. I keep trying to tell her that I am my own individual and that she can't conform me into the norm. But, no harder how hard I try to fight a schedule I am falling right into one. That mother of mine! She is always one step ahead of me. Instead of trying to calm me down for up to an hour to rock me to sleep she will now only rock me for 5 minutes and then swaddle me and then put me in my crib. I was determined to hollar at her, but after about 1 minute I blacked out. Dang it! I fell asleep. I have been taking 2 naps a day for about 1.5 - 3 hours and 2 more 45 minute naps. Now, I can't get myself to stay up past 8 p.m. and I'm sleeping in until almost 6 a.m. these days. Mom is actually getting things done now and I have to admit it is nice to be in a much cleaner house. She is even starting to study for some boring exam AND got packing in. She's so efficient these days when she has 2-3 hours of free time. Of course, she works extra fast when she's not sure when I'm actually going to wake up.

Grandma Karius thought we could maybe go to the state fair when I go to MN so mommy has been practicing with me in the stroller and in the baby backpack carrier. Yesterday we went for a 45 minute walk in the stroller. Today we went out in the carrier for 30 minutes and I just fell asleep. I really want to go to the state fair. We'll see.

Last night I was being a little cranky for mommy after my nap and feeding. She was trying to get me to smile, but I would just give her the frown face. Then Daddy walked in from work and picked me up and I just smiled at him. I kept smiling at him because he just made me SO happy! That Daddy cracks me up.

Well, it's time for my nap. I have to get some good rest before our big trip.

Adam

Howdy folks. I sure hope everybody enjoys my week 5 pictures!

Adam Week 5

A

Today is Nana day. Mommy is off studying for some boring actuarial exam and daddy has been gone since yesterday morning. Poor Nana. I guess she's stuck changing my poopy diapers tonight. But, she doesn't seem to mind. No matter how stinky I make them. Daddy was gone all day yesterday helping Uncle Bryan get ready to move to D.C. Now he's gone tonight to celebrate Uncle Bryan's last days as a "free" man. I don't get it. How much will he cost after the wedding?

I am full of smiles and coos these days. Mom is even trying to get me on a schedule. Good luck lady! She is even getting me to go to bed closer to eight. I'm fighting it though, but she always gets me with that dang swaddle and singing and rocking. I can handle one of the three, but I just can't seem to fight sleep when she hits me with all three. I try though.

Mommy started doing the funniest thing today. She blows on my face and I scrunch up my face and my whole body jumps in surprise. She thinks its because I like the feeling of the wind. But, really it's because her breath is so bad. There will be a video of it up soon on my website when daddy finally comes back from wherever he went.

Mommy says she's going to take me to church tonight by herself. Hmm..should I behave for her? We'll see.

Okay I better get back to Nana time.

Adam

It's been awhile! I've been a very busy little boy! Becky was in town for 5 days and we played and played and played. I was a little cranky for mommy last night because I was sad to see my red head go. When she would talk to me I would just look at her and get a big smile on my face. I like redheads! She brought baby Aiden with her. He's in her belly, so he got to fly for free. I remember when mommy used to sneak me on airplane rides in her belly. While Becky was here we went to Panera a lot and then hung around the house. Mommy and Becky sure do talk a lot! Daddy couldn't get a word in edgewise.

On Friday we went out to a Mexican restaurant where mom and dad crossed their fingers that I would behave. I did pretty good until the end when I started screaming my head off. Mommy & Becky took me outside in my car seat while daddy paid the bill inside. I kept screaming while they got ice cream, so Mommy stayed in the car with me. I screamed and screamed and screamed. I don't like my car seat. When we got home I was still screaming and screaming. My mommy was worried I'd go hoarse (but I have plenty of screaming power in reserve, so I can go a really long time). Mom thought I smelled funny so she put me on the floor to change my diaper. I had worked up a real sweat in my car seat so first mommy stripped off my clothes. Now remember, I'm still screaming at this point. Then she unfastened my diaper and in an instant I stopped screaming and started smiling and cooing. My mommy, on the other hand, started screaming. You see, I had left her a really big present in my diaper. Mommy had to call daddy over because it was a 2 person job. Becky just started taking pictures and laughing. At least Becky appreciated my present. Then mommy, daddy and Becky just let me play for a while with only my diaper on and I was SO happy.

Mommy's birthday was on Saturday (the day of my big party and my 5 week anniversary of entering the world). I made her get up extra early and play with me. For her birthday present I decided I would let her play a game with me and my pacifier. She kept trying to stick it in my mouth and then pulling it out really quick and smiling at me. I thought this was very funny so I would smile back. We kept playing it over and over. My mommy is so funny! Later that night we went to Nana and grandpa's for my party. I did okay for part of the trip over in my car seat. But, I still don't like it, so I started screaming in it again. The party was a lot of fun. There was cake and lots of balloons and something my mommy called the "grown-ups drink." It was funny because all of the big people were drinking it out of such little glasses. Why do you drink a grown-up drink out of a kid glass? Adults..I don't think I'll ever understand them. I got a lot of presents and feel very loved. I can't wait to go over to Nana and Grandpa's house again. However, I don't think their cats like me. But, that's okay. I'm sure they'll like me more when I can chase them around and pull their tails. Yes, we'll be great pals then.

Monday afternoon mommy was playing with me in my bouncy chair and every time she would say "Mommyyyyy" in a high pitch voice I would smile really really big. I'm telling you that mother of mine is HILLARIOUS!! Mommy was so excited. She likes it now that I smile.

Becky left yesterday and mommy was very nervous about having me in the car seat for the ride to Midway and the whole way back. Especially since she knew I'd be cranky after my redhead left. But, I slept the ENTIRE way! Mommy was so happy. Then mommy and I took a nap together that afternoon right before Aunt Kristin and Uncle Bryan came over. I was so happy to see them. I sat in my bouncy chair during dinner and just kept looking over at Uncle Bryan and smiling a big smile. Later that night Uncle Bryan was holding me and every time he would say "Hello" I would coo back at him. We were having a really good conversation. I was sad to see them go, because now mommy says they are going to live further away just like my other Aunts and Uncles. I tell ya, what is a boy to do with all of his aunts and uncles so far away?

I slept okay last night, but I kept getting mommy up. At midnight I started crying and when she finally came in the room I stopped crying and fell right back asleep before she even made it all the way to my crib. Mommy stood there for awhile and then decided to go back to sleep because I was sleeping again. Then I kept doing that at 1:00 and 2:00 and finally at 3:00 I really did want to be fed. Mom had to stay up with me for an hour though, because I was wide awake and didn't want to go to bed. Finally mom just put me back in my crib awake and I was okay with that. At 5:00 though it was time to get up. Mommy looked like a zombie. But, I let her get a 30 minute nap at 6:30 so she wouldn't be so cranky. Then when daddy was leavng he was saying goodbye to mommy and mommy told him to say goodbye to me, but daddy thinks that I get cranky whenever he's around so he was hesitant. Daddy came over to say goodbye to me and I gave him a really big smile. That made daddy smile (even if he won't admit it because he's not sentimental). Then daddy said that I smiled because I knew he was leaving. Oh Daddy!

Well, mommy is trying to get me on a schedule now. She wants me to eat every 3 hours and take a morning nap and an afternoon nap. We'll see how that goes. But, I think I will try to be good for her today. But, the day is still young so we'll see how that goes.

I hope you are all enjoying my new pics!

Adam

New Pics folks! I'm trying to post pictures every Sunday every week. Enjoy!

Adam Week 4

Big A

What a day! I've been really good today, but I think mommy is a little wiped from the rest of the week. Guess what times I woke up last night? This time it was 2:15 and 5:15. And of course I didn't go back to bed after 5:15. Mom kept me preoccupied until 6:30, but then she passed me off to dad so she could get a few more minutes of sleep. Poor dad. We both agree that is woman's work, so mom really needs to get on the ball. Dad shouldn't be changing my poopy diaper in his work clothes. I brewed that one up especially for mommy. She's always sleeping on the job!

Last night daddy gave mom a break so she could relax. She decided to take a shower. What a weirdo. If I had down time the last thing I would do is take a bath. Yuck. Speaking of baths, daddy gave me a bath for the first time last night with mommy. I screamed at first until daddy poured the water on me. Then I remembered that I liked baths again.

Today I was a very good boy and let mommy work out while I just chilled in my swing. Mommy even got my laundry done. It's about time. I've been spitting up extra often and going through outfits like a mad man. Mom was on my last spit up rag. Now I'm taking a little nap and I even let mom sleep for one hour. In 3 hours we head to the airport to pick up Becky. Mommy says she's going to help out for the next few days. It will probably be busy so you might not hear from me for awhile. Nana and grandpa Dobbs are throwing me a party on Saturday. I get to show my true party animal colors! Watch out people..Adam's in da house!!!

AMD (Attitude Magnified Double -- the apple doesn't fall far from the tree)

Here we go again. Mommy still says that she is tired. I just didn't feel like napping yesterday. I was a good boy, but I didn't nap which meant that mommy didn't get a nap in yesterday. So, instead we played all day and I did a lot of eating. Dad played raquetball so when he came home last night he was all sweaty and gross. Dad is starting to feel a cold coming on so Mommy isn't letting him play with me as often. I told mommy to give him one of my toys to lick, because that always makes me feel better. But mommy started talking about germs or something and wouldn't do it. She is no fun at all.

So, today I slept in until 2:45 like usual. But mommy didn't like it when I got up at 4:15, 5:00, 5:45, etc. Dad took me downstairs at 6 to try to distract me so mom could get an extra 15 minutes of sleep. Then I started wailing so mom got up and said, "I'm at least going to brush my teeth first." When she walked into my room I was as quiet as a mouse. Dad had laid me on my tummy in the crib and this felt great! Now, I'm not supposed to lay on my tummy unsupervised, so mommy didn't go back to sleep but she spent the next 2 hours doing chores upstairs while I slept off and on or just laid there quietly awake. Daddy knew just the trick!

Okay, I'm going to start crying now so mommy will give me attention. Gotta go!

Adam

Hello to all my peoples. I am wide awake today and mommy and daddy look so sleepy. I don't get it. I told them they should have gone to bed at the same time as me last night, but they wanted to stay up and socialize with their friend Michelle. So, that's their own fault they stayed up past my bedtime.

Yesterday mommy and I went for a walk during the day. I didn't cry until we got back to our front stoop so mommy was happy. She sure does get happy over the littlest things. Then we went for a car ride to pick up mommy's friend Michelle. We went to Lou Malnatis and I was awake the whole time. But, I sat in my car seat and just stared at all of the people walking by, and my favorite, the ceiling. I get so excited when there is a brand new ceiling to look at. Daddy tried to change my diaper but they didn't have a changing station in the men's room at the restaurant, so mommy got stuck doing it. (And of course I had brewed up a nice big mess for her). When we came home it was daddy's turn to take care of me because mommy wanted to talk to her friend. But, I wouldn't let daddy rest. I require mommy time before bed. Daddy finally took me to mom so she could rock me and I conked right out. I was asleep by 9:00 and like clockwork I got up at 2:45 and 5:30 a.m. Mommy is waiting for me to fall asleep right now because she wants a nap. We'll see.

That's all folks.

Adam

What a relaxing weekend. It was just mommy, daddy and I all weekend. According to my mom that won't be happening again for awhile, since we have a lot planned over the next month. Yesterday we went to church and I was a very well behaved boy (of course). This time I didn't really sleep (not even through pastor's sermon) at all so that kept mom more on her toes since she was nervous about all of the noises I would decide to make. But, I was pretty good. After church we went to Chillis and I slept in my car seat. When we came home I was busy letting mommy know that I was hungry. Mommy was really sleepy (she kept saying something about needing her beauty sleep). So, after I ate I conked out and mommy and I took a nap for 2 hours straight. Dad came upstairs and saw me out like a light in my bouncy chair with mommy out cold on the couch. Mom was so happy to get the extra sleep, even though I've been giving her a decent 6 - 6.5 hours each night.

I have been sleeping very good these days. Mommy is starting to wake up automatically at 3 a.m. and 5:15 a.m. every day because those are the times that I wake up 90% of the time. The problem is mommy thinks she needs to go back to sleep after the 5:15 feeding, but I'm ready to be awake and play. So, she tries to pass me off to dad when he wakes up at 6. Dad and I usually hang out downstairs while dad eats breakfast. However, after watching daddy eat I'm pretty hungry myself, so mommy needs to wake up. But, then I give mom enough of a break to shower and brush her teeth and eat breakfast. I usually just hang out in my bouncy chair. Mom and Dad keep having to haul the bouncy chair all around the house. They finally registered for another one because they realize how essential my bouncy chair is to me. It's like my own lazy boy! So, mom has been getting some time to get things done during the day, but everytime she thinks she can put on lotion or floss her teeth or put on makeup I have to remind her that this is not a spa and that there are more important things (i.e. ME) than her vanity.

Well, I better get a nap in because Mom's friend Michelle is coming to see me tonight. I have to look my best. Plus, this week Becky is coming into town. Mommy says that she is pregnant with my future buddy Aiden. I can't wait to play with him. In the meantime, I'm going to help prepare Becky for little Aiden by making her change all of my poopy diapers and swaddle me at night. I'm happy to help in anyway I can.

Time to catch some Zzz's.

Adam

Yep you heard me. My parents rubbed me the wrong way today. I was gassy, tired and cranky. They had to work to put me down to sleep. Mom finally gave up and took a nap from 2-5 or so. Dad fed me a couple of bottles and put me down in the crib. He thinks he can just put me down to sleep. Mom always rocks me, I expect nothing less. He burped me, that helped and stuck the pacifier in my mouth. That worked for about 30 minutes. Then he moved me to the bouncy chair where I slept for an hour or so.

Other than that, mom and dad have been just chillen.

Well, I got some diapers to fill.

Peace Out!

Big A

Busy, busy, busy. I'm trying to keep up with my blog, but there is SO much to do these days. I'm almost 4 weeks old now so that is keeping me pretty busy. Yesterday Nana came over to play with me. Mom went out grocery shopping (lame) while Nana and I played at home. Nana even let me play with the vaccuum cleaner. That is way more fun than these lame old rattle toys mom trys to get me to play with. When Nana left I took a 3 hour nap, so my mom almost felt like she had the whole day off because I was so well behaved. I didn't start crying until daddy came home from work and then mom just let dad take care of it. Dad tried to put me to bed, but he was all sweaty and smelly from playing raquetball. Eww gross! So, I let mom rock me and sing me "Jesus loves me" about 20 times and then I went right to sleep. I was so wiped from playing with Nana all day that I slept from 9:30 until 3:30. Then I didn't wake up again until 6:45 a.m. Mommy was so happy. I sleep much better when my grandmas are around to play with me all day.

This morning mommy decided it was time for me to have a bath. I have only had sponge baths until this morning and I HATE THEM! I worked hard to get dirty the past few days and now mommy just washes away all of that hard work. Well, mom put me in my actual bath this morning and she was already apologizing to me as she walked me to the bathroom. Boy did I surprise her when I didn't cry at all during my bath. I thought it was great. Like my own personal jacuzzi. Very relaxing. Mom was SO happy. Silly mom. What did she think I was going to do? Scream my head off? (Okay I guess I'm guilty of that sometimes).

Anyway, it's time for me to hang out in my bouncy chair. I better go.

Bye,

Adam

Well mom and I are just hanging out at the house today waiting for daddy to come home. I should really say that I'm just hanging out and mom is running around taking care of me and trying to get some housework done when I see fit for her to do so. I didn't get to see daddy all day yesterday because he decided that he was going to pretend to be "young" again and go out with Uncle Bryan and Meyers last night. He came home after I was already in bed, so I made sure to make him wake up with me this morning. Mom did her middle of the night shifts, so after daddy's shower I had him change my poopy diaper and hang out with me in the morning so mom could sleep. I was very good for him and only decided to start crying again when he passed me off to mom. I figured the "cute" act would convince him to come home and hang out with me tonight. I really want to play some video games. Mom is boring and just does housework and watch TLC while I hold her captive in the recliner. That is DEFINITELY not as fun as playing God of War II with dad.

Last night I slept "decent" as mom would say. I've decided to no longer sleep for 5-8 hour shifts like I did a few times in the beginning. Now I have mom down to 2-4 hour shifts (but more 2 hour shifts than 4 hour shifts). Now that they put me in the big boy crib I just want to make sure they can still hear me in the next room.

Today I've been doing a lot of sleeping. Mom is starting to get nervous that that means I won't sleep tonight. But, we'll see how I feel. Mom also took me outside on the deck for a few minutes. She said that she needed to see the outdoors. I was good for about 10 minutes. Then I let mom know it was time to go back inside.

Well, that's all the excitement in my life. Nana Dobbs is coming over tomorrow to help watch me so mom can have a break. I don't understand why anyone would need a break from me, but there are a lot of things I don't understand about grown ups yet.

Adam

Well, it's a Monday so it's just me and mommy again today. I had a fun weekend with dad and nana and grandpa Dobbs. Nana and Grandpa came over on Saturday night and they earned extra brownie points because they brought a new toy. They are so well trained. They kept me awake so that I would sleep for mommy that night. I did pretty good. I slept for 5 hours and then decided to get up every 30-45 minutes after 3 a.m. Mom finally gave up on me going back to sleep at 7 a.m. and decided to take a shower because we were going to church that morning at 9. Well, she laid me awake in my bassinet next to dad and told dad that he had to get up with me, since I was wide awake. Well, as soon as mom turned on the shower I conked out next to dad. 30 minutes later mom came out of the shower to see both me and daddy stretched out in our beds and fast asleep. Mommy kept getting ready and doing chores until 8:15 when she decided that daddy and I had to wake up to get ready for church otherwise we would be late. Mommy was in awe that I would sleep on daddy's shift and not hers. But why would I get up for daddy? I know he doesn't have the good stuff. I might as well sleep. I was wide awake during church and just sat there staring at the ceiling. It was quite entertaining because it is very different from the ceilings we have at home. Mom ditched me with Lori (pastor's wife) for bible study. She has 4 boys and knows how to take care of a macho baby boy like me. I slept like an angel for her. Then my parents decided to get extra confident and take me out for lunch with a couple of their friends because I had been so good up to that point. Mom was nervous because she knows me too well and knows that I can only be good for so long. But, I fooled her and slept the whole time we were out at the restaraunt. Of course, when we got home it was a bit of a different story. But, I did let her take a one hour nap at least.

Last night I slept pretty good. I wouldn't go to bed until 11 and woke up at 2 a.m., 5:30 a.m., and finally at 7:30 a.m. So, at least I gave mom a few good stretches of sleep. At 6 a.m. mommy and I were hanging out and we heard dad's alarm going off for 10 minutes. Finally mommy put me to bed and had to go wake daddy up and tell him his alarm was going off. Again he thought his alarm was me, so he kept sleeping. Good thing mom is on the ball! She has two baby boys to take care of these days. It's a full-time job. Today has been pretty same old same old. I was pretty impressed because today not only did mommy have to change my outfit twice but she had to change her outfit twice too. First I spit up all over her, then I peed through my diaper, my outfit, and all over mom's shirt. Now I'm going to take a nap, because as you can see I've been hard at work.

Adam