Adam- 12 Months

Dear Adam,

You are such a joy to be around.  You've developed so much in the last month, that it's hard to keep track.  I don't want to miss anything, so this might be quite long!

Your personality, oooo your personality, it's definitely showing.  You are an independent little thing and you love to do things yourself.  You giggle all the time, and you love when Mommy and Daddy do goofy stuff to make you laugh.  You like to dance, mostly with just your arms, and being "chased" is one of your favorite things.  If I say "I'm going to get you" you turn and run to your daddy and vise versa.  You even love when the puppy chases after you. room. You love to smile at EVERYONE, but strangers are a big no no for you this month.  You cry when strangers get near.   

You're still saying Dada and Mama quite frequently, but mostly Dada.  Once in awhile we'll hear dacto (Tractor) and itty (kitty).  You even try to say Eee Eye Eee Eye O, but it somes out sounding like eeee eye eee eye ee eye.  Every time you see a big truck, tractor or train you say Dacto (tractor).   If we ask you to say a word, you will almost always say the same amount of syllables, but chances are it will be nothing like we asked.  For instance, if we ask you to say Papa, you say Dada, or Please you say Da or even AH! You can sign more and all done like it's nobody's business.  You get really mad when you sign more and we don't give you more immediately. 

You're still in size 4 diapers and wearing size 4-4.5 shoes.  You're wearing size 12-18 Month for almost everything.  The pants are usually a bit too long for you since you're pretty short.

Previous to this week, you were eating EVERYTHING. Your favorite foods are peaches, pears and bananas. But just a week ago, you've decided that you want nothing except fruit and milk to eat.  It's been stressing mama out to the max. You haven't had a bottle since right after your 11 month birthday.  You drink a sippy cup of milk with every meal and you still get a sippy cup with about 4 oz in it before you go to bed along with a bowl of cereal.

Sleep.... O yes, sleep.  You've been determined to fight every single nap, but end up napping for at least an hour each time.  You're sick again, with another ear infection and mama hates it so much.  The ear infection has been disrupting your sleep and you've decided that waking up at 3:00am is acceptable...  We had about 4 days of that and now you're back to waking up at 5am.... I sure do miss the days of you waking up at 6-6:30!  Let's go back to those, ok??

You're very bright baby boy. You pick up on things very easily.  Nana got you a phone to play with and you put it on the back of your head like you're trying to talk to someone.  You point the remote at the TV and push buttons, you even dance whenever you hear music.  You like to mimic everyone if you can. When we say vroom vroom for car sounds, you will immediately make the cutest gurgling sound as you try to imitate a car.  It's actually pretty good.  Every time you see a car you do it.  You're pointing to everything these days, with your entire arm stretched out and all 5 fingers pointing at whatever you want. Which is usually everything you can see.

We had your birthday party on Dec. 10th because everyone gets so busy during the holidays.  You got more toys than we know what to do with.

You are such a joy, my baby boy, and I cannot believe that you are 1!  I'm amazed by you everyday and you are truly my greatest joy in life.  I have no idea what we would do without you!  Thank you for being you!  And thanks to God for bringing you into our lives, you truly make them so much better!

Edit:  We had your 12 month check up on Jan 6th-  your current stats were:  28.5" (15%) for height, 21lbs (20%) for weight, and 46" (40%) for head circumference.  You're our little man right now, I just hope you're not short like your mama when you grow up!
I love you now, forever and always,
Mama

Picky eating habits!

I believe it is far too early to have reached the picky eating stage, but alas we are here.  At about a week before his first birthday, Adam decided that he only wanted to eat fruit.  Now don't get me wrong, a kid loving fruit is great, no?  Yeah, but not so great when it's the only thing he will eat.

He was sick this past week with yet another ear infection, which marks #5, but who's counting...  (I've scheduled an appt with the ENT doctor for January, don't you worry) 

Anyway, back to the picky eating.  This past week has been difficult in the eating department.  At dinner, Adam would decide he only wanted to drink his milk and have nothing to do with food.  We finally got him to start eating a little, but that consisted of peaches, pears and bananas.  We went to the doctor yesterday for his ear infection, and sure enough he had lost about 1 lb in the last week due to his new eating habits, among other things (but I will spare you those details). 

Do/did you have experience with a picky eater?  What did you do?  We will try anything!  He's almost 1 and only weighs 20 lbs!  I use to have a chunker for a baby, now he's a skinny mini!

I'm hoping this will be a short lived phase, but only time will tell.  We're having lasagna tonight, and he LOVES spaghetti (or at least he use to), so maybe he'll eat some of that.  Who knows!

What's in a year

Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving 2011

Sleep

These days we aren't getting much.  Adam was sleeping 7-6 and that was great. Then came ear infection #4 with nights of rocking to sleep. Now, he wakes at least twice a night and gets up around 5:30. It is so exhausting. Any ideas or tips? I feel like we have tried everything!

Adam- 11 Months

Dear Adam,

You are 11 months!  Where has the time gone?  I cannot believe that in one month you will be 1!  You are growing up too fast darn it.  This month has been incredible as far as your learning goes.  It is so exciting to watch you grow into a sweet, albeit demanding little boy and to see your personality blossom.  Here is what you have been up to this month:

You're still wearing size 12-18 month clothes, size 4 diapers and size 4 shoes.  We can tell you're getting taller because you're reaching new things and we're quickly finding out that we need to re-baby proof the house.

You're babbling a lot more these days.  Words you say that we can clearly understand are:  na na na (no), tac to (tractor), ity (kitty, though he also calls our dog ity), mama, and dada.  You love to point to everything that you want now, and usually you want everything.  If  we take something away from you, you get mad and cry or yell and your face turns red.  You pick up the tv remote and point it at the tv while pushing buttons, so you obviously have figured out what that is for.  You also pick up any phone you see and hold it up to the side/back of your head to talk on it. 

You usually don't walk anywhere anymore, you run everywhere.  You're pretty much a pro at walking now and hardly ever crawl.  You loved to be chased and giggle as you run away.

You eat everything and are always hungry for more!  I'm so glad that you aren't picky, but I know that we will probably discover that sooner than we want. 

At the beginning of this month, we dropped two bottles and are down to just one. We went cold turkey and just stopped giving it to you and gave you a full sippy cup of whole milk with breakfast, lunch and dinner.  You get one 7 oz bottle right before bed and I have a feeling that one is going to be hard to give up.

You also had your worst cold this month.  You had a fever of 103 for three nights in a row, and we all got very little sleep.  You had an ear infection, could hardly keep anything down and were getting teeth at the same time.  The ONLY thing Mommy was ok with during this was the fact that you wanted to cuddle all day/night.

Just today, I noticed you have one tooth on top poking through and another just about to poke through, that marks # 5 & 6.

You are such an amazing little boy and you love to give hugs now.  You're starting to pick up on giving kisses and you try to give the puppy and kitty kisses.  I cannot wait to see what this next month brings until your 1st birthday!  I love being your mommy and would not change a thing!

I love you!
Mama

Adam- 10 Months

On Oct. 23rd, Adam turned 10 months!  It's so hard to believe.  Here is his monthly letter from Mama. (Sorry this is a pictureless post, but I will post one soon)

Dear Adam,

This month has been o so much fun!  I can hardly believe you are 10 months already!  This month brought a lot of new things for you, baby boy.

You began taking steps on 9/27/11, just days after your 9 month mark.  Everyday you took more and more, until 10/ 13/11, when you decided you wanted to walk all over.  You were still a bit unstable at times, but you LOVED to walk.  So much so, that when you reach your destination, you just run and fall into it.  Since then, you've decided that walking slow just isn't your thing, so you try to run everywhere.  You sometimes fall, but other times you reach your destination, successfully.  You've even gone so far as standing from a seated position.  You've really picked this new walking thing up in a hurry.

Daddy went to China for a week for work during this month and every morning you would call out dada dada dada like you knew he was gone.  You were excited to see him when he got back, but things quickly went back to normal.

Words you are saying now include?  Dada Mama (usually when you're hurt or sick), itty (kitty- only a few times), actor (tractor but only maybe twice), you now wave hi and try to say it, but can't quite get it yet.

You've started drinking whole milk during every meal and haven't figured out if you like it yet.  You're still drinking three bottles, but we're going to be going down to just two very soon.  You're still taking two naps, and they are somewhat inconsistent.  And you are still waking up at the crack of dawn at 5:30 am.... Mommy is not excited about this.

A major advancement in playing this month is that you actually sit and play with the same toy for quite awhile before moving onto the next.  You also love to sit and "read" your books.  It's so cute to watch you do this.

Baby boy, it  has been amazing to watch you continue to learn and grow this month.  I cannot believe that you'll be a year in just two short months! 

I love you more and more each day! 
Love,
Mama

Look out world!

And at exactly 9 months 3 weeks and 1 day, Adam decides it's time to walk.

I don't know about you guys, but I count this as walking.... This was at the beginning of the night tonight and as the night wore on, he got better and better at walking.  At one point, he even went from sitting, to squatting to standing and then took off walking.  So proud of my little man!

Adam 9 months

Well, it's about time that I get to Adam's 9 month post. He was 9 months on 9/23/11. So, here's what you have been up to this month, my dear sweet boy.

 
You are eating what we eat, but I'm scared that sometimes you aren't eating enough. You are getting 3 bottles, 6, 7, and 8 oz.  you love peaches, cherrios, puffs and applesauce.

You are wearing size 12 months clothes, size 4 diapers and finally starting to wear shoes, which you keep on your feet, FINALLY!

This month we visited a pumpkin patch where we took your 9 month photos and an apple orchard.

You've started letting go of furniture and standing there for a few seconds.  You even took your first steps on 9/25/11.  Just yesterday, the lovely ladies at daycare said you took 5 steps in a row!  I think you'll be walking before your 10 month birthday, but we shall see!

Your favorite word to say is Dada and you say it ALL the time.  You even yell it while you are playing.  You also say baba and nana, but I'm not sure you know exactly what those mean.

You have a stubborn streak that is starting to show and you're also definitely a climber!  I think we have our work cut out for us in the next few months.  You've managed to climb all the way to the top of the stairs without assistance (though, Daddy was right behind you to catch you).  You love our kitty Allie and our puppy Bear, but our other kitty Josie doesn't let you near her.

You know what the word 'No' means, but when we tell you no, you turn around, look at us, and then go do whatever it is anyway.

You're taking two naps a day, usually 1-1.5 hours each, though sometimes that varys.  You're wearing mostly 12 month cloths, but the length is too long for you so we have to roll up your pant legs.  You're in size 4 diaper and are still taking 3 bottles a day (21oz). 

Your personality is starting to shine and it's so fun to see the little boy you are growing into.  You are such a happy boy and we are so excited to see what the future will bring! We'll see what month 10 brings, but if it's anything like the last month, you'll be making strides in development! 

 With Sammy, Nana & Papa's dog.

I love you sweet sweet boy!

Your mama

Randoms

1. I'm a terrible friend. There, I said it. I am so bad at calling up my friends to chat our get together. I get so wrapped up in my own life, that I just forget to be a good friends. It's definitely one of my flaws and I hope to work on it.

2. I still haven't done adams 9, month post... Maybe after his doctor visit on thursday.

3. I lose my license on oct. 28- jan 27. Definitely not exciting news... This is because if an accident and it is going top make the winter drag on and on....

4. I really want to find a counseling job for next school year... Then I can officially say I used at least one of my degrees and the $65,000  spent on college wasn't a waste.

5. If I can't find said job, I will be looking elsewhere.

6. I honestly cannot wait for christmas. With it brings adams 1st birthday and the joy of seeing him open presents. I also love decorating and wrapping presents!

7. Thats all for now. Off to sub in gym class!

Calling all mommies

How do you know your kid is getting enough solid food? I swear, I have no idea. Adam is 9 months now and drinks about 21 oz of milk and eats 3 meals a day plus 1-2 snacks. But, sometimes he is picky and doesn't east much of what we give him. He has only gained 2 lbs since his 6 month visit. Is that normal? I'm afraid he is getting too skinny now! Help!

Middle school students

I'm sitting here during my break. I'm subbing at a middle school today and I can't help but think back to when I was in middle school and how different students are today...

somewhere between elementary and college, much of the respect for adults has gone to the wayside. 

Sone if the comments I have received throughout the past week of subbibg here and at a high school are:

I'm not doing that
I don't have to listen to you
I f**king hate this teacher.
This is retrarted
I'm just going to skip
I didn't come to class because I didn't feel like it.

Now, I don't know how you treated your teachers in middle and high school, but never in a million years would I have even thought to say these things.

A lot of these kids feel entitled to do whatever they want inside the classroom. I realize I have a strike against me already for being a sub, but come on!

Where has the respect gone? Now, don't get me wrong, there are students that are respectful and do what they are told, but for the most part, they are overshadowed by the other students.

I can't help but pray that I teach adam differently and he is one of the few students that are respectful. God help our future generations, for they are the ones that will be running this country when we are too old to do so.

8 Months

Dear Little Mister,

Today you are 8 months old.  You have developed so much in the past month that I can hardly believe it, though I’m sure I say that every month.   You are on the move this month and nothing is stopping you now.

This month you have went from your signature army crawl to a full on real crawl.  You move so quickly and if you know you’re going towards something that we don’t want you to go towards, you try to move even faster when you realize we’re on your tail.  You have mastered pulling up on everything and cruising around said things.  You’ve fallen quite a bit and hit your head a lot on our wood floors, but in the last two weeks, you’ve figured out how to get down for a stand by falling to your butt.  Head bumps are no more!  

You’re eating more of what we eat these days.  You hate any and all purees now, so it’s been difficult figuring out what to feed you.  Your current staples are banana’s, cheerios, any flavor puffs, Gerber cookies, carrots and potatoes.    If we can’t figure out what to feed you, we give you those and you devour them.  This month has been difficult at night, because I think you’ve been trying to get one of your top teeth in for about 3-4 weeks now.  You’ve started to wake up between 12am-3am and want to be fed.  Just 4 oz will get you back to sleep in no time.  Last night was better, as you slept from 7:30pm-5:30am.  You eat three 6oz bottles and one 7oz bottle along with your 2 snacks and breakfast, lunch and dinner.

You’re wearing mostly 12 month clothes, but some 9 month still fit you.  You are still in size 3 diaper, but as soon as what we have is gone, you will be moving on to size 4.  You had your second haircut this month, because mommy was tired of everyone calling you a girl (and the fact that your hair looked like a toupee).    You babble all of the time, but it’s mostly just yelling, or saying baba and dada.  You’ve also decided that chasing the cats is your new favorite thing to do, you love it, they hate it.

You started daycare and have definitely developed the separation anxiety and every time you see the main lady at daycare, you cling to me and start to cry.   It breaks Mommy’s heart, but I know you will get used to it someday.

 

It has been a big month for you and I’m pretty sure you’ll be walking by the time I write your 9 month post and if not, then for sure your 10 month post.  

We love you and are so proud of the little man you’ve already turned in to and we cannot wait to see where you will go from here!

Mommy & Daddy

Taking the bad with the good....

Well, I haven't been around much.  Having a rough couple of weeks, but it will get better eventually.

Long story short, I caused an accident where I totaled our car.  Everyone was ok.  Found out that I have to retake my dirving tests and have a medical report before they will deteremine if I get to keep my license.  Well, the next day I found out that I lose my license on Sept. 29th and don't get it back until Jan 27th.  Not a happy camper her, as I'm not sure what we are going to do.

I had big plans to sub teach all fall, and it looks as though that won't happen as much as I want.  My mom has offered to help us out, so I will still be able to teach a couple days a week, but not like I wanted to. 

Big Bummer.....  So I've been gone for awhile, in a bit of a mood to tell you the truth.

I'll be back next week with Adam's 8 month update!  Which is all good news, thankfully! :-)

Adam- 7 Months

This is a little late, but better late than never! Adam turned 7 months on July 23rd. (Sorry, no pictures (next post will have them) and it's a long post!)

Dear Adam,

This month has been a big month for you! You have really developed a lot of new skills and such a strong personality.  It's fun to watch you grow and develop, but it's also sad at the same time.

This month you have said Dada, but it's more of a dadadada and I'm not sure if you know why you're saying it.  I've heard you say mama, but it was only once and definitely not directed at me. The beginning of the month you were "talking" a lot more, and towards the end of the month, talking took a back seat to all of the new things you had learned.

Just 3 days after you're 6 month birthday, you had your first tooth poke through (front, bottom left tooth), then a few days later, the one right next to it started to pop through.

You've learned you're very own special crawl.  It's more of an army crawl, but you can get anywhere you want to and fast.  You'll start out on your hands and knees, rock back and forth and maybe take a step or two with your knees, then it's a belly flop so that you can get moving quicker with your scoot.  I'm not sure if you'll every truly do a regular crawl, because you actually prefer to scoot.

Nap times have been horrible lately, as have bedtimes because you learned to sit up on your own.  You're very good at it now, since you've been doing it for a couple weeks.  You loved doing this in your crib, but you would eventually get tired and get so upset because you were sitting up.  Once you learned to sit up, you quickly learned that you could pull yourself up, especially in your crib.  We've been dealing with this for about a week now and it's only getting worse, the better you get at it.  Tonight you spent 1 hour in your crib standing up and walking around the perimeter of your crib.

Once you learned to pull yourself up in your crib, you now pull yourself up on EVERYTHING.  Including, but not limited to, the couch, any kind of chair or ottoman, the dog (or at least you try, everytime he comes within arms reach), the gates, and daddy and mommy, etc... Once you pull yourself up, you think you can just take off and so you let go with one arm and sometimes fall.  We have wood floors throughout the house, so you've had a couple bad bumps on the head, but I suppose that comes with the territory.  You're definitely learning, and fast. We lowered your crib this month, by one notch, and then one week later, moved it down all of the way. 

You have no fear, whatsoever.  You are so squirmy in our arms when we hold you now because you just want to get down and move around. 

Your personality is also developing.  You are very persistent and when you decide you want something, you want it no matter what.  You love going for cords which are a no no, but everytime we pull you away, you go right back towards them.  I definitely think you will be testing our patience in the near future with everything. 

We've expanded your food options this month as well.  You've tried turkey and rice and hated it.  You've tried mac and cheese and hated it.  You had chicken noodle today and loved it. You've also had blueberry's (they were ok), watermelon (which you loved, but then you choked on a piece so mommy is afraid to give you more), and you've had many more items to eat.  We're getting bored with the same old thing, so we're trying to find new things for you.

You're still in size 3 diapers, and still have 4 bottles a day and 2-3 meals per day.  You are wearing mostly 9-12 month clothing, though some 6-9 month things still fit.  We weighed you on your 7 month birthday and you weighed 20 lbs!

You are a growing boy and we are so very lucky to have you in our lives!

We love you,

Mommy & Daddy

OCD

I'm a bit ocd when it comes to a few things around these here parts.  I don't know if it's because I've trained myself to be this way or because my mom is the opposite and I unconsciously have a need to do these things differently than she did while I was growing up.

Whatever the case may be, my name's Kayla and I'm a little bit OCD.

I have a fear of running out of specific items around the house.  When we get low on these items, I immediately feel a need to restock my supply.

Maybe I should be an extreme couponer and have my own room to keep and organize these items, as to not run out. Plus, then I'd probably be getting them for free which would be way better anyway.

The things I fear of running out of?
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels
Body wash
Toothpaste
Dish soap
Deodorant
Etc...

I HATE running out of these things.  They are all necessities, right?

Seriously, you'll catch me buying not one, not two, but probably 4-5 bottles of body wash at one time (whether they are on sale or not) because I CAN NOT run out of it.

It's a bit odd when you think about it.  I guess growing up, it really sucked when we ran out of toilet paper because Mom forgot to pick it up... Granted, she was a busy woman (Not only was she a mom to two, she worked 12 hour days 5 days a week, did all of the shopping, cleaning, etc...), so I'll give her the benefit of the doubt.  If we did run out, it's not like we went days without it, she promptly ran out and got whatever we ran out of.

There you have it.  One of my many odd habits quirks.  If you find me at the store, don't be surprised to find items in multiples of 5, because honestly, who wants to run out of toothpaste??

Sneak peak: Family photos and Adam's 6 month photos

First tooth and 6 month check up

Adam got his first tooth on June 26th.  Just three days after he turned 6 months!  It was a sad time for him, as he seemed to be in a lot of pain from it.  He didn't sleep well for about three nights straight, but as soon as it came through a bit more, our happy little guy came back!  I can't believe my baby has a tooth already!

We had Adam's 6 month appt on June 27th and due to his irritability and a slight sore throat, we postponed shots for about a week and half as to not make him even more miserable.

Stats for his 6 month check up:
Adam was 18lbs 6 oz (75%)
He was 25 1/2 " long (50%)
His head was 43.5 cm (50%)

He sure is a growing boy!  We won't go back until his 9 month check up, so I'm assuming these numbers will be quite different then!

Wife/Mommy fail and weekend plans

I got so completely wrapped up in Adam's Baptism and brunch this weekend that I didn't even stop to take a picture of Adam and Hubby on Hubby's first fathers day!!!  Major Fail.......  Sorry Hubby.... better luck next year! :-)

In other news, I can redeem myself for Hubby's b-day on July 2nd.... any suggestions for a cute inexpensive homemade gift?  He already got his big gift.

We've got big plans this weekend.  It's suppose to be pretty nice (mid 70's and no rain) for a chance, so we're going to take full advantage.  Hubby's big thing is cars and he wanted to go to a car show for his b-day but the closest one he could find around his b-day is this weekend, so we'll be spending the majority of Saturday at said show.  After we return home, we have a BBQ lunch/dinner thing at a friends house.  I'm so excited for Adam to get to "play" with other little kids.  Our friends have a 1 year old and their friends have a couple kids as well.  I'm hoping nap time goes well tomorrow so that he can have some fun!

Sunday we will probably go out for breakfast and attend church.  So it's a pretty relaxing day and we're excited about that.  Hubby's been super busy with homework for his masters and with work, so we haven't gotten to see him much this past week.  He's definitely working hard and we're so proud of him, but we also cannot wait until he's finished with classes! Come on May 2012! :-)

Have a great weekend!

6 Months

Dear Adam,

Where does the time go?  Seriously, you are a 6 month old baby?  I no longer have a newborn or an infant!  I cannot believe how fast the last 6 months have gone, but I know the next 6 will probably go just as quickly.  Your personality is really showing these days and we are so lucky to have such a wonderful baby!  You seem to learn new things everyday.  I know all moms say that, but really, I know you're going to be so intelligent, because you already are!

We haven't had your 6 month appointment yet, but I know you're going to be weighing at least 17-18 lbs.  Not sure on your length, but I'll make sure to fit that in here after next Monday.  You're wearing sizes 6 months, 9 months and even a lot of 12 months.  Your 6 month stuff only fits if it is Carters brand, and even that is getting too small. Your 9 month clothes fit really well and some of your 12 month stuff (onesies, shorts, etc...) fits just fine.  A lot of shorts do not fit you if they aren't at least 9 months and sometimes those don't even fit.  Your belly is just too big for them, but that's ok!  You are adorable nonetheless.  You're still in a size 3 diaper, but I'm assuming we will quickly move to the size 4 soon.

You can sit perfectly now, but when you get bored of sitting, you just fall over.  Just yesterday, you decided that everyone would be better done standing.  You try as hard as you can to pull up on mommy, your bumbo and your play gym, and when you get to a stand you get so excited that you fall.  You still need help standing as you are very shaky, but I'm impressed for 6 months!  No signs of crawling yet, but I'm sure you will do that when you're ready.

You've learned what whining will get you.  You whine when you don't get what you want and you give the saddest face, though we know it's completely fake.  You get really excited when Daddy gets home at the end of the day and you always greet him with a huge smile and even some giggles from time to time.  Speaking of giggling, you like to do it all of the time!  Everything is funny, especially when someone makes silly faces.  You've mastered holding your hands out whenever someone comes in the room to see if they will pick you up. You're also starting to clap.  We always sing Patty cake Patty cake and we always clap and say yeahhhh when you do something really well.  Sometimes you will do it directly after we do it, otherwise you will do it on your own.

You've begun to explore the kitties and your puppy more.  Everytime they come into the room you stop what you're doing and watch them.  Allie and Bear get close enough for you to "pet" them and grab their hair and neither seem to mind.

You officially HATE sleeping on your back.  You never sleep on your back anymore, so we just automatically place you on your tummy to sleep.  If we do place you on your back, you think it's time to play, so you lay there chattering and playing with your feet.  Speaking of feet, you always want to try to eat them.
Here's what' you've been up to this month, Adam:

Your routine is starting to straighten out.  You are eating a 6-7oz bottle at approximately 7am, followed by some oatmeal and a fruit, then bottles 10am, 1pm, 4pm, then a dinner of veggies at 5:30, bath at 6:30 followed by your 8oz bottle with oatmeal.  You sleep from 7pm-5:30am most nights, though mommy wishes you would sleep until at least 6.  I know I know, I shouldn't complain! You've moved to the big bathtub because you've outgrown your infant one.

You were baptized on Father's day and everyone said how good of a baby you are. You didn't cry one bit during the baptismal or the rest of church.

So many people still think you're a girl and then when they find out your a boy, they say that you're too pretty to be a boy.

Little boy, you are the joy of our lives.  Thank you for being apart of our family and making it that much better. I cannot wait to see the little boy you are growing into in another 6 months! Happy 1/2 birthday little man!

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Adam's Baptism & Father's Day

We had Adam baptized on Father's Day and the day was perfect.  The whole family attended and we had a brunch afterwards.

 Hubby and I with Adam at his baptisim

 And again

With everyone that attended the Baptismal minus Pammy!

Adam with his Godparents- Uncle Brandon & Aunt Natalie

With my family

With Hubby's family

With Hubby's Grandparents

Us with Adam and his Godparents

It was a perfect day!  Thanks to my mom who helped me get my house cleaned and helped me make many of the items we had for brunch. I didn't take any pictures during brunch because I was too busy. Thanks to everyone who came and all of the wonderful gifts that Adam received.  We are all truly blessed!

The world of solids

We've embarked upon the solids department here in our household.  It's been fun, maybe more fun for me than Adam though. 

Here's what solids have looked like for us:

• We started with rice cereal which was a big fat fail.  Adam hated it and would frown everytime I would put a bite in his mouth.
• Next up was oatmeal.  Adam loved oatmeal and still does.  We started oatmeal at about 4 months 3 weeks.
• Next we moved on to veggies.  I wanted to try as many veggies as we could before we started fruits.  He had sweet potatoes (+), squash (-), green beans (+), peas (+), and carrots (-).  (+ means he liked it - means he didn't like it)
• After we tried the veggies, we introduced a few fruits after 5 months 2 weeks to put in the mix.  So far he's had bananas (+), pears (+), peaches (completed hated these), and apples (+)
• Since he's about 6 months I've started trying to make some of his food. So far I've attempted avocados (+), bananas, and sweet potatoes.  
• We also give him mum mum's once in awhile and he loves them.  He's finally figured out that when a small piece breaks off in his mouth, he is supposed to chew it and swallow it.
• Once he hits 7 or 8 months maybe we'll introduce some yogurt and a few more fruits and veggies depending on what the doc says.

This has definitely been an experience to say the least.   I'd like to try making a few more of his foods, but I'm nervous to do so.  Not sure why.  How do you guys store your food if you make it and how long is it good for in the freezer?  I'm still buying some of his foods, just to mix it up a bit since I haven't made very many options for him.  Also, what kinds of finger foods did you start with and at what age?

He is doing very well eating off of a spoon and doesn't quite get the concept of trying to feed himself yet. That's ok though, he'll learn on his own time.  He's also doing very well with a sippy cup.  We're only allowing him 4oz of water a day and he usually doesn't even drink that much.  It seems his appetite for milk has gone down, but I'm also relating that to the crazy 90-100 degree (+10000 degree humidity) weather we're having here in good ol Iowa.  Gotta love it.

More updates to come as we dig deeper into the world of new foods! 

New layout

If you've noticed some changes around here lately, it is because things have changed!  I've had a bit of a blog facelift complements of ms. Katie. 

It's been a work in progress and I'm still working on adding information on the different pages listed.  It should have been done by now, but ahhh, life has taken me in a different direction.  I'm really not too busy to do it, but I've forgotten about it and then when I remember to do it, Adam wakes up from his nap or Hubby gets home from work or laundry needs to be done or I just don't feel like doing it at that moment. 

I think I'll eventually get to it, but don't be disappointed if you click on the pages and nothings there.  You've been warned!

Adam's 5 months!

I cannot believe that you are 5 months old already, Adam!  You have grown so quickly and it is amazing.  You're developing new skills everyday and all I can do is watch in awe as you master new things.

Here is what you're up to this month:

• You have mastered rolling from back to belly, but somehow have "forgotten" how to roll from belly to back, so you get angry and don't even try to roll back to your back.  
• You can sit mostly unsupported, but I'm afraid you'll fall backwards and hit your head (since you've already done that once!)
• Everything goes into your mouth
• While you are on your belly, your little legs move like you're going to crawl, but your arms just aren't strong enough yet.
• You hold your head up beautifully, and you are starting to push onto your arms while you're on your belly, but still need some work in that area
• You babble all of the time.  We can tell when you are getting tired because you start to chatter up a storm in a low voice.
• You chatter yourself to sleep most nights and for most naps.
• You're quite stubborn and get upset when you don't get your way, ALREADY!
• You've started baby food.  You hated rice, and loved oatmeal. You've tried Squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas and bananas.
• You smile constantly.  If someone talks to you, you immediately smile. 
• You can't get enough attention from anyone.  You recognize Mommy and Daddy a mile away.
• Since you're home with mommy all day long, you get so excited when Daddy gets home.
• When you wake up in the mornings, you just chatter until someone comes to get you.  You are so happy when we finally do and smile and giggle a lot.
• Daddy can get you to giggle the most, you love flying in the air and when we play "don't drop the baby".  It's when Daddy pretends like he's going to drop you and you laugh and laugh about it.
• You're finally sleeping 9-11 hours at night.  Some nights you wake up and we have to help you get back to sleep, but you're doing pretty well.  
• You're weighing in somewhere around 16.5-17lbs and are probably about 26-27" long, though I haven't measured you yet this month.
• Lastly, you've started drinking out of a sippy cup, but haven't mastered the idea of it yet.  You get very angry when it doesn't work the way you want it to.

I'm so proud of you little man.  You are so smart and I love watching you develop.  I love each new stage that you embark upon and I cannot wait to watch you learn more new things.  Though, I have a feeling that I'll regret saying that because you are just growing up far too fast! 

We love you with all of our hearts and you have made our lives so much better by being apart of them!

Love,
Mommy & Daddy