Jumping

Adrian learned to jump in his jumperoo!  He can finally reach the floor.  I grabbed the camera as soon as he started jumping:

He tried to get some toys off for a few minutes that are impossible to remove. He got frustrated, so Matt tried to turn him around so he could play with something else and he got mad and held on so he couldn't be turned.  Then I handed Gary to him and he was happy.  Then in the end, he learned to jump.  

Babylegs

Just thought I would share the adorable baby leg warmers that came in today.  I got them on sale at the Babylegs store for $3 each.  There's one more pair that hasn't come in yet but here's what we have so far:

What's the point, you ask? They don't have to be taken off to change his diaper,  they'll protect his knees when he starts crawling, he won't grow out of them for a long time, they can show off his cloth diapers while we're at home, and they're so darn cute! Matt isn't very excited about them but he'll get used to it.  Have a great Sunday everyone!

Family visit and picture

     The group picture went well for the most part. I think they turned out nice but we went to the same place as Adrian's 3 month pictures and they were pushy of course. They took single shots of every kid. So my parents said "we don't want any single shots" and the guy said "okay, what about this one?" and proceeded to pull up every single shot. I won't post the group shot since I don't know how everyone else would feel, but I have a family shot of me, Matt, and Adrian.

I don't have the cd so I took a picture of the picture.

     We had a nice visit. We went to the Strategic Air and Space Museum. Adrian liked looking around and at one point had a baby talk conversation with his two year old cousin Kobe. . We watched some home videos to show them what England was like. It made me really want to go back one day, when Adrian is old enough to remember. We also saw Matt's cousin Mallorie for a little while on Monday. He took to her pretty well but he got tired and cranky so we had to leave. That night we had some friends over for a game called Pandemic. It's a game where you all work together to cure and treat diseases; it's pretty cool.

Sitting up!  For about 10 seconds.  I caught him when he fell though.

     Adrian is starting to need time to adjust when we visit people. He needs a little time before anyone holds him and even then sometimes he just wants me or Matt. I do believe he liked Eric's facial hair and goofy face making skills, so he had that going for him.

Did I mention Adrian is officially in 6-9 month clothing? I think he'll be done with the swing soon too. So many changes in such little time!

Mostly pictures

     This weekend we had planned on going to a basketball game, but Adrian was cranky and Matt didn't feel like it.  So we stayed home and watched Star Trek.  Other than that things have been quiet around here.  This coming weekend, my step sister and her family, and possibly Eric are coming down from Minnesota to visit.  If Eric can make it we are going to do a family photo with everybody. If he can't, it will just be all the grandkids. I'm excited! The last family picture I was in was with all my cousins wearing matching polo shirts when I was 17. That didn't end well.

We were visiting Michelle and Matt hadn't gotten much sleep the night before.  He fell asleep on the couch while holding Adrian's Sophie (popular toy giraffe that we actually renamed 'Gary')

I don't care if he doesn't need shoes.  Come on, this is adorable.

   
     I'm going to work on an update about cloth diapers.  I think I've found a good wash routine and I have a pretty good feel for how well each different kind works.  So look for that in the near future.
   

Dog Rant/Obviously my baby is a freaking genius

     The following is a rant about dogs. If you are only here for Adrian, scroll down.  Look for the stars.

     Since I'm a stay at home mom, I would feel safer if we had a dog.  Also I just miss having a dog.  Once we move I would love to rescue one. The problem is, the only kind of dog Matt wants is an american cocker spaniel.  All of the cocker spaniels I have known have only proven themselves to be temperamental, aggressive, neurotic, and/or territorial.  The ones his parents have now are afraid of children.  Samson, our childhood dog was a mix of a dachsund, a cocker spaniel, and who knows what else.  He ended up having aggressive tendencies.  I loved him and he was  a great dog, but we were older when we got him.  It's different with small children.

     Personally, I think cocker spaniels look like they have mullets, like David Bowie (Ziggy Stardust) in the 70's.  That's what I think of when I think cocker spaniel; little furry aggressive David Bowie's.  I'm not sure why he sticks in my mind but it probably has to do with the fact that I was scared of him when I was a kid because he was the evil dude in Labyrinth.  Anyway, cockers look like they're always angry to me.  I've just never seen them as friendly dogs. Also I don't feel like devoting the time and money it takes to properly groom these dogs.  I would love a mutt. I would love just about any dog that isn't inherently aggressive.  Matthew refuses to budge, so at the moment it looks like we will never have a dog.  I'll keep you posted.  I know you are on the edge of your seat.

Scary David Bowie

                      

                American Cocker Spaniel
            Photo: Ashbey Photography                    http://mycockerspaniel.com/am_cocker.htm

      I'm not trying to just hate on cocker spaniels.  I just decided that my interpretation of their proper haircut was hilarious and needed to be shared.  If they were known for being sweet, docile, safe dogs for small children then I would give in and let Matt have his way.  A dog is a dog and they all have the potential to be a loving, loyal member of the family.  Adrian comes first though and I will not take this decision lightly. Moving on now.

********************************************************************************

I have two new things that Adrian has started.  First, he has started holding his arms out so you will pick him up.  Second, I heard him put two different sounds together for the first time while babbling.  It sounded like "aaaaaaaa jajajaja."  Obviously my baby is a freaking genius.

 Here is Adrian:

This is a video of Matt making him laugh.  I was in the middle of trying to get him to eat, hence the milk all over.  Please ignore the bed that needed the new sheets and pillowcase at the end.

He can either lie down and kick the keyboard or sit up and use his hands.  This lasted long enough for me to get ice cream.  Then screaming ensued.

This is Sophie.  Silly dog.  Sophie is an example of a non-aggressive dog.  I would never leave Adrian alone with her nor any other dog for that matter but she is gentle, sweet and loving with little ones.  To the rest of us she's a giant lap dog.  She's a Viszla if you're wondering.

He can hold his own bottle!  At least, he can when it's nearly empty.  I'll take it.

My dad is famous for self portraits.  This reminded me of him.  I was trying to get a picture of Adrian's gums and he was trying to eat my phone.

Hanging out with me while I folded laundry.

I'm looking forward to a fun weekend with my boys!  

5 Months

   

Adrian is 5 months old!  Adrian, here is what you were like at 5 months.

Likes:

*Jumping! This is a newly discovered activity.

*Eating

*Sucking or chewing on toys and fingers.

*Music, especially when I sing to you.

Dislikes:

*Being away from me

*Being put down while sleeping

*Your reflection (your dad added this while laughing)

*Being put in the carseat

Able to:

*Sit up with the help of pillows

*Put weight on your feet

*Hold your bottle for a little bit

*Carry on a "conversation" where you respond with adorable noises.

Other:

*You drool like nobody's business, but get mad when I put a bib on you.

*You have a high pitched squeal when you are excited or mad, and it's hard to tell which emotion you're displaying at first.

*You flail your arms and legs while you eat.

*I tried giving you mashed potatoes on Christmas but you were full and pushed them out with your tongue. 

Adrian, it is so fun to watch you grow and learn.  Dad and I are so grateful to be your parents and we cannot imagine our lives without you..You have such a sweet, happy disposition.  You can be a little high maintenance but hey, you get that from your mom.  

 There were three pictures of him staring at something. My house is  haunted!!! Just kidding. 
 

I think this was right before a sneeze.

Goofy face

Christmas with my little family

    I thought I would show you some of my decorations since I took pictures of Adrian's stocking.  First, Matt and I picked out stockings together.  We got one for each of us but when/if we have more kids they will get our stockings.  They aren't the most exciting ones ever but I think they look nice together:

Adrian's is green.  We don't have a fireplace or stair banister, but this worked out well.The stocking holders say peace, joy and love.

My mom bought our tree skirt after we got engaged.  I couldn't have picked a better one myself!

Ornament to Adrian from Matt's uncle David.

Eric gave me this angel last year.

I love my nativity but this table needs some work on the top.  Ignore it.

I believe my mom made this a long time ago.  It's one of the only Christmas things I took from home. I love it.

I couldn't find the normal angel, so we have a pink one.  She's more special anyway.  I've had her for a long time.

Candid pictures don't work out very well when the flash freaks out the baby.

Santa came!

     On Christmas morning we slept in on accident.  Then we opened Adrian's presents. It was rather uneventful but it was fun to have time for just us.  Adrian gets more interested in toys all of the time, so it's fun to watch him get excited.  Our next Christmas will be in a more permanent home; hopefully we will have a fireplace for Santa! 

Adrian is trying to contain his enthusiasm.

     Any day now, we will have a new nephew!  I hope he decides to come soon if he's ready.  I'm sure Adrian will look like a giant next to him even though he's still so small to me.  I hope everyone has a happy new year!