Four Months!

If I weren't so tired, I would never believe that we have a four-month-old boy!  He is growing up so fast and continues to be so much fun.  Let's see...

1. His new favorite thing to "say" is hey.  He'll say it over and over again.  

2.  Not sure how much he weighs, but judging by our increased back pain, I'd say he's getting big!  He'll see the doctor again for a check-up in a couple of weeks, so I'll update then.  

3. He grabs everything in sight and has recently figured out how to use both hands to grip things.

4. He puts everything in his mouth and sucks on his hands frequently.

5.  Still not sleeping great at night, but we're working on it.  

6. His favorite book so far is a cloth book about dinosaurs. The plot isn't very deep and Phil always laments the lack of character development, but Adam seems to love it.  Probably because there are things to touch in the book.

This is his first time in the exersaucer - a gift from Uncle Matt and Aunt Tricia.  Thanks, guys!

He loves it, and figured out right away how to slowly turn himself to look at all the toys.  He is slowly learning what each one does.  His back isn't quite strong enough to be in it for a long time, but he loves going in it.

*A note to new parents...put the toys on BEFORE you assemble the rest of the exersaucer!  Peg and I almost threw the thing out the window trying to get the screws through the little holes on the bottom.  Good thing it was worth it in the end. 

Grandma and Grandpa Swenson came to visit Adam (and us too, but let's be honest...).  It was great to see them, as always, and they had a wonderful time with Adam while Phil and I had a wonderful date night - Yay!  Adam is blessed to have awesome grandparents.

Grandma Peg teaches Adam "So Big!"

Here's one where you can actually see Grandma's face.

Hangin' out with Grandpa Casey.  Adam wasn't quite old enough to drive the golf cart this time around, but I overheard Grandpa teaching him about different swings, so he should be ready soon.

Thanks for a great visit, Grandpa and Grandma S!  We miss you already!

Who's My Daddy?

It's so fun to compare photos of Adam and his daddy when he was a baby!  Adam has so many of Phil's features, and even their expressions are the same in these two pictures.  

This is Adam on March 13, 2009.  He was three and a half months old.

This is Phil on March 15, 1981.  He was six months old.

That's What Grandpas Do

I think we all have pictures like these - baby sacked out on the couch with Grandpa.  It seems that grandpas have a special gift for creating just the right place for their grandbabies to snuggle in for a good nap.  Adam has definitely enjoyed some good naps with his grandpas.  Looks like Grandpa enjoyed too!

Grandpa Casey and Adam when he was about two weeks old.

Grandpa Rob with Adam when he was about a month old.

Take a hike!

It got up to 62 degrees today - beautiful!  So we hopped in the car and drove to a park near our house with our picnic basket loaded up with some bread, cheeses, and proscuitto.  We found a nice spot by the river and had ourselves a nice lunch.

Chillin' on the blanket.  Notice his shoes with the rockets on them.  A gift from Great Aunt Paula!  Pretty sweet, eh?  He's the coolest Air Force kid.

Mama and Adam

There were lots of geese, but this one (the one on the bottom) seemed to be really mad at all the other geese.  He kept yelling at them.  Honestly, he kind of scared me.

I think he might have some serious problems...

Daddy and Adam all ready for a little hike.  We saw lots of beaver activity and some deer tracks.  Phil wants to go back and try fishing a few spots on the river.

Adam fell asleep halfway through the hike.  We worked him pretty hard, I guess.  He was pretty tuckered out.

Apparently he wasn't the only one.

I Heart Jodi!

My favorite author, Jodi Picoult, came to a bookstore near our house on March 13th, to promote her newest book, Handle with Care.  I saw her once before in California about a year ago.  

Here is a flashback moment to that day with my friend Jen, another huge fan of Jodi.  Look how excited we were! 

There were so many people there to see her!  She talked for a bit, read from her new book (it was good, I can't wait to read it), and then answered questions.  It's always so interesting to hear her talk about her characters and the research she does before writing a book.  

Susie was my partner in crime for this one.  She is a new fan of Jodi - yay!  Get this, my line number for getting my book autographed was...wait for it...#262!  So, we figured we had some time to kill while we waited for my turn, so we went to Caribou for a quick treat.  

We got back with plenty of time to chat before our big moment.  Here we are with Jodi after she signed my books (I bought the new one and also two others that I already had that hadn't been signed.)  Jodi is so friendly and chatty, very real and down to earth.  (Notice how I just call her Jodi, like we're old friends...which we are...)

I highly recommend her books.  They always make you think, but also touch your heart, a great combination.  Thanks Susie and Jodi for a wonderful night out!

Dear Grandpa Casey...

Dear Grandpa Casey,

Mom and Dad seem to get excited about dressing me up in these "gopher" or "ole" outfits.  I don't really understand, but it happened again today.  Mom says she bought me this outfit since you always call me "Slugger."  I think I look pretty cute, and I hope it still fits me when you come to see me in a few days.  I can't wait!  Unfortunately, I was only able to wear the outfit for about three minutes today, since I accidentally pooped my pants right after this picture was taken.  It was pretty embarrassing...please don't tell Grandma.  I'll see you soon!

Love,

Adam 

Another shot I wanted to share.  He has been sitting like this in his swing lately, and I think he looks so funny!  Totally relaxed.

Then ----> Now

Today I was putting away some of Adam's clothes that he doesn't wear anymore and I couldn't believe how much he's grown!  I held some of his newborn outfits and couldn't believe he used to be that small.  Look at this...

Sleeper he wore then vs. Sleeper he wears now.

He shakes, he rattles, but he doesn't quite roll...

Adam hasn't learned to roll over yet, but we reached another milestone yesterday, March 3.  For the FIRST time, he held his rattle and shook it all by himself.  Of course, being the excitable mama that I am, I dove for the video camera.  It really struck me how fast he is learning, and how quickly the milestones keep coming.  All of a sudden, BAM!  He can do something else.

Just Hangin' Out

Doesn't he look like a little man in his Bumbo seat?  Too cute!