Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

Can't believe I just turned five months old. Where does the time fly? Daddy says I'm getting big and promises to let me start driving just as soon as I can reach the pedals. I'm getting ready to enjoy my first full major league baseball season. I think my first tooth should be arriving here soon, maybe in time for me to enjoy a couple of hot dogs on Opening Day. Looking forward to my first brat. I've been working on my curveball in my spare time and have also acquired a couple of other nifty new tricks. I can now roll on to my stomach on demand. I'm sure there is good job out there that requires this skill. I can work up quite a hearty appettite doing this, so Mom has started me on some solid foods. Bananas are great, so is rice cereal. I'm not so sold on sweet potatoes. I tend to give Mom some pretty vivid facial feedback when that stuff is put in my mouth. I can't help it, you could probably mortar bricks with it. Somewhere, some wall is collapsing because of my lunch. Actually, I'm kidding. Mom feeds me pretty well. Daddy's a different story. Apparently his own dietary intake still has some carryovers from his bachelor days. No way I'm eating anything he prepares. I'll be calling the FDA as soon as my fingers are big enough to work a cell phone.

Looking forward to seeing Aunt Mary, Uncle Brian, and Casey & Matthew in Vegas this weekend. You can also find me at the roulette table at Caesar's. I'm going to win enough to retire before the age of 1.

Congratulations Pam & Gabe

What a wonderful trip to South Bend! The wedding was beautiful. We are so happy for Pam and Gabe as they start their new life together. Benny did great; the more people said he was cute, the more he smiled! It was actually really cold, so we did not walk around very long and didn't take Benny out of the stroller at all for pictures. As a result, all of the photo ops Tommy planned around campus didn't happen. But, we visited the most important places. The first place we took him was the Grotto to say a prayer and light a candle in thanksgiving for his health. We found ourselves counting our many, many blessings this weekend. We are not able to spend nearly as much time with family and friends as we would like, but we cherish the time we do have together. Have a great day everyone!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is my daddy's birthday! My friends, Dumbo and Igor the dinosaur, thought this would be the perfect way to say happy birthday! I am not lucky enought to partake in the yummy carrot cake, maybe next year I'll get a little taste.
We're getting ready for out trip out to South Bend. Or, as Daddy refers to Notre Dame, the "hallowed ground." I'm excited to walk around campus and hear my folks tell stories about their college days. Dad keeps teasing Mom that he is going to take me to the Linebacker while she is out with her friends, atleast Mom hopes he is teasing! Come back soon, we will put up pictures from campus. As we are getting ready for the trip, we're listening to lots of Celtic music. ND will be a great place to celebrate Pam & Gabe's wedding and St. Patrick's Day! Take care and have a great day!

Sleep Agendas

Lately I've become suspicious that Mom & Dad wait until I'm asleep, and then they formulate little secret plans. I think they hatch plots about what ridiculous items they're going to dress me in, what college I'm going to, how to ensure I get good SAT and golf scores, etc. Thankfully, Robert and Shannon Griffin sent me Dumbo the Elephant. He's become my cribmate and my chief confidante. He shares my concerns. We decided we just couldn't leave Mom & Dad unsupervised. Last week when it came time for bedtime I began to let forth with a series of good, long yowls until Mom & Dad got the picture and got me out of the crib. For good measure, I gave them a couple of early morning reminders at 3:45 AM. You should've seen the look on Daddy's face. You would think the stock market just crashed or that the Cowboys forgot to show up for a football game. What do they expect? I'm an infant, that's how I communicate. What am I supposed to do, designate Dumbo as my chief negotiator and take the case to arbitration? I know they've been in secret communication with my grandparents, and aunts Judee and Mary on advice on how to 'establish a good sleep routine.' Fine. Fine. Fine. They want sleep, I decided to give them sleep. I've slept twelve hours continuously the last couple of nights and a lot during the day. I just want to note for the record, that while I am now better rested and generally in a better disposition, my job productivity is on the downswing. I'll never get my novel finished at this rate. When I'm a teenager and Mom & Dad are complaining that I won't get out of bed, you can bet that I'm going to bring this whole episode up.

Broken Camera

Hi All! Well, it seems our digital camera bit the dust. Its a shame because Benny had some really good photo ops this week. He is doing really well. He is rolling onto his side, not quite all the way around. Its pretty fun to watch him play. He is reaching for his toys more now and sticking absolutely everything in his mouth. We started giving him a little rice cereal and that is always fun to watch. He likes having the spoon in his mouth, so he bites down on it. When he manages to get a little bit of the mush in his mouth, he blows out like he's making bubbles. So then we have mush all over. One more funny story from this week that would have been a great picture... Benny has a bouncer now with all kinds of fun toys like a piano, mirror, teething toy, ect. But, what does he like best? He tries to chew the pictures of the seat. The lesson here is simple is better. He is keeping us busy, thats for sure.
Benny has been giving us a run for our money at naptimes and nighttime, maybe he thinks he's missing out on some excitement. I think we are getting that under control now though. Famous last words, right? Thanks to all for your advice! Have a nice weekend. Hopefully we'll get a new camera and get more pictures up soon!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hello family and friends! I hope Cupid was good to you yesterday! I have big news to report; not only am I a "Handsome Devil," I am also a rolling "Handsome Devil." I can officially roll from my tummy to my back. My mom actually missed the first one because she was messing with her iPod, but I demonstrated my athletic prowess for her again. And I was a very good boy yesterday so my parents could have a nice Valentine's Day dinner. I wonder when I can try some of that tasty chocolate.

Today is my four-month birthday! Am I celebrating with cake, ice cream, and birthday candles? Unfortunately, no. Actually, I have to go to the doctor for my check-up and shots! Boo! But I'll let you all know how big I am when I get back. Have a great day!

UPDATE: My doctor was so happy to see me, she kept saying how I was SO big. So of course I gave her a few smiles and giggles. I offically weigh 15 pounds, 3 ounces and I'm 26 inches long. The shots weren't so bad, not for a tough guy like me.

Any Happy Cake Left for Me?

Happy Birthday Nolan! I'll admit that I was a little outraged that I could not partake in any happy cake this year. My folks say I have to wait until my first birthday. So how was the cake? Better than milk? This is going to be a great year for you and I hear you're literally starting the year, "on the ground and running." My mom is sorry this post is a little late going up. She kept saying "stupid camera" again and again. Apparently there were some technical difficulties. All is well now.

Things have been pretty busy around here. I like keeping my mom on her toes. She'll put me on my back and then I'll make it look like I'm just about to roll over, and then I don't. She doesn't want to turn around and miss my first roll so she is stuck, then I smile, laugh and kick my legs. I like to wow people by showing just how far I can put my hand in my mouth, too. We've been staying inside for the past week or so. Its been cold here! I have to get all bundled up to go across the street. I need tips from my Montana and Minnesota family on how to stay warm! Well, thats all for now. Have a great day and I'll let you all know when I roll over.