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.

Happy Birthdays!

It has been a few days since my last entry, life has been pretty quiet around here. Dad went to New York City to visit his ND friends so I thought I'd wear my special ND shirt for them. A big thank you to Colleen for the t-shirt, it shows off all my "muscles." :)

I'm starting to get the suspicion that Pops is trying to influence my thinking. For example, Daddy has made it a point to say that I can go to any college I want to. I think however that he mumbled something about how the selection of a certain school in Indiana will get me a car sooner than certain other educational options. Also, I'm sure all universities have fight songs, but it seems like only one is ever played in the house. All the time. It may be strictly coincidence, but Dad dresses up like a leprechaun whenever he puts me down to sleep and when I get up in the morning. It's the first and last thing I see in the day. In all fairness maybe all Daddies dress up like leprechauns. I'll have to ask around as soon as I make some friends and establish my network.

Happy Birthday to Aunt Sue and Aunt Judee! I wish I could be there to celebrate with you. I hear Nolan is walking. I'm hoping to roll over pretty soon. I keep trying, Mom is helping me a little bit. Actually its pretty fun to just lay on my back and look at the lights in the ceiling.

So, I know I said my life's ambition was to be a Mexican wrestler with Lucha Libre, but I've changed my mind again. My new friend Christine took a bunch of pictures of me last weekend. For a guy that loves lights, the camera flash was just the ticket. I think my call is in modeling. It would be a crime to not share this face with the world!

Go Irish!

My First 100 Days

Well, the President always makes a big deal out of his first 100 days in office, so I'd like to share some of my accomplishments. I've learned alot since birth. I can focus, I can coo and make all kinds of baby noises, but most important, I can smile. My parents go crazy for that! It doesn't matter what I do, one smile and they're like putty in my hands. Sometimes I even wake up crying in the middle of the night, then I flash them a smile with a giggle (for a little extra pizzaz) and they don't even mind being up anymore.

My administration has not been without its challenges. For starters, I can't seem to get any variety in my diet. True I love milk, but by my count I've had 615 consecutive meals of nothing but the stuff. I think the first word I'm going to say is going to be "Moo." What does it take to get a steak in this place? Also, my parents tend to dress me in one-piece ensembles, not seeming to know that this was last popular when Fat Elvis was playing The Mirage in Vegas. Get with the program people. How about a trip to Brooks Brothers, or at least a pair of Dockers?

The Highlights

Well, I'd like to give all my family and friends a rundown of the last three months. They have been very exciting, to say the least. I'm finding I have a promising career as a Mexican Wrestler. The first picture below is me pinning my archrival, El Grillo, my Uncle Joey taught me this move. Not to brag, but I worked El Grillo over pretty good. My life's ambition right now is to dominate Lucha Libre. I might be a little small, but I'm pretty quick off the ropes. I have all of the skills I need. Sometimes when my parents are asleep at night, I don my uniform and protect the citizens of the city as a crime-fighting Superhero. Don't tell Mom though. She's convinced I'm asleep like an angel.












If Lucha Libre doesn't work out, I figure I can always become one of Santa's elves. My cousin Nolan let me borrow his new dump truck for the picture, thank you! I sure had a good time with Grandma, Grandpa, and all of my aunts, uncles and cousins. It sure was cold, and there was this fluffy white stuff all over. My mom kept layering on the clothes too, luckily I stayed nice and toasty warm.
















Check this out! I was barely two weeks old in this picture and my parents dressed me up for Halloween! Lets just say I wasn't exactly thrilled. I couldn't even go Trick-or-Treating because I don't have any teeth. They kept laughing and saying how cute I looked. I have to agree, I must be the most handsome little chili pepper around!
















Look at me, I'm 'Hot Stuff'


This is what I looked like the first time my daddy got to see me. I was a little tired from my journey into the world; the doctors and nurses did a great job taking care of me. I won the prize for being the biggest baby in the NICU. Luckily I got to go and stay in my mommy's room after a few days. It was much more quiet in there. Then we got to go home, my favorite place!
















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