Baby eats bananas (5 months old)

Adam is 5 months old today!!
When I was cooking dinner I decided to try some mashed up bananas just to see if he would know what to do with it. He opened his mouth up big...here's what happened next:

"What did you just put in my mouth?"

Looking coy for the camera

"Ask me what I really think about this"

"Umm, maybe not"

Max and I really truly cannot believe how much we love this little guy. Has he really only been with us for 5 months? We can't imagine life without him!

A tribute...

So as most of our friends and family know, we've lost two family members in the time since Adam was born. Yesterday was the estate auction for all the stuff from Max's dad's place, the cabin, and Grandma and Grandpa's house. Imagine tables and tables of all the things they collected in their lifetimes - things that meant a lot to them but then are just picked through by the auction crowd. In the end these things are sold for basically pennies on the dollar. Through all this I've come to two conclusions which are probably good reminders for all of us:
1) Things are just things. We strive all our lives for them but in the end they aren't truly what's important.
2) When we lose someone we love its the memories in our mind and heart that keep them alive. Yes, it can be hard to sell the house or their prized possessions but that's not where their spirit lies - it's always in us. Their things may be gone but the memories will always live on

Gone but never forgotten...

3/11/39-4/2/09

Max's Dad, Max, was a collector of all things. You know that saying "one man's junk is another man's treasure"? Ya, that was him - except when you needed something he always had one (or seven!). He was always tinkering with something outside. Before he retired in 2005, Max was a bus driver for Selah Schools and all the kids wanted to be on his bus. He loved his family more than anything and was very excited to meet his first grandson. Adam and his grandpa only spent 4 weeks on this Earth together before we lost him but we know Grandpa Max is looking down and watching over him.

2/7/24-5/26/09

Grandma Elizabeth saw a lot in her lifetime. She, her husband and young daughter came to our country from Germany many years ago. She was a resourceful lady who painted beautifully and made the best cakes. She loved her family dearly - especially her great grandchildren. She was only able to see Adam one time but we will always remember the grin she had on her face when she saw him. Never a day went by that Grandma didn't miss her husband after he passed and we take comfort knowing that she is with him today.

A different view...

So Adam likes to hang upside down. Crazy kid. He will hang there until his head turns beat red and we have to put him back upright so the blood can return to his toes. :)

Gotta love him!

We're home...

...from Adam's first trip out of the state!

How did he do on a 5 hour car trip? Not too bad really. On Wednesday morning he slept the 3 1/2 hours to Portland, we spent 3 hours at Clackamas having lunch and walking around the mall and then he slept the remaining 2 hours to Eugene. He basically did the same thing just in reverse on our way back on Thursday. Good boy Adam!

We had a good time visiting my friend Tiffany and her family in Eugene. We had Tiffany's bridal shower on Wednesday evening. It was a fun time and Tiffany got some great gifts. I wanted to get pics with Adam and Tiff but didn't get to it - I'm so bad at getting pictures. I will most definitely have some from her wedding reception in September. Adam had kind of a rough first night away from home. Not exactly sure what caused it but Mom was certainly tired - I didn't get a 5 hour nap each day!

On our way home we stopped to visit our friend Wendy and her new 2 month old daughter McKenna. As you know, Adam loves pretty girls so it was a fun visit. Here is the Adam and McKenna photo shoot:

Wendy had them hold hands - they're gonna love this when they're older!!

All in all it was a great trip!!

My little beach bum!

Baby. Cute.
Baby in boardshorts. Cute.
Baby in boardshorts on a baby adirondack chair. Pricelessly cute.

"All I need now is a cold drink!"

You know those pictures of the dogs where the camera angle is such that the head is huge and the body small? We are getting the same affect here:

Adam enjoys his tummy time for the most part. We are still waiting for him to put some effort into it and roll over...don't hold your breath, it could be a while :)

Think of us tomorrow as Adam, my mom and I head down to Eugene, Oregon to visit some friends and go to a bridal shower. It's a 5 hour drive!

My two sleepy men

We have dinner, sit down in the living room and look what happens....

Adam
Daddy

Hmmm....great conversationalists they are ;)

"potty like a rockstar"

Adam got this cute onesie from his Auntie Jlo and Uncle Craig in Texas and I swear the boy can read because everytime we put him in it, that is exactly what he does. One of the first times I took him to mom and baby group, he wore this and proceeded to completely fill his diaper and it squished out EVERYWHERE. All the cute print was covered in poo. Fun. And even funner to clean it up away from home. Thanks Adam.

Here's a pic with Adam and his daddy. You can see the front of the onesie has cute brown stars.

As for other news, we had Adam's 4 month checkup on Wednesday. He is 14 lbs 8 oz (50th percentile) and 26 inches long (80th percentile). The doctor was very pleased with his growth and even commented "that he is very interactive for a gentleman of his age". We've always had people tell us that Adam seemed very alert. Adam had 4 shots at this appointment and I was totally dreading them. He screams bloody murder and will not be quieted until we are completely out of the building. Poor guy :(

Doctor also said it would be a good idea to start taking him swimming. He seems to love water so far so I plan to take him swimming soon. First I have to get lil swimmers diapers. No "code brown" when we are in the pool ;)