Monkeying Around

June 26th - 5 months old

"Mommy, can you read me a story?"

It's hard to believe that Adley is already 5 months old. She is a little person with a big personality. She's an excellent sleeper. Bedtime is typically between 9:30pm and 10:30pm depending on feedings. Then she'll sleep until approximately 7:30am. Ideally she'll take a two hour morning nap from 10-12 and then another nap in the afternoon for about an hour. She goes to sleep very quickly for us and although she doesn't always need the pacifier to sleep it sure helps calm her down quickly. Its easy to tell if she's tired because she'll raise her arms up to her head and she'll sleep that way as well. What an even-tempered girl.

Our days are a mixture of naps, feedings (we're up to two meals of rice cereal and either applesauce or peaches), many changes of clothing and play time. Adley eats like a champ. She progressed from spitting out the spoon to enjoying her cereal so fast. Of course, this is one of the causes of so many wardrobe changes. A girl's gotta look cute!

Play time is as fun for mommy as it is for Adley. We play on the floor (tummy time and her back) with her "Lights and Sounds" mirror and lots of toys. This past week Adley started balancing on her tummy by raising her arms and legs. She looks like she's ready to start swimming. She still amazes us with how fast she can "scoot" by turning in circles. No crawling yet, but she gets closer every day. Our newest addition is playing with the mirror. Adley has found a new friend (pictures on that later).

This has been a tremendous 5 months. We are grateful every day for such a beautiful gift from God.

Movie Night - June 22nd

After a week of VBS we took a break to watch a movie courtesy of ZYF and the Family Movie Night. Due to weather concerns, the event was moved to the activity center for an indoor "drive-in" experience. We brought our own chairs and "Happy Feet" was projected on the wall. There was popcorn, pretzels, hot dogs, nachos and candy. Adley settled for a bottle of formula and a good time was had by all!

New Things

This week is full of new things for us:


Adley got her first taste of applesauce and after the first few bites, it was a hit. She's now eating a combo of rice cereal and applesauce with gusto. She can even "tell" me when she wants more by crying, leaning forward, and opening her mouth.

Adley's first VBS.
Of course, her attendance is spectacular because Daddy helped with Day 1 and Mommy is helping all week with the opening and closing.

Daddy's first VBS at Zion.
He was a storyteller for Day 1 and did a fabulous job, in costume, of course.

Mommy & Me
(no first, we just love being together)

The other first is Adley blowing raspberries. Although she has done this before, this is hobby she has renewed in earnest. She loves to stick her tongue out first which makes this even messier. Also, she smacks her lips. This is usually at the end of a nice raspberry blowing session. She is quite the entertainer. Not the easiest to catch with the camera, though.

Father's Day

Happy Fathers Day to all you dads out there. We spent the morning at church and then Adley and mommy took Jared out for lunch to celebrate his first Father's Day. After lunch we were back at church to set up for VBS. It was a full day but we were together as a FAMILY.

We love you Daddy!

Rice Cereal

Here's an update on the solid foods.

Practicing with the spoon is going well. Its been about a week now and Adley seems to understand how the spoon works. She's even enjoying the cereal more.

(It makes great finger paint!)

"All Done!"

New Toy - 6-15-07

This new toy was passed on by our friends Shawn & Wendy.
Thanks guys! Adley loves it!

Not yet ready for bed - 6-14-07

Mini-Golf, Giant Dragonfly & a Mini-Airport, Oh My!

6-10-07
Playing mini-golf with the high school crowd.
Adley makes a great caddy!


6-11-07
Gotta love that dragon-fly!








6-12-07
An RC airport nearby. We watched a couple of planes take off.
Adley lost track of them in the sky but they caught her attention when they "buzzed the tower."

New High Chair

6-12-07 - What's for dinner?

Friday, June 8

We had a rare treat on Friday. Chris, Heather and Aiden drove up from Bloomington to spend the day with us. We had lunch together and had a chance to catch up a bit. That evening, we went to visit Shawn, Wendy and Emily for a great BBQ with friends Matt & Kathy.



Adley & her godfather Chris


Adley and her godmother Heather


Playing around with Daddy


Having fun with the girls


Showing off my crawling muscles

Rice Cereal

The before picture.


And the "After Picture."

We did get some great video of the first few spoonfuls. Adley thought the whole thing was rather funny at first. She moved the cereal around in her mouth and then laughed at us. Unfortunately, about 99% of what went in, also came back out. After the first few bites she began to avoid the spoon altogether.


We keep practicing, despite the less than enthusiastic reviews.

Daddy & Daughter

An Update...

We've been pretty busy since we got back from vacation. The very next day we were back at church for the ZYF lock-in on Friday night. Jared stayed all night playing basketball, eating pizza and generally not sleeping. Adley and I came home for our first girls night all alone.

On Monday, the 25th Aunt Anna and friends Ashley, Danielle and Jordan spent the night here enroute to Sandusky, OH for a graduation trip to Cedar Point. They came back through again on Thursday. Adley enjoyed all the extra attention!

On the 29th we enjoyed the Confirmation Dinner for the 6 confirmands and their families.

Jared made a short speech and gave out some awards.

Adley slept.



Then Sunday, June 3 was Confirmation Day. The confirmands presented their final projects between services, there were many guests in church and a photo-op after the service.


And Adley slept.



June 4 - Adley visited Dr. Paul for her 4 month check-up.
She officially weighed 15 lbs. 12 oz.
There were 4 more shots, so no pictures.
Before the shots, though, we had some family time to wait for the doctor. Adley found something that was funny and got us all giggling.
Hearing her laugh sure made the wait seem a lot shorter!


June 7 - It just felt like a polka-dot day!

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church gave this stole to Jared last summer for Ordination.

4 months old & ready for SUMMER!

Happy Birthday Grammy!

A birthday message from Adley -

"On your birthday...

...always stop and smell the flowers...

...otherwise, you can get grumpy."