Signs of Spring

Unlike today the weather was quite pleasant Wednesday evening in Southern Wisconsin. We took the opportunity to go for a walk. Or in Grady's case a stroll. Grady was also happy to hear Spring Training games got underway in Arizona. The Brewers tied the A's in the 8th, and the game was called after 10 innings, tied 3-3.

Grady's view was pretty much limited to watching Dad push him.

Grady's grin let us know he was warm enough and ready to roll.

Where did my feet go?

Hillary's friend Joe sent some pie's home with her. He suggested giving them to Grady. Well, even though he's getting so big, we didn't feed him pie. But we did take a picture just to see what he would like when he does.

Three Months Old

Today Grady turned 3 months old. To mark the occasion we took a few pictures...

As you can see Grady really loves to smile!

Congratulations Joe! Happy Retirement!

On Saturday night, we went to Watertown. A surprise party was thrown for Joe Meyers, one of Hillary's co-workers. He is retiring from the Watertown School District. Joe is a wonderful friend that has served the Watertown High School for thirteen years. He is an incredibly kind man with an enormous and generous heart. Joe will be missed by the staff and students of WHS.

Joe is a prankster. He often puts my stapler and tape dispenser in my bag, which I usually notice at home. Another teacher informed me that Joe has put some kind of Vaseline-like substance on her door handle. It looks like I got away easy compared to the door handle prank!

Joe often leaves little pictures of goofy looking pets (like a dog with a human's face) on our desks. He has been known to leave treats on our desks as well. Many staff members have pieces (benches, book shelves, napkin holders, trays) from Joe's woodworking business in their classrooms and homes. We have been so fortunate to have such a wonderful friend here at WHS. Joe always brightens up anyone's day--both staff and students. Joe is looking forward to relaxing with his lovely wife, Joanie, traveling, walking, and continuing his wood working business.

To make sure Joe stays busy in his retirement, here is a brief "advertisement" for his business: Joe's Primitives. 210 S. Water St. Watertown, WI 920-261-4308. Authentic hand-crafted barn-board furnishings made from antique wood-heirlooms for your home! You can find his work in the Watertown Market on Water Street.

Grady, Joe and Hillary.

Grady and Joe--Aren't they adorable together?

Joe always says he's going to "spank Grady in the hinder!"

Badger Hockey

Friday night I had the chance to catch one more Badger Hockey game this season. Our tickets were on the glass in one of the corners. The Badgers started out great, scoring two goals in the first period before allowing DU to tie it at 2. Then a couple minutes into the 3rd period UW scored making it 3-2. But DU tied it with 14 seconds left and then won in the first minute of OT.

Former UW and NHL Coach...his quote hangs in the Kohl Center.

Bucky on Ice

Goalie Shane Connely's helmet prior to face-off.

Connely makes a save.

The Badgers attempt to score.

The Badgers fell short but a beer at the Red Shed after the game makes it all feel better.

Look What I Did Today Mom

Grady enjoys each of his "work-out" stations.

Brunswick

My dad started calling Grady, Brunswick last weekend. He said he reminded him of a bowling ball. You be the judge. (Yes, my bowling ball say's Lobe on it. It is also a Brunswick.) Do you like his shirt? I picked it up at Walgreens a few months ago when getting medicine for Hillary.

Spring Training

Today is the day pitchers and catchers report to the Brewers spring training facility in Maryvale, Arizona. However, opening day is still 53 days away. I am wondering if Grady will understand the art of the hit and run by then? Guess I am going to be reading to him from Zack Hample's book Watching Baseball Smarter; A Professional Fan's Guide for Beginners, Semi-experts, and Deeply Serious Geeks.

C'mon Mom let go I am trying to get ready for my fantasy baseball draft!

I am sure Hillary isn't as excited as we are about today.

I wonder who fills out the jersey better? Grady or Prince himself?

The first week Grady was home I took a picture with him and my Packer jersey. Here he is smiling next to my Brewer Jersey. I think he might be taller than his name now.

Now Batting for the Brewers, The Third Baseman, Grady Lobenstein

Visitors

Today my cousin Tracy stopped by to say hello and drop off a playset for Grady. She brought her son Jackson with. It was nice to have visitors. It was also very nice of her to drop off the playset. I am looking forward to the weather changing and being able to take Grady outside and use it.

Tracy with Grady and Brooks.

Jackson really liked playing with the train set.

In fact he liked the train so much it was hard to get him over to take this picture.

It was neat to see how much Grady enjoyed Jackson. Here, he was helping Grady with his Brewer hat. As a thank you I gave Jackson a Brewer hat of mine. Maybe we can get them all to a game this summer.

Jackson tried it backwards, then fixed it so it didn't cover Grady's eyes. This reminded me of a catcher. Maybe Pudge Rodriguez?

"Weight" that is a Door Bell

Unfortunately I don't have any photos for this post. But I do have a couple of stories that I felt like posting.
The first one took place last night. My nephew Luke, (Will be 2 years old on March 5th) and my sister Michelle, called me last night. Luke said hello and thanked me for the Valentine Card that he got in the mail. He then told me the picture (featured in our last post) of Grady was a door bell. ?!?!? My sister started to laugh as Luke walked off. She had told him that Grady looked adorable.

Today was Grady's follow up Doctor visit. When he was first born he actually lost too much weight and we were a little concerned. Well, after a couple early follow up visits things were good. As you can see from his pictures those early concerns quickly were forgotten. Now the questions were whether he is getting too big. According to the Doc's today he is in excellent shape. He is 12 weeks and 2 days old and now weighs 15 lbs and 6.9 ozs ranking him in the 96 percentile. His height is 25 inches and that puts him in the 93 percentile. Maybe just maybe Grady will grow up to be and offensive lineman just like his Dad was. His Grandpa Lobe is 6' 4" so maybe that is where the height is coming from.

Happy Valentine's Day

To: You

From: Our Little Cupid!

Going to Grandma and Grandpa Lobe's House

On Monday, Grady will be 12 weeks old. Tonight will be his first night away from Mom and Dad. We both want to thank my parents for watching him. I am pretty sure they are looking forward to it. We'll see if that is still the case Sunday when we pick him up. When we got there, Grady made himself at home.

Back when I lived at home I can remember getting the boot from Dad's favorite chair.

It was the best spot to watch TV from. Just not when Dad was home.

The other thing he hated, was when you had his remote.

The Lesson Here: Give a kid a fish he eats for a night. Teach a kid to fish and eats for a liftetime.

Video for Mom

Hillary, here is a little of what Grady did today.

Guy Smiley

The highlight of getting to stay home with Grady has to be seeing him develop.
(That and not answering phone calls at work from people too lazy or not smart enough to be ready for the DTV transition. I am sorry but if you didn't get a converter box or don't have a digital ready tv or currently subscribe to cable or sat tv by now then you deserve to be without. Oh, and don't whine about the government running out of coupons. Suck it up!)
He has been smiling for quite a few weeks now. But over the past couple he really has started to ham it up. Now he really reacts to things we do and even things he does.
Maybe this is just a guy thing, but he loves it when he farts. As I sit here and write this he is laying on his music mat. It got quiet for a second and 'toot" the music started up again and he giggled. I gotta admit I am proud of his tooting power!

He is smiling like his Dad does in this picture.

Here comes the cheesy smile.

Now that was funny!

I told him one more picture and it was time to eat.

Just making sure his bib is ready to go for lunch!

The Big Game and Lunch with Big Bob

Sunday was another first for our little guy. It was his first Super Bowl. Apparently he was pulling for the Cards as the Steelers won. If you recall the Packers lost the first 5 games of his life before finally beating the 0-15 at the time Lions. Before anyone writes to scold me about letting him watch tv too much, don't worry he usually falls asleep face down shortly after kick.

Mom was blocking his view so he asked me to hold him up.

What a game!

Tuesday was my 7th week-day home alone on Mr. Mom duty. So far we have stayed pretty close to home. Today my friend Bob (6' 8") Stauffacher and his son Trenton came over to visit before we took the kids to lunch. Thanks for the diapers, books and toy they are great.

Trenton drinking his lunch. FYI, Bob's hands are slightly larger than Sasquatch.

The guys with our waitress. Trenton reminds me of the kid in the E*Trade Commercials.

Speaking of the E*Trade commercials. Check out these links. LAUGH OUT LOUD FUNNY!!!

-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8Ev5HgGACg

-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZetD7cdj7w&feature=channel

-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drNzl_-iRP4&feature=channel