Super Caleb!

Hi, it's me, Caleb again...here to give you a little update on me.

As you might have guessed, I'm getting stronger! One thing I really enjoy doing lately is laying with my arms straight up in the air....because I CAN!!!! And they don't even flail around!
Mommy and Daddy think I might be doing it to get ready for doing pull-ups someday.....
....or more likely that I'm trying to imitate Superman! SUPER-CALEB!!!

....but I'm telling you, i just LIKE it. It's relaxing....

....sometimes I'll even try to put my legs up at the same time, but I can't hold them up for the long periods that I can with my arms!

You should really try it sometime!!! :)

I LOVE HUGS!!!!! HUG ME......HUG ME.....HUG ME!!!!

Did I mention I'm getting stronger? I'm getting pretty good at lifting my head up and looking around for a bit.
But to tell you the truth, I usually like "tummy time" more for the hand-sucking aspect! I can fit my whole fist in my mouth, and I'm pretty sure I almost got both of them in at the same time the other day! :) I even try to sneak a slobber on mommy's knuckles sometimes too!

Honestly, though, I usually just try to focus on being as cute as possible!

(they told me to tell the whole truth, so between you and me, i also cry and fuss my fare share too...but for good reasons, like when i'm hungry, tired, have gas, etc.)

And Mommy and Daddy love me!!!....So overall I'm doing pretty well!

Thanksgiving Weekend

Thursday morning, as I carried Caleb into the living room, I simply told him that I was thankful for him...and in an instant my eyes filled with tears and my heart and soul felt overwhelmed like never before! I can't explain the emotion, and I'm sure most of you know it already, but it actually surprised me! It was not only overwhelming love for Caleb, but also the recognition that the ONLY reason he is even in our lives is because God chose to create him and bring him into our lives. I've hoped for a long time that I would be able to be a mom, but I honestly feared that it might not be possible. The journey to trust God with this has been challenging but good, and brings me to today, where I don't take for granted that Caleb is in our lives! The love, joy and gratitude for him only grows, and at the same time I am continually reminded that every moment of his life belongs to God and not to me. I find great peace when I rest in this truth and then enjoy life as Caleb's mommy more than ever!

Enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with family.

...and MORE family showed up! Mom and Dad drove down to see us...and of course spend some time as Grandma and Grandpa!

Grandma's love never ends for her grand-baby!

Hugs, kisses, cuddles, comfort, smiles, more hugs, and even a few dirty diaper changes!

I'm not sure who was happier that they got to spend time together- Grandpa or Caleb! I loved seeing both of them SO thrilled with each other! :) Amazing dads make amazing grandpas! :)

I think Daddy and son are thankful for each other!

And I'm pretty thankful for these two...my two favorite guys on earth! :)

Apple Hill with the Parkins

We love going to Apple Hill, so headed up for an afternoon with family.

Was fun but was much colder than our last trip...next time we'll be in winter attire.

Joshua rode a pony for the first time!

Zoe enjoyed a ride as well!

Caleb was the lucky one wrapped up in a blanket...he helped to keep me warm.

As soon as we got into the car Caleb broke out with smiles and laughs! I guess he likes the warmth after being out in the cold! What a cutie!

some pictures...

nap time with daddy

thanks for the shades aunt cindy! i like going on walks with mommy in the sun!

just chillin' at home

TWO months!

Once again...our monthly pictures in the same chair with one of his stuffed animals....the chair to show his growth and the animal just for fun! This is his stuffed polar bear from us, and the monkey last month was from Aunt Cindy.

The main difference from last month is how much stronger Caleb is. He's holding his head up really well and gaining some core strength! Of course he's a little bigger too, and also shows off more facial expressions!

I decided to post one or two close-ups as well each time, just for fun! Of course to get a good picture with a good face and not too blurry means taking LOTS of pictures! So I'll have to do a bonus post later with "the many faces of Caleb"....or "oops, that wasn't quite right!" Pretty funny in my opinion, but it might just be cuz I'm mom. :)

i made myself choose just a couple, which is hard work! :) such a cutie!

First Visit to Portland!

As many of you know, a hard thing about living far from family and close friends is missing out on huge life events. I've missed a few weddings, family reunions, and milestone birthdays (happy 80th to Grandpa and ma Boersma!). You can imagine my excitement when someone told us about a GREAT deal to fly to Portland! I had already accepted the fact that Caleb might not get to meet family and friends for months or maybe years, so it was a blessing beyond explanation to realize we would get to go!

As you can see, Caleb did wonderfully on his first airplane ride!

A HAPPY reunion with Grandma!

My aunts, uncles, cousins, sister, parents and grandparents all came to see him! He's one famous little boy...and very loved!

A highlight and main reason we decided to spend the money to visit was for Caleb to meet GREAT Grandma...

...and Great Grandpa! Caleb is the first great-grandchild on this side of the family!

FOUR generations!

Since time was short our main focus was to see family, but we were able to get some time with at least a couple good friends as well! Of course Caleb had to meet the Olsons!

I remember holding Allie in the hospital when she was born! It was pretty amazing to see her, Riley and Evan so grown up and holding Caleb!

Caleb had an especially good time with Aunt Wendy!

I can tell she has her own Granddaughter!

Lots of smiles and laughs! I'll never get tired of them!

Another highlight was visiting our church in Portland! SO GOOD to worship with everyone and catch up a bit! Of course Caleb was the celebrity of the morning! He slowly got passed from person to person so that by the end of the service he had almost made it to the other end of our pew!

Thanks to the Ruters for letting us stay with them! We love you guys!

I think their son Anders is the happiest boy I've ever seen! It was fun to see him interact with Caleb!

GOOD TIMES!!! We're so thankful we were able to visit!

(If you're in PDX and we didn't get to see you, we truly wish we could have! Hopefully next time)

cutest mouse EVER!!!

i've found that sometimes i come up with my best ideas in the middle of the night when i'm half asleep...which is when i came up with this one...and i have to admit that i'm quite proud of it since i only spent maybe $5 to buy felt, tape and a shirt for me! i forget how much i enjoy not only being creative but also challenging myself to do it with what we already have!

Here's the outcome! Of course Caleb is who makes the costume look good! I'm pretty sure he's the cutest mouse EVER!!! All I had to do was make the ears, tummy and tail- which is all out of two pieces of felt which only cost 60 cents. I used a fake flower stem from our house to make the tail bend, and Caleb already had the pjs and hat!...lastly, i painted on the nose and whiskers , which was quite funny to do with a wiggly little baby. :) I bought a shirt from a thrift store and cut holes (maybe too many...was having fun) to turn myself into Swiss Cheese! Matt ended up not having to work so he threw his outfit together right before we left- Kramer from Seinfeld. Maybe Caleb is the mouse that lives in his apartment.

People constantly stopped to look at him and say how adorable he was all night! How could i not be a proud mommy?! But I'D be proud even if he was an ugly duckling! :)

Let's try to capture the cuteness....not quite right...

...close...

...oops...

MY FAVORITE

..."cheese makes me sleepy"...

...it's tough being the cutest mouse alive!!! good night! :)