Me Lately

It's me again, with a little update on my life. 

First, I want you to meet a new friend.  Daddy drew a face on this orange a couple weeks ago, and he's become my entertainment to help me eat during meals.  I really don't like sitting in my high chair unless I have something to do other than just eat.  I want to play.  So Mr Orange talks to me, flies in the air, and I even get to throw him on the ground (Mommy and Daddy don't let me throw my food or other things off of my tray...only Mr Orange).  I think it's SO funny, and now when I see other oranges, I say "hi" in a high, squeaky voice, because that's how he talks. :)  Maybe you can meet him someday.

 After breakfast lately, mommy makes dinner or does things in the kitchen for a while.  I like to help her when she lets me, or try to do things I see her doing.  I found a baking pan the other day and tried to line it with foil like she did....

...it didn't work too well, so I just decided to play with it.  I like putting things around my back or neck lately.  Mommy keeps stopping me from doing it around my neck for some reason.

This was my FAVORITE time helping mommy.  I got to hammer cookies in a bag!  The hammer was heavy so I tried an ice cream scoop, but I wanted to do the hammer!

I'm older now and know what I'm aloud to touch and not touch, so I get to go around the house all by myself.  The other day I saw that mommy had put a chair right in my way so I couldn't get to the closet I like to get into (I used to be scared to open it since the vacuum is in there, but now I'm not scared and I always want to get the broom out!).  Mommy didn't even hear me try to move the chair and when she came out she found me like this.  I guess I'm pretty strong now too...and tough cuz I didn't even cry.

I still love going on morning walks, even though it's colder out lately.  Still not TOO cold though.  I only need a jacket. 

I really like my sippy cups.  One has milk and the other has water, and I often ask for both of them.  I switch back and forth, which I think is really cool.  Did you know that I have a sign that I do for "milk/water/drink?"    I also can sign for "more," "please," and I'm just learning to blow a kiss goodbye!  I'm also learning to say things with words (they aren't perfect but at least I can communicate something).   Mommy and Daddy get really excited with each new word.  I say "Da-ee" for Daddy AND Mommy, "ps" for peas, "chs" for cheese, "dance" for dance, "doh-ee" in a high pitched voice for doggy, "oh" for uh-oh, "da" for that, "ki-ee" in a high pitched voice for kitty, and of course "hi" and "bye" perfectly.  Just today I learned to say "da-da" (different tone than for daddy) for all-done.  I've also tried "Mo" for moo and I've tried to "woof" as well.  I really like trying new things lately.

 I don't go over to the Parkins as much anymore since mommy gets to stay home longer before going to work, but sometimes we'll still go see them for fun.  I really liked Joshua's light sabers last time we went.

 Aunt Beth even let me use BOTH of them!

 After a long day I like to go home and relax with daddy!  I know it looks like I fell...well maybe I did...but then I decided to stay there and just relax.  The cushions are down since it makes a good place to climb and play.  Mommy just likes this picture.

This is another of my relaxing spots.  I know it looks like I fell over but I'm actually leaning on my head and LIKE to do this quite often.  Not for too long, but it's still fun. 

 After hanging out with Daddy I eat dinner and then wait for mommy to get home.  I just LOVE it when she gets home because then we all play together!

I even got a ride in a bag I climbed into the other day. :)  

 I like bath time more than I used to, but I never want the water to be turned off.  Mommy is nice and lets it drizzle out the whole time.  Best of all is when it's time to dry off. (check the video blog if you haven't yet)

 I'm also just starting to really enjoy reading books with mommy and daddy.  I even pick them up and bring them to them now and then.  I still usually like the short ones but I've listened to a couple long ones too right before nap time.

So as you can see, I'm really growing up!  I hope this helps you see just how much! :) Maybe my next post I'll have even MORE to tell you!

Softness & Grouping

Just this week Caleb has suddenly become very interested in soft things and organizing. 

 The other night he grabbed his dog and started running around with it, chewing on it and as you can see, just having a ball with it.  This is after never really picking it up much at all to play with it.

 We've used his blankets at random times this summer, but until now, he hasn't cared much about them.  He started playing with a blanket that Oma gave to him the other day, so I got to wondering if he'd like some of his other blankets as well.  I pulled three more out, laid them on the ground, and we enjoyed watching him walk back and forth, deciding which was the best.  I tried putting them in different orders, flipping them over to a different color, but every time he ended up choosing this one that he's sitting on.  This picture is of the next morning, and once again, it's his favorite.

 I was making something in the kitchen and came out to find that he had drug all of his stuffed animals (at least the larger ones) out of his room and onto the blankets.  Take note that none are on HIS blanket...

...oh yes, except his giraffes!  He went to get them and only THEY got to join him on the elite blanket!  It was pretty funny to watch.

These aren't soft items, but it was another "grouping" things moment.  He found some old cherry tomatoes in the fridge and he didn't just throw them out as he usually does, but he took one at a time and put them in a pile by the mirror.  After the were all there, he decided to put them all back in the drawer.  This is a new phase that's pretty fun to observe.  I wonder what it will be next. :)

Getting In

Caleb's new favorite thing to do is GET INTO whatever he can!  These are just a few of the places he's tried lately.  I wish I had a picture of him in one of those baskets you can use instead of a cart at the store.  He thought it was wonderful!  

 He plays in our laundry basket every day now.  Of course the liner isn't there anymore since it falls down too easily.  Without it he can see out of the holes and wants us to put the lid on as well.  I never knew we'd get hours of fun when we registered for this at our wedding.

 An old picture, but he would play in the dryer every day as well if we let him.  And he prefers the door closed (not all the way of course).  The other day he had a phone and wanted Matt to close the door so he could talk on it in peace.  He tried to get a video but it didn't work out.

 Nothing is too big...

...or too small to try to get into.  This is a pie plate that he likes to play with.  He wasn't able to figure out how to sit in this one though. 

This bowl for his bath toys worked better. 

 I was baking the other day so he pulled out another pan and got into it. 

 Bags are fun too, but it's too easy to fall over.  

 I think he'd try to get into the oven if I let him.  He was trying very hard to get all the way into the drawer under it.  And yes, he took everything out himself.

 He's recently started to put things into the baskets with him.  Yesterday Matt said he played happily for 20 minutes with his legos in the smaller basket.

 Hmm, can I fit into this spot where the drawer goes.

Another small one where he needed a hand to balance.

 The other night he decided to take out the pans, bring them out of the kitchen, and try to get into them as well.  It was tricky...

 ...but he did it! 

 Even a tipped over basket is worth trying to sit in as he listens to music on my phone.

I love this!  Today after his basket ride, he wanted "Fuzzy," my old bear, to join him.  He thought the idea was brilliant.  Taking a ride with a friend makes it even more fun!  (He loves hugging Fuzzy, and this morning got his giraffes and wanted me to make him hug them, and then HE hugged all three.)

I'm sure we'll have more pictures to come of fun places he'll find.

Breakfast One Morning

i just can't pick...so you get them all.  can you see how much fun we have?  i think that he and i have had some of our biggest laughs during meal times!  just today our entertainment was from an orange that has a simple smiley face that matt drew on it.  so much fun!  i love this boy!

 i wish this wasn't fuzzy.  he's so funny.

what a cutie pie