Introducing....SAND!

I liked an idea I read the other day from a BabyCenter email, so we went to the store, got what we needed and tried it out!

 We bought a bag of sand and a few sand supplies...then we filled Caleb's baby bathtub and went to it. (Suns and palm tree in the background are provided from my birthday!)

 At first he was concerned that his hands were dirty, but once he saw me playing with it, he realized he didn't need to worry.  Of course he was quite serious since this was new business but he had a fun time!

 Even though we were FAR from a true beach experience, I decided he needed to at least get his toes in the sand.  :)

The warm weather is coming, so next time we'll be outside.  Sand in the carpet is something I'd rather not worry about and now that he's used to it, the flinging has just begun. :)

Sayin' Hi

Hi- it's me, Caleb!  I'm having so much fun lately, so I'll tell you about a few things.

 For St. Patrick's Day I found my tux from Uncle Craig and Aunt Paulette's wedding!  It is a little too small now, but I still wore it since it was so much green and I went to church that morning!  I decided to wear my green baseball hat too, AND we found some shoes that are a little too big with green laces!  No one could pinch ME!

 I LOVE my guitar!  I found it at Goodwill and didn't want to put it down.  It's easier to hold than my blue one (which I still play with too), so I can carry it around everywhere.  Mommi says it's actually a violin but I'm not sure what she means.  Do you see my new piano too?  We found IT at Goodwill too, for only five dollars!  I play it all the time now too!  It has buttons I can push that play a beat, and then I can dance!  Mommi just needs to catch me at the right time for a video!

 I think it's pretty fun to try and shove things in my mouth!  LOL!!!

This is my CD that I don't care about very much!  IT fits in my mouth TOO!!!!

 I can even DRIVE with it in my mouth at the SAME TIME!!!  Mommi said I can't do it anymore, though, or I won't learn how to take care of all of the other CDs.

 Mommi let me put something else in my mouth!!!  It's water with a little flavoring in it (and color).  Don't worry, there's no extra sugar.  I don't know that's such a big deal but I hear Mommi and Daddi saying I usually can't have things with extra sugar.

Look at the cool cup I got to use too!  Mommi got it for me because she didn't want me drinking all of hers from HER glass.  See my mustache?!  

 I also like putting things on my head!  This box (Grandma's from a long time ago) fit perfectly so I wore it around for a long time.  Daddi seemed sad when he wanted to play catch and I thought the thing he put on his hand was a helmet.  Once I put it on my head I even told him, "On- Bike," and started heading for our neighbors motorcycle.  I don't understand why I can't go for a ride yet, especially if I have a helmet. :)

I keep finding things that Mommi says I used when I was a little tine baby.  I don't know why she put them all away....they seem perfect for using today.  Yesterday I asked to take a nap here, but Mommi wouldn't let me.  Maybe I can convince her today.

I need to go eat lunch and take a nap.  We need lots of rest lately since we're fighting colds or maybe just allergies.  BYE BYE for now!  (I yell a lot lately too cuz I like my voice).

18 Months!

I always just got frustrated with not being able to get quality, clear pictures each month so I quit trying.  I figured a year and a half warrants a few anyway. :)  So here's our little man...

 He loves calling Daddy, Grandpa and Grandma, Oma and Opa...and sometimes other people on accident!

 Now he's big enough to get up on the chair by himself.  He's turning into a climber!

 With his favorites- Giraffe and Elmo...and the phone calling "Daddi"

 Giraffe needs to leave a message too.

 Yelling "Hi" at Daddy!

 All done...let's go outside!

 Grandpa will be happy to know that "bikes" (bicycles AND motorcycles) are some of Caleb's absolute favorites lately (also horses and guitars).

Happy year and a half!  We love you Caleb!

Melissa!

One of my dearest friends, Melissa, came to visit this last weekend.  She's been serving in Europe for the last 8 years and has now moved back to the states to pursue further education for counseling.  

I truly miss CLOSE, Kindred spirit friends, so it was refreshing to my soul to spend some quality time with her again.  So much could be said, but for now I'll just say I'm thankful and I love you Melissa!

Getting Out

We've been trying to get outside to meet up with play groups, friends or Opa, Matt's dad.  

 Last week we went to the fish hatchery with a play group.  Caleb was one of the youngest, so he pretty much explored on his own.

He enjoyed feeding the fish....

 ....but more than that he liked chasing the birds who were hanging out hoping for some food too.  I didn't get a good picture but he's about to go chase some here.

Every now and then he'd go see what the older kids were up to, but it only lasted a moment or two before he'd run off by himself. 

 We try to bring Opa along with us a few times a week to run errands or go play at a park so that he can get out of the house too.  Caleb ADORES his Opa and Chuck adores Caleb as well.  They BOTH light up when they see each other.

Seaton is a new friend that Caleb plays with more often now, since he is the son of a couple from our church that we've connected with.  We're enjoying getting to know Brandon and Meagan, his parents, quite a lot.  Hopefully we'll get some pictures of them as well soon.  They are about to have their 2nd baby in a couple months.

In our recent adventures, Caleb has come to LOVE horses and bikes (motorcycles and bicycles) and guitars!  Trains are a new one he's starting to notice as well.  He's constantly looking for them and asking to see one or play with one.  I wonder what the next favorite thing will be!

Entertained and On Our Toes!

Caleb just continues to keep us entertained and on our toes!  He's an active boy, as most are!  It's really fun lately, especially with his growing vocabulary and interest in EVERYTHING!  He's truly becoming an individual with his own interests and personality!

 Hmm, time to get rid of some stuffed animals. :)  Lately he enjoys hanging out in his crib to play, and often asks to have his toys or animals with him.  Giraffe and Elmo are the forever favorites!

 Wish this was more clear!  He loves being like Daddy!

I came into his room the other day and he was busy emptying his clothes drawer! :)

 Next he put his chair inside of the clothes basket and wanted me to give him his animals and clothes, which he proceeded to STUFF as far down next to him as possible until the basket was FULL!

 Then he threw it all out, got out and re-filled the basket!  

He was quite content with his work!

 Of course a good ride from "Mommi" in the basket it the ultimate fun!

 My old bear, Fuzzy, has become a regular play partner!  Maybe someday soon he'll have a more regular human being to play with (not a reference to having more kids) :).

I need to get a good picture of when we're doing laundry.  He loves putting clothes into the washing machine!  He's helping Daddy fold socks here I think...or just playing with them. :)

 He's really becoming a big helper!  I love it!  It's sweet how he starts helping before I even ask.  I was bringing in bags of groceries the other day and he quickly ran over to help.  We worked together to carry the bags to the kitchen, but he decided to pull them all the way in by himself.  :)

Then he helped to put everything away....food and household items.  I wish I had been faster to catch him carrying two kleenex boxes piled on top of each other.  He was quite proud. 

 Yep...he's learning what's good in life from his "Daddi"- Starbucks and sports! :)

Gotta love this kiddo! :)