Play Date

We often end up talking with other little kids and their mommies wherever we go.  A few weeks ago we were at CVS and hit it off with Gemma and her Nanny, Liz, in the toy aisle.  Since then we've met a few times for play dates at the park. 

We're looking forward to joining a play group that a friend of mine from church is part of.  They meet several times a week to do a variety of things.  I'm sure we'll have stories to tell soon.  :)

forgot one!

"I Can't HEAR You"

Caleb's new method of avoiding something that he doesn't want to do...

Seems kind of like an ostrich sticking his head in the sand. 

 Mommy: "Caleb, time to come inside please."   Caleb: Head goes to the ground and he just stands there!

 LOL.  Long enough to take lots of pictures. 

 Daddy:  "Caleb, time to come get ready for bed."  Caleb: Head goes down.

 I can't HEAR you!

I'd have so many more pictures of this (even in stores) if I didn't have to look for my camera and wait for it to turn on.  Silly boy.  Hmm, maybe WE should try this method out at work.  :)  I can just imagine! :)

Sleepy Boy

Caleb never sleeps anywhere but his crib or in the carseat, and usually when he falls asleep in his carseat we just transfer him to his crib.  

 The other day he was worn out and fell asleep in the car too early, which can mess up his entire day and night.  Soooooo, I tried waking him up as I got him out of the car...but it didn't work.  And then decided to just lay him on the couch and put away groceries loudly....and he didn't wake up.

Teething and recovering from Christmas vacation can really wear a boy out! 

 So sweet!

Getting Out

A few more pictures of our big boy getting out of the house, which we all enjoy doing.

Matt often brings Caleb along to meet with friends at coffee shops or at church.  He enjoys exploring and meeting new people. 

And of course we go on walks around our home quite a bit.  He still hasn't learned to ride his car himself but loves getting pushed around.  Before we even showed him how to put his legs up, he was ready to go and asking for rides! 

It also works for learning to run faster and faster! 

oops...crashed!  He decided to just keep going!

After I carried the car across the street he decided that he'd rather carry it than ride it. :) Once again, doing what he sees us doing! :)

We went to a small mall to just let Caleb run around and play since it was dark out already.  He walked very slowly and carefully down this section of the store where he could see into the floor.

He found fun everywhere!

The play area was especially fun with things to climb on, jump off of and kids to play with!

Another walk outside! 

Hmm, those big crows seem a little scary.

We both enjoy watching the little Goldfinches that come to our feeder!  So much fun outside.  And as he explores his vocabulary is growing.  He's constantly saying, "that?" and then trying to say what things are!  

Around the House

Wow, looking through these pictures just makes me realize that we have a toddler and not a baby anymore.  I guess it takes a while to sink in. :)  These are just some random pictures of things Caleb has been up to lately.

 We bought him a step stool since he likes to climb and see on the counters....and of course he decided to find his own use for it. :)  He DOES use it correctly too and also likes sitting on it.

 One morning he asked me to put my shirt on him, and then he wore it around all morning.

 He so often tries to do many different things that he sees us doing.  I realized how attentive he is when he found a Q-tip on the floor and immediately tried to put it in his ear.  We don't even use them all that often.  He also takes great pride in helping to put laundry in the wash machine.  He picks one or two socks up at a time, asks me to lift him up, drops them in, and then the process continues- up-down-up-down. :)

 We were playing with cars the other day and I couldn't figure out what he was doing, so I asked him.  He stood up and pointed to the little car and said "on."  OH, he's trying to RIDE it! LOL!  :)

 Joshua came over to play for a couple hours the other day.  Caleb enjoys the time but whenever he's with kids he's having to learn so many things....sharing, asking nicely, taking turns, and no hitting.  I'm looking forward to joining a play group with a friend from church soon so that he can get more time with kids.

 And he finally realized he can open the toilet lid.  I came in the other day to this! :)  He's never seen my kick-board used for what it's made for, but he somehow seemed to know that it belongs in water.  No more leaving our phones around until he learns that he doesn't get to open the toilet lid.

Still trying to get into everything possible.  He tried very hard to get into a tissue box holder at church today.   It didn't work out too well. 

I finally bought some markers, crayons and finger paints!  We tried them out the other day!  He was very hesitant to get his fingers messy until I showed him that it was fun and okay!  Then he was quite serious and concentrating for quite a while as he got messier and messier!

A few smiles! 

 He also enjoyed the markers and we now have his first official drawing on our fridge! :)  Crayons aren't much of a hit yet.

 This is my bear, Fuzzy, whom Caleb is borrowing for the time being....and he really loves him!

He carries him around the house, sits him on stools, hugs him, gives him high-fives, and the other day decided to share his high chair and milk with him!  

 He finally gave up and took it back.  I love that it looks like the bear is glaring at him for taking it. :) No worries, they are still friends.

 Caleb has been quite determined lately to figure out how to use silverware.  He often asks for ours, so I bought him a metal fork and spoon.  He does a pretty good job when he puts his mind to it.

 It still takes lots of concentration to get it into his mouth and the food off  at the right time.

 Sometimes it's easier to put the food onto the fork....

....and more often to just use fingers! :)  Step at a time. :)

Gifts and Beads

Just one more Christmas post! :)  

Caleb wants to thank Oma Judy for sending some super fun gifts!

  He's continuing to enjoy all of the things you sent to him! 

 They timing of them getting here was perfect!  It provided some new things to play with on our LONG road trip!

And once we got back Caleb enjoyed taking down the decorations...especially the beads!  "Hmm, what can I do with these..."

I think he just sat playing with them for 15 minutes (which I learned my lesson never to give him more than one strand at a time again because it took me longer than that to untangle them.)

 Once he decided he was finished playing he headed out of the room, seeming to have somewhere in mind to put them.

 I followed after him a few minutes later! :)  Hmm, I'm not sure of his logic, but he was pretty sure that they belonged by the toilet.  I took them back out to put them away and they were soon back by the toilet again. :)  A place for everything!