"All By Myself"

A few weeks ago Mommy was feeding me and I decided that it was MY turn to try out the spoon.  I often hold one and sometimes throw it, but this was the first time I tried eating with it.  If you ask me, I think I did pretty good!

 I admit, though, that I STILL haven't figured out how to scoop anything onto the spoon.  That one is a mystery to me.  I'll keep trying.

I also get frustrated when the food falls OFF of the spoon.  

Why doesn't that ever happen when Mommy or Daddy feed me?  Hmmmm...

See....I can do it!

 Ok, so I admit, sometimes I just get tired of working so hard and decide it's easier AND more fun to just grab the bowl and go with it! :)  (notice the bowl I'm using, Trina! Perfect size)

Mommy thinks I'm crazy to try and eat the bowl, especially a glass one....but hey, how should I know how anything tastes until I actually try it!

Lately I prefer picking up chunks of food (and I don't choke anymore), and if mommy or daddy feed me with a spoon I'll let them scoop it and then I sometimes take it and eat from it!  This eating this is pretty complicated, but I'm learning a step at a time.  :)

The Patio

One thing we really like about our new apartment is the patio area right outside of our door.  We finally  went to a new garden store in our area and took at least one step toward getting it looking half way decent.  

 First, we cut all the weeds away and tried to soften and break up the hard dirt (note that we don't yet have a hose so had to do it by water pitcher).  Caleb found it very interesting to watch.

 The orange blanket has become our official patio blanket to soften the fall if Caleb looses his balance.

 I enjoyed our first time together with plants.  I finally bought a couple and hope they last more than a week! The last time I had flowers was when I was pregnant and let everything die since I was quite a bit more focused on getting ready for a new baby.

 Now the baby is here!  So time for more flowers!  

 We bought one roll of sod, but will have to get another today.  We're also hoping it stays alive more than a few weeks!  It's a good thing it doesn't rain much cuz when it did this area had a huge puddle in it.  We'll see how it goes when the rain comes in a few months.

 Once again....can't pick just one!   What's YOUR favorite?

 I LOVE this Sweet face! 

 Here's the "what's done so far" picture!  :)  It's what we could do with what we have at this point.  As we gather and make other additions, it will change quite a bit, but for now we're happy!

 And a quick hanging of the lights! 

I think we'll be spending more time out here more often now! 

1/2 Hour At the Park

Caleb had his 9 month Dr visit last week.  He did a great job and it was helpful for us to talk more to the Dr about his continued digestion issues.  He wasn't overly concerned, which is good, but at the same time not too helpful for us since it means continuing to just wait for his systems to mature.  Poor guy has never had an easy time with pooping yet (sorry if TMI).  It still wakes him and us up at least every other night...along with teething pain.  Thankfully no sickness though lately! 

 He thought the noisy paper on the bed was pretty fun!

After his appointment we decided to do something fun before nap time, so  

we stopped at a park with a kids water area that Caleb could explore!

 Of course he loved it!

 We met another little boy who was born the same day as Caleb.  We never would have guessed it, though, since he seemed almost half his size and doesn't even crawl yet.  It's so true that every baby has their own timeline for different stages.  Caleb stopped for a while to interact...

 ...and then charged onward! 

 He seemed more interested in walking up the stream and over rocks than sitting and playing in the water!  Matt was pretty proud of his little daring, adventurer boy!  It was a fun 30 minutes or so before nap time!

9 months

We figured out how to find time to take a few pictures...

 bad lighting but cute baby! :)

 I tried giving him his favorite toy for the pics but it just created too much movement.  First, the drumsticks....he wouldn't hold still for a second.  Next, we tried the drum, but that just reminded him of how he recently learned how to clap his hands.  So much fun...no good pictures with a cheap camera.

 Oh, and standing up is fun too now days! 

The winning picture! 

Just 3 more months til a whole year old! 

Paddle Fest

We've joined the Parkins at Paddle Fest a couple years prior, but I've never had the chance to join in on the fun.  The first year I was sick and last year pregnant, so this year I was looking forward to trying out some Kayaks!  

Caleb, all ready to go.  I think he was looking like a big boy in his suit and standing up! This is one of his favorite spots to stand and play lately. 

 The day was supposed to be up to 106 degrees, so I was a bit hesitant to take Caleb out.  His cheeks turned red as soon as we were outside.  He did great though.  Daddy helping his stay hydrated here.

Self portrait attempt

 Matt has enjoyed this event each time.  We didn't get a picture but the shore is covered with all different typed of kayaks to try out.  It's pretty fun to see how different they are and find one that we liked the best.  Made me curious what kind you have, mom and dad.

 A friend of mine from work, Julie, came with her boyfriend as well.  I enjoyed spending some time with her out on the water.

 I finally got to try out one of the standing boards that my Uncle Phil has.  I thought it was pretty fun but not sure I'd like it long term or if I'd get bored.

 As soon as we walked up to the event one of the vendors came up and gave us a life vest for Caleb to take home.  We figured it was time to try it out!

 Gotta have the shades to go with it!  (Of course he pulled them off right after this)

 Once again Caleb loved the water once he got used to the temperature.

 Zoe and Joshua joined the fun too!

I missed taking pictures of Matt trying the bored since I took Caleb on a walk in the stroller to help him go to sleep.  Bummer, since he said he fell off the first time!  :)  He figured it out eventually and then helped Zoe as much as he could before they had to leave.

Was a good day and inspires us to get out to the water again soon!

Fathers Day

Caleb and Matt love spending time together!

 Here...on a little adventure near where we live.  Just a short walk up the road to a waterfall!

I don't have a picture of it since i always just want to soak it in instead of taking pictures, but some of my favorite memories are in the evening before bedtime when Caleb and Matt roll around on the floor laughing at each other.  I'll try to get a video soon.  It's evident that they love each other and enjoy being together!  I'm so proud to have a man who's not only committed to being a good husband but also an involved and great dad as well!  

 Trying out a new food with Daddy!  Caleb loved eating on his own, but just after this photo he choked worse than ever.  No more big pieces of banana for a while.  :)  It was fun while it lasted.  (not planned but i think it's funny that he's wearing his "bananas over mommy" shirt while eating a banana. :) hee hee).

 Actual Fathers Day with the three guys!  We took Matt's dad to lunch at his choice of restaurants- Mimis Cafe.  Was good food and good to celebrate the two dads!

A little more Daddy and Son FUN before we left!  

Happy first Fathers Day Babe!  You're an AMAZING dad!  

First Time Swimming

Summer only just arrived but we've had many HOT days already! 

 A couple weeks ago we took Caleb to the pool for his first time swimming...

 All covered in sunscreen and ready to go!  He didn't even pull his hat off!  Can you see it in his eyes that he LOVES adventures!  He doesn't even know what's coming but he's happy just being in his stroller and ready to go!

 He first just checked things out with daddy.  He watched this little boy with great interest for a while.

 Time to try it out a little more!

 "Oh, it's like the bathtub!  I can splash!"

Hmm, still not quite sure what to think about such a BIG bathtub! 

Some Daddy Love!

 He seemed to really like it so I tried taking him in further!   It was pretty funny since he reacted just like we do as we got into the water...COLD!  But we quickly adjusted!

He had lots of fun and didn't seem at all scared!  He kicked and laughed quite a bit!

 Love this one!  (can you see i had to edit it a bit. :)  i guess i need a new swimsuit.  none of mine fit anymore since having Caleb.)

Drying off but still interested in everyone still in the pool.  (and some more editing in the background.  can you tell we don't have a fancy photo editing program.  time to get one i guess.)

 Our cute water baby!