Wednesday, April 28, 2010

First Tooth

I just have a few minutes.

But for those who are interested.

Caleb's first tooth has finally appeared. 

We thought he'd be getting one soon, at the end of last week.

And then, yesterday, it finally showed up. 

So he now has one tooth, on the bottom.  I'll try to get a picture soon.

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Friday, April 23, 2010

What I Love about Caleb at 10 months old

I can't believe he's already 10 months old.

At his doctor appointment this morning the doctor said, "Well, the next time we see him he'll be 1" and I just thought, good grief how can he already be almost 1??

His appointment went well, he didn't even have to get any shots this time, and he now weighs in at 21 pounds and is 29 inches tall.  He still uses his infant carrier carseat (although we just leave it in the car because it's so heavy) because it goes up to 30 pounds and 30 inches.  I'm hoping he can use it until he turns one, that way we can just buy a forward facing carseat for him, instead of a convertible seat that can face forwards or backwards.  And the weight isn't a issue, unless he just really packs on the pounds there's no way he'll come even close to 30 pounds before he's 1, but he's 29 inches, so hopefully he won't have a major growth spurt in the next 2 months, because I would hate to buy a convertible seat for him to use for a month before we can turn it around to face the front.  Anyways ...

Here's what I love about Caleb at 10 months old:

* He is always on the move.  If he's not crawling, he pulling up, and if he's not pulling up he's cruising around the furniture. 

* He does this fake cough, which all started with his Uncle David, and he thinks it is so funny.  He uses it when he wants your attention, and then when you cough back at him, he scrunches his little face up and gets a huge smile on his face.  He thinks he is really funny.

* He is sleeping great.  Still sleeps until 8am, which I just love since I am so not a morning person.

* He still takes 2 naps a day.  Sometimes I wish he would cut back to 1 nap because we'd be able to get out more, but he needs his sleep, and it's nice to be able to get things done around the house.

* He claps his hands when you ask him to, and likes the song "If Your Happy and You Know It".

* He waves, and says bye bye (sometimes).

* He is officially done with baby food.  He now eats finger foods and whatever we are eating.

* He loves Avery (our dog) and if you say, "Caleb, where's Avery?" he will either look at or crawl to the back door where Avery is usually laying.

* He loves his daddy, and gets excited when he gets home from work.

* He is becoming more strong willed and will let you know when he is mad about something (not sure this fits in with the "things I love" list, but oh well)

* He is such a happy boy, and almost always smiling.


Caleb,
    My sweet, sweet boy.  I love you so much, and I thank God for you every day.  You are getting so big and before I know it you will be 1 and the first year of your life will be complete.  It is a joy to be your mother, and I love being able to stay home and play with you every day.  You are growing so fast, it seems like just yesterday you were a tiny little baby, and now you are almost a toddler.  I'm so thankful that you are such a good, kind, sweet little boy.  You mean the world to me.  I love you,
                                                                                                                     Mama

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Tuesday, April 20, 2010

100% Boy

While he is the typical, active little guy, this 100% Boy doesn't like grass.






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Monday, April 19, 2010

A day in the life of a mom

Wake up, go to baby's room, get baby out of crib, smile, change diaper, fix bottle, feed bottle, fix breakfast, feed breakfast, clean up, get out toys, play with baby, clean up toys, change diaper, get baby dressed, put baby down for nap...

take a breath

make bed, start load of laundry, unload dishes, eat breakfast, check email, sweep floor, swap laundry, clean bathroom, get baby out of crib, put baby in playpen, take shower, get dressed, dry hair, fix bottle, feed bottle, fix lunch, feed lunch, clean up, go outside, play, come inside, get out toys, play with baby, clean up toys, change diaper, put baby down for nap ...

take a breath

fold laundry, put away laundry, load dishes, eat a snack, plan for dinner, dust, get baby out of crib, fix bottle, feed bottle, read books, get out toys, play with baby, clean up toys, fix dinner, feed dinner, daddy's home ...

take a breath

eat dinner, family time, give baby a bath, put pjs on baby, play with baby, fix bottle, feed bottle, read story, say prayers, sing songs, put baby to bed ...

hang out with husband, watch tv, get online, go to bed and do it all again tomorrow


 It may be busy and sometimes tedious, but I couldn't be happier and wouldn't be anywhere else.

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Sunday, April 18, 2010

A song

I sang this song at church this morning, and loved the words, so I thought I'd share them.


All my life long, I had panted for a drink from some cool spring,
that I thought would quench the burning of the thirst I felt within.

Feeding on the husks around me, till my strength was almost gone,
longed my soul for something better, only still to hunger on.

Poor I was and sought for riches, something that would satisfy,
but the dust I gathered round only mocked my souls sad cry.

Hallelujah, He has found me, who my soul so long has craved.
Jesus satisfies my longing, through his blood I now am saved.

Well of water, ever springing, bread of life so rich and free,
untold wealth that never faileth, my Redeemer is to me.

Hallelujah, He has found me, who my soul so long has craved.
Jesus satisfies my longing, through his blood I now am saved.


Through his blood I now and saved.


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Friday, April 16, 2010

Vast Improvements

Vast improvements have been made in the realm of cleaning around here.

If you keep up with my blog you remember I was talking just the other day about how I have such a hard time finding time to clean.

Well, I've been reintroduced to The FlyLady. I found her awhile back, and jumped in, against her advice, without taking time to establish habits when it comes to cleaning. Needless to say ... Crash and burn!!!

It lasted 2 weeks before I was back to my old procrastinating self, but this time I'm doing it right. I'm taking baby steps. And so far, so good.

My ENORMOUS pile of laundry is almost done, and actually put away. The baskets of clean laundry that had been in our bedroom for over a week ... gone. The dishes that were piling up in the sink because the dishwasher was full of clean dishes that hadn't been unloaded ... gone.

I still have a long way to go, but I am very encouraged and I would strongly suggest to anyone who is in a similar situation, anyone who, like me, needs someone to tell them exactly what to do in order for anything to get done, check out The FlyLady. You'll be glad that you did.

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Thursday, April 15, 2010

Guess what we did today ...











We had some fun in the sun!

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Wednesday, April 14, 2010

How to find time for cleaning?

I have a hard time finding time to clean. It doesn't help matters that I hate cleaning. I am what you'd call a planning/organizing procrastinator. I love making lists, schedules, plans ... but actually doing the things on those lists, or in those plans is another story. But something must be done ... it's getting ridiculous.

The main living area of our house is generally picked up ... most of the time. But open a drawer, cabinet or closet and you'll see something completely different. Look in the laundry room, and good grief ... it's bad. The dishes need to be done, there are 3 , yes 3, laundry baskets of clean clothes in our bedroom, and they have been there for a week.

But here's the problem ... my little crawler is always on the move. So if he's awake, I'm chasing him around the house, or changing his diaper, or making bottles or feeding him. So the time just slips by. Then he goes down for a nap (still 2 a day, thank goodness) and there are things I'd rather do than clean. So the day passes me by, Charles comes home, we eat dinner, give Caleb a bath, put him to bed, and then I want to spend time with my husband, not fold laundry or unload the dishwasher.

But there are things that have to be done around here, so whether I want to or not, I've got to do them. If only I could find the motivation.

I'm going to try, I'm really going to work on it. Hopefully I'll make some progress. I'll let you know in a few months if I've succeeded in accomplishing anything, or if there's still 3 baskets of laundry on our bedroom floor. Let's hope that's not the case.

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Tuesday, April 13, 2010

What a smile




I love this smile.
This smile that is so big that his mouth is wide open.
The dimples that come out when he does it.
If only we could all be so happy all the time.

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Monday, April 12, 2010

Favorites @ 9.5 months old

I decided to record some of Caleb's favorite things, so at 9.5 months old here they are:

favorite foods: bananas, applesauce, sweet potatoes, Gerber lil' crunchies, cheese

favorite toys: remote controls, mama's cellphone, things that make noise

favorite songs: Jesus Loves Me, Baby Mine, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

favorite people : Mama, Daddy, both sets of grandparents, all aunts and uncles, Ms. Michelle (nursery worker at church)

favorite activities: bathtime, playing outside, pulling up to a stand, watching the dogs

favorite outdoor activities: swinging, riding in stroller

favorite books: Goodnight Moon, You Are My I Love You, Baby Prayers, On the Go

favorite shows: Veggie Tales, Sesame Street


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Sunday, April 11, 2010

Busy, busy

It has been a long and busy weekend, and unfortunately I didn't remember to bring my camera for any of it. Pathetic, I know.

Our weekend started with Charles getting up early to go turkey hunting, ridiculously early, 4:30am. I don't understand anyone who gets up willingly at that time.

Anyways, Saturday afternoon we went to a crawfish boil with our sunday school class, which was alot of fun. The weather was gorgeous, Caleb loved watching all the dogs running around, he saw and touched his first crawfish (maybe next year we'll let him taste), and Charles got to do some fishing. It was a great time of fellowship.

We then went straight from there to a wedding shower/cookout at my parents house. Caleb got a quick nap in the car (thankfully he is pretty laid back and does ok missing naps) and once again we had great food and fellowship. Caleb headed to bed (my parents have a crib) which allowed us to spend time with friends from church, which is always fun.

Sunday morning we went to church, then lunch, then out to Charles' parents house to try out the new paddle boat they got for the lake behind their house. Charles once again got to do some fishing and was pumped when Caleb was eager to get his hands on the fish that were caught.

It was a busy weekend, Caleb missed more naps than I can count, but he's a little trooper and kept right on smiling. We had gorgeous weather, time with family and friends, and lots of fun, but now... it's late, I'm exhausted, and it's time for bed.

PS - I apologize for the lack of pictures, I'll do better in the future.

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Friday, April 9, 2010

Swingin'




We have been spending alot of time outside for the past few weeks, and the park, a few minutes from our house, is a favorite. It's right by an elementary school so there are always other kids there, which is fun for Caleb because he loves watching them run around and play.



It's also great because they have a little playground just for little ones, and the older school kids aren't allowed to play on it if a small child is using it, so I don't have to worry about my little man getting trampled on.



I think we'll spend alot of time here this spring.

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Thursday, April 8, 2010

I'll be back soon

I've been doing well keeping up with this blog lately and I have some cute pictures from our trip to the park this afternoon.

But our internet service is down right now (this is being typed on a cellphone) so the pictures will have to wait. Hopefully I'll be back soon.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

That's Life

Sometimes I just don't know what to write about.  My life seems somewhat uneventful when I spend day after day changing diapers, making bottles, doing dishes, dusting, folding clothes, etc.

But really, do I want it to be more eventful? I've been blessed with the opportunity to stay at home with my son, and if my days seem somewhat boring, well, that's ok.  I'm doing something that I consider very important, being a wife and a mother.

And while most of my posts may be about how big my little man is getting, going to the park, or cleaning my house, that's my life and I love it.  While sometimes I wish I had something exciting to write about, I'm happy with my uneventful life.  I'm thankful that there's nothing more going on than Caleb learning to stand, Charles going to work, and me doing laundry and dishes.  We're all healthy and happy, and I don't want to take that for granted.

Our family has truly been blessed and for this uneventful life, I am very thankful.

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Tuesday, April 6, 2010

God's Wisdom for Little Boys



Caleb has such a love of books that I thought every once in awhile I'd do a little review of some of our favorites. Now that he's become much more mobile he's not as thrilled about sitting with me and reading books when he could be cruising around furniture or crawling all over the place, but we still read before naptime and bedtime.

One of our favorites is God's Wisdom for Little Boys (I believe there is also a God's Wisdom for Little Girls, but I haven't read that one).



God's Wisdom for Little Boys is a book full of beautiful pictures and little rhymes paraphrasing many of the proverbs found in the Book of Proverbs.



It would probably be more appropriate for an older child, so Caleb and I only read a few pages at a time, but he loves the pictures and the rhyming words.





I love this book because of the scriptural truths that is teaches. It teaches about obedience, kindness, and giving, to name a few. It teaches how God wants his children to act, and how happy it makes Him when we do.



I'm slightly upset because this is when Caleb tore one of the pages ... perhaps I should have been paying better attention to him instead of snapping pictures.

Anyways, this book is great and teaches some really great lessons.

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Monday, April 5, 2010

Spring Sunshine

The weather we have been having around here for the last week or so has been absolutely amazing. I have found myself multiple times thinking, "I wish this would last all year." It's been that perfect temperature. I love it!

But, I'm also looking forward to warmer weather... summer weather. My parents have a pool, so I'm really looking forward to spending some time there with my guys. Last summer Caleb was just too little to be outside much, let alone in the pool, but this summer will be so much fun. He's really big enough to enjoy it. And he loves bathtime so I think that he will love being in the pool as well.

We have some other fun things planned for this summer too. Vacations, outings, you know, that kind of thing. But more on those later, for now I just want to slow down and enjoy the perfect temperatures, the blooming flowers and the spring sunshine.


Sunday, April 4, 2010

Easter Sunday

Caleb's first Easter was lots of fun. We headed to church this morning, Caleb sporting his new Easter outfit that his nanny (my mom) made for him, and let me just say ... He looked adorable! We rushed home after church so Charles could get ready to leave for his fishing trip, and Caleb and I headed to my parents house for lunch.



The weather was perfect, we got to see lots of family, Caleb was such a good boy and didn't mind being passed around all afternoon, and he really enjoyed seeing and playing with his second cousin, who is just a doll. She kept saying she wanted to hold "baby Cabeb" all afternoon, which she got to do sitting down, although Caleb is pretty much as big as she is.



We ate a wonderful lunch, hunted Easter eggs, took pictures, played outside and had a wonderful afternoon. The only thing that could have made it any better would have been Charles being there, but I know he's going to have a blast on this fishing trip.



What a wonderful day to celebrate our risen Lord, who indeed, is alive!!



I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.

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What a Glorious Day

Look there! the Christ, our Brother, comes
resplendent from the gallows tree
and what he brings in his hurt hands
is life on life for you and me.

Good Jesus Christ inside his pain
looked down Golgotha’s stony slope
and let the blood flow from his flesh
to fill the springs of living hope.

Good Jesus Christ, our Brother, died
in darkest hurt upon the tree
to offer us the worlds of light
that live inside the Trinity.

Look there! the Christ, our Brother, comes
resplendent from the gallows tree
and what he brings in his hurt hands
is life on life for you and me.

Joy! joy! joy to the heart all in this good day’s dawning.

Joy! joy! joy to the heart all in this good day’s dawning.

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Saturday, April 3, 2010

Indecent Exposure

Caleb, I apologize in advance for the following picture ... I think it's cute, and even though someday when you're older you may think, "Mom, how could you?" I'm putting it up for all to see anyways.

Please forgive me, someday you'll understand, and if you don't ... then oh well.

I needed a picture to remember your little booty, and the birthmark you have there, because there will come a day when this will no longer be possible. I'm sorry :)




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Friday, April 2, 2010

Good Friday

If you haven't had a chance yet, take a second to read and remember exactly what our Savior did for us on this day.

Mark 15:1-47

And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole Council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” And the chief priests accused him of many things. And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.

Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” And Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the governor's headquarters), and they called together the whole battalion. And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him.

And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. And it was the third hour when they crucified him. And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!” So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.

And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.

And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

But we all know the story doesn't end there.

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