Wednesday, April 17, 2013

He’s All Boy

Cale is a boy.  He’s a boy’s boy.  It’s so much fun to be the mommy of a boy!  Especially this boy!  He is the source of endless joy!

On Sunday, we went out to eat after church.  The parking lot was dry, or so we thought.  Our son managed to find the one mud puddle in the whole place and jump right in it.  We are attributing this trait to his Uncle Matt who can always find the mud puddles, even in the midst of a drought.  :)

Another perfect example of Cale finding mud.  After many safe and clean slides down the slide, he found a way to land on his face in a mud hole.IMG_6214

Cale loves tractors and big trucks – basically anything with wheels that can go in the mud.  They’re clearing more land in our neighborhood to build more houses.  This little tractor was parked for the evening, so we used it as a prop for pictures.IMG_6220

After getting muddy, he loves a good bubble bath – complete with sea plane, boats and bath books.IMG_6212.2

My boy loves “cheesing” for the camera.IMG_6125

He recently got his second hair cut.  He still didn’t enjoy it.  Although, again, it wasn’t really the haircut that bothered him.  It was having to be held instead of being allowed to run around.  He thought the clippers tickled and laughed a great belly laugh the whole time she used them.IMG_6092

Cale has started talking a lot more.  Today, while watching Clifford, he said, “Mommy!  I want a doggie.”

His vocabulary is growing daily, and his comprehension amazes me.  He’s so smart!

He can’t say “Claire” yet, so Claire has told him to call her “Sissy.”  I love the way he says, “Sissy.”  They are so sweet together!

He loves to sing.  He doesn’t know the words to any songs, but he has learned the tunes and “sings” along as loud as he can.  When he and Claire sing together, it’s my favorite sound in the world!

Today he learned to do somersaults.  He must have flipped 30 times in a row.  He flips and then screams, “Yay!”

My “all-boy” boy certainly keeps me busy.  He climbs on everything, runs into things, falls off of things, gets into things, makes messes, gets dirty and makes me laugh.  He is sheer joy!  I am so very blessed to be his mommy!

Saturday, March 23, 2013

15-Months-Old Already?!

Wowsers!  Our boy hit the 15-month mark on March 1st.photo(184)

Cale Facts:

He is getting so big!  He is now 32.25” tall (82%) and weighs 26 lb 3 oz (75%).  He’s actually changing from a baby into a little boy.  It’s unreal how much he’s learning and how much he’s changing.

He can and does climb everything.  I don’t own a single piece of furniture that he does not climb on.  I’ve walked in to find him standing on my dining room table more than once.photo(187)

He can escape every type of buckle and restraint except a 5-point harness.  (No restaurants in Tulsa have highchairs with 5-point harnesses, so it can make dining out more of a wrestling match than a dining experience.)

He can reach all of my countertops and is constantly reaching for things.  Aye aye aye!  Last week (March 14th), I watched him stand on his teepee toes (what Claire calls tippy toes), reach for the edge of my countertop and pull himself up so that he could see the tops of my counters.  I am determined to get this on video as I cannot believe that my 15-month-old is doing chin-ups on my kitchen counter!

He runs very fast – super fast – faster than I do.

He loves to scream – especially in public places.  He thinks it’s hilarious to have everyone stop and turn to see what’s going on.  It doesn’t bother me.  If you happen to be with me, and he screams; don’t freak out if I don’t seem to notice.  I’m used to it and have learned to tune it out.  He’s fine – just having a bit of fun with people he doesn’t know and enjoying the echo of his voice.photo(185).2

He loves to run around sans clothing.  He refuses to wear socks or shoes – EVER.  He takes them off within seconds of our putting them on him.  (And yes, every stranger, especially women who are grandmothers, comment on my poor parenting for allowing him to run around barefoot.  Most of them say it to him in that syrupy-sassy voice, “Your silly mommy didn’t put shoes on you today, did she?  I sure hope you don’t catch your death of cold, you sweet little thing.  You tell your mommy that she needs to buy you some socks and shoes so that your feet will stay warm.”  I have started handing these wonderful and helpful strangers Cale’s shoes so that they can show me how it’s done.  Before they can get the second shoe on, he’s already kicked the first one off.  Most of them will try two or three times before they tire of his little shenanigans.  I politely smile, thank them for their assistance and depart.)  He takes off his shirts and pants constantly too.  So far he has only taken his diaper off once during naptime.  (Hopefully that won’t happen again!)

His curls are back.  His hair is growing out, and the back is very curly.  The top is still straight, so he seems to have a natural mullet – business in the front; party in the back.  Yeah, Buddy!

He is super strong.  If he gets something you don’t want him to have, you’ll have to wrestle him for it.  Chances of your winning are slim to none.  Have I given birth to Superman?!

He is so cuddly and affectionate.  Almost daily he puts his hands on my cheeks and kisses me.  He loves to be rocked and loves to snuggle.  He gives the biggest hugs.  He is so sweet!photo(188)

He has the most infectious laugh.  He’s a generally happy guy with the most winning smile.  His laugh is truly amazing!

He loves to sing.  Anytime he hears music, he sings.  And dances.  He has some great moves!

He says, “Cheese!” and smiles hugely when you point a camera or cell phone in his direction.

He has learned to turn doorknobs and open doors.  There is no more privacy for anyone in our house.  He also has learned how to open the latches on the gates.  We have had to install locks at the tops of all of the gates to keep him contained.  He is definitely an adventurous kid.

He says “uh-oh” A LOT!  He keeps me very busy.

He likes to throw things – food, balls, toys, clothes.

He has started saying, in a very sing-songy voice, “O-Bey, O-Bey.”  I’m guessing he’s learning this at church.  (Several months ago, Claire came home from church chanting, “I obey right away!”)  I LOVE that our church is teaching this to our kids!  If they learn to obey their parents, they will have a much easier time obeying God.  I’m glad they’re starting early.  It will make their lives so much better!

He responds to questions with “Yeah” and “No.”  Once in a while we get a “I don’t want that” or an “I don’t want to.”  Yes, my 15-month-old can express his opinions in full sentences.  While those phrases are not my first choice of first sentences, they are indeed complete and correct.  Way to go, Boy!

Cale loves to play peek-a-book a/k/a “Where’s Cale?”photo(197).2

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I’ve spent the last 23 days creating this post.  I don’t have nearly as much free time as I used to.  But I don’t regret one second spent with my children.  We are making some wonderful memories together!photo(192)

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

First Haircut

Cale got his first haircut yesterday.  He was starting to look like Einstein.  His new haircut is so cute!  He looks like such a big boy now.

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During – He HATED having his haircut.  Actually I don’t think it was so much the haircut as it was having to hold still and being held.

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Getting wigglyIMG_5154

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My boy is so handsome!!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

New Words

In the last couple of days my boy has started talking a lot more.  His latest words are:  “Linda” (my mom’s name), “Amy,” “Ho! Ho! Ho!” and “night-night.”

I am in awe at how quickly he is growing and developing.  What an amazing boy!

Monday, December 10, 2012

First Birthday Pictures

We took Cale to Picture People to have his first birthday pictures taken.0001 - One Year  Click on this link to see the photos from the shoot:  http://shop.picturepeople.com/myalbums/default.aspx?PK=e3adeef4-54b4-43c6-990a-619531e6637b

Click on the picture of Cale, and it will open the full album.  You can view the pictures and/or order from this link if you wish.  If you need to login, email me; and I’ll send you the login information.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Cale’s Birthday

We celebrated all day long on Cale’s birthday.  Cale’s daddy took the day off of work, and we spent the day as a family.

Steve made pancakes for breakfast.  Yummy!

First stop – Build-A-Bear Workshop at the mall to stuff Cale’s new Kermit the Frog.  Claire assisted with this.

Cale learning to push the pedal on the stuffing machine.043

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Then we went to The Disney Store.069

Next stop – the carousel!IMG_4562

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For lunch we had tacos at Taco Bueno!  De-lish!!!IMG_4550.2

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Then home for naps.  After naps MiMi and PopPop came over to love on the birthday boy.090

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Then we went to the park.111

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Next stop – home again, where Cale showed off and walked down the hall so that we could get it all on video.

Claire made Cale’s birthday dinner – homemade pizzas!  They were delicious!163

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Cale’s pizza – We sang, and he blew out his candle.IMG_4666

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We had such a fun day celebrating our baby boy!  Cale is such a delight!  Happy Birthday, Baby!!