On the move!

It's been months where Caleb would be sitting and then he'd lean forward as if he was going to crawl but then his rocking force would go too far forward and he would just plop on his belly.  Being that for awhile he did not like being on his tummy this made him a very unhappy camper.  He would instantly cry and then quickly remember that he could roll over onto his back.  This would suffice for about 20 seconds if something was in grabbing distance to play with.  If not, well then being on his back was about as exciting as being on his tummy.  He loved either sitting or standing with support of course.  Well last Sunday, Dave and I were in the living room, Caleb was playing on the floor and we noticed that all of a sudden he was pulling himself up onto the entertainment center.  He's been able to pull himself up for a few weeks now so that wasn't surprising but we were curious as to how he made his way over there.  So we pulled him back to the little play area and next thing you know he was CRAWLING!

Pre-crawling I would see kids younger than him crawling and I would get a bit jealous or wonder if I was doing everything right.  Then I reminded myself NOT to play the comparison game because children really do develop different things at different rates.  As a mom it's so easy to compare because you truly want the best for your children and when I was doing just that, comparing, a friend sent me this at work "Whether I do perfectly well or horribly badly as a parent -- or, most likely, something in between -- I will remain his one and only chance at feeling he can rely on, be soothed by, be unconditionally loved by his mother".  I loved this because my focus of trying to be a perfect mom switched to LOVE.  1Corinthians13:13 doesn't say "...and the greatest of these is a perfect mom", no it says "...and the greatest of these is love".  So to all the mom's out there, comparing is a no no and you're doing way more amazing that you probably think you are!

Ok back to "on the move".  So like I said he's crawling all over the place.  It's as if he has a new found freedom!  I'm not kidding he's literally like a kid in a candy shop.  He's curious about everything and happy all the time because he's not bound to one location anymore.  It's so much fun to watch him do the sequence you see below.  He does this about 100 times a day.

He will even pull himself up and then sit back down and pull himself up and then sit back down and then pull himself up and then sit back down...ok I think you get the point.  While doing this he will look over at me and I imagine those sweet little gurgles/grunts/noises he makes are him saying "Look what I can do mom.  Caleb is my name and climbing is my game."

Along with this new freedom comes a few funny bedtime stories.  So the other night Dave put Caleb down to sleep.  I was on the computer and all of a sudden I heard light banging coming from Caleb's room.  I grabbed Dave and we went to peek at him.  He was standing in his crib, which was also a first for him.  He must have heard us slide the door open because he turned his head around, spotted Dave and got the biggest smile on his face.  It was so cute, but of course I laid him back down so he could go to sleep.  Again, a couple minutes later, I could hear noises from his room but I just let him be.  About 20 minutes later I noticed I hadn't heard anything for awhile so I went in to check on him.  This was by far the funniest thing I've ever seen him do and I SO wish I would've grabbed my camera to snap a picture.  He must have lowered himself into a sitting position but then realized he didn't know how to get into a laying position because his legs were straight out, his body was completely bent in half with his head face down on the mattress and his arms stretched out as if he was stretching out his hammies before a basketball game.

The next night same thing only this time he learned how to turn on his little sea sound soother which he loves to turn on and then off and then on and then back off again.  He apparently likes repetition.  So needless to say, climbing in the crib is a daily habit but such a fun first because it's OH. SO. CUTE.  He makes Dave and I smile all the time!

 

Father's Day

It was Dave's first Father's Day and I must say he is a WAY better father than what I expected.  Not because he lacks character or has a negative attitude or is bad with people...no he has none of that.  It's because pre-Caleb he was not very excited about babies.  I remember being in the hospital when our niece was born and he didn't want to hold her...but I made him!  I remember another time when our friend Amy quickly handed her daughter to Dave because she had to run somewhere.  She asked Dave if he could bring her over to her dad and it literally looked like Dave was holding a bomb!  It's as if he was a quarterback scanning the field and making a hand-off to the running back as quickly as possible.  I recall another time when we were on a flight to Orlando so of course children are expected to be on the plane.  A baby decided that flying wasn't quite his cup of tea so proceeded to cry for a loooong time.  Dave leaned over to me and said I'm ready to get off this plane and oh by the way our kids are not going to cry.  I thought uh oh we are in for a treat when our little kiddos come along.  So needless to say after those experiences I figured hmmmmm this dad thing is going to be interesting for Dave.  Well man were my assumptions WRONG because he is the BEST DAD EVER!  I don't know if there are a lot of guys like that but it was as if he transformed into a whole new person post-Caleb!  He went from being scared to hold a baby to not only holding Caleb countless hours but also tossing him in the air to make him giggle.  Pre-Caleb he said I'm not changing any diapers especially not any #2s.  Post-Caleb he's changed tons of diapers, even #2s might I add, and also let Caleb pee on him!  Seriously he's so amazing and Caleb adores him because when Dave gets home from work, Caleb squeals, gets a huge smile on his face and jumps up and down.  It's SO adorable!  Happy Father's Day Dave, I'm blessed to have you as my baby daddy!
 
We also went to visit Grandpa Mike on Father's Day!  It was the most perfect day and we all just sat outside and enjoyed each other's company.  We were outside for quite a bit and I think the fresh air got to Caleb so he decided to take a little snoozer.

Caleb I just want you to know that you are SO incredibly blessed to have the best dad in the world and the best grandpa in the world!!  Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.  You are more important that you probably realize.  May God bless you and all your families.

Weekend Fun

It was another fun filled weekend.  It started out Friday night with dinner and a bonfire with our friends.  We sat around the cozy crackling fire, ate some delicious s'mores and talked about our dream cabins!!  It was very relaxing and we were in such great company.  Thanks Mike and Emily for dinner and a bonfire, God has blessed us with your friendship more than you know.  We love you tons!

Saturday morning we woke up and made our way down to a local garage sale where I bought this AWESOME oil painting for $5!!!  I'm still amazed that this was only 5 bucks!  SCORE!!  It's so fun finding that perfect item...I can see why the guys on American Pickers love their job.  Dave and I might have a new profession. :)

That afternoon we dropped Caleb off at Grandpa Mike and Grandma Lala's house where he was able to experience grass for the first time!  He didn't like it at first...it was quite comical!  He had the funniest look on his face and would touch it but then pull his hand back very quickly as if he was a cat discovering something new for the first time.

Lastly we headed over to Joe Kane's house to grill and hangout with a few of Dave's high school buddies.  There was another little boy there who is one week older than Caleb.  He was crawling all over the place and at first I was a bit jealous but then I saw how active babies are when they start crawling so I decided to be thankful for where he's at.  Caleb is also a TANK compared to this other boy...maybe that's why he's not crawling yet....takes a lot of muscle to hold up that weight. :)

Dave and his best friends from Hill Murray.

like grandfather like grandson

I gave these pictures to my dad for an early Father's Day present.  JE Dunn is the construction company my dad works for and my mom was able to borrow this hardhat from my brother so I could snap a few pictures.  Caleb absolutely adores grandpa Harley...he's always giggling when grandpa plays with him.  It would be such a blessing if Caleb inherited some of my dad's traits because everyone who knows my dad loves him!  I can see why because he's always joking around and constantly making people smile and laugh.  He's such a giver...there are countless number of people that he has poured cement for or helped build things for...or borrowed tools and machinery to.  There are so many people he's brought up to their cabin and taken fishing out on Lake Superior.  Hundreds of people he has cooked for (he gets this from his mother) or given food to from their garden.  He has such a good heart and is just a good old fashioned honest guy.

Thanks dad for being such a great example!  If Caleb inherits making people laugh, being a giver, having a good heart and being honest from you, then I will be one blessed/happy momma!  Love you and happy early Father's day!

Port Wing

Every year we head up north to my parent's cabin in Port Wing, WI.  The weekend is usually filled with fishing, family time, relaxing, eating delicious fresh salmon and of course putting a puzzle or two together.  Usually we head up Father's Day weekend but this year we decided to go up the first weekend in June since it was free fishing weekend.  My mom of course volunteered to stay at the cabin with Caleb while the rest of us went out fishing on Lake Superior.  Next year Caleb will get to enjoy the boat out on the lake...this year we just took a few pictures on it.  He's ready to drive the boat already...such a natural!

A few pictures on the boat...

Of course a little relaxation...

Lastly on the way home, my mom, Dave, Caleb and I stopped in Hayward, WI for a quick visit to Tremblay's Sweet Shop so we could get a sugar fix with some fudge and salt water taffy!  YUM!  Overall it was an awesome weekend and we are excited about continuing this family tradition each year.

Pearly whites

I just realized I hadn't posted about Caleb's teeth.  He got his first two teeth on the bottom recently and they are so cute!  I love when he smiles big and those two teeth just burst through that smile.  Even though I get to see them quite a bit they are a little difficult to capture on camera without me pinching his face and sticking my fingers in his mouth which he doesn't quite appreciate.  This is the best I've been able to get and unfortunately him crying shows them the best.  Lol!

Halloween in May?!?

Nope just another day at Grandpa Mike's and Grandma Lala's house.  We dropped Caleb off at grandpa and grandma's while we went out for a little lunch date and to also get our haircut.  Upon our return Caleb was outside in the swing in an adorable little froggy outfit.  It wasn't the warmest day and I had forgotten to pack something warm for him to wear outside.  Oops!  Oh well no big deal because grandma Lala to the rescue with a froggy outfit!  I mean come on who doesn't have one of these laying around just waiting to be worn.  Hehe.  Anyway, Caleb absolutely LOVES grandpa and grandma so there will be many more visits to come and I suspect this won't be the last of this cute little outfit.  Isn't he just so ADORBS? :)