Caleb turns 2

Wait what?!?  I have a 2 year old?  When I look back at baby pictures and videos I barely remember him being that little.  I'm so glad we've taken so many pictures and videos so that we never forget.

What's he up to, you ask?  He's going to school five days a week and learning something new everyday.  We are truly blessed that he is able to attend the school that he is at.  He talks all the time and he's good at repeating anything anyone says.  He loves to sing his ABCs and he can count to 14.  I think it's because we have 14 stairs in our house and we count them whenever we go up and down them.  He is still all boy and on the go 24/7.  He loves cars, trucks, airplanes, firetrucks, police cars, ambulances, dump trucks, excavators, pretty much anything vehicle related.  Oh and he LOVES being outside!!  He wants to be outside every chance he can get.  If we see anyone while on a walk he's sure to say Hi to them.  It makes me smile!

He enjoys books.  His favorite book right now is 100 Bible stories 100 Bible songs.  He especially likes Peter in the Bible with Jesus coming in at a close second. We're working on Jesus being his favorite.  There's a picture of Peter waving to Jesus in the Bible and one night Caleb goes "Peter high-five" and then he high-fived the book.  So ever since then, every night he has to give Peter a high-five, Jesus a high-five, James a high-five and John a high-five.

He's getting really good at being Mr Polite.  Just today he brought his bowl to me in the kitchen and said "Thank you mommy".  Then the other day Dave sneezed and he said "Bless you Daddy". That just melts my heart!

Dear Caleb,

Happy 2nd Birthday!!  Mommy and Daddy have enjoyed these past 2 years more than you know.  You have brought so much joy to our life along with a love that we never knew we could have.  You are an amazing boy created by God and we know that you're going to do big things in your life.  You constantly make us laugh with your silly and bubbly personality.  Even though you can be stubborn at times we know that God created your personality perfect for YOU and for His plan for your life.  We love you so much!!  Each and every day is a blessing to be with you!  Again, Happy Birthday and were excited for so many more years to celebrate. Thank you for being you!  XOXO!!

Love,

Mommy and daddy

Below is a little video recap of his birthday...

http://youtu.be/udh2hbP7YeM

 

Gus Macker 2014, St Paul, MN

I attempted to bring Caleb to watch Dave play basketball again.

 

He did a little better this time although he still wanted to be out on the court with daddy. I had to distract him with multiple things from my phone, to food, to walks, to golf carts, etc. We ventured over to the state capital to snap a few pics.

 

I attempted a selfie but Caleb wasn't having it. He wanted mamarazzi out of his face.

 

Then all of a sudden there were more cool things to distract him...two of Caleb's favorite things. Police cars and fire trucks!!

 

Those of course were his highlights of the day. My highlight was the following picture. I felt like he was gazing at the court, watching his daddy thinking "That's going to be me someday". Priceless.

 

Baby Girl Kapaun

I just realized I haven't mentioned that we are adding a little girl to our family come December!  We are beyond excited and thrilled to see Caleb in the big brother role.  He's going to be THE BEST big bro.  And come December he's off the hook for dress up.

We've thrown around a few names, weeded out a couple and have it narrowed down to two.  It will probably come down to the day she is born and who knows it could be something different than the two we currently have.  The two names are Trinity and Zoe.  I ask Caleb all the time what he likes and he always says both names.  Tonight was a different story, I asked him again and he said Big Zoe.  Big Zoe Ann Kapaun has a bit of a ring to it right? wink wink.  Whatever her name is, it will be the perfect name for her.  Until then, "Big Zoe" is doing great as is my pregnancy.  Praise God!!  He has truly blessed us.

MN State Fair

This year Dave and I were flying solo at the state fair. Caleb was up at my parents so we got an entire weekend of kid freedom...somewhat, we always find ourselves talking about him and looking at pictures and videos of him. By the time he gets back home we are just so antsy to see him!

The weather was perfect and was again a record breaking attendance day which was also the case last year when we went. Exploring the new west end market was great which is where we sat and listened to a folksy music performance. Loved it!! We also consumed our favorite state fair foods along with quite a few new ones!

 

Kapaun Cabin Outing

We ventured up to the cabin again this year. We didn't go last year so this was Caleb's first experience up in Outing, MN. He thoroughly soaked up the cabin experience just like Dave and I do and he talked about it for many days and weeks afterwards.

Dave and I both have so many cabin and lake memories from growing up and we want our children to experience the exact same thing. We absolutely love the cabin life!!!

Caleb didn't sleep the best there so he got the opportunity to snuggle and sleep in bed with mommy. One night I had the most overwhelming heartwarming experience. Caleb woke up so I pulled him into bed with me. I was laying there thinking this is the third night in a row how he had woken up really early and how I was running off of very little sleep. Little sleep and being pregnant is not a good combo. But then I looked at his cute little face in the dark and realized that he never sleeps with us so I was enjoying the moment. Then to top it off he took his hand reached over and grabbed my hand. My heart grew bigger and let's be honest what kind of mother would not tear up at this moment? Tiredness was no longer a thought but instead the love for my son consumed my mind. God softened my heart that night and reminded me how much of a blessing children are even when you feel exhausted.

Below are pictures of the fun we had!!

More summer fun

Everyone keeps saying winter is around the corner so we continue to take advantage of the summer sun!  We checked out a splash pad in Eden Prairie and Caleb had a blast.  Video and pics below.

http://youtu.be/V_R2I7wpAfo

Let's not forget about the numerous parks we've visited.  So thankful that communities build these for families to utilize.  We practically live at them and there are so many near our house so we can mix it up for Caleb.

Last Sunday it was raining so we headed to the Mall Of America where Caleb took his very first carousel ride.  Let's just say he rode that zebra like a boss.

VeggieTales

Caleb loves watching the VeggieTales Esther movie.  He asks to watch it every morning and every night.  Tonight we were watching it yet again and here was the dialogue between Caleb and me.

Caleb: Esther!!!!

Me: Yes that's Esther.  Do you think Esther is pretty?

Caleb (turns to look at me): Mommy pretty.

This little guy has my heart!  I was so overwhelmed with joy and love at that very moment and was smiling from ear to ear.  I love you Caleb, you are such a sweetheart and you can tell me I'm pretty anytime you want.