Happy Birthday Andrea

I turned 27 yesterday which seems a lot older than 26, but I don't feel much older which is good.  I had a great day despite finding a few more grey hairs.  My friend Jamie and her two kiddos came over and I got to practice taking pictures of her almost 3 year old, Joel, in the park.  Then, I did some laundry and dishes (it's a Monday chore) and waited for Jarred to get home early so I could open presents.  I received some great presents, one being my "hobo, dump, mama bag" from Jarred.  Its this "Mary Poppins" like bag, purse that I can tote more toys, diapers, emergency clothes for Caleb, etc.  It is awesome!  Then, I thought Jarred was taking me out to dinner with just he and Caleb, but he instead planned a "surprise birthday dinner party."  It was my first surprise party ever and I loved it!  We ate at a local Italian restaurant and had some of our really good friends there.  It was truly a day and night to remember!  Thank you everyone for all of the birthday wishes and fun presents!  I am truly blessed.  I can't wait for my pedicure outing with my good friend, Sarah!!

Fun in the Stroller

I took his shoulder straps off Caleb while he was in the stroller and he loves the stroller even more now.  He can stand a little and be "more active" while riding.

 Notice his little "Alfalfa hairs" standing up!!  Love it!

Caleb is just too irresistible!!!

The Teething Biscuit

Since Caleb started crawling, we can begin giving him finger foods, so to help him practice we give him teething biscuits.  They are kind of like dog treats, but they work.  Haha.  We think he is getting more teeth which to us, seems absolutely crazy.  He already has 8 teeth-where will the others go I ask?!

He makes such a mess, but LOVES it!  My mistake was not putting a bib on first-bath time followed!!

Day to Day Adventures

Caleb wanted to help me file some papers by chewing on the file folder string.

He just looks so funny!

More crawling.  Life is certainly more interesting with Caleb crawling.  We have to watch him ALL the time or else he is crawling to the bathroom, playing with Penny's water dish and using it as a bird bath, finding any and all chords, you name it!  Its a lot of fun to say the least!

Father's Day Weekend Camping Adventure

For Father's Day, Jarred wanted to go camping, so we packed everything up and set out to Red Canyon which about an hour and a half from Albuquerque.  Far enough away to feel like you aren't even in New Mexico anymore.  This is our 4 person tent we just purchased.  It worked out great; we put Caleb's pack n' play (portable crib) on one side with the dog kennel (Penny's house) and Jarred and I on the other side.

We invited our good friends, David and Sarah to join us for our first camping trip with Caleb.  It was so great to have to another couple with us to give Jarred and I a little break holding and entertaining Caleb.  Caleb was obviously very comfortable with them!  :)

 Here we are hanging out around the campfire.

 Yes, I am a crazy nut-carrying both my backpack and Caleb-it was a pretty good workout!

We had a great camping.  Caleb did awesome-slept all night and even took a nap during the day so when we got home, he wasn't too much of a crab.  We managed to get in a great hike while we were there and Jarred's knee felt really good which was great.  Overall, Jarred had a good 1st Father's Day I think.  Caleb and I spoiled him with some gifts Sunday morning and took him to dinner than night.  (He really liked Caleb's painting!)  It was certainly a memorable, fun weekend!

Pre-Camping Adventure

Caleb likes to help us out by tasting and chewing on everything!

Father's Day Project

For Jarred's first Father's Day, I wanted to do something unique-you only have your 1st Father's Day once, so I wanted to make it memorable for both Jarred and I.  For Caleb's gift to Daddy, I got some washable paint and some canvases and well, stripped Caleb down to his diaper and just let him have fun with the paint.  I thought Caleb would get really into it like he does with splashing the water at bath time.  Not the case, but he was still very curious about the paint and made a masterpiece for his Daddy.  I also made one canvas with his footprints on it; we tried the hand prints, but Caleb kept trying to grab which doesn't make for a print at all, more of a glob.  Oh well, it was fun and one of our friends, Sarah, helped out with the pictures and trying to foot print Caleb.  Definitely needed the extra hands or I would have had to strip down to a bathing suit to participate!  A strange site indeed for the front lawn.

A side note, but a big note-Caleb started crawling that afternoon after painting!  Maybe he was sick of his Mommy making him do crazy things and just wanted to get where "he wanted to go."  It was so fun watching Caleb crawl for the first time though.  Of course, as some suspected he would, Caleb first started crawling after Penny and her toy!  Caleb is certainly a happier boy now that he can move and get places.  We have to watch him like a hawk though because we are not all "baby-proofed" yet.  We were hoping to sell the house before we had to baby proof and start fresh with a baby proofed house to start.  Keep praying our house sells this month-we are getting worried and having to research other options.

Visit from Nana & Nana-Great

Nana and Nana-Great came to visit us.  Jarred had to have surgery on his wrist to remove melanoma (pictures to come later), so since he needed someone at the hospital with him, the "Nanas" came to help out.  They watched Caleb most of the day and had a blast!  Not wanting to brag or anything, but they said "he was the easiest baby to watch."  I just want to know why he doesn't appear that easy with just me. ;)  It was such a blessing to have them here to help out, so I could fulfill my wifely duties and help Jarred.  Jarred is doing well, still has stitches in his wrist, but the doctors got everything and nothing spread.  Praise God for watching out for him.

Gotta love Caleb's smile!

 Notice Penny hanging out with them!

Caleb really loves to stand!  I feel like he will be walking sooner than we all think.

The "contemplative" Caleb look.

Caleb Chewing

Caleb seems like he is teething ALL the time, so this is what he does-CHEWS on everything.  He likes to chew on everything that is not a toy, hence, Jarred's shoe lace. 

He is one happy boy though!

Very focused on getting it on the exact spot!

Caleb started out doing this army crawl-like movements to get to things like the computer chord.  He is so close to crawling as he is able to sit up on his own from the laying position.