Table food! YUM!

Levi had his first real meal of table food. He ate pieces of carrot, roast (a tiny piece), mashed potatoes, apple juice, and squash/zucchini (that was baby food). He loved it! He didn't get choked, so that was a good sign. He clapped when he was done. I had him say "all done", and he said "da. da." So smart.

My niece Mia came over for a little while today. She and Caleb had a blast riding around in his jeep. She kept saying "Iwageko", and she finally went and got Caleb's blue lizard... "I want gecko." She is so fun and we were sad to see her leave.

Funny Caleb story, he told Joe the other day, when they were watching Backyardigans, "That's Pablo. He's a blue penguin. He doesn't wear any clothes." And yesterday, we saw a guy out running without his shirt on. Caleb said, "Look Mom, that guy doesn't have a shirt on." I said, "I saw, Honey, but people shouldn't go around without their clothes on. God didn't make our bodies so everyone could see them like that." He said, "Yes, because if people see that, they will be frustrating."

Bouncing is what my boys do best!

I took Caleb (and Levi) to the Bounce house place in the mall today to meet with some friends. Even though it is loud in there because of all the blowing air, it is SO great. They can just run from place to place without being told to slow down, watch out, be careful, etc. Although we do have to remind not to punch, which it difficult when there is a boxing inflatable. Caleb ran and jumped for about an hour, downed 11 chicken nuggets, some fries, and a lemonade, and was good to go for another hour. He will probably start growing feathers soon. They were all so cute walking from the inflatables to the food court. A long line of boys + Emmy holding hands. So cute that I was busy taking pictures and not realizing I was following them right into the boys bathroom. Oops! Luckily, my friend caught me right before I stepped in and I got the boys to come with me to the girls bathroom, where it was a race to see who could get finished going to the bathroom and washing hands the fastest. And then the blow dryer fun. How boys can make anything and everything a competition and a form of entertainment is beyond me! Caleb already has a big day planned for us tomorrow. He told Joe and I that we needed to get ready, because #14 (a car he has) told him tomorrow it's "going to be the big race" before Rachel's Birthday party. And if we want to watch from the couch we can, or if we want to watch from the chair, we can. Thanks for the permission. Where does he get his administrative genes???

From valentine

From valentine

Game time

I am proud to say that Caleb FINALLY learned to play a game. By the rules. And not just any game like Candyland or Barnyard Bingo, which of course he could play, but just wouldn't agree to take turns, count correctly, leave other people's tokens alone, etc. So today we broke out the Skip-Bo Junior and he was patient enough for me to teach the game, and we played 3 hands in a row before he wanted to move on to something else. And another thing... he actually agreed that I won a hand (gasp!). I pretty much nearly fainted.
Talking with him today, we discussed that it was his friend Rachel's 4th birthday. He said, "Great! Now she can be on my team!" Apparently, he has "teams" for everything and nothing at all. I have no idea where he gets this competitive nature from ;-/
Oh, one other small milestone. I let Levi have short halves of green beans tonight, and he was finally quiet for most of the meal. Not totally sure that is appropriate for an 8 month old, but I watched him closely for signs of aspiration and didn't see any. He is getting pretty good at using the pincher grip to get food off the tray. He is such a momma's boy. Any time I get him he stops fussing and starts sucking his thumb. Caleb was always content as long as someone had him, but not this guy. He wants ME...ditto.

Our Family

The first picture Caleb drew about 2 weeks ago. He was supposed to draw a picture of our family. He says Daddy is the one in blue. I asked where I was and he replied, "Hmmm. I don't know. You can be the heart." I guess that is probably exactly what I want to be.

So tonight, I had him draw another picture of our family. I just had to help him with the order. Ex. Draw a circle, now two legs, now two arms, etc. I would always say eyes, nose, mouth, in that order. On mine, after I said nose, he said, "and then the sharp teeth, right?" Guess I must have lost my position as the heart if I now have fangs. In case you are wondering, Joe is in the middle, then me on the left, Levi on the right, and Caleb at the bottom. There is another circle at the very bottom (no, I'm not pregnant, unless he knows something I don't)... Caleb just said it was "too wow" (too low).

Shoe search

Caleb's CARS shoes lasted 5 months. Way not long enough for my thinking, and apparently the shoe clerk's thinking, since she advised us to get 1 size bigger than he needed at the time and 5 months later we are buying the same size (Still 1 size bigger than his foot). I have had to accept that 4 year olds, given their choice, will ultimately choose the absolute most hideous footwear presented to them. Caleb's must-have list: lights, some sort of character, bright colors. I thought I could sneak one past him, and gave him a nice black and silver shoe to try on. He's stomping all over the place saying, "I like it, but where's the lights?" Sigh. After much searching and deliberation over whether or not Payless shoes are any worse/better than Shoe Dept/Penny's/Academy, we found what Caleb deemed "the perfect shoe". Black Hot Wheels, that light up, with red/orange/yellow flames...and white soles. Cause every 4 year old needs white soles so you can see just how dirty they will get them within 10 minutes of wearing them. At least he did want the Iron Man ones. Joe says, "This is what 4 year old boys want to wear." Guess I will just embrace it and know that one day, he won't be 4, and the shoes will be boring, expensive, nondescript things, and I will think about the days of light-up, hideous shoes, and how happy they made him.

Caleb''s comments

So today, Caleb told me that God is orange. hmmm... Then he told me he found it on the computer. Now it makes sense. He also said that when he is 4, he will be a big boy and leave his "duckie" (or "pet" as his teachers must call it) at home instead of taking him to school. He has been a lot better with Levi lately, giving him kisses and trying to talk to him, tell him what he's doing. He lets Levi sit in the bean bag in his room and watch him play. And I haven't had to tell him not to hurt him lately, so that is good.
Speaking of Levi, we just went to the Dr. for his 4 month appt (17 weeks). He was only 11 lbs, 14.5 ounces. 25 1/4 inches. So that is the 60th percentile for length, and the 5th percentile for weight. Also, his head is in the 3rd percentile! I looked up Caleb and he was 12 lbs at 18 weeks. Last night, I was making a face and talking to him and he chucked. It was a little belly laugh where his stomach actually moved. I would say "ee-ee-ee" and he just giggled. It was adorable. He now sleeps about 8:30-6am (sometimes later) and eats about 5-6x per day. Not great naps... maybe 2 or 3 30minute-1hour long naps. Tonight he sat with us at the table in his high chair. He let us eat a whole meal without complaining too much. I think we might try cereal tomorrow. He also sat in his swing all by himself and watched Caleb play ball for awhile before dinner. He is such a happy baby, a joy to us all!
Oh, and Caleb ate his first real serving of vegetables in about 2 years! I have tried putting cooked or raw spinach in SO many things, and he always turns up his nose. Tonight he refused to eat his green beans, but he really wanted some cake. He said, "I think I'll eat some cake in the morning." We said no way. He said,"Well, what are we having tomorrow night for dinner?" (He wanted to know if he would eat it all and earn his cake then!!) We said we didn't know. So I said he could have salad instead. I put ranch dressing and cheese on it, and the boy at almost all of it (about 12 leaves). I was thrilled.
And yesterday, on Granna's birthday, Caleb told her as seriously as he could, that there was dinosaur "poo" in the backyard. It was a yellow dinosaur. He must really believe everything say, because he told me there was poo in the backyard, and I said (trying to be fun) "What animal left it, do you think? Think it was a dinosaur?" "Yea, I fink so," he says. Guess he thought I was serious. Even today, he said he saw a dinosaur footprint in the sand. A T-rex. He is really getting an imagination. Granna said that he was playing "School" with the little people and they played for about 30 minutes with all the events he does in preschool.

Random funnies

So I keep thinking about our last trip to the zoo. I hesitated to post anything about this because I can't think how to do it delicately but still convey the hilariousness of the event. We got a little more than we bargained for while viewing Mr. and Mrs. Tortoise.... that's right. As we were coming up on them, I said, "Joe, is that the lion?" (roaring)... Nope. It was Mr. Tortoise ("Sea Turtle" as Caleb calls all turtles). For like a full 5 minutes (seemed like). It was not only hilarious to view the event (which I'll admit I never realized how 2 animals with hard shells would go about such a thing), but then to see the passer-by-er's expressions when they realized what was making all the racket. That was killer! One guy even came back with his camera with his wife yelling at him the whole time. But then the funniest part was when Caleb said, "Mommy, the sea turtles are talking." M-hmm, I replied. "What are they saying?" No comment. Later in the car on the way home, he kept on, "I didn't know that sea turtles could talk, did you". No, I didn't. On a side note (sweet one), last night in the car, Caleb was watching Levi, and he said, "Mommy, I think Levi is praying. Because he has his hands folded." Sure enough, he did, although Caleb wasn't sure how seriously he was taking his prayer since his eyes were open.

Zoo day

We got out early and made it to the zoo by 10:30. Amazingly enough, there was hardly anyone there. I "wore" Levi in the Moby wrap, and he did very well the entire time. The train was not in operation, but at least Caleb did not have a meltdown over it. Also, the stagecoach was soaking wet inside, so he was a little bummed. On the upside, we went into some stores we don't usually go in. He wanted desperately to buy about 5 plastic 12" lizards, a green hard had with a light on it, and 3 rocks (2 green, 1 blue -- he made me write it all down). I used the line my mom used on me pretty much anytime I asked for something after Christmas and before my birthday..."Why don't you ask for it for your birthday." I guess he thought we would forget, so he insisted we call Granna right then to tell her about the things on his wish list. We called her, but of course, all she could make out was "zoo" and "alligator" (I think he added that to the plastic lizards). Tonight we attempted another dual bath with the boys... which didn't go as well. Of course Caleb sulked that he had to share "his" tub. Levi tried to faceplant several times, and then when I got the rag soapy, he was stretching out like "stiff as a board", so I had to hold him in a cradle hold with one hand and wash him with the other. Not sure he got very clean. Oh, and Caleb has now added "possible" (or maybe "impossible", I can't tell) to his list of random words he throws into conversations about every hour. Usually something like this, "You know, Mom, it's possible that there's an insect in our GPS, and it's just not teaching the truth." How do you argue with that logic??

1st bath together

Just wanted to document the first bath that Caleb and Levi had together, just short of his 4 month birthday. I didn't get a picture of it because I was the only one here, and I had to keep a pretty good hold on Levi. He seemed to really enjoy it. Caleb, on the other hand, kept insisting that "the sign says no babies allowed in the bathtub". He was quite put out that he was having to share the tub, especially after Levi spit up in the water a couple times. I just told him that Levi probably didn't want all Caleb's dirt getting on him, but oh well. Caleb eventually warmed up to the idea of having a bath buddy, but still felt that it would be better to only get a bath with him when he's bigger (Levi). What can I say, he hates any kind of change! We watched Pinocchio tonight (the live version) and we all really enjoyed it. Early this morning I took a few more things over to the Just Between Friends sale again... let's hope I make more than $30 this time!

P.S. This pic didn't happen this day, but I just like it. If I come across one of them in the bath, I'll add it.

A "Summer shower"

turns into a "torrential downpour". Caleb woke us up at 5:45 am going to the bathroom. Pretty sure he was woken up by the driving rain. Then Caleb hollering for us to come "wipe" woke Levi up. After they were both back in bed, we heard the unmistakable plinking sound of water hitting the ceiling from the attic. So Joe had to go up and put a bucket down where the vent from the bathroom goes out to the roof. Lovely. And the drip ruined the sheetrock that we fixed when we moved in from someone else's leak. Should have known... fix the leak, not just the look. I got Joe to drive us to ladies bible class (where we were 22 minutes late). There was one parking lot we passed with cars 1/2 submerged in water. They were close to a "creek/river", so I guess it flooded. After that I ran 1 mile and went to see a couple kids for work. Levi slept from 2:30-5:40!!! He is the cutest thing. Even if he is tired and grumpy, the minute I put him on the changing table he turns into smiles and giggles. He loves it there. He can be crying at me, and after a couple seconds he just can't help but start smiling and cooing at me. So sweet. Caleb told me today that I could only work for 2 more days. Well, it is Wednesday, so I guess he is right. I told him this morning that before dinner he would need to have his room clean, because then it would be dinner, church, bed and school. He agreed. After church, it still wasn't clean. I told him he had until I got Levi in bed to get it all picked up and whatever was still on the floor was mine for 2 days. He did a good job, but he put a bunch of cars in the wrong place and left his workshop stuff all on the floor. So I took them.. that was a meltdown. But he has started "playing" too much when told to clean up, so I am hoping this way he will really get to it when he is told to clean up. He was sitting there with tears running down his face (since I tool about 20 of his 150 cars).... "but you can only have them for 2 days, okay." It was almost enough for me to give them back. Sweet boy. I didn't have a good pic for today, so this is Levi already mastering the remote control. That's right.. at 4 months old.

1st day of Pre-K

It was on this rainy, Tuesday morning, Caleb had his first day of school. He was up early enough to have breakfast, watch a show, play, and help me pack his lunch. I told he we had to get some pictures at home and at school since it was the first day. He reluctantly agreed (probably because last time I threatened to take his candy at school!) to "two pictures". IT was so humid, my camera lens was fogging up. Once he found his "turtle name" he hung his backpack up and went right in. His friend Ethan from church was already there, so they got to playing cars. Later, his friend Emmy arrived and she joined in the fun with the boys. I helped Caleb introduce himself to 2 boys in his class, but I'm pretty sure he wasn't paying attention to me, rather the new vehicles. I'm glad I don't have to worry about him being upset at my leaving, but it would be nice for him to miss me at least a little! Oh well, maybe with child #2! At the end of the day, the teacher said he did great. He gave a rundown of all the activities of the day, but said his favorite thing was "playing". A true little boy.

Lazy Sunday

We had a great day at Worship today. Caleb said all the fruits of the Spirit by memory. I am so proud of him! After lunch, we played a concert outside (Caleb on lead guitar and me on the keyboard) to accommodate Daddy's nap on the couch in the living room. We also played a little in the sand table and added some water to our moat, where we found a dead bug that had to make it's exit. Sunday night Caleb led "I'm in the Lord's Army" for Bible Hour. I asked him what he talked about in class, and he said "Jonah", but the teenager who was in class corrected him with "Noah". At least he knew there was a boat and fish involved. Apparently we have been listening to our Acapella CD a lot lately, because along with using "GPS" at least a few time a day, he also announces at least a couple times a day (usually when he is not getting his way), that "that is not teaching the truth" (from "Teaching the Truth in Love"). And we have also been talking a lot about honesty, as he is beginning to tell some things that are not true, but rather how he would want them to be. Tonight after church, Joe surprised me by telling Caleb we were going to eat with some church folks at Chapps. He knows how much I love to eat with people! On a side note, I asked him what he wants to be for Halloween this year. I keep encouraging him to be Scooby Doo, since I bought that costume last year and he switched at the last minute to Thomas the Train. No such luck. He told be emphatically that he wants to be.... (drum roll) a shopping cart. That's right. Well, his friend Ethan wants to be a pickle, so maybe Caleb can carry him in his shopping cart!