Last night after Caleb's bath as I was drying his ears he started screaming. He calmed down quickly, but anytime I came near the ear, he started fussing again. So, unfortunately it looks like he may have his first ear infection, and at nearly 11.5 months we'll be making our first non-well visit trip to the doctor.
Of course, this happens to be happening at the exact time we're switching insurances. Andrew's company changed insurances a month ago. Currently, he and Caleb are covered on this. When I started my new job and we found out that the insurance was better and cheaper, we decided to switch the entire family. This insurance will become effective on September 1st (Tuesday), so Andrew cancelled his insurance with his company and that will become ineffective on August 31st (Monday). Now obviously this doesn't mean that we'll have a lapse in coverage, but it does mean that I either need to find the insurance card for Andrew's new insurance OR get my new insurance card in the mail in the next day or two. Absolutely ridiculous! I seriously didn't think that we'd be having to concern ourselves with this since the next time C is schedule to go to the doctor is for his well visit in 3 weeks - well into our new insurance coverage.
Lots to Say, No Time to Say It
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Professional Photos
First things first. This week was my first week of actual work. I started my job teaching three HUGE lectures of introductory courses in my discipline. This means that I basically have 750 babies freshmen depending on me daily. By Tuesday, I was so exhausted and overwhelmed that I thought I might have to quit the job. I didn't see how it was possible for me to get through the entire semester. But starting on Wednesday, things were looking up. Still the week seemed to drag on and on (thanks to an overwhelming number of whine-y emails from students asking questions like, "Can I write in my textbook."), and I thought I was losing my mind when I mangaged to misplace my keys for a second time in as many days. Thank GOD for the amazing administrative assistants who have helped me to keep my head screwed on tight. I might just make it to December.
Fortunately, I had something wonderful to look forward to this weekend. Of course, I always look forward to spending the weekend with my two favorite men, but this weekend we had scheduled to have some family pictures taken. This was the first time that we had professional pictures taken of Caleb and our family of three. Well, there was that time when Uncle Matt took some, so maybe I should say this is the first time that we'll be paying for pictures. Darn, I wish we lived closer to Uncle Matt!! Anyway, I was very excited to have the fabulous Laura Winslow snap some shots of Caleb to commemorate his upcoming birthday and where our family is right now. Despite the insanely HOT weather we had this morning, Laura was able to get some great shots. I thought we'd have to wait a few days to see the teaser pics on her blog, so I was shocked when I took a peek during Caleb's afternoon nap only to discover they were already posted. We can't wait to see the rest of her amazing work. Now comes the tough part...deciding which ones to buy. I WANT THEM ALL!
Fortunately, I had something wonderful to look forward to this weekend. Of course, I always look forward to spending the weekend with my two favorite men, but this weekend we had scheduled to have some family pictures taken. This was the first time that we had professional pictures taken of Caleb and our family of three. Well, there was that time when Uncle Matt took some, so maybe I should say this is the first time that we'll be paying for pictures. Darn, I wish we lived closer to Uncle Matt!! Anyway, I was very excited to have the fabulous Laura Winslow snap some shots of Caleb to commemorate his upcoming birthday and where our family is right now. Despite the insanely HOT weather we had this morning, Laura was able to get some great shots. I thought we'd have to wait a few days to see the teaser pics on her blog, so I was shocked when I took a peek during Caleb's afternoon nap only to discover they were already posted. We can't wait to see the rest of her amazing work. Now comes the tough part...deciding which ones to buy. I WANT THEM ALL!
11 Months
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Months
Why does 11 months sound sooooo much different than 10 months? Or maybe it isn't that it sounds different, but rather I feel so much different about it. I've been thinking about this a lot over the past week or so, and here's what I've come up with.
Eleven months ago, our life was lived in hour increments as we struggled to juggle the feeding, changing, and sleeping 'schedule' of an infant. As those early days past, we were lucky if we knew what day of the week it was. Soon we began living our life in weeks telling people that Caleb was 6...7...8 weeks old. Somewhere around three months, I began refering to his age in months. I became very aware of just how quickly a month goes by. Just when I'd get used to telling people that Caleb was 4 months old, he'd be 4.5 months old, and then 5 months, and so on.
It seems like things have just been in fast forward since he was 6 months old, and I'm not sure if this is because my life got so busy at that time, or if it was because of how much he's changed since then. So after all of that, I feel like I just know how truly short a month can be. How in just a blink of an eye, we'll be celebrating Caleb's birthday. In some ways I feel like I have trouble remembering what my life was like 1 year ago when I was huge and pregnant and walking all over campus in 110 degree heat without thinking anything of it. I really don't feel like I can remember what my life was like without Caleb in it.
In other ways, I feel like I blinked and a whole year has gone by. I'm in a completly different place in my life now than I was then both because of Caleb and because of that whole graduating and getting a job thing. One thing I learned for sure over the past year, live life for today. I'm now living by the quote, "Be thankful for this moment. This moment is your life." Time goes by too quickly not to stop and cherish the moment you're in right now. Hard to believe it took me almost 30 years to figure that one out.
Everyday with Caleb brings something new, and I don't want to miss it for a second. At 10 months, he was just getting ready to take his first steps alone. Now he's walking and almost running all over the place. You can't keep this kid pinned down. My favorite times with Caleb are the times right before naps and bedtime when he'll snuggle into my arms while we read to him. Nothing better! I hope Caleb will really grow to love reading and enjoy it as much as he does now. Caleb is also gabbing up a storm. Last night he looked straight at Andrew's dad, pointed his finger and said, "Pop Pop." It was such a cute moment, and I'm pretty sure it melted Pop Pop's heart.
Should be getting some more pictures from daycare later today, but for now here are the ones from our 11 month photoshoot.
This time I had to give him the TV remote to keep him still, and even then it was a challenge.
Then he decided to stand up just as I was about to snap a picture.
Caleb decided to lay down, and I thought these ended up being pretty dang cute!
Eleven months ago, our life was lived in hour increments as we struggled to juggle the feeding, changing, and sleeping 'schedule' of an infant. As those early days past, we were lucky if we knew what day of the week it was. Soon we began living our life in weeks telling people that Caleb was 6...7...8 weeks old. Somewhere around three months, I began refering to his age in months. I became very aware of just how quickly a month goes by. Just when I'd get used to telling people that Caleb was 4 months old, he'd be 4.5 months old, and then 5 months, and so on.
It seems like things have just been in fast forward since he was 6 months old, and I'm not sure if this is because my life got so busy at that time, or if it was because of how much he's changed since then. So after all of that, I feel like I just know how truly short a month can be. How in just a blink of an eye, we'll be celebrating Caleb's birthday. In some ways I feel like I have trouble remembering what my life was like 1 year ago when I was huge and pregnant and walking all over campus in 110 degree heat without thinking anything of it. I really don't feel like I can remember what my life was like without Caleb in it.
In other ways, I feel like I blinked and a whole year has gone by. I'm in a completly different place in my life now than I was then both because of Caleb and because of that whole graduating and getting a job thing. One thing I learned for sure over the past year, live life for today. I'm now living by the quote, "Be thankful for this moment. This moment is your life." Time goes by too quickly not to stop and cherish the moment you're in right now. Hard to believe it took me almost 30 years to figure that one out.
Everyday with Caleb brings something new, and I don't want to miss it for a second. At 10 months, he was just getting ready to take his first steps alone. Now he's walking and almost running all over the place. You can't keep this kid pinned down. My favorite times with Caleb are the times right before naps and bedtime when he'll snuggle into my arms while we read to him. Nothing better! I hope Caleb will really grow to love reading and enjoy it as much as he does now. Caleb is also gabbing up a storm. Last night he looked straight at Andrew's dad, pointed his finger and said, "Pop Pop." It was such a cute moment, and I'm pretty sure it melted Pop Pop's heart.
Should be getting some more pictures from daycare later today, but for now here are the ones from our 11 month photoshoot.
This time I had to give him the TV remote to keep him still, and even then it was a challenge.
Then he decided to stand up just as I was about to snap a picture.
Caleb decided to lay down, and I thought these ended up being pretty dang cute!
Daycare Day 1
Well, today was Caleb's first day at daycare and he did a lot better than his mommy! Caleb hung out at Ms. Lori's house today from about 7:30 to 2:30 while I went to different orientation stuff for my new job. We feel so fortunate to have found such a wonderful place for Caleb to spend this time away from home. Caleb had lots of fun playing with Willow and Zoe, Ms. Lori's 20-month old twin girls. Ms. Lori was kind enough to take and share some images from Caleb's first day away.
Digging in the toybox for some manly toys...none of this girly dress up stuff!
Being a ham at breakfast, or doing "So Big" or "Touchdown"
Some computer time to learn cause and effect! Isn't this just the cutest?
Afternoon water and ice play with Zoe.
Drinking from the hose.
More water and ice time.
Yes, I know that today was Caleb's 11 month birthday, and yes for the first time in 11 months I forgot to take the pictures on the 17th of the month. Hopefully tomorrow we'll have more time in the morning before daycare to capture some of him sitting still (yeah right!).
A's Birthday Recap
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Holidays
We started the morning by sleeping in a bit before being awoken by our lively alarm clock. Caleb got dressed in his "I Love My Dad" shirt to celebrate the day.
We made daddy a special breakfast of eggs, sausage, and toast before opening some presents. We had gotten Andrew some new Wii fitness games, the camera I previously mentioned, a new ASU shirt, and a DVD. Caleb's favorite present was the ribbon that adorned the box. Note to self: give Caleb lots of ribbon for his birthday next month.
Andrew played around with the camera a bit taking some extreme close ups.
Caleb made a giant mess with lunch, so he got to run around in just a diaper for a bit, and you guess it, he found the ribbon again.
Later in the day we headed to Andrew's parent's house for a fabulous dinner of homemade meatballs, pepperoni, ravioli, and fresh bread. Caleb thought it was great too!
We made daddy a special breakfast of eggs, sausage, and toast before opening some presents. We had gotten Andrew some new Wii fitness games, the camera I previously mentioned, a new ASU shirt, and a DVD. Caleb's favorite present was the ribbon that adorned the box. Note to self: give Caleb lots of ribbon for his birthday next month.
Andrew played around with the camera a bit taking some extreme close ups.
Caleb made a giant mess with lunch, so he got to run around in just a diaper for a bit, and you guess it, he found the ribbon again.
Later in the day we headed to Andrew's parent's house for a fabulous dinner of homemade meatballs, pepperoni, ravioli, and fresh bread. Caleb thought it was great too!
This was of course followed by cake. Due to a miscommunication, we ended up with two cakes. A chocolate, chocolate chip cookie cake sprinkled half with white chocolate chips (top) and half with peanut butter chips (bottom). This picture was supposed to be used for my Y3W post on Friday.
And a poke cake with a layer of lime jello and one of lemon jello.
The camera shy birthday boy with his cakes (he'll kill me for posting this)
So as you can see we had a wonderful day spent together as a family. I'm really going to miss these three day weekends when they come to an end :(
Y3W
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Y3W
I apologize for the last of pictures with these last two Y3W posts. Andrew got a new camera for his birthday today, and I haven't synced it with the computer yet. Should have time to post the first images from it later this weekend.
A New Fun Place
We met some of our friends at the Children's Museum of Phoenix today. What an amazing place! Caleb had a blast, and mommy did too. I kept thinking about how cool this place would have been when I was a kid. Who am I kidding...this place was cool for adults too! Three stories of all kinds of stuff for kids (mini grocery store, ice cream vendor stand, a forest of pool noodles, a room where the kids can make all sorts of pretend food including pizzas with a pretend brick oven, an AMAZING arts and crafts room, and MUCH, MUCH more! This is definitely a place that we'll consider a membership when Caleb is a little older. Here are some pictures from today.
He's running now!
Mmmmmm...dirty ball that 15,829,374,023,407 other children have sucked on!
A "screen" of ping pong balls
Now this is an environment I can feel safe about. Maybe we'll consider a room full of thick activity mats!
Checking something out with Noah.
Baby jail
He's running now!
Mmmmmm...dirty ball that 15,829,374,023,407 other children have sucked on!
A "screen" of ping pong balls
Now this is an environment I can feel safe about. Maybe we'll consider a room full of thick activity mats!
Checking something out with Noah.
Looking out the window and occasionally sucking on it.
Baby jail
Wii and Parenting
Yesterday we had our friends Cortney, Larry and Easton over for dinner. Afterward we found out that they had never played Wii, so we introduced them with a little game of Wii Sports Tennis. They were pretty into it, and Larry is quite the tennis pro already.
Andrew and I were in charge of watching the boys while they played. Here's what happened:
Playing nicely with Easton's favorite ball
Caleb working his way in to steal the ball
Easton: "Hey, what happened to my ball?"
"Oh, there it goes."
The chase is on! Watch out you don't get stepped on by the Wii playing duo.
Caleb: "Take the ball, and I'll bite you!"
Easton: "You know what? You can have the ball, Caleb. I think I'll just sit here in the corner and chew on this green block instead."
We all had a great time together (although Easton may not agree), and Andrew and I have decided that we need to start having Wii parties again. We just may have to hire a babysitter for all the little ones!
Andrew and I were in charge of watching the boys while they played. Here's what happened:
Playing nicely with Easton's favorite ball
Caleb working his way in to steal the ball
Easton: "Hey, what happened to my ball?"
"Oh, there it goes."
The chase is on! Watch out you don't get stepped on by the Wii playing duo.
Caleb: "Take the ball, and I'll bite you!"
Easton: "You know what? You can have the ball, Caleb. I think I'll just sit here in the corner and chew on this green block instead."
We all had a great time together (although Easton may not agree), and Andrew and I have decided that we need to start having Wii parties again. We just may have to hire a babysitter for all the little ones!
Y3W
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Y3W
Andrew now has off Fridays during the month of August thanks to the fabulous economy. But the good news is that he gets to spend more time with Caleb. Today I took advantage of having him home on a weekday and we went to check out daycare facilities for Caleb since it looks like I will be starting a job in a few weeks.
Summertime in PA
As many of you know it is HOT in Arizona in the summer. By mid-July I'm about ready to scream because we've been cooped up inside for so long. So a nice little mid-summer trip to PA is the solution. This trip was particularly fun because Caleb got to play in some wonderfully green grass and splash in puddles in the rain. Although we do get rains in AZ that are large enough to form puddles, they usually happen in the middle of the night and are accompanied by lots of really scary lightning. So, this was C's first experience out splashing around. No pictures of him playing in the grass, but here is one of C and Aunt Dani at the park.
And here's a video of him splashing in a puddle.
And here's a video of him splashing in a puddle.
Rejected
I've known for a while now that this day would come, I was just hoping that it would be later rather than sooner. Caleb and I have enjoyed 10.5 months of nursing together. A few weeks ago I started giving him formula for 2 of his 4 feedings because I just wasn't producing enough milk for him. I continued nursing him first thing in the morning and before bed, but tonight he rejected the night feeding, and I just knew that it was over.
It was about a year ago that Andrew and I attended our Introduction to Breastfeeding class. I went in to the class thinking, "I'll give it a shot, and if it doesn't work out then I'm okay with giving formula." I came out of the class knowing that I was going to nurse my child for as long as I could. I am fortunate in that I never experienced any problems other than supply issues in the last few months. It was never painful or stressful. In those early weeks when emotions were running high it was the one thing that I knew I was doing right. We gave it our best shot together, and I think that's all I could have hoped for even though I was hoping to make it a bit longer. I'm proud of myself for making it this far. I'm happy to say that (knock on wood) Caleb has yet to be sick, and I know that is in part due to nursing.
So tonight is a little bittersweet. I'm not as upset as I would have thought a few months ago. I am sad that Caleb is growing up and no longer needs me in that way, but I am also looking forward to having my body back for a little while and to watching Caleb continue to grow and change into an independent little man.
It was about a year ago that Andrew and I attended our Introduction to Breastfeeding class. I went in to the class thinking, "I'll give it a shot, and if it doesn't work out then I'm okay with giving formula." I came out of the class knowing that I was going to nurse my child for as long as I could. I am fortunate in that I never experienced any problems other than supply issues in the last few months. It was never painful or stressful. In those early weeks when emotions were running high it was the one thing that I knew I was doing right. We gave it our best shot together, and I think that's all I could have hoped for even though I was hoping to make it a bit longer. I'm proud of myself for making it this far. I'm happy to say that (knock on wood) Caleb has yet to be sick, and I know that is in part due to nursing.
So tonight is a little bittersweet. I'm not as upset as I would have thought a few months ago. I am sad that Caleb is growing up and no longer needs me in that way, but I am also looking forward to having my body back for a little while and to watching Caleb continue to grow and change into an independent little man.
Afternoon at the Casino (aka My Sister's Bridal Shower)
As I already mentioned, Caleb and I spent the weekend in PA so that I could throw a bridal shower for my sister, Danielle. I came up with a "Lucky Lady"/"Queen for the Day" theme because, well, she likes gambling. Ever since we were little kids she would beg our grandmother (our Memaw, now used as my mom's grandmotherly namesake) to buy her a lottery ticket every time we stopped at a gas station. When Danielle turned 21, she wanted to go to Atlantic City, not because of the alcohol, but because she was officially of gambling age. I hope that no one is getting the impression that she's addicted, far from it! Just something that she enjoys for entertainment the way some other people may enjoy going to the movies. Anyway, back to the details. After I chose a theme, the search for invitations began. Of course I went to my old standby Etsy for inspiration, and found these. Of course, I figured I could make them myself for cheaper, so I Google Image searched to find the card logos? (A of Spades, King of Hearts, Queen of Hearts), and I wrote a poem from scratch describing the shower details to our invitees:
The Cards have been Dealt.
We’re ready to Play.
Our bride-to-be, Danielle,
Is the Queen for the day.
Soon she will marry,
The King of her Heart.
And we will ensure,
They are prepared from the start.
We’re throwing a shower,
On August the 1st.
To give these Two of a Kind,
A Full House that might burst.
At 1:00pm,
All Bets must be placed.
As she walks through the door,
She’s sure to be Flush faced.
So come on Ante Up.
Don’t Sit This Hand Out.
You won’t want to miss this,
So please give us a shout.
Here's the final result:
I also wrote another poem based on this one to describe to D, the gift that the bridesmaids had gotten (1 night hotel stay in DC and money toward purchasing tickets to a Christmas show at Ford's Theatre. She and her fiance had planned to do this anyway, we just decided to foot some of the bill). Unfortunately, I don't have this poem saved on my computer. Next I went to Party City to purchase some decorations (giant cards, casino signs, a mini roulette table, etc). We had lottery tickets and chocolate coins wrapped in foil to look like casino coins. Unfortunately, I don't have a ton of pictures of the party decorations (in fact, most consist of D opening presents). However, you get the idea.
Roulette centerpiece (notice the green felt table cloth similar to a blackjack or poker table)
Casino sign, the surprised bride-to-be (check out those braids) and the beautiful cake by About Weddings.
The bridesmaids and the bride with the giant playing cards in the background.
Being goofy with one of the cake topper gumpaste cards.
All in all, the shower was really wonderful. The best part, my sister and her fiance walked away with a ton of great gifts!
The Cards have been Dealt.
We’re ready to Play.
Our bride-to-be, Danielle,
Is the Queen for the day.
Soon she will marry,
The King of her Heart.
And we will ensure,
They are prepared from the start.
We’re throwing a shower,
On August the 1st.
To give these Two of a Kind,
A Full House that might burst.
At 1:00pm,
All Bets must be placed.
As she walks through the door,
She’s sure to be Flush faced.
So come on Ante Up.
Don’t Sit This Hand Out.
You won’t want to miss this,
So please give us a shout.
Here's the final result:
I also wrote another poem based on this one to describe to D, the gift that the bridesmaids had gotten (1 night hotel stay in DC and money toward purchasing tickets to a Christmas show at Ford's Theatre. She and her fiance had planned to do this anyway, we just decided to foot some of the bill). Unfortunately, I don't have this poem saved on my computer. Next I went to Party City to purchase some decorations (giant cards, casino signs, a mini roulette table, etc). We had lottery tickets and chocolate coins wrapped in foil to look like casino coins. Unfortunately, I don't have a ton of pictures of the party decorations (in fact, most consist of D opening presents). However, you get the idea.
Roulette centerpiece (notice the green felt table cloth similar to a blackjack or poker table)
Casino sign, the surprised bride-to-be (check out those braids) and the beautiful cake by About Weddings.
The bridesmaids and the bride with the giant playing cards in the background.
Being goofy with one of the cake topper gumpaste cards.
All in all, the shower was really wonderful. The best part, my sister and her fiance walked away with a ton of great gifts!
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