Caleb laughing

Our Little Camper

Camping trip #2 was another success. This time we went to Tahoe with my family. I think Caleb's beginning to get the hang of this whole camping thing. He was a lot less fussy and did so good on all our hikes and he loved the lake water. I must say I was probably most excited about that. The water was a little cold, definitely not warm like a bath and Caleb didn't even mind. He loved it when we dipped his legs in the water and since it was so shallow we let him stand on the ground in the water and he made hardly a fuss even though the water went all the way to his neck. He was giggling when the water splashed him as we dipped him in and out. So fun! He did so great on the car ride to. 7 hours up. (Dave wanted to try the 'scenic' route. ended up being an extra 1.5 hours, but whose counting) way back was only 4 and Caleb slept for 3 of it. Nice! It was a great trip! Maybe this whole camping with a baby thing isn't so bad after all. Enjoy the pics!
We've arrived!
taking a break to enjoy the sights along the way

caleb entertaining himself with his toes
how we love the aunties, always there to play with Caleb and to feed him
and let's not forget nani, always there for kisses
family photo opt
taking in the sights
in his new chair and loving it
Sisters
i love my boys.
just relaxing on the boat and enjoying the view (moments before having a near death experience with a flying umbrella on the water, no worries, dave kept us safe!)
Caleb loved the boat
just me and my pops (digging the cell phone that plays music)
oh really?
i love you too pops.

beach bum

What a week.

This week feels like it has gone on forever... and just when things were going so nicely. I felt like I was finally breathing (and sleeping) again only to have everything go haywire! I know things could be worse and this really isn't such a big deal. But here is my little vent. Caleb was FINALLY doing so great in the sleep department. Putting himself down like a champ. Finally napping well again. Only waking up once in the night, and really just getting in the groove of things. I was feeling so happy about this. Considering all the trips we've been going on he was doing so fantabulous. Anyways. We were feeling like we were walking on air because we finally got a full night's sleep for the first time ever since Caleb had been born.
And then...so sad...sigh. Who knows what happened. We are now back to waking up twice a night, poor guy isn't soothing himself back to sleep, fussy, tired. All we can think of is another major milestone must be happening...or some more teeth. So I guess I just forgot that as soon as we get into a nice rhythm with one thing, something else comes along to throw us all for a gigantic Topsy curvy turn. All I can really say is: as exhausted and emotionally and physically depleted as I feel, I just keep reminding myself of my mom's favorite motto "this too shall pass" I happen to hate the motto. But I can't deny how true it is. Sometimes I don't know who to feel more sorry for. Us. Or Caleb. Poor guy.
But at least you're cute Caleb.

and then

of course... What's life without these kind of days. Caleb and I are having what I so lovingly like to call a 'fuss' day. This is what happens when you mix fussy baby with tired mama. You get tears. On both ends. Oh motherhood.

Funny how I post this right after my 'content' with life post. I guess you can't have one without the other!

Sigh...

of content. That's how life feels like with Caleb right now. Next to those sleepless newborn days that blur together and the in-between days of ups and downs, it feels as though we have reached a new stage of contentment and happiness. Sigh. Caleb is way less fussy these days, has a nice routine going for his naps and bedtime, happily plays by himself for long stretches, is growing and learning by leaps and bounds everyday and makes each day a surprise with whatever new 'trick' he is going to show off. I thought 7 months was my favorite but I love this 9 month mark too! Caleb has finally figured out 'the hello/goodbye wave' he found a friend at Panda on our drive home and they were waving to each other for a good five minutes. After an entire day of playing peek-a-boo with Nani, Caleb started clapping to beat the band. And after all our signing that we've been working on at mealtime, Caleb began signing 'more' to me this morning. (It could have also been a clap but who cares!) And those wet slobbery kisses, yep, they are making their 'mark'. It is so fun to see Caleb responding to his environment! Sigh. Life just keeps getting better with our Lil guy.

And of course, what's a post without pictures.
(Flirting face)
(Blowing bubbles face)

There's a first for everything

and Sunday happened to be Caleb's 'first' dip in the pool.I am happy to say he loved it! Well, not entirely. He made little fuss noises the entire time, but he wasn't crying so I'm going to go ahead and say it was a pretty good 'first experience'. He pretty much wanted to go back and forth between Dave and I the entire time. I think he just wanted to test out his swimming skills. Caleb didn't even mind the many episodes of mom spitting water right on his face (what a great example to instill) he simply blinked, and then tried to dip his face into the water. That's a good sign right?! Not that I'm trying to raise the next Olympic swimmer, but I am partial to the water and having a little fish... pretty soon he'll be swimming with his cousins!

and all that swimming must have worn Caleb out because he fell asleep at 7, nursed at 10 when we got home, and didn't make a peep until 7 the next morning. Dave and I went to bed and woke up the next morning in complete surprise! It was the best feeling ever. For the first time since my early days of pregnancy, I actually went to bed and woke up in the morning without waking up once! We're still relishing that feeling since it happened to be a one time deal. Oh well. We'll take what we can get right?

Watermelon

I LOVE watermelon. I love it so much that it was pretty much my main source of food while I was pregnant, next to strawberries and cereal. Can you tell how much Caleb was loving the watermelon?! He ate an entire slice within minutes. I guess Dave is a little out numbered now. (He hates watermelon). I'm not sure how he even managed to sit through Caleb's fiesta with that slice. He gets squimishy if he even smells watermelon in the far distance, let alone holding baby who creates watermelon mess. Oh watermelon! The best summer food to eat :)

Cuddle Bug

Fun in the sun

Just me and my pops

Happy 9 Months Caleb!

Dear Caleb,
Happy 9 months!It seems as though over these past couple weeks you have all of a sudden taken off in the world of exploration. You are trying to move everywhere. You are finally rolling, can pull yourself up from laying on your back if I am holding down on your feet, you can push yourself back from being on your tummy and back into a seated position. You are on all fours and trying to crawl, you can pull yourself to stand, you are trying to cruise, but not quite there yet. We have finally baby-proofed!
You still babble a lot, but love making other noises as well. You love blowing bubbles with your mouth especially back and forth with other people, you enjoy grunting while you are standing up, and you still get a kick out of clucking your tongue to the roof of your mouth.
Separation anxiety has hit you full swing. You still wake up once a night but are doing so much better putting yourself back to sleep and taking naps. Sadly (for mom) the Dr. said you only need to nurse 3 times a day now which feels like nothing (even though you were only doing 4) she says you're ready for table foods. Time is flying by much too quickly. We can't get enough of your giggles and smiles, your chubby checks, sweet hands and feet, babbles and coos, everything about you! We love you Caleb Lincoln. You make us so proud.

As for the monthly stats
You weigh 31 lbs (that's right, you are maintaining your weight finally) still off the charts though
You are 29.5 in long
And the Dr. says you don't need a helmet! And your flat head is not as severe as we feared. Hurray, but she still recommended seeing a neurologist to put our concerns at ease.
Pictures to come :)

Sleep Saga Update

For the first time ever, da da dum dum...

Caleb slept from 6:40-4:40 without hardly a peep. That's an entire 10 hours on his own, self-soothing away. Yay! (I think the most he has ever done has been maybe 8 hours) He needed a little help around 4:30 and back to sleep till 8:30. I can live with that.

We got a straight six hours of sleep which was very nice. Maybe 12 hours without waking mom and dad up will be in the very near future.

Caleb's naps have also taken a turn for the better. He still does a pretty short one in the morning ( I have finally come to accept this), but his afternoon nap is pretty consistent and lasts almost three hours with no help from me! Oh how I love the fact that he can put that binky back in his mouth all by himself! I am also thankful that Caleb can sleep so well on the go. Whether it be in the car, his stroller, or his backpack. This allows us to have a lot more freedom!

We're off to the dr. today for his 9 month check-up. Updates to come!

As a side note, we've been worried over his 'flat' head so hopefully the dr. will be giving us helpful information about it. I am predicting he may need a helmet. So hopefully everything works out. I'm just so thankful for doctors who can ease the nervous parents' fears!

Our outdoor explorer's first camping trip

We went to the beautiful Lassen National Park for our annual 4th of July camp out with the Giles/Steinkamp Family. (We were there last summer, although I'm sure Caleb won't remember being that he was still 'cooking' inside me)
This time, he was able to take in the sights!
We have (actually, Dave has) strategically figured out how to pack our small car with our large amounts of gear.


while Caleb and I admired his hard work


and we made sure to take lots of pictures! Enjoy :)












We're so proud of our lil guy! Caleb was a champ despite a bad flare up of eczema all over his face, separation anxiety moments, and some freezing temps at night (in the 30s which is cold for us!). It was more me freaking out over the blotchy red all over his face and worrying that Caleb would be too cold at night, so we just cuddled together all under a warm sleeping bag) and as much as I love cuddling with 'both' my boys, it is nice to be back home with Caleb back in his own room waking us up only once a night instead of all through the night while we were camping! Fun times :) Can't wait for next year. Hopefully the separation anxiety and eczema will be on the mend.