Yard Renovations

What we've been up to.
This post is dedicated to Dave and all his hard work on our yards. Although I'm going to be a little selfish and give myself credit for weeding all those disgusting plants that contain gigantic black bugs crawling all over the place. (All in the name of love is my motto)
Front yard when we moved in...

Our front yard now. It is still a work in progress. We dug out all the overgrown and dying plants and we'll be putting in our own plants soon



Our 'left' side yard when we moved in...

Now...after weeding and putting in our own grass.
Our 'right' side of the yard when we moved in...

we had to have this tree cut down because it was pushing down on the arbor and going onto our roof.

And now... we still need to take all these overgrown plants out. The seeds spread and we have a ton of plants taking over the side of the yard. The only thing we've really done so far over here is mowed the grass and weeded. This side of the house needs the most help.


We still need to put in a fence since there isn't one, put in new grass on the other side of the house and the front yard, put in plants in the front, and fix the right side of the yard up. Especially Bill's garden (behind the white fence). Hopefully we'll have our own garden behind the fence and a nice looking backyard and front yard! Slowly but surely we'll get there. Well that's all for my yard update. Have a nice weekend everyone! I'm sure you can take a wild guess on what we will be doing.

Going mobile

It's begun! We officially have a crawler on our hands! I've got to say those first few crawls headed my way were more precious than words can say. Now that Caleb has figured out he can go where he wants. Well. That's another story. And speaking of his streak of independence beginning to 'bud' through, that laughing video is a good representation of just that. Caleb laughing because he KNOWS the dvd player is off limits. ( I guess I wasn't doing a very good job of redirecting him was I?) Here is some crawling captured on film.

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)