Happy Birthday Baby!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY BABY BOY!!!!

Caleb, I can't believe you are a year old already!  Your daddy and I love you sooo much!  We are so thankful for you!  This day a year ago, we were excited, nervous, and scared.  When you came out and had to be rushed to the NICU, we were so worried.  The extra days in the hospital helped daddy and I learn so much about you and how to take care of you.  After those five days, we knew you were going to be just fine.  At a year old, you are pulling yourself up, walking around the furniture, and you have 8 teeth.  You love to eat baby food, and are still nursing twice a day.  I am still eating dairy free and you are still drinking special formula, but we are going to try to change that soon!   All of your grandparents and great grandparents spoil you rotten.  You love your babysitters, Sonya and Karen. They have nicknamed you K-K.  

One year ago today:

 

7 lbs., 9 oz.  19.25 inches long

A little month-by-month recap:

9 lbs., 3 oz.  21.25 inches long 

11 lbs., 1 oz.  22.75 inches long

                                               

 15 lbs. 7 oz.  25.25 inches long

18 lbs.  26.5 inches long

 

19 lbs., 9 oz.  26.7 inches long

 

21 lbs., 10 oz.  28.7 inches long

1 Year Pictures

Yesterday, we went to Portrait Innovations to get Caleb's 1 year pictures taken.  I don't think Matt or I either one had any idea what we were getting ourselves into.  We were so fortunate that Becky had done all of his previous pictures.  She was so good with Caleb, was never in a rush, and always made it fun.

Just to sum up our experience: The studio was packed, loud, and chaotic, the police came because someone vandalized the restroom, and Caleb did not want to get his picture taken.  Here are a few of the good ones:

Margo's First Birthday

We had a busy weekend this weekend.  Friday, we went out to eat with Kiel and Steph, Adam, Nanci, and Emmiline to celebrate Kiel's birthday.  The wait was long and the restaurant was crowded, so Caleb was not on his best behavior.  At one point, he let out one of his notorious shrieks and a lady loudly said, "I thought that was a fire alarm."  I'm afraid our days of going out to eat are numbered.  Saturday, we went to Margo's First Birthday Party.  I can't believe our babies are turning one already!

All dressed up for the party!   

What a face!  

 Caleb and the Birthday Girl....I gave up on trying to catch them both looking at the camera.

 Lauren, Margo, Caleb and I....I don't think Margo wanted her picture taken.

 

The Birthday Girl!

Caleb and Emmiline....Two Cutie Pies!  

WHAT IS THAT???

Caleb was still not acting his usual self this week, so Matt took him back to the doctor on Friday.  He still had an ear infection, so Dr. Smith gave him a new medicine.  He woke up extremely hot and fussy in the middle of the night and when I took off his pajamas, here's what we found......

His belly, arms, and legs were covered in hives!  Of course, I immediately panicked...Matt tried to be the voice of calmness, but it didn't work.  After a call to mom and Dr. Smith, she called in a new prescription for him.  He woke up with the same hives Sunday and Monday mornings.  Thank goodness I was off yesterday because we had to make another trip to the doctor and had to get another new medicine.

Snoozing with Daddy in the chair....Poor sick guy!  

 At the doctor's office for the third time in 13 days.....

YAY, the new medicine is working!  

Grandpa's Auction Barn

Growing up, I spent many weekend's at Grandpa Paul's "Auction Barn."  I have many memories of that place, from meeting new people, to freezing my butt off because there was no heat in the backroom, and a love for Fiesta dishes.   It's a family affair....Grandpa and Uncle Paul are the auctioneers, Grandma Susie and Dad clerk, and mom takes the money.  The grandkids (me included) would do whatever job was age appropriate at the time. I started by running sheets, then worked my way up to the backroom (where the people pick up their purchases.  Here's a picture of me helping that was printed in the Greensburg Newspaper.  I sure thought I was cool back then!  

Today, we took Caleb on his first trip to the Auction Barn.  Mom decided he should help her cashier.....I sure hope she doubled checked her work after we left!  

Then, we stopped by to see Grandpa Bill and Nana.  

Christmas Break Recap

As a child, I loved Christmas Break.  No school for two weeks, Christmas celebrations and lots of snow!  Now that Caleb is here, I think I love it even more!  We spent the last week of our break running around, play dates with friends, sleeping in, and spending the day in our pjs.  I went back to work on Thursday, but at least it was only for two days :)

Christmas Break brought some big milestones for Caleb: crawling and his first ear infection.  The week before Christmas, he began taking a few scoots.  On the 27th, he started crawling and hasn't slowed down since.  It seemed like he suddenly realized, "I can move on my own!"  He found his way to Rickey's water bowl and food and the volume knob for the surround sound.  Needless to say, the gate on the stairs went up pretty quickly after that!  He was really fussy Monday and Tuesday, so I took him to the doctor and his has a double ear infection.  Poor Baby!

 I just came across this picture on my phone: Caleb and Papaw taking a break from Christmas Shopping....Too cute not to share.

 Another first: willingly holding his own bottle

 Happy Boy!

On Thursday, we went to Katie and Ava's for a play date with Kristina, Grant, Madeline, Ava, and Katie.  Katie and Kristina are two of my good friends from work.  The girls, Madeline and Ava are 3 and a half, and Grant is 3 weeks younger than Caleb.  Our first official play date!

 Grant, how did you get up there?  

 Boys, you cannot play with Strawberry Shortcake!

 Don't you just love their cheeks?

 Now that Caleb is mobile, his favorite spot is the sliding door with his sidekick.

 Vroom Vroom!

 Playing with his piano from Uncle Craig....Concentrating so hard!

 Do I have something on my face?  

 Jason and Matt had their monthly M.O.M. meeting last Friday, so Jenny and I took Caleb and Margo on their first date!  They rode around the mall in their strollers and had dinner at Johnny Rocket's.  25 years til the wedding day!

 Our sweet baby boy..Mommy loves you soooooo much!  I thank God that I have not only a job that I love, but a job that allows me to spend long breaks home with you.  It was so hard for me to leave you Thursday morning, but I am already counting the days until Spring Break and our next week home together.