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| Benny and Callahan learning their Spanish alphabet. |
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Let Him Eat Cake!
Cal was not a fan of the healthy cake I made for his birthday party. He did not appreciate the fruit I snuck into the cake, nor the delcious almond frosting. He took a few bites to humor me, but I did not get the crazy baby cake smash I was hoping for.
Turns out my kid prefers store bought to homemade. On his actual birthday we had the grandparents over for pizza and Sander's Bumpy Cake. He went to town - cake in his hair, needed a bath kind of enjoyment. That's my kid!
Turns out my kid prefers store bought to homemade. On his actual birthday we had the grandparents over for pizza and Sander's Bumpy Cake. He went to town - cake in his hair, needed a bath kind of enjoyment. That's my kid!
| What is this? |
Okay - I'll try it.
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| You try some Dad. |
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Happy First Birthday!
One year ago today, at 5:25 am, I gave birth to a perfect little boy. What a wonderful year it has been!
(more mushiness to come later)
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Birthday Party!
We chose to celebrate Cal's first birthday a week early. Cal shares his birthday with my cousin and I knew she would be celebrating (her Sweet Sixteen!) on the Sunday before their birthday. Saturday seemed like an overload for my family, especially coming so close to Thanksgiving. If we waited until the weekend after his birthday, we started to run into the crush of holiday parties. We picked the perfect day to celebrate and it was nice to focus on Callahan before the rush of the holiday season took over.
The party theme was Robots, inxpired by a box we got that looked like the perfect robot body (which, ironically, we never finished before the party. Oh well.) I made a lot of the decorations myself with the help of my trusty Cricut and two awesome cartridges (Robotz and Robot Party). I ordered invites from the awesome Etsy shop Announcing You and a cake from Lakes Cakes.
It was a wonderful day filled with family and friends. Cal got some great toys (monster trucks, tools, a boat, balls) and some super cute clothes (including a snowsuit perfect for the condo this winter). He also got a wagon, big wheel and pedal car (with his name on it!)
The presents were a big hit with the big kids too!
I love it when our house is filled with family and friends!
Cal was a little shocked when we all started singing. Normally he loves to be sung to, but I think the crowd was a bit overwhelming. There were no smiles to be had.
It was a great day. Thank you so much for all the love! We can't wait to see what next year brings!
The party theme was Robots, inxpired by a box we got that looked like the perfect robot body (which, ironically, we never finished before the party. Oh well.) I made a lot of the decorations myself with the help of my trusty Cricut and two awesome cartridges (Robotz and Robot Party). I ordered invites from the awesome Etsy shop Announcing You and a cake from Lakes Cakes.
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| Birthday banner |
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| Robot Cake |
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| Month picture display |
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| Homemade Apple Banana smash cake |
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| Waiting for his guests to arrive (in his new PBK Everywhere Chair from Mom and Dad) |
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| The Haul |
I love it when our house is filled with family and friends!
Cal was a little shocked when we all started singing. Normally he loves to be sung to, but I think the crowd was a bit overwhelming. There were no smiles to be had.
It was a great day. Thank you so much for all the love! We can't wait to see what next year brings!
Friday, November 25, 2011
Little Red Wagon
Cal got his first wagon from Aunt Britt and Uncle Rick. He is a big fan (and so is Dad). He gets a huge smile on his face whenever you put him in it for a ride.
The wagon is currently sitting in our dining room while we figure out the best place to store it during the winter. Cal likes to put his toys in it and take them back out (and repeat...and repeat...and repeat...) Last night I was sitting on the couch as he did just that and when I looked up I saw Cal sitting in the wagon. Huh? How did he get there? Silly boy! I took him out an set him on the floor and immediately he crawled back to his wagon and climbed back in. So I did what any mom would do - I pulled out the video camera (well, my phone). This video was the third attempt - I had the camera first sideways then upside down. We are in so much trouble!
Oh - and Cal can climb out of his wagon too...face first! It is the same way he exits his PBK Anywhere Chair. Mommy is going to have a heart attack!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
What a difference a year makes!
This was me last Thanksgiving:
I was 4 days overdue, with no room in my stomach to properly enjoy Thanksgiving dinner. I had an adorable newborn sized Thanksgiving outfit all washed and ready to go, but no outside baby to put in it. I wasn't feeling very thankful.
This Thanksgiving was very different. We have a wonderful little boy who makes us smile every day. Our only problem was that he needed a new Thanksgiving outfit!
This Thanksgiving was very different. We have a wonderful little boy who makes us smile every day. Our only problem was that he needed a new Thanksgiving outfit!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Dear Easton...
A few weeks ago I was organizing the outside of our fridge. Cal was pullling up on it and pulling down anything in his reach. I decided to organize the mess of birth announcements, school pictures, engagement photos and random snapshots that smiled up at us in a haphazard patchwork. I placed the pictures of Billy's grandma and cousin front and center so that they stared at me whenever I opened the fridge. You see, his grandma is raising his 8 year old cousin now. The poor kid lost both of his parents before he was even out of elementary school. The pictures served as my daily reminder to keep them in my prayers. On Monday night I moved another photo from the side of the fridge into the prayer spot. It was the birth announcement for my friend Courtney's son Easton. A few hours before I had gotten a call from my dad that 7 month old Easton was in the hospital, most likely with a tumor. Prayers were definitely needed.
In the span of a few short days, Easton's mom discovered a hard spot, took him to the doctor, had some tests run and, this morning, Easton went into surgery. His kidney and appendix were removed, along with a tumor weighing in at more than half a pound. The prognosis is good, the tumor was encapsulated, and Easton is recovering. I could not stop thinking about Easton and his family today, and I didn't want to bug them with calls or texts during this difficult time, but this is what I would have said:
Dear Easton,
We loved you before we even met you. I was so happy when I found out that first your mom, and then your aunt, were pregnant when I was pregnant with Cal. I was firmly Team Blue at your baby shower because I really wanted Cal to have a buddy. I have fond memories of time spent with your mom and aunts when we were younger - swimming, skiing, making disgusting concoctions we forced each other to drink while our parents were out to dinner. I imagined you and Cal (and Zain!) tearing it up on the lake when you were older, playing during family dinners and sharing new toys at Christmas breakfasts.
You have no idea how lucky you are to be born into your family. They are fighters, supporters, caregivers. You have an army lining up to do battle with you.
Before your diagnosis, your mom was participating in Thankful November. With all the stress of the past few days, she hasn't had a chance to share what she is thankful for, so I have a few things I am thankful for on her behalf. I am thankful for a mother's intuition, so that your tumor was caught early. I am thankful for a wonderful children's hospital nearby. I am thankful for doctors that act quickly so that the worry and fear doesn't have a chance to fester and grow. I am thankful for a successful surgery. I am thankful that you have the best parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins to help you through this.
In the span of a few short days, Easton's mom discovered a hard spot, took him to the doctor, had some tests run and, this morning, Easton went into surgery. His kidney and appendix were removed, along with a tumor weighing in at more than half a pound. The prognosis is good, the tumor was encapsulated, and Easton is recovering. I could not stop thinking about Easton and his family today, and I didn't want to bug them with calls or texts during this difficult time, but this is what I would have said:
Dear Easton,
We loved you before we even met you. I was so happy when I found out that first your mom, and then your aunt, were pregnant when I was pregnant with Cal. I was firmly Team Blue at your baby shower because I really wanted Cal to have a buddy. I have fond memories of time spent with your mom and aunts when we were younger - swimming, skiing, making disgusting concoctions we forced each other to drink while our parents were out to dinner. I imagined you and Cal (and Zain!) tearing it up on the lake when you were older, playing during family dinners and sharing new toys at Christmas breakfasts.
You have no idea how lucky you are to be born into your family. They are fighters, supporters, caregivers. You have an army lining up to do battle with you.
Before your diagnosis, your mom was participating in Thankful November. With all the stress of the past few days, she hasn't had a chance to share what she is thankful for, so I have a few things I am thankful for on her behalf. I am thankful for a mother's intuition, so that your tumor was caught early. I am thankful for a wonderful children's hospital nearby. I am thankful for doctors that act quickly so that the worry and fear doesn't have a chance to fester and grow. I am thankful for a successful surgery. I am thankful that you have the best parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins to help you through this.
I can't wait for this to be a mere blip on the radar of your life. I picture you on the lake in 15 years with your cousins and Cal, showing your battle scar off to girls and telling them you got it saving kittens from a fire. Grow strong, little boy.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
T-minus 2 weeks...
In two weeks I will have a one year old. The past year has been incredibly fast and incredibly slow at the same time. It seems like Cal has been part of our family forever.
He is growing so fast. In the past two weeks he has perfected another word (car - usually followed by his car noise), grown two more teeth (on top, for a total of four), started to drink from a sippy (finally), begun the transition to whole milk (about 1/3 milk, 2/3 formula) and stood independently (for about 15 seconds while his godfather and I stared at him).
His birthday party is this coming weekend. Stay tuned...
He is growing so fast. In the past two weeks he has perfected another word (car - usually followed by his car noise), grown two more teeth (on top, for a total of four), started to drink from a sippy (finally), begun the transition to whole milk (about 1/3 milk, 2/3 formula) and stood independently (for about 15 seconds while his godfather and I stared at him).
His birthday party is this coming weekend. Stay tuned...
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Trick-or-Treat!
Last night, Cal had an entourage of 12 while trick-or-treating - and that did not include Billy or I! What a lucky little boy he is. The majority of pictures I have are of the back of his little monster head as different people took turns taking him up to houses to get candy.
We decided to skip our neighborhood this year in favor of downtown Northville. They really do it up there - the houses are decorated, there are live bands and other little performances. The streets are blocked off and the whole town gets in on the spirit. I have gone there in the past with my cousins who live there and everyone was excited for Cal to join this year. We enjoyed walking (limping for me) and people watching. Afterwards we headed back to my aunt and uncle's for some chili and drinks. It was a great night, and I can't wait until next year!
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| With Grandpa Cliff... |
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| ...and Charlotte... |
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| ...and Aunt Britt... |
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| ...and Uncle Rick... |
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| ...and Grandpa and Grandma... |
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| ...and Mom and Dad! |
We decided to skip our neighborhood this year in favor of downtown Northville. They really do it up there - the houses are decorated, there are live bands and other little performances. The streets are blocked off and the whole town gets in on the spirit. I have gone there in the past with my cousins who live there and everyone was excited for Cal to join this year. We enjoyed walking (limping for me) and people watching. Afterwards we headed back to my aunt and uncle's for some chili and drinks. It was a great night, and I can't wait until next year!
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| Monster out! |
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