Independent feedings.

We have been working with Caleb to start feeding himself more with silverware and using plates and bowls more(instead of just his highchair tray).  We finally realized that we were mixing up not being consistent with which hand we choose. When you sit in front of him and use your right hand it’s natural to hand(and use hand over hand teaching) the spoon to his left hand, we didn’t realized that we were doing this. But then sometimes when we would just hand him the spoon we would pick his right hand. Hand/Spoon confusion! We are aware now and purposefully use his right hand. Also we bought some new spoons/forks/plates/bowls which seem to be helping too! He is making great progress with this and feeds himself most of his spoon-able foods like his baby oatmeal breakfast and applesauce.

We also quite consistently give him a bowl of ketchup for dipping. He LOVES to dip anything(after his usual dippers of chicken/hotdogs/fishsticks he will then move on to anything else he can like his whole plum! He is getting to be not AS messy with it, although you can still catch him just dipping his finger for a little extra taste of that yummy red sauce!

The stand/squat!

For Caleb to be able to start really walking on his own, he has to be able to get in and out of standing by himself.  This video shows big progress. We had just gotten to our car from church and because of Caleb’s new found love for rocks we took a minute to stop and smell the roses throw the rocks! He did several stands/squat combos before we even pulled out the video camera on our phone! We were so surprised at his independence and determination. Get the boy some rocks!

What happens when Uncles babysit?

Many funny stories come from their babysitting adventures.

Some of their time was spent playing Xbox. How they convinced Caleb to just sit there and watch them play I have no idea!

But I think the funniest story involves the diaper change! There was a critical error in that one of the uncles(to remain nameless) decided to throw away the dirty diaper prior to putting on the clean diaper. And the biggest problem with that mistake is that he was changing Caleb on Nana’s bed! (Have you seen the new huggies commercial where the dad changes his baby on a guest bed? Think fire hose! haha)

And then there was the “can I give him the graham crackers that are in his diaper bag?” story.  The consensus was yes, which was correct(don’t ask why they just didn’t call me!). However, Caleb started “doing something funny with his tongue”, so they took it away, made sure to find the epipen(just in case) and made him wait until I got back.

In their defense, Caleb was supposed to be taking his nap the whole time I was gone, so not much instruction was given. Thanks boys!

So what were all the girls doing that left the boys alone? Spa day with Tifanie of course!

Side note: Tifanie cut Caleb’s hair(before the babysitting adventures started) and for the first time he didn’t cry! This is a big deal because usually he is purple, stiff and hysterical during haircuts! I was not where he could see me and Nana was holding him.  I think we have decided we will just have to drop him off at the haircut place from now on! I wonder if the haircut place will agree with that-half babysitting, half haircut service! ha.

Ansley Elizabeth

Well we finally did it. We picked a name for our little girl. It is such a relief and so fun to be able to finally call her by name! Sweet little Ansley, how we love you!

Here is one of the ultrasound pictures from our 34 week ultrasound. We had to have another one to check on the placenta again.  Earlier it was completely covering my cervix(complete placenta previa), at 28 weeks it had moved off but was only about 7mm away(marginal placenta previa). I was very hopeful for this to be the one but no such luck.  The placenta problem has gotten better but not good enough yet. It was 16mm away. To be cleared of the previa and not have to have a scheduled csection, it has to be 20mm away. We will check again at 37 weeks. Please pray!

We are still measuring right on with size, weight and fluid levels. Praise God.  They are estimating her weight right now to be 4lbs 9oz.

Family Baby Shower

We were able to celebrate our little girl this past weekend. What a fun time! Thanks to everyone who helped put it all together.

Hello Mommy, Goodbye Tummy!

The infamous diaper game.

The bottle chugging game. I think it was a tie between Uncle John and Uncle Scott, who put up a fight to even play the game! Way to go boys!

The belly! How big do YOU think it is? I can’t remember who got closest but I think it was one of the uncles again. I can tell you that it wasn’t Josh. His string wrapped around the both of us!

Thanks everyone for the girlie loot! It’s so fun to have some pink things, diapers and hair bows!

Campmeeting 2011

Time at the Spring. This water is like ICE. Not matter how hot it is outside, you have to get out after a little bit because you go numb!

Daddy and Caleb

Mommy and Caleb. Notice how I don’t get in…too cold!

Halleigh and Caleb

Nana and Caleb

Most of the week is spent just hanging out, playing, swinging and trying to stay cool.

A little 4wheeling too.

Best way to stay cool, popsicle in the pool.

Holy Board. Caleb actually squatted to pick up the washer and then stood all by himself. Very proud. He loved to put them in and out of the holes.

A favorite this year: ROCKS! He couldn’t get enough. Good thing they were everywhere.

This is his grunting “it’s heavy” face.

Church was twice a day held in the tabernacle. Just a short walk from our tent(cabin).

Caleb was hilarious during church. He would clap over his head every time we sang a song. Very enthusiastic

Hitching a ride back.

Caleb slept in the crib we slept in as kids.

Aunt Denise and Uncle Buddy. Very impressed at his popsicle eating skills!

Shavings, always a good thing to play with.

The girls.

The boys.

The whole fam damily.

The great grand kids.

My travel buddy. He did extremely well. I traveled down there(took about 7 hours each way with stops) just me and Caleb. I was very impressed. We did stop a couple of times for breakdown prevention. This was one of them about 45 minutes from home.