December 31

Caleb is looking into his crystal ball to predict what 2010 holds for us.

Based upon the look on his face, I think he likes what he sees.

My prayer is that God will continue to bless and sustain us in this new year. May His hand be on all of our lives, especially during this season of new beginnings.

December 30

We played so much today!

Caleb spent most of today on the floor, practicing his rolling skills. He has rolled from front to back and back to front, but isn't doing either consistently. He sure is trying,though!

In the course of his practicing, he discovered the ball that Chris' mom gave him for Christmas. It's a bit too big and heavy for him to hold, but boy can he roll it! It's clear and shiny and filled with glitter; in other words, it's totally captivating for a baby.

Too bad he can't crawl after it when it rolls away, but I guess that gives him incentive to learn.

(Side note: I just had to edit this post when I discovered that I had inadvertently ended most of the sentences with exclamation points. Oops. I guess I'm a little enthusiastic tonight. Maybe it's all of the caffeine I've consumed.)

December 29

Apparently, Caleb does not like avocado.

He was making some really fantastic faces about it; most involved gagging and choking. The kid can be so dramatic!

But then.

I mixed some milk in with the avocado and got out the camera.

I'm not sure if it's the magical powers of breastmilk or the fact that my child is a ham, but suddenly he was willing to eat the avocado.

December 28

Caleb loves that his daddy is home on vacation.
He wishes that Christmas break would never end.
He likes having someone else to play with all day.

Or are those really MY thoughts?

Regardless, the kid is one happy bug.

December 27

I know, another one of him in his baby bouncer. He just loves the thing so much!

Yesterday he was playing contentedly in it, when he looked up at me and gave me - I swear - a look of pure gratitude. I've never seen a look like that on my child's face. It makes a mom feel all warm and cuddly inside.

What a sweetheart.

December 26

I know that the past few posts have involved Caleb sticking out his tongue.

Am I beating a dead horse?

Sorry, but he's so cute when he's happy.

Here he's enjoying his big Christmas gift - a bouncer. He loves it! What a happy kiddo.

December 25

What a beautiful day. Blessings galore.

1. Caleb's gift to us was 8 (count 'em!) uninterrupted hours of sleep. He woke cheerfully at 7:30 am, which is late for him.
2. A joyful and fun time this morning for our new little family to relax and open gifts. Caleb loved his books and toys.
3. A fun afternoon with Chris' parents, during which Caleb was entirely happy and compliant.
but best of all,
4. A new understanding of how great God's gift of Jesus was. There's nothing like becoming a parent to make Christ's birth seem even more miraculous. To imagine God choosing to become a baby is even more baffling now that we can see how humble that really is.

We couldn't have asked for a better Christmas.

December 24

Today was Caleb's First Christmas, Take One.

We celebrated with my family, and Caleb has decided that he likes this Christmas thing.

(He's doing his new thing where he sticks out his tongue when he's happy. LOVE IT.)

December 23

It's been a long day, so I'll be brief.

Caleb still LOVES his SantaFrog. We put it on his lap and set it to singing and he just grins.

He has also started sticking out his tongue when he's happy. This isn't the best shot of it, but you get the idea.

Hopefully tomorrow will bring a better photo.

December 22

My nephew Ryan stopped by tonight. It's not often an almost-12-year old (almost a teenager, he reminded me) is cheerful and compliant when it comes to photos, so I ended up snapping an awe-inspiring 415 pictures of the two together.

Don't worry; I was able to whittle it down to 59 keepers, and I will only post this one.

But the boys were so cute together. Caleb clearly adores his cousin, and Ryan seems to feel the same way. He really has a gift with babies, and watching the two of them makes my heart happy.

Merry (early) Christmas!

December 21

I'm so excited that he can sit up in time for Christmas!

December 20

Chris and Caleb did a lot of reading today.

Or rather, Chris tried to read despite the fact that Caleb only wanted to chew on the books.
Today's favorite was an illustrated board book version of "Frosty the Snowman".
Why is this a favorite, you ask?

On each page, Chris discovered something new and ridiculous - a snowman wearing bunny slippers, bunnies wearing snow hats, kittens in scarves, children in wheelchairs ice skating...

He was pleased. Caleb, meanwhile, thought the book was quite tasty.

December 19

How on earth is it already December 19? This year has flown by!

As an early Christmas gift, you get two Caleb pictures today. Chris says it's a Christmas miracle. Really, I just couldn't choose.

It snowed today.

Since Caleb had never before experienced ground-blanketing snow, we couldn't resist putting him out in it to see what he did. (Relax, Mom, it was not even an inch of snow and we set him on a plastic bag!)

He was skeptical at first, but then he decided he liked it.

Later, we (FINALLY!) decorated our Christmas tree. It's been up with no decorations for nearly a month. Today we actually had time to decorate it.

Caleb thought the tree with lights was cool.

Give him an ornament, and the kid is in heaven.

All in all, a great Saturday.

December 18

Yep. That's my baby, sitting up.

My little man is officially a sitter now, and I am ridiculously proud. He's the best sitter that ever sat! No baby has ever sat as well as mine. I could go on forever.

He was pretty darn pleased with himself, too.

December 17

Did I mention that this big boy rolled over yesterday?

Because he did.

He started the day out by rolling from his back to his tummy for the very first time.
Why?
He was reaching for the toy in the foreground of this picture - a little chime-rattle that my mom got for him.

He hasn't repeated the feat, but I'm not worried. It was a big deal, and he needs to store up energy to do it again.
In the meantime, I got this cute little pose. He's such a ham!

December 16

So maybe this isn't Caleb-related, but I got a new lens today!
I'm so excited to see if my pictures get better with this new piece of equipment. I think they have already improved.

Check out this sweet picture of my darling, content, contemplative son.

*sigh*

December 15

Caleb loves Christmas.
It involves pretty paper, lots of people, and sparkly lights.

AND he got to go to Jesus' birthday party today and watch a roomful of big boys (1-4 year olds) decorate cookies to celebrate.
Caleb likes watching big boys.

So Christmas is his new favorite.

December 14

Caleb had a big day today; he went to high school for the first time!

We went up to Timberland and visited with several of my former co-workers. I think it's fair to say that Caleb dazzled them all.

After that, he seemed pretty pleased with himself. I took this photo when he was just rolling around on the floor, laughing to himself. What a doll!

December 13

We are having so much fun with Caleb and food.

At first, it looks like Caleb is pushing the spoon (and Chris' hand) away. But actually, he is reaching for the spoon to "help" Chris.
I think I've posted photos like this before, but it's just too cute.

As you can tell by the chubby cheeks, the kid loves his food.

December 12

We often call Caleb our brownbear.

Today he met another brownbear!

They were fast friends.

December 11

I always swore I wouldn't be one of those parents who uses a pacifier to plug up their baby.

And I'm not; we use it at bedtime and when I can't get to him in the car.

But Caleb loves his paci. Lately, it is his main object of desire.

It is the item he lunges for.

He looks at it.

Passes it from hand to hand.

Chews on it.

Pulls it out of his mouth.

Inspects it.

And pops it back in.

The kid loves his paci.

What a fun game!

December 10

You get another one that makes me laugh today.

I love the big eyes and the drool string dangling from his lips.

hahaha.

December 9 and a Walk Down Memory Lane

My little reindeer is 5 months old today! We always celebrate his month-birthdays with an all-out photo shoot. Right now you just get to see this one.

I thought a trip down memory lane might be fun.

Here's Caleb at one week old, getting his first bath.

We thought he was so cute at the time, but now he looks like a little monkey/alien.

Here's one-month old Caleb:

He's already perfected his trademark pout and stare!

And now two-month-old Caleb:

That one is still one of my all-time favorite photos of him. But geez - look at how big his ears are!

Next, Caleb at three months old:

What a cutie pie! He certainly gained a lot of weight in those first few months. He looks noticeably chubbier by three months!

And now, a Caleb you might find familiar: four month-old Caleb.

Look at that winning smile! Who wouldn't love that kid?

Finally, five-month-old Caleb today.

Grandmother gave Caleb this little Santa outfit. Normally I'm not one for such things, but how can you not be a fan of this?

Caleb certainly seemed to enjoy it.

It's hard to believe how much he's changed in five months! One thing is certain, though: he gets cuter each month! I can't wait for month six!