July 9

Today is Caleb's third birthday.

Three years ago, I paced the halls of a hospital, hoping I would progress enough to be admitted.

Three years ago, I labored for twelve hours to deliver my sweet child. I had no idea how empowering a drug-free birth could be; three years later, Caleb's birth is still a defining moment for me.

Three years ago, I had no idea whether the child I was working so hard to meet would be a boy or a girl. When he was born and they shouted, "It's a boy!" I asked, "Are you sure? I could have sworn it was a girl."

Three years ago, I heard Caleb's first quiet little "mew", and fell in love. His personality has always remained constant: quite, thoughtful, observant, and clever. Oh, so clever. And we knew it from day one.

So today we celebrated our little boy's birthday with a low-key breakfast with the family. Though a few family members may have grumbled about a Monday morning birthday celebration, it was perfect for our little boy. He loved it.

Before we went to bed last night, Chris and I hung a bunch of balloons in front of Caleb's door, so that when he opened it, he would walk through a curtain of balloons. We hoped he would love it, but were concerned that it would freak him out.

He loved it.

 Look at that swagger. The boy knew it was his birthday.

Caleb was tickled to sit "criss-cross applesauce" in front of his birthday message on our chalkboard wall.

Breakfast seating ended up with us in two groups: 

the "Caleb and grandparents" table, and the others.

Caleb was pretty happy with that arrangement. I was happy to see that he got to sit with all of them at once. What fun!

We stuck a birthday candle in his homemade cinnamon roll (I used this recipe for brioche dough, and this recipe for the actual rolls. Both came courtesy of the midwife who delivered Daisy.), and he was plenty happy. Caleb even blew out the candle all by himself!

He was absolutely delighted by the "silly version" of the birthday song. His favorite line was, "You look like a monkey, and you smell like one too."

Then we got down to the business of opening gifts. Caleb kept trying to open the one big gift that I wanted to save for last. Each time, he went back to that gift, and each time, we told him no, save it for later. Finally, Chris put it aside and Caleb set in to open the other gifts.

I love this little boy.

Finally, he got to open the big present: 

A sweet little scooter!

(We decided to get him a scooter while helping my friend Sara and her family move back in April. Sara's boys had scooters, and Caleb loved them. In June, we noticed that all of the neighborhood kids seem to have scooters, which they ride up to the pool and leave in a big pile in front of the entrance. As we passed the pile one day, I asked Caleb if he would like a scooter. He replied, "Yes! And Daddy can have a scooter and we can wear helmets and we can ride our scooters together."

I promptly went home and purchased scooters for both boys. How can you say no to that?)

Daddy and Mommy with the birthday boy.

After everyone left, Chris and Caleb tried out their scooters.

Our nervous little boy was clearly terrified, but he quickly warmed up to it.

After naps, Chris took Caleb to visit the local fire station. 

I love that Caleb immediately grabbed his camera and put it around his wrist. I don't think he actually took any fire station photos, but I love that he thought about it.

This is what he calls his "rusty face", after the Fred, a rusty old car in the Cars movie. I love this face because it's hilarious, but also because Caleb knows it's funny and can only maintain it for a few seconds before he bursts out laughing, with a genuine smile.

That is what my happy boy looks like.

When the boys got back home, Daisy and I played on the front porch while Caleb practiced his scooter-ing. Daisy's sweet outfit was a gift from Auntie Grace, who sent gifts for both kids.

Hey - look! He's not so scared anymore!

"I'm doin' it, Mommy!"

This is perhaps my favorite of the day. Caleb is on his scooter, and looks so happy and proud. I love my boy.

And even later, we got this happy smile as Caleb prepared to share a cupcake with his GREAT Aunt Maggie. What a special day for my special guy! Happy birthday, Caleb!

If you still want more, take a trip down memory lane. Here's:

Caleb's birth story

Caleb's first birthday party (there's also this post from his actual birthday)

Caleb's second birthday party (there's also this post from his actual birthday)

What a blessing this little boy is!

July 8

Caleb turns three tomorrow, and after Daisy's big birthday bash, I knew I wanted his celebration to be pretty low-key. A few weeks ago I asked him how he wanted to celebrate his birthday. His response:

"What is 'celebrate'?"

Seriously, the kid is asking me about every other word these days. After we got "celebrate" figured out, he said, "I want to share a cupcake to Harper."

Harper is his favorite friend at church. I was quite pleased that his one birthday request was one I could easily grant, and arranged to bring cupcakes in to his class at church. Even better, I learned that Harper's birthday is also this week, along with Caleb's other favorite friend, Cooper. So we had a three-for-one birthday celebration at church today.

Caleb chose a special outfit to wear today - a plaid shirt, and his rescue pack. Funny boy.

Cooper's mom, Sara, brought in cute plates and napkins for our celebration, and Caleb volunteered to pass out the napkins.

This is Harper, Caleb's lady love. 

I think it's especially funny that all of Caleb's favorite women happen to be blonde. (Except for me and both of his grandmas, that is.)

Caleb's birthday wish, granted: sharing a cupcake with Harper.

And there's sweet Cooper, our other birthday kid. How are these little boys three already?

Cooper, Harper, and Caleb - the birthday club.

Caleb and Harper, hugging goodbye.

(I really do want to clarify that no one is pushing the kids to do this, or hyping the whole "relationship" thing. They're three. No one has ever said "boyfriend" or "girlfriend" or "crush" to them. It's just a sweet little friendship. It is interesting to see how children act as little mirrors of their parents, though. I'm a very affectionate, hands-on kind of person: I love to hug, snuggle, hold hands, and give kisses. Since it's all he's ever known, Caleb naturally chooses to express his fondness for Harper in the same way. Caleb and I are already having talks about how people don't always want hugs, and I'm sure we'll have to discuss boundaries in more detail as he gets older. But for now, it's fun to see that he's a sweet, loving little boy.)

What sweet little kids!

July 6

Chris took a few days off work this week, so we've been soaking up the family relaxation time. This morning we went on an impromptu family bike ride around the nearby lake. We love family bike rides, but lately it's been much, MUCH too hot for them in the after dinner. Really, it was much too hot this morning, too, but we didn't realize that until we were halfway through the ride.

We were slowing down to turn around and head home when a nearby picnicker with two kids yelled, "Carrie!" 

It turned out to be Jen, who is the niece of our neighbors across the street. Her kiddos Caleb and Hannah are almost exactly the same age as Caleb and Daisy, and they are so much fun. After the kids played for a bit, Chris and I persuaded them to stop by our house later, after they were done with their picnic. We then loaded the kids back on the bike and began the long slog home.

We were hot and sweaty when we got home, so we did the only sensible thing: got out the sprinkler.

Do you remember how terrified Caleb was of the sprinkler last year?

No longer.

He ran through that thing with reckless abandon.

Who am I kidding? My child does nothing with reckless abandon. It may look like he was sprinting through the water in the above picture, but really he was gingerly stepping through it.

*sigh* 

But at least he wasn't afraid!

Daisy loved it, though.

Can you see the look of fearless delight on her face?

Poor girl stayed up way past naptime today - the past two days have been single-nap days for her, which is much easier on our schedule, but a little bit rough for her. Can you see how sleepy she is?

(Have I mentioned that she is officially sleeping through the night?

SHE'S SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!!!!!

It's been four or five days now, so it's official. It's a little bit exciting.)

Then Jen and Caleb and Hannah came over. The other Caleb has a temperament very similar to our Caleb's. He wasn't feeling the sprinkler at first, so we got out the water table. 

Look at her, standing like a pro!

Caleb loves cars. Daisy loves water. They played quite well together with the cars and the water.

Eventually, Caleb worked up the nerve to try out the sprinkler. 

I love this one. Wish it had been properly exposed. (Yes, Chris D. I know. RAW. I'm getting there. Give me some time.)

I love the expressions on all of the kids' faces here. I also love that Chris is running through the sprinkler carrying both Hannah and Daisy.

What a funny boy!

Then the boys had lunch together. Our Caleb is a slow eater, and the other Caleb is a particular eater. But positive peer pressure can be miraculous, and both boys quickly demolished everything on their plates. (I'm sure the rigors of sprinkler play in the heat helped them work up an appetite, too.)

Oh, that Caleb is a cutie pie! Love him!

July 5

The deer came back today! Caleb had just sat down to eat his lunch, when I spied them out the kitchen window. I immediately snatched Caleb out of his seat and put him on the counter so he could watch. We were both pretty excited.

Those deer know what's good for them - they didn't touch my vegetable garden at all. (Though  I'm sure the wildlife netting helped quite a bit.) They were more interested in the dandelions, and munched the fluffy white top off every one they could find. Mama deer stood watch in the background.

Here's a shot of all three. As long as my plants stay intact, I'm a big fan of having a resident family of deer!

Later, our friends Chris and Amber and sweet baby Andrew came over for dinner. I was too busy chatting camera stuff with Chris to actually take any pictures, but he happened to have my camera in hand while Daisy ate her dessert. (I made this coconut and chocolate pie, subbing light coconut milk for the heavy cream, and topped it with fresh whipped cream. Yum.)

Daisy is a big fan of gooey chocolate, and hilarity ensued. 

Using her fork to get another bite. Big girl!

Eventually she gave up on the fork and just used her fingers.

But when the fingers didn't cut it, she put the fork between her toes. I'm not even kidding. She tried pretty hard to hold that fork there and use it. Funny girl.

I love those sweet little teeth and that hilarious chocolate beard!

July 4

We scored a last-minute invitation to our friends Trey and Emily's 4th of July party. Despite the heat, Caleb was eager to go to "America's birthday party".

Boy, it was hot, though. Amber and baby Andrew (who is three months old now!) were smart and hung out in the shade of the covered deck, underneath the ceiling fan.

My two little darlings, decked out in their 4th of July finery. I felt kind of silly buying them clothes just for the 4th, but they wore their outfits to two different parties, and I'm pretty sure they can get away with wearing them the rest of the summer, too. (I'm also pretty sure that Daisy will be able to wear her dress next summer - one of the few perks of having such a skinny girl!)

Our three darlings. Daisy was clearly entertained by Andrew. Also, don't you love how she has her feet crossed at the ankles? She's such a little lady. It almost compensates for the fact that her little feet are filthy...

Andrew started fussing, and Caleb and Daisy were quick to act. Caleb gave Andrew gentle head pats, while Daisy "comforted" him with a good finger in the eye. Oh well. 

Caleb wanted to hold Daisy's hand in this picture. Sweet.

Andrew and his mama.

Can we just talk about how handsome my husbando is?

Then the fireworks started. 

Nope. Definitely not a fan.

"Is it over?"

"What was that?"

Caleb had a really hard time understanding that we celebrate America's birthday with explosions.

Trey and Emily had a cooler full of water balloons for the kids.

Caleb and Grace definitely enjoyed them.

Remember how much fun they had with the water balloons at last year's fourth of July celebration?

(Oh, goodness. I just looked at the post from last year - they were such babies then! Caleb is definitely a big boy now. I can't believe he'll be three on Monday!)

Daisy was suspicious of Bella, who is three months younger and already standing.

Time for the fireworks show!

This arrangement only lasted until the first boom. Bella was the first to cry, and then all of the others joined in.  After that, Caleb insisted we go inside and begged to go home. I'm pretty sure Daisy would have enjoyed it, if not for her brother's reaction.

She certainly enjoyed the glow necklace!

Happy Independence Day!

(and speaking of Independence, guess who has dropped two nursing sessions and is now sleeping through the night? Hooray for Daisy, and hooray for mama!)