Caleb: 5 months old

Soon after Christmas our little Caleb turned 5 months old!

What is Caleb like these days?

His personality is starting to shine, and most of the time Caleb is all smiles. Let me warn you that when his smile is shined on you, your day will be instantly brighter! He has a way of warming your heart with that big grin!

We had a couple of rough, rough weeks this past month when Caleb developed a bad cough. Though he didn't seem to feel too bad, his cough kept getting worse. Thankfully, I took him to the pediatrician, who tested him for RSV and sure enough, the test was positive. Unfortunately, there was little to be done, but we were glad to know so we could take precautions to keep from spreading it, plus do what we could at home to manage some of his symptoms. Caleb got much worse before he got better, and we had a total of 3 trips to the pediatrician for him, plus 2 trips for Adam, who inevitably got the same thing. Both boys also developed secondary ear infections, and Adam had 5 days of antibiotic before changing to another one because he still had fevers of 104 that made him very sick. We felt like it was never going to end! But remember when I said earlier that I had worked so hard to get presents purchased and wrapped, Christmas cards ordered and mailed, etc? Well, I think that's the reason why! Thank you, Lord! It was TOUGH those couple of weeks, and I cannot imagine having extra stress on top of that! But enough about the sickness...We are better!

Caleb 17 lbs, 8 oz and is 27 1/2 inches long. Everyone comments on how long he is. He has dark brown hair and dark gray-blue eyes with specks of brown. He wears size 3-6 clothes, plus some 6 months clothes, and size 2-3 diapers. He drools constantly...a ton! We have to keep his cute outfits covered with big bibs. He sucks his thumb often and even has a chapped thumb because of it!

We haven't yet tried cereal or baby food - maybe next month! He still nurses and has occasional formula bottles. The past few days I am sure he has been on a growth spurt. He is sleeping a bit better right now, stretching it out for about 6 hours before eating then sleeping the rest of the night on his good days.

He has a great laugh now, and uses it when you pretend tickle him, or make funny faces at him. He has become very aware of his surroundings and wants to watch what is going on, so many times he likes to sit in your lap and look around. He loves to kick on the floor, and he rolled over for the first couple of times during one of those office visits with the pediatrician this month. He likes tummy time, jumping in the jumparoo, sitting in the Bumbo (sometimes), eating his hand (and yours), kicking under the farm play gym, and he especially likes being carried around by Mama and Dada.

This was the first time he figured out how to get himself out of the Bumbo seat.

As you can tell, he was pretty proud of himself!

Caleb, five months have flown by and suddenly you are getting big! Thank you for how you brighten our lives and give us so much joy. We love watching you learn new things, and we are thankful to be your parents. Plus, if you want to continue liking Mommy the best, that will be fine with me too. Haha! We love you baby boy.



-Mama and Dada

Merry Christmas!

And the angel said unto them, "Fear not; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." -Luke 2:10-11



What a wonderful Christmas we had this year! How nice it was to spend time with family! I love getting to see Adam learn about Christmas and start sharing family traditions, and how special for it to be Caleb's very first Christmas. We are so blessed.



This year we were able to go to the Christmas service on Thursday, the 23rd (and it was packed!). On Christmas Eve, we did some last minute things but mostly hung out at home before going to my mom's for Christmas dinner. We had a bit of a whirlwind day on Christmas day, doing our Christmas at home first thing in the morning, then breakfast and opening gifts with my parents before unloading and reloading and heading to David's parents' house that night. Today we opened gifts with them. Sheeeww! That sounds like quite a schedule! We really enjoyed our time and were reminded so many times of how blessed we are (It needed to be said again).



My grandfather (Bell) has been very ill and is in the hospital, and he was dearly missed. We were able to take Adam by the hospital to visit with him for a few minutes and hopefully that brightened his day a little bit.


Here are a few pictures from our Christmas.

Tossing out the Reindeer food on Christmas Eve

Reading a new book

Making some "sausage"

Hope your family had a Merry Christmas as well!

Caleb: 4 months old

Maybe we should say 4 1/2 months old now! Its taken me awhile to get to this...

Well, we're definitely in the Christmas season now, and the weather this year has been surprising, I'd say! Quite a bit of snow a week of below freezing temperatures. Maybe it will snow for Christmas!

I have been on a mission to get all those "things" related to Christmas finished "early" this year as I now have two boys with whom I want to enjoy all the fun things of Christmas (plus David). It will be Caleb's first Christmas, so we are getting use out of all our "Baby's First Christmas" gear, and Adam is at such a fun age. While there's still a lot that he doesn't understand, it is fun watching him as he learns and recognizes all there is to take in around the holidays. I love how excited he gets when he sees outside Christmas lights on houses while we drive in the car. At home, he also likes to instruct us to turn the lights on, as well. He has been very interested in the Christmas tree, has some favorite ornaments that he likes to locate every day, but for the most part has not bothered it much. Watching him really brings us joy.

At Caleb's 4 month checkup, he was doing great! He smiles often now, and is starting to laugh. I think he will surely be a ticklish baby. He doesn't mind tummy time, and holds his head up well. But he is surely a drooler! I had forgotten how much babies drool at this age! He likes baths and reaches to grab things now. His eyes are still an interesting dark blue/gray, which remind me of his Uncle Scotty's right now. His hair is still thick, minus the rubbed off spot in the back where he sleeps - ha! And as for sleep...well...he sleeps, just not quite as well as he used to. Most nights he'll get up once, maybe twice. I think he mostly just likes being held, but he goes back to sleep pretty easily, and wakes up happy. He sleeps in his crib, with his arms almost always above his head.

He wears 3-6 month clothes, size 2-3 diapers, weighs 16 lbs, 2 oz, and is 27 inches long. A long baby, for sure! He recently found his feet, as you can see. Plus, he is a serious thumb-sucker, which I think is especially cute.

Caleb, you are so well loved! It seems you are growing up so quickly. I realized I now carry you on my hip rather than in my arms because you now hold your head up so well. We are so thankful for you, love you, and pray for you, sweet baby.