Baby's First Christmas!

Caleb had a wonderful first Christmas--he got to share it with three grandparents and his mom and dad. He must of been a pretty good boy because Santa left him some nice stuff, including a rocking chair his size with his name on it, a Little People farm, a push toy, a truck, and a giant plush sea turtle. All he wanted to play with, however, was a bucket of snap beads. Still seems to be his favorite. His grandparents were also very generous--he now has his own phone, a little piano, a new swing for the backyard, a new blankie, and lots of books, just to name a few. I think he misses all of the attention now that everyone has gone back home! Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

Getting ready for Christmas

I took some pictures of Caleb with Christmas lights thinking I could use them for our Christmas card but I didn't end up using them so posting them for everyone's enjoyment!

Walking

Caleb taking a stroll in the dining room.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Caleb spent his first Thanksgiving with his Grandma and Grandpa O'Neal, Great-Grandma Marlin, Great-Aunt Myrtle, Uncle Mike, Tia Stephanie, Cousin Matthew, his Dad, and me. He had a blast with all of the attention and the big dinner of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, and even a little pumpkin pie.

He is also getting in two more teeth (numbers 7 and 8) and is walking pretty well. The other day he also had his first kids meal at a restaurant (salmon and applesauce). I'll be posting videos of his walking very soon. He is still a drunken sailor but can take several steps in a row before falling on his butt.

He has also mastered saying "hi" and "ball". Although he knows what "hi" means, he tends to call just about any toy a ball. He is coming very close to saying "book" (right now it sounds like "ball" with a "k" at the end).

He has caught a little bit of a cold from me but seems to be getting better. It hasn't slowed him down any!

Hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving. I am very thankful that I have a healthy and happy child!

Fun at the park

Also known as how Caleb's Dad scares Caleb's Mom.

New stats and first steps

We took Caleb in for his 9 month dr.'s appt (we were a little late!). He now weighs 20lbs 9oz (around 40 percentile) and is 29" long (around 60 percentile). Poor guy had to get blood drawn and a flu shot--he was not a happy camper. The dr. told us that he is slightly anemic, so now he is turning green from all the spinach we're feeding him.

On Nov. 1, Caleb took his first steps. They were very tentative but he gets a little better at it every day. He should be walking by Christmas!

Here we are playing chase--his favorite game.

Happy Halloween!

Here's my little pumpkin doing his puppy dog face and then showing us a proud grin. I think he could have some potential as an actor!

Happy Feet--the Caleb version

Here's Caleb in his Halloween costume for his very first Halloween. No, we won't be taking him out to collect candy but hopefully he'll be able to greet some trick or treaters before he goes to bed. I think he makes quite a cute penguin.

Puppy Dog Face

Something I alluded to earlier-- Caleb makes a sad face with pouty lip and then when he gets a reaction from us, he laughs and smiles. Already manipulating us!

Pumpkins!

Caleb had fun this weekend seeing Grandma and Grandpa O'Neal and Great-Grandma Marlin and some of his buddies (hi Karoline! hi Ian!). He has teeth #3 and 4 coming in up top and is cruising a lot around the house. He has learned to make some funny faces that he knows make us laugh--now he does them to get attention.

Enjoying Fall Weather

Nakey baby

This should be good for some bribes later.

First Teething Biscuit

This was a few weeks ago--just now had a chance to get the pictures off of my camera. I wish he liked the teething biscuits more considering what a mess it makes to give him one!

Infectious laugh

The video is a little dark, but Caleb's laugh is infectious. A commercial for the "Roots" DVD came on TV and I repeated "Kunte Kinte." For some reason, he thinks its hilarious.

Enjoying the outdoors

How big is Caleb?

Caleb playing the so big game...

Still smiley

Caleb is pulling up on almost everything and doing a bit of cruising too. His top two teeth have finally broken through. Those two teeth really messed up his system, poor little guy. All seems better now. He still likes to chase the cat but luckily he cannot catch her yet. He is quite the ball of energy!

Crawling, climbing, and pulling up

Little Boy is Getting Big

We're in trouble now.

He thinks he is a puppy

He loves to chew on shoes and socks.

First Play in Sandbox

Caleb had fun in the sandbox today for the first time. Only tried to eat the sand once.

Visit from Matthew

Caleb's cousin, Matthew, came to visit this weekend. What a beautiful baby! I'm sure he and Caleb will be causing all sorts of trouble together very soon.

Making his own music

Caleb loves to bang things around now, especially blocks and other small toys. He is also starting to dance a little bit when music is on, or when its just on in his head.

Mastering the Art of the Sippy Cup

What a big boy! After giving him the sippy cup for what seems like months now, tonight he picked it up and had it all figured out. Kris and the babysitter are convinced that he knows how to say "bye" but I haven't heard it yet. I would swear that he said "hi ma" when I walked into his room this afternoon. Guess we need to start watching what we say around him now!

First Finger Food

Tried some banana bits today. I think he was more interested in the bowl.

Chasing Aurora

New Stats

Caleb now weighs 18lbs and is 27.5" long. He has jumped up to the 65 percentile for weight and height. He has learned to clap his hands and shake his head no (although his Dad doesn't believe he actually knows what it means). Still a very happy baby!

Back home and crawling (well, scooting really)

Caleb has really been mobile for a while now given he will roll or turn himself to get to just about anywhere he wants to go. Now, though, he will get up on all ours and rock back and forth and then launch himself forward. A little dangerous if he is on the hard wood floors. He has also gotten pretty good at scooting on his belly. Time for us to start baby proofing! The picture is from a pool party at a friends house. Caleb is really starting to like the water!

Redwoods and Wine Country

Today we went to Muir Woods National Recreation Area and did some hiking. We saw some beautiful sequoias--although there are not the gigantic ones you often see in pictures. Then we went up to Sonoma Valley and had a little wine tasting and a picnic. Off to Livermore where I have to work...

In San Francisco

Caleb did well on his first flight, considering we sat on the plane at the gate for almost two hours and then had a five hour flight. He's not the best at sleeping anywhere other than his crib, so it was difficult for him to sleep on the plane and now at the hotel. He also doesn't sleep well in the stroller! We think he might be getting some more teeth in, so that coupled with the inconsistent sleep, has made him a little grumpy. But, he is letting his mom and dad enjoy as much of San Francisco as they can considering they have a six month old to tote around. And he charms just about everyone we come across, including the waiters/waitresses and museum security guards. Tomorrow, we leave the city and head to wine country and then to Livermore, where I'll have to do some work for a couple of days.

Tuesday at Home

I know this is supposed to be a photo blog but I haven't broken out the camera lately. I have Tuesdays off, so Caleb and I had fun shopping for shoes (for mommy) and clothes (for Caleb) today. We started stocking up on fall/winter cloths, mostly in the 12 month size. Otherwise, we've just been getting ready for our big trip on Friday. We'll be spending three nights in San Francisco and then going to Livermore, California, where I'll be working for a few days. Then heading back to DC next Friday. I'll try to blog while we're out there. Everyone keep your fingers crossed that Caleb is in a good mood on the 5 hour plane trip!

First Post

Welcome to everyone who has come over from Caleb's baby site! I hope to use this blog to keep everyone who is interested up to date on Caleb's life. I'll still post pictures and hopefully will post more often but maybe just quick tidbits.

We're off to San Francisco on Friday! This will be Caleb's first airplane trip. I have to go for work, so Kris and Caleb are joining me. Should be fun and we'll take lots of pictures.

Caleb is now eating peas, bananas, apples, pears, and sweet potatoes. I think so far apples are his favorite. Vote for his next food in my blog poll.