To Megan.....

Megan, thank you for making my hat, it keeps me sooooooo snuggly warm! I love you :)

Fishies, fishies, fishies

I had to show off some of the fish and such that Caelan ooo'd and aaah'd over at the National Aquarium in DC. Lionfish, we shall call the second pic "long slick fish" cuz I can't remember what it is, turtles and piranhas. Enjoy!

National Aquarium fieldtrip

Yesterday, Caelan and I had a really fun day. We took our first fieldtrip with one of the moms groups we belong to. We went to the National Aquarium in DC. Four of the moms and babes went: Tara & Adelyn, Carrie & Maggie Grace, Me & Caelan and Lindsey & Keegan. We started out with Caelan's first ride on the Metro. I was a little interested to see how all the strollers would work out on the Metro, but it was great. We went in the middle of the day so we didn't have to compete with commuters. Once in DC we decided to get some lunch, and of course security is high in DC so to get into a building for lunch and into the aquarium we had to go thru airport type security (except the removal of shoes and booties). After lunching and baby feeding we finally head into the aquarium and down to the basement we go. All the little ones enjoyed looking at the fish, alligators, turtles, snakes and more. Caelan was so funny, he would look a little in the tanks then look at me, at the tanks then the moms and babes. The first tanks he didn't seem to be so interested but as I talked to him about the fish and pointing at them he looked at them longer with a little interest. To see the entire aquarium it took about 20min. (its a wittle small) But in reality, 20 min was just perfect for the attention span of the babes. So if you come to DC, don't just come for the National Aquarium, not that I won't stop you but lets just say the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago rocks! The end of the fieldtrip came to the perfect end, all babes fell asleep on the Metro. We can't wait til our next outing!

Me, Me, Me, Meeeeeeee

Caelan was getting ready for his barber shop quartet audition. He was so excited he finally found a group that really appreciates his range. He has been workin so hard. Singing all the time, in the shower, while he's getting dressed and some times in the middle of the night. He's so dedicated! We're sooooo proud! We'll let you all know when the tours are coming to your town.

(Sorry the pic is a little blurry, I was laughing hard, hee)

I think I can....

Our little guy is tryin to sit up. I've been sitting him on our bed so he has a soft landing pad when his ten seconds are up. (we aren't getting beyond 10 secs yet) He's so funny when he toples over, he looks up at me like he's saying "could you fix me again?" As soon as I sit him back up he gets all excited looking around like he never saw where he was just 10 secs ago.

He has also started a new little movement which he usually does on the changing table. When he does it I call him Scoochie. He pops his butt up & down then pushes with his feet. And of course he has to get a couple rev ups before he has to do some movin. Absolutely hilarious!

Ok, one more little thing to brag about....or one big thing to brag about. We have started to use sign language with him. We started with the sign for up and have been doing it for a couple weeks now. Last night we were out for sushi, Caelan is sitting in his car seat, "talking" for a long time, then he starts to get antsy. And starts using the sign for up! I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I stared at Shawn, did you see what I saw? So of course my heart melted and I had to get him up out of his seat! Then again today we were playing on the floor and he used it again. Its absolutely amazing. He's communicating with us in a language we taught him.

A dip at the ole swimmin hole

Today was beautiful, the sun was shining but too cold for us to go out for a walk. Caelan and I decided to appreciate the sun another way and do something fun. We went for a dip in the pool here in our bldg. The pool is heated, located on our roof and is enclosed in glass, you can see how awesum the view is. We can actually see the Capital bldg, Washington Monument, Pentagon, National Cathedral and the Potomac from our roof. (amoung many other things)

The first time I took Caelan swimming he was 3 mos old, didn't really appreciate the view nor the water at that point. Now at 2 days away from 5 mos old he was splashing like an old pro. He really loved the water, smiling and laughing. I brought along a couple of his bath toys, so that was a bonus. I think we'll make this a more frequent outing.

After we got back to the apartment I laid out a blanket on the floor and he had naked fun time. He got so tuckered out he was asking to be put down for a nap. I think we will DEFINATELY go swimming again...

I recognize that smile!

Today Caelan smiled at me so sweetly, I saw my dad in him :)

Caelan the Mini Motivational Coach

Every day, oooooorrrrrr every other day truth be told, we have some work out time together. He says ok mommy lets go, so I strap him in his pack, I throw on my tennis shoes and to the stairs we go. We have 17 flights in our bldg so we go all the way up and down a couple times. Whew! But Caelan is there with me every step of the way. Cheering me on, singing, or whistling. Today I think I heard him humming the theme to Rocky. Da dup daaaaaa, da dup daaaaaa.......
Sometimes he can get a little tuff w/me, but has never raised his voice. What a great Coach!!!!

Have I mentioned lately that I love him?

The Jungle Jumper

Yep, we got one. When we first put him in it we were trying to teach him to jump and bounce. He just wanted to play with the "stuff", sans sounds and lights. This pic is from that day. As of today, jumping is his new calling. He started by jumping on one leg while keeping the other straight. He was jumping so much I couldn't take a clear pic of him. He laughs and squeels the entire time! I was laughing so hard watching him today.

Meet my cousins

When we were home, we really loved spending time with the cousins. Caelan was always watching with wide eyes and big smile! I couldn't smooch them all enough.

There is Ty and Moshe with Caelan, (Aunt Karen), fabulous Megan, the twins: Emily and Tyler, and miss Jaedyn. We can't wait to see them again!

WWII Memorial visit

On January 16, a beautiful, but chilly day, Caelan and I took a little trip to see the World War II memorial in DC. What a powerful symbol of time that needs to be remembered. Caelan really enjoyed himself as well, he wouldn't let me close up his stroller, because he wanted to look around. When you all come out to visit, we'll take you there.

On a different note, Caelan is really loving his voice. He oogles and ahhhs all day. He has even added mama, momo, and dada. I know he's just babbling but is still fun to hear. Right now he's on my lap chatting away adding his 2 cents worth. Or is it just din din time?

Our Happy Holidays

This holiday was the beginning of many fun Christmas' to come. It was Caelan's First Christmas. He liked his gifts but really got excited about the crinkley colorful paper. We spent Christmas in DC then flew back to Chicago for a stay at my parents house. We had such a great time. Went to a friend's wedding, had a family Christmas, saw many friends and spent time with family. Caelan was really excited to spend time with his cousins, Moshe, Ty and Jaedyn, Megan, Emily and Tyler, and newest cousin Nolan David.

Grandma Betty and Aunt Robin drove out from Davenport for a visit, we had a lot of fun!

While at Grandma and Papa's house Caelan decided it was time to try cereal, it was a momentous event. He didn't particularly like it the first time, but now in week two of our road to solids he is eating it like a champ.

Since we've been home we have had fun with new friends in the two mom's group we belong to. And Shawn is sure he has little fishing buddy.