Caleb, 11 months

My baby boy is one month away from his 1st birthday.  How can that be?  I still remember leaving for the hospital, making arrangements for family to watch Mackenzie, and those several precious days in the hospital bonding with our little boy.  We have been smitten since day one!  Hard to believe that was 11 months ago!

Here is what our sweet boy is up to these days:

*He is FINALLY cutting teeth...in fact 4 at the SAME time.  Despite this, he is actually handling it pretty well.

*He loves drinking out of a sippy cup and is a fan of milk, water, and watered down juice.

*He is all about table food.  Forget about baby food....that was soooo last month!

*He has amazing balance.  He can stand unassisted, without holding onto anything, for several minutes.  He will curl his little toes to shift his weight.

*He is really starting to walk. So far the most steps he has taken in a row is 15!  He can walk from one side of the room to the next.  Crawling is going to be a thing of the past, before we know it!
*He has found his voice and it is quite frankly a bit like nails on a chalkboard.  Imagine the loudest, highest pitched squeal....and then magnify that by 100, and you are close to understanding, but can't fully even begin to understand until you hear it yourself. 

*He is very friendly and loves to smile and wave at everyone.  If we are out to eat he will engage the tables nearby us until someone interacts with him, and then he will smile, squeal and wave throughout the rest of the meal.

*He continues to be a very easy and fun baby.  He has the sweetest eyes, most beautiful smile, and a bit of a mischevious streak. 

*He loves to chase after balls, and throw them.  He loves pushing his walker around the house, and his favorite toys is a toothbrush.  We are hoping he will always have a good appreciation for good hygiene.  He is obsessed with climbing the stairs and LOVES when someone accidently leaves the bathroom door open, so he can play in the toilet water and pull all of the toilet paper off the roll.

*He is sleeping until 7:30 a.m. and depending on the day takes 1 or 2 naps, but he is a fighter of sleep. 

Caleb, you have added so much joy and happiness to our family these last 11 months!  We can't imagine our lives without you.  We love you bunches!

...and now for some pics. . .

                                 Pics that didn't make the "Christmas card cut". . .

1st haircut

 1st snowfall

1st time at movie (something I am proud to say I attempted on my own, with no help, while Jeremy was out of town)

 1st drawing....ya, he's a genius. . ..

 1st time hanging (or eating) ornaments

 1st time in the dishwasher

 big boy bath

 "touchdown" pose!

 how big boys roll.....or push

 . . . T-R-O-U-B-L-E!

                                              happy boy

   ....and another pic that didn't make the "Christmas card cover".....if you think this is cute....just wait! 

Happy 11 month bday, sweet boy!  xoxox

Message from Santa

I received a special video message from Santa through my email account for Mackenzie.  She was beyond excited and was beaming the entire time she watched it. I think she now finally believes us when we say (a dozen times a day) "Santa is watching, Mackenzie."  Gotta love gettin' a little back up from the big guy!
(Remember to pause the playlist on the right, before viewing:)

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/guest/TcWg22P9XcbzVkQ6-mvGow

First Steps to Daddy

Last night we captured Caleb's first major series of steps on my camera.  I cannot believe my baby is close to walking.  Before we know it, he'll be flying around the house after his sister!   Let the craziness begin! 

Thanksgiving Throwback

Amazing how much things can change in just a single year.....

Last year, Kate and I were slow roasting our little turkey's.  . .

                                       . . . this year we were chasing them around! 

Happy 1st Thanksgiving to our little turkeys....or I mean Buzzards! 

Thanksgiving 2010 & Owen's 1st bday!

We have so many things to be thankful for this year.  First, and most importantly, our 2 wonderful, healthy and happy children.  We could not be more blessed, and love being a family of 4!  Secondly, a wonderful and supportive family unit who we truly love and enjoy spending time with.  I know not all families can say that, but we honestly mean it!  Thirdly, great friends who we love like our own family, and who we would do anything for.   And, lastly, I would like to thank my amazing husband for providing for our family, so that I can enjoy a year off of work to make wonderful memories with our little ones, something I will treasure for a lifetime! 

This year, we celebreated Thanksgiving Day at my parents house, with all the traditional Thanksgiving fixings!  We got there in time to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, which Mackenzie was all about!  Any female dressed in a costume, in her eyes, was a real life princess.  She was in heaven! The boys played on the floor with the kids and researched black Friday sales, the girls spent a lot of time cooking in the kitchen and laughing, and Grandpa gave me a tutorial on how to carve a bird.  Mackenzie was a bit concerned that the turkey's head was missing, and asked several times where it was, and if she was hurting the turkey when she ate it.  (I sooo love that girl!)  After spending the day together, we headed home to do a little (okay, we are the Grizwold's, let me try again, A LOT) of decorating, and that night, Jeremy headed out without so much as a catnap for black friday sales.  Bless the poor man's heart, he did not return until 9 a.m., and then showered, and came with us to get the kids Christmas pictures taken, and then to meet Santa. 

                              Great Grandma "Monty" with Caleb and Mackenzie

3 generations of snuggles

                                              
                           Checking out the head-less turkey with Mommy

                       Mackenzie's Hand Print Turkey Decor for the Table

                                                      About to dig in!

                                             

                                                       Em and Cody

Caleb eating turkey, mashed & sweet potatoes and stuffing

                            
                                                      Mommy's Little Turkey

....and of course, a video of Caleb from his very first Thanksgiving

*don't forget to pause the playlist on the right

       Picture with Santa....I am amazed at how well it turned out! 

Sunday, we headed up to Loudonville to celebrate our traditionally, untraditional Thanksgiving day. We love it, because it's hard to gear yourself up to eat the exact same meal, days apart. Instead, you look forward to something different....and honestly, who doesn't like steaks, baked potatoes, salad & rolls? We enjoyed catching up, hearing the little ones giggle and play together, and drawing names for the Christmas exchange. It was a beautiful day out, and a lovely gathering. Thanks Uncle Dave and Aunt Teresa for hosting!

                                                  Hanging with Aunt Kendra

                                     Playing at Uncle Dave and Aunt Teresa's

                                          Hangin' with his buddy, Ella!


A few hours later, we headed to Wooster to celebrate our nephew Owen's first birthday.  It is so hard to believe that our boys are growing so fast, and we are already throwing and planning bday parties!  Kate made an adorable cake for Owen, and it was as tasty as it was adorable!  The kids had a blast playing together and sharing in a very special bday celebration!  We love you, sweet Owen.  We are so glad to have another nephew to love on, and especially happy that Caleb will have a cousin around his age to enjoy playing with at family get togethers!

What up, Martha Stewart? 

             Owen enjoying a pre-birthday bottle before the festiviites!

Lots of little helpers. . . .

                                                  

                                                            Boy time!

                                                Best Buddies!

                                           Ummm...I'm pretty sure he liked it!  ;)

....and a video of the bday boy, showing off his fancy footwork....I'm predicting that he will be doing sprints by Christmas! 

....and finally kids in jammies, ready for a good night's sleep, after a wonderful day, except for Caleb who cried almost the entire hour and a half car ride home....ouch! 

Happy Bday sweet Owen!  So glad we could share in your special day!

Time Warp Tueseday - Thanksgiving 2007

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I dug up some old footage of Mackenzie's second Thanksgiving (remember to pause the playlist to the right).  That girl sure does like her stuffing, and Nana sure was trying to avoid the video camera!  :)

Happy (early) Thanksgiving!  May you be surrounded by good food, family, friends, and lifes many blessings!

Time Warp Tuesday- Swimming without floaties

Today's Time Warp post goes to my sweet, Mackenzie.  This Summer she took Swim lessons and LOVED them.  For a 3 year old, going on 4, she actually got pretty close to swimming.  On the last day, she swam 4-5 strokes herself to her teacher (as seen in the video below, unfortunately it's from my phone and I think it must have had sunscreen on the camera:).  She was so proud of herself, and so were we.  She also loved any chance she got to go off the diving board.  And, she didn't jump, she dove....no joke!  The proof is below!