Spring Break Mom Style

Well, this past week was my last official spring break, and while you may think I'd go out with a bang, having an 8-month-old and a husband working on his doctorate kind of throws a kink in the plan, so it was Momma/Baby road trip time.

On Friday, March 11, Caleb and I were scheduled to leave out of Montgomery on a 4:25 flight to Memphis. Well, lo and behold, the flight was delayed and long story short we ended up flying out of Atlanta on a flight that was also delayed. Anyway, we made it to Mom and Dad's by 9.



Annabelle and Caleb swinging



That weekend was spent having quality Caleb and Papa time as well as some "cousinly" bonding. We even had time for a quick lunch with part of the Nicholson gang-- our non-blood Memphis family.

Monday it was off for the road trip part of our Spring Break. Mom, Caleb and I drove 9 and a half hours to Kansas City. While many may think we are crazy to undertake such a trip with a little one, he was an angel. I think he fussed for more than 2 minutes once-- which stopped once we set up a dvd player and got the little guy watching Barney (yes, I am a terrible mother plopping my baby in front of a screen, but endless hours in a car call for desperate measures).

Our reason for going to KC was to visit family and friends. We spent the majority of our trip with my dad's youngest sister, Aunt Lori, and her three kids. (Uncle Kev was out of town). Aunt Biff was even able to come in for a day, and we were also able to meet up with the Wombles-- my babies before my baby. Other than visiting we got shopping done-- lots and lots of shopping.

Caleb, the Womble gang and me! That place is SERIOUSLY windy!

Also, on a side note, I need to tell you if food is your thing, Kansas City is your place. Never have I EVER seen so many restaurants. I told Dad that the ratio must have been 3 to 1 when you compare restaurants in KC to Memphis (or any other place I can think of), and I am seriously not over exaggerating, it was absurd and ridiculous. However, I shouldn't complain, because quantity means options and options, in this case, means Imo's Pizza. For those of you who aren't from the STL area, Imo's is our favorite pizza and it is only found in the Missouri/Illinois area.

Other trip highlights included a much-needed outlet mall excursion and Caleb's first swimming pool experience. I loved the shopping and he loved the pool. It excites me for this summer and all that my big guy will be able to enjoy!



Caleb and Annabelle enjoying
 a bedtime story with Yammy.



Mom and I decided that splitting the drive in two would be best so we drove part of the way to Springfield on Thursday and finished the trip Friday, stopping in Jonesboro to have lunch with mom's childhood best bud Janice.

When we got back to Memphis the excitement continued with a family dinner at Russo's. It wasn't just a family dinner, however, it was the unveiling of Baby Bubbette 2's gender.... and, drum roll please,.....

Daniel and I will be having another beautiful niece. I am so excited for Annabelle-- an instant best friend for life, how wonderful.

It was a great trip, but both Caleb and I were happy as can be to get back to Daniel. Sunday Caleb turned 8 months, said "Bye-Bye" on purpose with association and pulled up without any help... the little guy is growing so quickly.

Jolly Ol' St. Nick

Today was the big day! Caleb met Santa for the first time.

I was so looking forward to this.

Growing up, this was always a big deal in our house. Mom always put out all of the Santa pictures from the preceding years and would always drag me to get a new one that year. No, seriously, I was the 15-year-old awkwardly sitting on Santa's lap getting my picture taken while three and four-year-olds pitched fits in the line as they waited for me to "tell Santa what I wanted."

Anyway, we just headed out to our mall, or what they call a mall, this morning and waited in line. Due to technical difficulties we had a rather long wait and we weren't the first in line as it was, so I started telling Caleb about Santa. When I told him that he too would be getting his picture as long as he lived under my roof the mom in front of me rolled her eyes. OK, so maybe it's not as acceptable for boys to get their pictures with Santa once they are in their teens, but my daughters will undoubtedly be subjected to the same Yuletide torture that I was.

As for how Caleb took to Santa, he loved him. He was so enamored. He just smiled, talked and looked at Santa and was very dismayed when we were trying to get his picture. So although  he may be looking at the camera in this picture, he would have much rather be talking to his new pal in red and as soon as the picture was taken he resumed his obviously important conversation with Santa. Santa loved it and asked me if he always was this happy. Why, yes he is, Santa. But why are you asking me, don't you see him when he's sleeping, know when he's awake? Don't you know if he's been naughty or nice? Shouldn't you know this? Tsk, tsk, Santa, I'll expect better next year.

Hope you all get to make happy holiday memories of your own this year as well. We are looking forward to a month full of them!

4 Months of Joy

Today's topic is a no brainer. Hands down this blog was easy as pie to choose. Today is Mr. Caleb's 4 month birthday and there is no doubt that I am incredibly thankful for him.

In these 4 extremely quick months he has brought more joy to my life than I could ever imagine and has taught me so much. To think that a little bitty guy like he is could teach me more about life and myself than I have learned throughout college is a crazy, but true, thought.

A girl couldn't ask for a better family.

I don't need to bore you all with how I could watch him for hours as he discovers more and more every day. If I could I would rock him to sleep every night and always read bedtime stories to him. Unfortunately, I know the day will come when I am not cool and he will be a "big boy" and he will no longer "need" his momma. So, until that dreaded day comes I am enjoying every moment, even if it includes the occasional 4:30 wake up call, I am soaking it all up and am thankful for absolutely every moment with my little boo boo.

Thanks for everything little guy, you will never know how much I love you and how grateful and blessed I am to have you in my life.

Lovely Little Laugh

Caleb has been smiling  in happiness, not just random gas smiles or baby smiles, but full fledged I like you, or this makes me happy smiles since he was about 4 weeks old. For the past month or so since he has started getting really vocal he has also laughed. When he has laughed it has just been a little laugh and a big ol' smile until today.

Today we were sitting in the nursery after some tummy and back time working on our rolling over... he's got tummy to back down  like a pro and is almost just as good at back to bell but not quite yet-- I am so proud of my chunky 3 month old (14 lbs 12 oz as of yesterday). Anyway, when we got done with our "workout" the little guy was tired, so I took him in the nursery and was rocking him and reading some books.

I thought for sure he was going to fall asleep but he didn't so I propped him up on my legs facing me and just started talking to him. One thing led to another, and I found myself making up songs and being weird (I know shocker, right?). Well, as I was singing and taking my hands and tapping Caleb's sweet cheeks, he just let out the heartiest laugh. I teared up (I am telling you, motherhood has made me lamer than lame). I just kept doing this silly song and tapping his cheeks and my little buddy just kept laughing. It was such a sweet, sweet sound.

These are just some pictures from today. I know on the third you can see dog hair, normally I would be too embarrassed to share this, but I sweep and swiffer daily and brush the dog and nothing seems to keep the hair at bay... any suggestions?

Oh well, I guess there are worse things.

Well, it is crazy to think how much he has already changed in 14 quick weeks. God is such a masterful creator. I thank Him daily for this little guy and everyone else in my life, and now I'll be thanking Him for that sweet laugh too. Hope you guys all get a good laugh today!

Pumpkin Patch-ery

Yeah, I just made up a word, so deal with it.

Anyway, yesterday Daniel and I took Caleb to the Farmer in the Dell Pumpkin Patch in Loachapoka. We were fortunate to have his parents there too so that we had someone to help us take pictures.

Here are a few. We thought we waited until late enough so that the sun wouldn't be so bright, but it was still very bright and caused a lot of shadows, so we may just have to go back this weekend.

It was a neat experience, but I am already looking forward to next year when Caleb can walk around and explore on his own.