Yum, Yum

I am not what one would consider a great cook. But I have been trying to make healthy meals with some variety since Caleb has been able to eat table foods. Recently I have been trying to come up with different ways to make chicken, since that's the only meat Caleb really likes. He made me feel like a wonderful chef at dinner last night though. While we were eating our chicken(of course) he said "mm, delicious". Greg and I were surprised by his use of vocabulary, but I thanked him for his compliment and he continued with "yum, yum mommy." I knew he was being honest because when he isn't interested in something, he says "i no like it mommy" and pushes it far away. He never ceases to amaze me. I introduced Caleb to a few Christmas stories this week, I know it's early but I love Christmas time and want it to last as long as possible. Caleb now can point out Santa and enjoys saying "ho, ho, ho". One book tells the story of scrooge using the Disney characters. Though it's hard trying to read about Bob Cratchit in this story, while Caleb is arguing "no, that's Mickey mommy" or about the ghost of Jacob Marley, "no, that Goofy". Yes but in this story, "no, mommy." Caleb really enjoyed the Christmas lights around the trees we saw on our way home. He kept trying to find more lights to see. I know he will really enjoy going around the neighborhoods closer to Christmas.

Candy, Candy!

I think I have created a monster. I started giving candy to Caleb after he went potty on the big boy toilet. (I didn't know what else to do with all the Halloween candy he collected.) Well you can imagine how things are going now. Everyday he gets home he says "I go potty mommy, I want candy." Whatever works right. We are trying to trade candy for nemo stickers with minimal success. I am going to have to find a healthy, yet yummy treat if this is going to continue, or he'll be bouncing off the walls. I found some mickey mouse tennis shoes for Caleb which he loved. He wanted me to take a picture of his "mickey mouse clubhouse shoes." Occasionally we have trouble getting Caleb to eat all his veggies. Daddy told him if he wanted to be big and strong like him, he had to finish all his veggies. So now Caleb often shows us his muscles at the dinner table to show us how strong he is getting.

I found Caleb's train tent this week and he has been putting it to good use everyday. He threw all of his stuffed animals downstairs, and there are several, so he could put them in his tent. Then he camps out in there with his elmo couch and "friends." Even Monte joined in on the fun.

Potty Like a Rock Star

Yeah! Caleb had poo poo on the potty. Greg thinks it's because he sang "potty like a rock star" while Caleb was attempting to go potty. (Greg made me put that as the title) Actually, I think it was just an accident because after the deed, he said "what's that mommy". I explained his success, and he wanted to stay on the potty to try to poo poo again. What progress he has made! Now we just need to be more accommodating for potty time. He tried 4 times at school today they said, but hasn't succeeded yet, maybe stage fright. This morning Caleb was very excited to go to daycare, when I asked if he was ready to go to school, he said "I go see Aidan and Claire" (surprising I know). Then he ran to "help" open the garage door, as it was automatically going up, saying "I big helper". He was heading to the other side of the car when I informed him that daddy backed mommy's car in backward so it would be easier to get out, he said "yeah, good idea". Seriously when did he get so grown up! I can't believe the things he keeps saying.

Yeah Caleb!!!

We had Caleb sleep with us last night to ensure no more upset tummy or fever. (He had a fever yesterday afternoon.) He woke refreshed and in a good mood, which is more than I can say for mom and dad. He likes to toss and turn, then cuddle with one of us, which means the other gets the feet in the face. Well as long as he feels better, I am content with a sleepless night. Dad took Caleb to school since he was going in late. And apparently we both called the daycare today to check on Caleb, I guess our communication is a little off. But he had a good day thankfully. Such a resilient kiddo. Dad worked late again so Caleb and I enjoyed a quiet evening together. Before bath time Caleb said "I have to go potty mommy", granted he had already been on the potty twice after we got home and just flushed the toilet and played with the toilet paper. Well this time he really did need to go pee pee! He was such a big boy aiming in the toilet without making any mess! YEAH!!! We had a pee pee dance and high-fives! Now we'll see if this becomes a routine or if it's just a fluke. Caleb and I continued with the evening light hearted and enjoying lots of cute conversations. At one point Caleb kept repeating the first half of a sentence he was trying to say because he was distracted, so I said "spit it out buddy". Silly me; the next thing I know Caleb is spitting on the floor. I was speechless.Caleb was really excited about his new pj's, "i want to wear my"t-rex". I may have to buy a duplicate if I'm ever going to be able to wash these again.

Zoo with Teresa and Caleb

Last night I made the mistake of telling Caleb we were going to the zoo in the morning with Teresa. He was very excited and said "we go to the zoo now! " No, the animals are asleep I said. Tearfully he said "no, we wake them and go to the zoo in a minute." I finally distracted him and he forgot all about the zoo until this morning. He kept watching out the window waiting for Teresa to show up with her mom, Sarah, and sister, Addison. They were nice enough to come and pick us up. They even had an extra car sit we could borrow already set to go in Sarah's car. Everything was going great, Sarah and I were enjoying catching up on things, when all of sudden Caleb started groaning in the backseat. I had a bad feeling, and I was right because shortly thereafter he vomited all over himself. I felt horrible for him and because that wasn't our car seat! Sorry Sarah. We detoured to clean up the mess, and since Caleb seemed back to normal, set off again for the Ft Worth Zoo.

We ultimately had an awesome time. Caleb did well the rest of the trip, and all three kids seemed to really enjoy seeing the animals. Caleb was of course demanding to see the elephants as soon as we arrived, while Teresa preferred the lions. We finally fulfilled both requests, and then some including a ride on the carousel and train. Before we headed home, Teresa and Caleb decided they needed to "cut down" a tree and chase each other through a field. They were so cute, taking turns laughing hysterically. They all crashed shortly after we left the zoo. Rocky beginning, but a wonderful ending. Now I just hope Caleb doesn't have a repeat of this morning's event.

Big potty

I had a dinner last night, so I missed out on the evening fun with Caleb. For a while now Caleb has asked to go potty on the "big potty". Though he had yet to actually go potty, he usually just plays. Last night Greg said he climbed on the potty and told daddy to go away. Then apparently a short time later Caleb says "daddy I go tee tee." Sure enough Greg said he had pee pee all over the toilet, not sure if any actually made it inside the toilet. But they got very excited over the success. This morning I asked how his day went yesterday at daycare, "good, I play with Aidan and Claire, and Lucas." At least there was a little variety to the day. Tonight Greg had to work late again, so Caleb and I had a leisurely night. We had to go by the store for a few necessities on the way home first though. Caleb was a "big helper" or so he kept saying; he helped by literally throwing all my groceries in the back of the cart. I think only minimal damage to most items was done. We have been trying to teach Caleb manners by using"please"and "thank you" when appropriate. After bath, Caleb wanted to read the Very Quiet Cricket, so he threw it in my lap and climbed up on the couch. I was in the middle of explaining why it wasn't nice to throw the book when he said "say thank you mommy."

Here are some random pictures of Caleb.

I went to Payless to find some tennis shoes for Caleb, and he found some Dora boots he really wanted to wear. He is really into boots, and he didn't care when I told him those were for girls. He wore them around the store for a while. I thought it was very funny, Greg disagreed.

Madagascar

Yesterday we took Caleb to his first movie in the theatre, Madagascar. He was looking forward to going ever since I mentioned the idea a few days before.He kept saying "we go to the movies and eat popcorn in a minute." Though I have tried to explain time to him, he prefers "in a minute" whether it's a minute or a week. I told him we could eat popcorn while we watched the movie of the animals in the jungle. He liked that idea. He had popcorn with me one night about a month ago when we stayed in for a home movie, and he was an instant fan. We haven't had any since then so I was surprised he remembered it. Caleb was great while the movie was playing, he only got up the final 10 minutes. Apparently he wanted to sit on the stairs to touch the little lights surrounding each step. Every afternoon we ask what he did that day at school. And every day Greg and I laugh because it is always the same answer, "I play with Aidan and Claire." We haven't had a different answer in weeks. I had just arrived home and was about to change clothes, when I got a call from Greg asking me to meet them at daycare. Apparently Greg had forgotten to switch the car seat over to his company car. If you know Greg, that doesn't surprise you. So I let monte, our dog, go with me to get Caleb. On the way back to the house, the tantrums started. First he wanted itsy bitsy spider played over and over, then he was upset because monte wouldn't sit by him "come here monte". Once we finally made it home, he went to "thinking time" immediately for, well I can't remember what the initial time out was for because he went a few times tonight for various reasons such as kicking monte, hitting me, telling me no. The list could go on. I eventually made the mistake of asking him if he wanted to go back to time out. He said "yes"; "I go to tiki time." Now I have lost all power. Though I'm not sure that I ever had any. I just hope I don't end up on the Super Nanny. Actually before bedtime he reverted back to an angel and was all hugs and kisses. Thank goodness!

Trae Trae's Birthday

Today we went to Trae Trae's birthday party. Caleb saw the bounce house in his backyard when we pulled up. "Wow, what's that mommy!" That's Trae's party, I said. Caleb replied " hurry mommy let's go." He had a great time playing with balloons, bouncing in the bounce house, and punching the birthday boys grandpa. At least at the party he was being a good boy, because otherwise we had several "thinking times" today. Daddy had breakfast with us at IHOP this morning then headed off to start their office move. Caleb and I took his bike out for a spin, then played some baseball and watched Curious George. After that, the very frustrating Caleb appeared. He wouldn't listen to me about anything! "No" to this and "no" to that. He then spilled his lunch all over the floor, I sent him to nap without his after lunch fruit. I never do that. He even woke with attitude, but he seemed to do well for the most part at Trae's house. He has a habit of "pretend biting" when he gets frustrated or over excited. But last night he actually bit me, I told him "that was not very nice Caleb" and he said "it accident mommy." I still get amazed at how well he speaks. Not sure if it was an accident, but I couldn't argue that. He gave me a huge smile and kisses to make up. Though that seems to be a pattern too. Greg said he caught Caleb doing something he shouldn't this morning, and Caleb said "i just helping daddy","hugs daddy" and he gave daddy a kiss too. Very sneaky. Tonight he was going around saying "daddy, Greg Young" "hey, Greg Young". I'm not sure why all of a sudden he is using his whole name. Very funny though.

Museum Fun

Today my wonderful neighbor, Donna, thought up the idea to visit the Museum of Nature and Science today with Caleb and Andrew. Caleb had so much fun, I felt bad that we had never visited the museum before now. They had a large play area for the kids to learn as they had fun. We learned about much of the human anatomy, some exhibits may have been a little too graphic for a two year old, but he didn't seem bothered. They had a firetruck with firemen gear which was pretty popular. There were art displays and musical instruments. The farm exhibit was a hit too. He really liked milking a cow. He thought he should get to know the cow first though. We saw turtles, scorpions, and tarantula's (not my favorite). They also had a neat make shift river display which Caleb enjoyed splashing in for a while. But Caleb's favorite exhibit was the dinosaurs of course; the boys dug up "dinosaur bones" in the sand box. Which must have made an impression because later this afternoon we were playing outside when Caleb noticed a funny looking stick, he turned to me and said "that's dinosaur mommy". After nap time today Caleb and I had fun dancing to music, he was so funny wiggling all over and jumping up and down. I wish I had a video of that. He enjoys music and dancing like his mommy. Then he decided it would be fun to jump on my bed. I asked him again "what happens to monkeys who jump on the bed?" But this time he said "I won't fall down and hit my head." Still I insisted no jumping, he said "I not jumping, I rabbit" "hop,hop". Caleb continues to talk of monsters constantly. We went upstairs and the rooms were dark so Caleb asked "where are the monsters mommy?" But before I could reply he said "there's no monsters" as if he were trying to convince himself. Poor thing, he runs out of a dark room as if something is chasing him. It doesn't help that when I went to pick him up yesterday from daycare there were three boys huddled around the book shelf saying " the monsters are in the book shelf!" Then Aidan, who is a good friend of Caleb's, runs over to me and says "there's a big scary monster in there". I wished the teacher present would have tried to discourage the talk of monsters. He was very excited he found his toboggan, he wore it around the house all evening.

Back to the Zoo

Caleb had been asking to go back to the zoo for a while now, so Sunday afternoon Greg and I took him for a few hours. We started out with his favorite animal, the elephant. He really enjoyed the hippos too this time, and of course the giraffes, and zebras were not far behind. After we had seen the highlights, I asked Caleb what he wanted to see next. "I see donkey mommy"; I said "you want to come all the way to the zoo to see a donkey?", "Yeah, Ee haw, ee haw." He settled for an ice cream break, and then one more viewing of the elephants before we left.

Caleb enjoys singing a number of songs after story time each evening. I think it's just a way for him to delay the inevitable bedtime, but I enjoy his singing. For a while after he first started talking he would say "no" to our singing, so its nice to get that back. Here is one of his favorites.

Trick or Treat

I have already been hassled for my blog slacking. But it was a stressful week with big changes for us. Greg's work has bought a warehouse farther west where they will be moving to in mid November, which is a 45-60min commute from our house. And I have taken a job near Keller as well, which will also be a commute until we can sell our house. All prayers are welcome in that pursuit and for an easy transition. As for Caleb, we had a busy week with him as usual. On my day off, I took Caleb back to the Pumpkin Patch where we met up with Shae and baby Dakota, and Steph and Trae. We wanted to get some good pictures with the boys. The unthinkable happened, Greg borrowed my camera for work and apparently took out my memory card. I didn't realize that until we were all the way out at the patch. So I was the mom using my phone to take pictures, not that that's a bad thing. But it was challenging. I actually got some good pictures. I love the iPhone! After getting some good photos, we let the boys play on the bounce houses for a while. At least until the older kids got there, then those kids ran through the houses and slides without a care for the toddlers. It was very frustrating, I had to go in and get Caleb before he was trampled. Caleb said " those bad boys". I agreed. By the way I found out that "tiki time" is actually "thinking time" at school, that made more sense. He still has trouble with some letters.

Halloween night we went around the neighborhood with his friend Andrew and his older brother, Devin. Caleb had soooo much fun, of course he didn't want to stop. He caught on quick, you walk up to the door, knock, say "trick or treat" and people give you candy. Every time he would get his candy he would turn and say "I got more candy mommy". That was amusing for most of the people handing him the candy. I hope he doesn't think he can do this anytime we wants more candy. By the end of our walk, Caleb's pumpkin basket was getting very heavy but he wouldn't let me help, and so he limped his way home. Greg got some pictures at the costume parade at school earlier Friday.

How about those RED RAIDERS!!!! Last night we hung out with some old college buddies of mine to watch Texas Tech beat UT. What a game! My condolences to Mike, Rhett, Steph, and Dani! And to all you other misguided persons who favored the Longhorns. We had a good time hanging out with friends, and laughed at how far we have come to be watching football with a crying baby, and a hyperactive two year old. But Caleb had a blast and enjoyed being part of the entertainment.