A Good Day

Phew! I, for one, am very tired after a busy but fun day! Callan and I had swimming lessons this morning-the instructor says my kicking form is perfect! Kidding- but she did say that Callan was a little fish! We had lots of fun and Callan took full advantage of the situation to splash me repeatedly. We had some post class difficulties as I had to reeducate mayself on how exactly one shimmies out of a wet swim suit and into a dry bra, etc. While concealing the important bits behind a towel and trying to keep a hand and both eyes on Callan...acrobatic. Then we came home and got ready for our bi weekly Whole Foods lunch. Followed by a nap and then a dinner with our neighbors. Lots of fun and lots of action! Hopefully "we" get a few good hours of sleep tonight!

Blahg

Tired baby in bed. Tired husband in bed. Well rested dog in bed. I guess I should take the hint and head there myself! This might count as a cheating nablopomo post since it is officially about nothing but I don't think a senseless post is the equivalent of performance enhancing drugs...hopefully the /erman judge agrees.

Pig Pen

We braved the latest swine flu clinic today. It was quite a workout! Callan was NOT a fan of waiting in line. He cried and screamed for 30 minutes he wanted to get down and run around but instead he was restrained by the jail of mom. My arms are killing me--not from a shot but because I was schlepping a 10 pound purse a 20 pound diaper bag and a 30 pound baby. Here is a picture of Callan and I when I was trying anything I could think of to settle him down so thatwe weren't mauled by our neighboring line waiters. Food didn't work as a distraction, books were a no go, tractor rides were of no interest. The good news is that the line was the most painful part. And now I don't feel quite as compelled to make Callan a shut in knowing that he has had his first dose. Phew.

Tuesday is brought to you by the letter S

"SHhhhhhhhh!" Callan turned the tables on Eric this afternoon. When Eric tried to wake Callan up from his nap Callan shushed him! This is particularly funny as Eric has been shushing Callan everynight when he wakes up. The optimist in me thinks he is just trying to comfort Callan. The pessimist in me thinks he is telling both of us to be quiet so he can continue sleeping...which may or may not annoy me to the point of convulsion and rude gestures. So the pessimist in me really REALLY liked that Callan was serving up some just desserts!
Our second S word of the day is SNAKE!!! Which is what I found in the basement this evening. You may have seen it on the news 20 Ft Python Found in Basement Mother Saves Family from Iminent Doom. Fine it was a 6 inch garter snake that was trapped on one of our many glue traps set out for that exact purpose. But it did make me scream our third S word of the day.
SHIT!!!

Backdown Breakdown?

After spending the day in a bit of a haze, I am at odds about what to do tonight.
Let Callan cry in his room and not go get him, or try the same old things again. I just don't know. I really can't help but feel I am scarring him for life. I mean like so much so that I can no longer afford to go to Target because I need to start saving for therapy. It is heartbreaking to hear that little cry! I have a physiological reaction to it!!!! I feel like my insides are curdling like my nerves are misfiring --the set that listens to my brain repeat stay in bed stay in bed stay in bed and the set that listens to my heart and my instinct and says run to him RUN TO HIM! This tough love stuff is rotten.
It also occurred to me that last night was probably Callan's worst night of his whole life! He's probably never felt so mad or so hurt. I hate inflicting this!
But then again, I have no one to blame about this situation except for myself. So I guess I better hit the books. Research will make me feel better. I know it will.
Someone needs to invent a cry it out hot line. An all night 800 number you can call for moral support while enduring the "Ferver" method.
OY yoi yoi....
Don't judge me if I come to work tomorrow and have already had wine.

A million pieces

Right now it is 5 am. I am listening to Callan scream alternately between angry gasps of "MAMA" "Ooout" "gogogo" "nighnigh" MaaaMAa!"
I was just interupted by the sound of pajama'ed feet on the floor. Safety note to self: when you finally decide to woman up and have Callan cry it out try making sure he can't climb out of his crib first. It isn't flipping cars over but the climb out I think was an adrenaline result.
This has been coming for a few weeks now--or a year depending on who is counting I guess. Callan seems to never have fully adjusted to the time change. He either wakes up for the day at 5:30 or he wakes at about 3 a.m. Like it is 3 p.m. tonight it started like that again but he just wouldn't go back to sleep his bed our bed rinse repeat. So after an hour and a half of climbing, rocking, shushing and praying my exhaustion and 2ric got the best of me and I agreed to put him in his crib and leave him there....TORTURE! He is asleep again, I imagine he is exhausted! I have decided to roll the dice on staying up instead of going back to bed. I think a one hour nap will do me more harm than good at this point but I may feel differently come 3 this afternoon. I don't know what we will do or try tomorrow night but please wish us luck! And by luck I mean sleep. Yawn!

Overpromise, Underdeliver!

Good news, my blackberry post worked earlier today! hurray!
Bad news, we were so busy I didn't have time to take any new pictures or come up with an idea for my past due post.
Dang it.
I'll do better tomorrow!
I think I can! I think I can!

You are never too young for Starbucks!

Trying two new things: one probably a bad idea introducing Callan to smoothies from Starbucks, two trying a blog posting and photo from my phone. I know I owe two of them today since I was a slacker yest

Sounds Like

You know, as we add words to our vocabulary, and we work on our annunciation and pronunciation....sometimes what we mean and what we say aren't exactly the same.
I only hope that we don't have the need to say sit, duck, or caulk in a public setting in the near future.

Lucky

I was sitting here trying to think about what to post---Callan saying "Jimmy James," or him calling his blankey "so soft."
But instead how about what I was thinking about today, how lucky I am.
In a world full of things that are sometimes awful and a little rotten. I am as lucky as they come. I have a beautiful, healthy, brilliant little boy. A helpful partner. A mom who continues to help me create my whole universe through her generosity. A dad who finds being a grandparent to be the most thrilling thing in the universe. A family that is more loving and supportive than anyone has a right to. Friends that make me laugh.
I am so lucky.
And even more thankful.
I hope I can pass along some of this good fortune to Callan.
If his life so far is any indication, and the love he receives any measure, he might be the luckiest boy ever born.

Number Two, Take Two

Well hell. Things have gone to crap around here! ; )
Poop is our new favorite topic of conversation.
This morning I was persuaded by Callan to let him take a shower (he said Peese when he signed--heartbreakingly sweet!) and when we got out he was spending a few minutes sans diaper. The first thing he saw when he started exploring the closet was a small piece of brown fuzz. He pointed to it and declared--POOP.
I explained to him, no, not poop--fuzz. We need to take it to the trash. He insisted.
POOP!
No, look---Mommy will take it to the trash see?
POOP!
No, just trash.
POOOOP!
Oh shit. Poop.
There it was. Laid out on the closet carpet, a nice fresh poop. Aurgh. Nothing like starting the morning out with a little carpet cleaning.
I need to learn my toddler inflection so I can better determine the difference between, declaration, inquisition and warning.
Something tells me I'll get plenty of practice!

UFO

We had to have a take two on our bath yesterday...we were interrupted by an unidentified floating object.
Some how, a poop magically appeared in our bath. It was FASCINATING stuff! Callan had to run right out and alert Eric. Eric asked him what happened--Callan told him "poop!" He then proceeded to squat down and show him how such a thing might have occurred. Luckily, it was just a reenactment, not a repeat performance.
I thought we'd be recovered from the excitement but when we went to take our bath tonight, it was accompanied by a chorus of "POOOP, poop, PooP, pooooop, POOP MAMA! Poop!" So we had to talk about it and discuss why there are lots better things to find, or to make, in the bath.
The only things we had in there tonight were bubbles and toys.
Thank goodness!!!

Chef? Infomercial host?

Only time will tell. But Callan is showing promise in both areas! This morning I was getting a few things ready for the crockpot...which sounds easy enough but is a little more challenging with a 30 pound toddler on your hip. So you make some adaptations. You let him dump in things here and there...and you might teach him to use a handy kitchen appliance. One that is "As seen on tv," or at least similar to the ones on TV...the SLAP CHOP! You know--the Slap Chop/ShamWow guy has been having some personal issues anyways, so if those products are looking for a new razzle dazzle sales fella...I think I have their man! He says Chop Chop Chop while he pushes the button...it's catchy, it's go a beat, and you can dance to it. Winner.
Plus, the stew was good too.

Lawn Mower with Envy

Doesn't have quite the same ring to it---but the meaning is the same! We've been working on learning our colors---we have BLUE down pat, and we sure know what green looks like...the only trouble is we think it is called Lawn Mower instead of green....I guess that's because we have---for soooo many months now said, green lawn mower...that the two are synonymous. So if you ask Callan what color the grass is: lawn mower. What color is the tree? Lawn mower. Is that sweet or what?
He has been working on lots of words--and will try like crazy to repeat any of them. This weekend we learned zoo, Lizzie (the neighbors dog) sunset and couple. Couple is a weird word to teach you think? Well...actually, we were trying for pickle...but it comes out coupkul. So maybe we should count that as two---pickle and couple? There's enough effort, I think it sounds fair.

Tie it up

We had an exciting first today---our first tie!!!! We went to Nate & Sarah's wedding tonight, and sorry Nate---but Callan was the handsomest fella there! Check him out!!!!

And YES, for anyone keeping track, I did dress Callan in four things that Eric refuses to wear...argyle, plaid, sweater vests and corduroys. All in one outfit! See---there are a few things I CAN control--people not so much--but occasionally things. Check!!! (Speaking of checks, that's another one to shoot for...Eric won't wear checks either.)

Our love to Sarah and Nate!

Men Who Stare at Goats

Almost. Instead we have a little man who looks away from goats. Close enough. Look out Clooney. We decided to take advantage of the great weather today and check out the zoo.

Here's Eric and Callan looking at the Gorillas...




Callan 'listening' to the birds

A lift up for a birds eye view of the birds...

ooooooooooooo what's in there?!?!

Dang those silly monkeys!!!

OOOOOooooo SIT!

Ok. Missed a day. Making up for it now!
Had a looooooooong meeting yesterday which interfered with my blogability...dang that work!
So here's a new and funny thing Callan has been doing--he's learned a command. SIT!
He plops down on the floor/street/sidewalk/driveway/store floor and pats the floor next to him and says "sit." SOOO cute. Now if he says "good mommy" afterwards, we are going to have issues.

Pretenders

Who was crawling around on all fours panting this evening?
If you guessed Vegas, guess again!
If you guessed Eric, please stop!!!!
It was Callan! He has learned to pretend! He was crawling around panting and headed straight over to Vegas' food bowl. I had to intercept him at that point....we'll not leap ahead into method acting just yet.

Num nums and Dum Dums

Trick or treat! Callan had a fabulous Halloween season! I don't know what to call it other than a season---it certainly is more than one measly day!!!

FIRST we started out modeling our monkey costume, which was paired with our very sought after banana costume (which I was only able to secure after a bidding war on Ebay. Damn it.) Here's a picture of our models. Callan was considerably more cooperative than Vegas---but then again that's every day! ; )

Up next? Pumpkin carving! I'm glad we chose the small pumpkins to work on, because lets just say that other than the initial exploration, I was pretty much the only interested party. Callan wanted to get everyone involved and worked very hard on selling Vegas on the idea of eating the pumpkin guts. Fortunately, pumpkin seeds can be added to the list of things Vegas actually won't eat....so lets see...that is officially two things: onions and pumpkin guts. Here are some pictures of Callan showing me his big smile just like the pumpkin!

And we weren't done yet! Then we got to take a test run of our Dragon costume at our very first Halloween party! We went to the QLI party with PaPa. Callan had so much fun! There was dancing, balloons, bubbles and num nums---what could be better?

Where can we go from here? You guessed it---more num nums! Time for trick or treat practice at NiNi & PaPa's! I think NiNi wanted to give the whole bowl to Callan, but luckily the dragon paws interfere with dexterity a bit---so handling one piece at a time was about as good as we could do. Phew!

And then, we were ready for the BIG time!!!! The Trick or Treating! Callan was totally excited---mostly because the night involved ringing doorbells and seeing LOTS of DoDos (dogs). It was however, a little confusing, because for the first time we rang the doorbell but did NOT go inside. Although not for lack of inviting ourselves...there was lots of leaning, pointing and GO GOs! But no tears when we had to turn around and do it all over again--the candy really does help soften the blow. The other thing that was a little difficult to understand is that we've worked hard on the idea that when we eat, we sit. So every time Callan got a treat---he wanted to eat it, and he wanted to sit down to do so. Even in the street. So next time we'll have to bring a chair I guess.

All in all, a very Happy Halloween!!! Thanksgiving---here we come!

NaBloPoMo

My guilt has gotten the best of me and I thought perhaps peer pressure would help push me towards the goal of being a better blogger. So I joined NaBloPoMo...National Blog Posting Month. I am supposed to post a blog EVERY DAY! Every SINGLE day!!!! We'll see...it can't hurt to try, right??? I had to sneak two in today, since I missed the first day. And I am hoarding my Halloween stories until tomorrow--something tells me I am going to need a stock pile of stories and pics.
Wish me luck!

An Unfortunate First

Dang IT! 16.5 months of Purell, antibacterial soap, limited outside contact with the real world, and spending every night in a degerming chamber....and it happened anyway. Our first Dr. confirmed illness...a sinus infection.

Boo hoo hoo! Callan is feeling MUCH better now, and good news for me he likes amoxicillin. Bad news for me, his father is an overzealous amoxicillin administrator and has splattered me, the innocent bystander/Callan-holder, not once but twice! Accident? Suspicious.

These pictures have pretty much nothing to do with Callan's sinus infection, except he was still healing while these were taken. Other than that. Nothing at all. But they sure are cute!!! Roger and Elaine brought in a 'spare' Tickle Me Elmo they happened to have lying around their house. Callan loved it!!!

P-P-P-Pump It Up!

SDJ (Sleep Deprived Joslynn): Please. You can't figure out HTML coding. GIVE up on the slide show already. GO TO BED.
OCJ (Obsessive Compulsive Joslynn) : Ooooooooooo no. I can't give up! I am going to make this work!
SDJ: NO you really aren't. You can barely spell HTML let alone figure it out. Wikihow can't help you---you can't help yourself. GO TO BED.
OCJ: But I think I can get it! If I just keep trying. Ok. Maybe I won't figure it out tonight. But I'll at least post something.
something. or I'll be even farther behind!
SDJ: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

These are my private conversations. With myself. Think I might need to get out more? Perhaps? Think I make a good point, I am BEHIND!??! Definitely. So let's go with that one. Solution. A quick post.
Just a little one.
Just a catch up.
SOOOo two weekends ago we had so much fun! We went camping! Yes---you are reading that correctly. I Joslynn Ann Hon had fun camping. Granted we were in cabins..but the refrigerators were small, so therefore roughing it. We went to Mahoney State Park with Eric's whole family. We had a great time! OCJ was able to set aside the germaphobia and allow Callan to play in his first ball pit. He loved it! He loved it even more that his cousins were showing him the ropes...jumping, throwing, climbing---all the good stuff! We were also able to squeeze in a visit to the SAC Museum and top off the day with a trip to Vala's Pumpkin Patch for our first ever hot dog roast. Good times were had by all. Any day that ends with a s'more is a good day by me. Callan loved having so much company and being able to watch Ryan, Luke and Rachael was a very special treat for him! Vala's was super great--especially compared to our last Pumpkin Patch visit! And bonus---no injuries or calls to PETA. Win win.
Here are some of the pics...or you are welcome to see the slide show in all its glory (even if I can't get the damn HTML coding to work. I can make a freakin' link people. A link.) http://picasaweb.google.com/joslynnhon/MahoneyWeekend#slideshow/5389307221251829938

C is for CAT

but Callan hasn't tried to say cat yet. I guess there is no need--we don't see a lot of cats around here (I think I just heard Vegas say 'Thank GOD!'). So he doesn't hear us say it, therefore he doesn't try to repeat it.
However.
He does try to repeat other words.
Other words that start with C.
Like Crap.
Whoops.
I guess it is officially time to start self censoring.

Take THAT Bell Curve!

Average shmaverage, that's what we say! We are off the charts people! Off the chart growth--and off the chart SMARTS! (I guess that's not genetic or the previous sentence would have been complete and grammatically correct. Anywho...)

We had our 15 month check up last week. Can you even believe it? One year, one quarter---one great Callan! So here's how we measure up to the rest of the 1.25 year olds.



height: 35 inches

+

weight: 29 pounds

+

brain case: 19 cm

HANDSOME



According to the Dr., 1.25yr old boys are supposed to know three words? Only three??? PUH lease---here's some of his latest and greatest/and the old standbys:



lawn mower

helmet

umbrella

papa

mama

dada

nini

dodo (dog)

num nums (ice cream)

go

bye bye

bottle

ketchup

moo

downstairs

open

yogurt

pull

up

football

ball

bubble

pop

GG

vroom vroom

UHoh!

uh huh



Take that bell curve, we don't even need a curve on our chart!!! Just a straight line up up up!

Staycation

That's the newest term for vacations where you don't work but stay close to home, right? Well Mr. Callan had a staycation of the best kind. He got to stay at home but have vacation from his parents! Nini and Papa spent all weekend with Callan while Eric and I headed to the Lake of the Ozarks.

Here are my thoughts on what was happening at our house.

Callan's weekend:

PLAY!

breakfast in bed

mid morning snack: ice cream

play

lunch: pizza, to drink: malts

nap

afternoon activity: eat ice cream

dinner: pizza

evening activity: blind taste test: ice cream vs custard

play

night night

repeat.

Meanwhile, here's what we GOT to do:

DAY one:

6 HOUR car drive to Missouri.

Check into world's most HORRIBLE motel. Officially marks new worst place I've ever stayed...worse than a leaking tent. Seriously. This place was horrific. I thought it would be bad, but it was way worse than bad. The good news is there was electricity. Just enough---one outlet for the room with a power strip and one outlet in the bathroom. There was also carpet in the bathroom, 75 thread count sheets, one porthole/window that looked into the hallway, and since obviously you'd want to spend ALL your time relaxing in your resort like accommodations, all the HBO you can watch on your 9inch TV. It should have occurred to me when one of their property 'pluses' was FREE HBO. If that is the only good thing you can say about your place, times are tough. I knew I was in really bad shape when the 'amenities' included a trial size bottle of Breck Shampoo. Seriously. I've never in my life used Breck and I'm fairly certain it stopped being manufactured about three decades ago. Think this place could use some updating??!?!? UGH!

WHY was this happening to me? All in the name of J-O-B. No, not Jobe, Job. Eric's job. Let the back patting begin. Good and dutiful wife. Good and dutiful wife. Yay me.

Day 2:

14 hours on a houseboat.

good news, beautiful scenery.

bad news, no CALLAN!

Day 3:

speed all the way home.

Phew.

We were both so glad to be home and see our baby! Here are some pictures I took at the park on the evening of our reunion...who would choose to be away from this guy???

Fair Well

Last week Callan got to partake in a Hupf family tradition. The Nebraska State Fair!

What's that you say?

Another excuse to eat ice cream?

YES. Any excuse to eat ice cream!

side note. I discovered that the question that most often follows my declaration of "FAIR day!" is, "Did you buy a pool?" Answer. No. People, that was a one time thing. If you think Eric would fall for that again, you are sorely mistaken. Sheesh. One time you make an impulse purchase of an above ground pool at the fair and no one lets you forget about it.

Callan had a great time getting to spend the day with his Ni Ni and GG! Not to mention getting to meet horses, pigs, chicks, lambs and a funnel cake! (kidding. we just smelled them, I didn't let him indulge. He was still eating his breakfast round of ice cream at the time. one thing at a time!)

I had forgotten all there is to see at the fair, and then there are the exhibits, too! ; ) There is something about being at the fair that makes me seriously consider vegetarianism. Prize winning tomatoes don't stare back at you making you feel sorry for every capresi salad you've ever eaten. However, a sweet little baby piglet makes me reconsider my past breakfast meat indiscretions. In fact, I was totally relating to the pigs this fair. This scene alone had me totally thinking---"oh girl, I know how you feel!" But I don't think this sow was into telepathy, or perhaps relating. But then again, you are busy when you've got 10 little ones on your hands, so I'll try not to take it personally.


Callan did an awesome job of staying in his stroller, provided we kept up our end of the bargain and were actually strolling. When we slowed down some place where there were no animals, or marching bands or food Callan would point to the EXIT sign ( I swear he can read!) and shake his head so vigorously you'd swear it was going to roll right off his little neck.



When he finally did get out of his stroller, he was a man on a mission! He ran through the fair grounds whooping and hollering. He was a streak from the orange cones to the garbage can to the dirt to the wood chips. A lap over to the smoker shaped like a pig and back to the the chainsaw sculptor. Had I mapped him I imagine it would have looked something like one of those old Family Circus cartoons of Billy going to get something (remember those?)


I suppose this might just be my last trip to the fair...next year it moves to Grand Island, and I think driving 2 hours to explore the stick food group is a little over the top. Even for me. I have so many great memories of the fair growing up. Heck, the fair introduced me to a few great life experiences. 1. Monster cookies. 2. NKOTB! (first concert ever!) and 3. the joy of purchasing with my hard won allowance a beautiful feathered roach clip (SHEESH!) that I would try to clip on my ear for a sweet earring and then when I couldn't take the pain anymore transfer to my hair for a make shift rat tail. (The 80s were full of great ideas, I totally see why we're reliving them.) It was really special to share something that I have such great memories of with Callan, my mom and grandma. And even more special to get to share things like Pineapple Whip (mmm!) that my Grandpa shared with me. But Grandpa, if your listening---I draw the line at pop!!! So, fare well Fair. Thanks for everything!

Cous(in) I said so

So in my newly (ha!) belated fashion, a past due post.

A few weeks ago we were lucky enough to host Eric's family for a pizza dinner. Callan was LOVING getting to see his cousins in action. He watched Ryan and Luke show him what his golf clubs can do---besides be toted around and banged on the floor. And he got to spend some time with Rachael, who he seems to just adore. Proof below.

In other cousin related news, last week Callan was treated to a first ever baby sit by Uncle Grant! What a lucky guy (Callan)! Grant cleared his schedule to watch Callan for us while I had a work dinner and Eric a golf tournament. Grant shrugged off my 15 paragraph email with instructions on the two hours he'd be spending with Callan--what we usually do when, etc. (Fine. Yes I can appreciate that it might be a bit controlling to send detailed notes on what to feed a 1 year old to a Chef. Perhaps even ironic, but Grant's been the subject of my neurosis for years, he's accustomed.) Callan was happy to see Grant and got so excited showing off for him that he needed a nap. So Grant let him take a little nap...but when Callan woke up Grant was no longer in the company of a happy go lucky little boy, but instead a crying sad little guy. Apparently, it was a fairly trying two hours for them both. So much so that when I asked Grant how it went, he relayed this story to me:

Johanna called to see if she should come over and heard Callan crying. She said "Oh, great, I suppose now you don't want to have kids?!!" and I said was "you wouldn't either if you were here right now!"

So I guess I'll have to wait a while before I ask for that favor again? And I suppose we don't have to wonder if Callan will be having any new cousins in the immediate future.

Controlling the population, one family at a time. Who's next?

Ice Cream for Breakfast

It sounds like a magical thing, doesn't it? A land where you can have ice cream for breakfast. Well, I'm sure the guilty parties would say that technically it was ice cream immediately following breakfast, which makes it more like a breakfast dessert. And where, might you ask, does such a magical land exist?

Where else but NiNi and Papa's house!!!!

Unfortunately, my Dad had to have a little surgery last week. Fortunately he is recovering fabulously and it was a reason for Ang and Eth to come back and visit us. Since there was so much healing and hosting going on, Callan went on the road for a week. He got to go to Nini and Papa's every day where he was spoiled by lots of extra attention, affection and confection as it turns out. So my poor dad was convalescing. As we are all aware, the healing power of malts is second only to Aloe Vera. So my mom went to get my dad a malt and returned with a malt for Dad and a cup of ice cream of Callan. And so the story goes, every day, after the completion of every meal, Callan would go to the freezer, open it and get the Culver's cup out and try to lick the inside of it until someone would get a spoon and give him a little taste. (doesn't this story just reek of adults trying to pin the blame on the baby!??!?!) Callan got SOOO good at this little game that after dinner at home one night, he got out of his high chair, went directly to our freezer, pulled out a quart of ice cream and began to try and pry or bite the lid off to gain access. SHEESH! Here's what was captured on the Ninicam.

There was lots more fun to be had. At this time I do not believe them to have been soda or candy fueled, but based on previous paragraph may discover that to be the truth.

And, for the sake of balance, here are two pics of Callan enjoying healthier fare. Yogurt and corn on the cob. Mmmmmm! You'll notice these are at my house.

And look at this. Callan enjoying chocolate frosting at the Gingerbread House. I mean Nini and Papa's. Look out Disneyland, this might be the new happiest place on earth!

See? Pee!

As I have confessed to many times, part of our nightly ritual is naked baby time, preceeded by bath time. A few nights ago I left Callan enjoying his activity table...playing a few tunes with some very uninhibited dancing. Shedding the diaper really frees you I suppose! I only stepped a few feet away to put his laundry basket in the hallway. While doing so my super soMOMnar hearing picked up a very distinct sound.

A sound that I knew immediately was one of two things. 1. The gentle and rhythmic roll of a delicate maraca, or 2. Urine hitting the carpet. When I walked back into the room in search of a finely crafted Mexican gourd instrument, I instead discovered the puddle. Option number 2 (a number one, but option number 2.) I pointed to the spot and said, "Oh no! What happened Callan?" He looked up at me, down and the spot and back at me. Then he grabbed himself, aimed at the floor and said "SHHHHHHKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK" trying to imitate the sound his pee made.

I laughed until I cried. What a funny and clever boy he is. I was totally expecting the ol' "the dog did it!" excuse! ; )

Kiss Off

A few nights ago during our evening stroll(er) we stopped by one of Eric's fellow Wahooligan's house. Someone Eric went to elementary school with. They have a little boy Callan's size. Of course, he is two and a half...but none the less. So Eric and Sam were playing tractor and lawn mower and bubbles and all of those great fun things. While we are trying to coax Callan back into the stroller, he drops his bubble wand and leans into Sam with his mouth wide open---hoping to give Sam a kiss. Is that the cutest thing ever? Well, I intercepted since Sam was not exactly keen on this development, but I glance over at Eric to see if he has the seat belt ready to strap Callan back into the stroller against his will and notice that Eric's eyes are the size of plates.

After saying our good-byes, when we were safely out of ear shot (save Callan's protests) he said... "HOLY Cow. We've got to put the kibosh on that. He can't be kissing people. No more kissing. Couldn't you have said he was going to bite him instead of kiss him?" This makes me laugh every time I think about it. Better for your 14 month old to be a biter than a kisser. OOOOOOOOOOh what we all have to learn!!!!

It's All Natural

It occurred to me while setting up for one of the classic baby poses (shampoo styled mohawk) that because of Callan's hair's tendency to stick up instead of lay down, a more humorous pose would perhaps be of him with a news-caster do. Parted on the side and neatly combed over. The mohawk isn't particularly shocking or unimaginable. I mean, he rocks it, obviously. I'm just saying?

Centiblog!

Woo hoo! This is my 100th blog post. Wow.

I feel like there should be fireworks or something. I think TV shows get cakes for their milestone eps? Hey, any occasion is a cake occasion, peeps.

In honor of my 100th blog, here are a hundred things I love about Callan/mommyhood after #1, no particular order!

1.Callan!

2. Development of Ma-Claw (lightening quick hand reflexes and you can carry approx 500 pounds in one hand)

3. Callan learning to say UH OH!

4. Ma Ma Ma ma. Sweetest sound ever!

5. Love pats from my baby.

6. Blowing raspberries.

7. Smelling feet makes Callan laugh.

(this is the "stinkers!" face for smelly feet or poopy pants)

8. seeing how communication develops even w/out words

9. watching him sleep

10. bathtime!

11. Jammies.

12. Callan asks for "crabby pincers" by pointing to a picture in a book of a crab and imitating the pincers...which means, tickle me!!!!

13. The way new words come out...with so much effort and meaning.

14. Seeing my parents as grandparents.

15. What a wonderful Dad Eric is.

16. Realizing it is time to be a role model. Do as I say not as I do probably won't cut it.

17. Chocolate or poop moment from Baby Mama. Totally plausible.

18. vrrrrrrrrm. Callan's truck sound.

19. DAw! (Dog)

20. I'm gonna getchyou! followed by squeals of delight

21. Chasing a shrieking streaking baby

22. Practicing waving

23. with enough determination, i can be climbed.

24. sharing a laugh!

25. seeing Callan's memory develop. he's a sharp one!

26. watching Callan get SO excited to see NiNi!

27. Callan learning to say PaPa

28. Vegas learning to love Callan

29. Callan learning to feed Vegas (perhaps 28 is related?)

30. when a cuddle stops the tears

31. finally learning how to stock a diaper bag!

32. never giving Callan formula

33. surviving extreme sleep deprivation

34. imitation

35. learning to make more realistic animal noises

36. watching Callan enjoy meeting other kids

37. Callan getting puppy kisses

38. Callan giving kisses

39. seeing those little tiny baby teeth

40. the bleary eyed first smile of the morning

41. holding a sleeping baby

42. seeing Callan learn what foods he likes and dislikes.

43. discovering that ketchup makes anything edible (see 42)

44. seeing our siblings as aunts and uncles

45. how much our families love Callan!!

46. loving someone truly more than anything else or one on the planet

47. dancing to any song

48. if you are happy and you know it....CLAP your hands!

49. little feet stomping.

50. baby sign language

51. bre. bre. (umbrella)

52. learning something new every day

53. becoming immune to spit up

54. the value and importance of Tide-To-Go (see 53)

55. GG loving Callan!

56. Ang sending Chicago sports outfits to her favorite nephew. (whoops. cat out of bag.)

57. Watching my brothers try to trick Callan/play pesky Uncle.

58. My Dad's smile when he watches Callan

59. seeing the wheels turn!

60. trying to imagine tomorrow's wonders let alone next week, next month, next year

61. hearing little running footsteps when you come in the door from work

62. eating crayons

63. trying to stomach yogurt because Callan fed it to me. yuck. I will have to draw the line at mayo.

64. Callan waves and waves and waves at everyone, even when they don't wave back. Persistence!

65. pots and pans are magical

66. there is no sitting. no sitting.

67. reading books to Callan

68. seeing a little bit of nature vs nurture. boys are boys are boys!

69. Callan learning to take his shoes off and on

70. Callan trying on Eric's shoes

71. Seeing him reach up to open doors

72. the waddle of a full diaper

73. Callan's first Halloween costume. Awww!

74. Unbelievable how much Callan has changed in a month. And year ago is hardly recognizable!

75. How important being Callan's mom makes me feel!

76. learning that EVERYTHING goes in the mouth

77. seeing how many restrictions we put on people that are against our natural instincts. like taking what we want and sharing.

78. Callan learning to pet Veggie GENTLY.

79. His obsession with lawn mowers.

80. Ha Ha ha. Callan's imitation of The Count

81. Not realizing how much Callan has grown until his pajamas won't fit any more

82. Buying size 7 shoes for a 14 month old.

83. Coming to terms with the idea that no one will EVER say...he's gonna be tall and thin like his mom. DNA.

84. Seeing a little bit of a curl in those wild blonde locks

85. Blue eyes!

86. remembering how interesting rocks are.

87. Callan calling a beer "DaDa"

88. A baby laugh after a burp

89. a deliberate head nod. yes. yes. yes

90. that it takes a few times to remember that eating sand is not a great plan

91. that i have the ability to carry snacks in my purse without actually consuming them.

92. pictures are always worth waiting for!

93. short hair

94. learning that I sometimes need to wear flats. and may someday even prefer them.

95. being able to exchange knowing looks with Eric about exactly how wonderful and amazing we both find Callan to be.

96. being in the mom club. you can talk to perfect strangers about their boobs, clothing stains, advice, diaper preferences, anything you want and they get it.

97. pride

98. realizing that Callan wont' remember the memories we are making, but will remember the stories we tell him about the memories.

99. seeing that baby face as my desktop on my computer makes me smile every single day.

100. being a mom. best kept secret ever.

Bottlestar Galactica

Callan said "Bottle" tonight! Another new word! Next: Supercalifragilisticexpialidicious.

Well. Maybe not yet. But soon I'm sure!

Also, before I get into this may I say that Callan, and his actions and sometimes his toys throw me into Jack Handy Land (remember from Saturday Night Live--and now,Deep Thoughts with Jack Handy...) well we were playing with his letter blocks the other day and I was totally caught up trying to figure out the longest word you could spell with the blocks. So, the longest word without repeating any letters. Sadly, my atrophied brain could come up with max 7 letters..uniform. Jeopardy champ I am not. But it was seriously getting on my nerves...I knew there had to be longer, better words..but what?! Thank God for Google! Google says it is: ambidextrously. Phew.

Anyway! Our little man is a whirl these days! He loves to go, go, go! Don't try and bother him with clothes or diapers or shoes. Those slow him down! (not enough!) He doesn't seem to have time to eat these days. Our meals have gone from 30 minute events to a 5 minute wrestling match. Usually ending with him partially dressed and using a food as a hairstyling product. He is learning so much! He can easily follow two step directions: Callan, put down Vegie's leash and come help me with the laundry. Callan, take this beer to your dad and change the channel back to golf. Kidding.

We've just been having too dang much fun lately! Which leaves me with no time to post! I'm sorry!!!! Here are some pictures, courtesy of my new fabulous birthday present!!!

Callan got Eric's shirt from his laundry basket and put it on himself. Guess who he got his fashion sense from?

Callan picking his first tomato!

Callan squashing his first tomato on the door.

Hide and go seek!

We had a super fun day at the zoo with Papa! Saw gorillas, polar bears, goats, children on leashes, chased a peahen, and had our first carousel and train ride.

That can really wear a guy out!