Bottoms Up!

OMG! We have a six month old baby!!!!!!!!!!! Callan celebrated his six month birthday on Friday! I can not believe how fast the time has gone! Our little man is getting so big---height and weight to be confirmed on Monday during our Dr. appt---but I am going on record to enter my guess at 23 lbs and 30 inches. (If I am right, obviously, I have found my calling and can begin my new career as a carny.)

Callan got to spend his half-birthday with Grandma Char! He was able to raise a little toast to himself with his new sippy cup! He likes to bang it on his high chair and chew on it. Drink from it? Not so much!!!

Actually, I had a pair of birthday boys on my hands this week! Monday was Eric's birthday! My parents came over to watch Callan so we could go out to dinner. We had a great time---and so did Callan! I am certain the Indiana Jones hat is not indicative of the adventures that Callan had while we were gone, but it sure is cute!

I Left My Heart for San Francisco

Boo hoo hoo. This week I suffered through my first trip away from home. What misery!!!! Two years ago at this time I would have spent the weekend prior visit San Fran since I have never been, maybe venturing up to Napa...this week I was counting the hours I would be away from home and trying anything I could to shave a minute or two off my trip. What heartbreak to leave that little boy! It sure does give me a great appreciation for parents who have to go on trips that last longer than 68 hours.

Also, I am a bit of a high maintenance traveler. While gone are my days of multiple outfits for each day (unless they are for Callan) replacing that space in my luggage was my breast pump. OH, pumping in the airport is a special joy of its own. I think airports are filthy places when I am fully clothed...let alone selectively clothed and preparing a future meal for my baby. When I first arrived for my layover, I had a grand plan of how I could discretely manage pumping. These hopes were dashed when I learned the only bathroom outlets were in the mirrors above the sinks! I was dying thinking about that. Greetings ladies, Welcome to Las Vegas! I doubt that was the kind of Las Vegas style topless revue people had in mind!!! Luckily I discovered a hidden airport gem---the companion bathroom!!!! A single stall private bathroom! It felt like a spa compared to staring down that row of 30 sinks! So, one more badge to add to my new mom sash--Express Milk.

Of course, Callan and Eric got along just fine with out me. Eric even performed a daring feat of solo-baby-bathing. Impressive, no? One of the only things that made being away from Callan even remotely bearable was that I had these great pictures to look at! Auntie Angie got some great pictures of Callan smiling last weekend...and I must have looked at them about 400 times a day.

There is no place like home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gobble Gobble Goo and Gobble Gobble Gickel

We celebrated Callan's first Thanksgiving in our usual style! A costumed reenactment of the Pilgrim's first harvest meal after their journey on the Mayflower. Or maybe we just went to my

parent's house for a delicious meal and a legitimate seeming reason to have a glass of wine before noon. Either way---lots of fun!

Angie and Joe were able to come home from Chicago, and GG came down from Hastings to spend the day with us before traveling to greatgrandchildpalooza in MN...where she got to see the rest of her great grand kids. Grant and Johanna came over after lunch at her folks'. We missed Ethan and Liza but will look forward to getting to see them at Christmas!

This Thanksgiving, maybe more than ever, I feel so thankful. The kind of thankful that wells your eyes and makes it hard to swallow. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be Callan's mom. Watching him in his carseat as we drove to my parents house I was reflecting on how much had happened in the last year---how 12 months can seem so amazingly long and short at the same time. At this time last year, Eric and I had just moved into our house...and I was spending every spare moment either sleeping or bemoaning my never ending morning sickness. And now, a year later we have this amazing little man, who absolutely lights up my entire life and has made me look at everything and everyone differently. I am truly so thankful, so amazed at what I get to learn and what Callan teaches me every day. And my gratitude is so deep for our wonderful families, who love us and help us in countless ways. We love and are loved--we are rich beyond measure.

I hope you all had wonderful Thanksgivings! Thank you for reading this and keeping up on our little man. We are very glad to have you to share with.

Much love,

Callan, Eric, Vegas & Joslynn

Suck On It

Callan hasn't ever been much for a binki. Sure, there have been times here and there where he has enjoyed the occasional paci, but not a regular thing by any means. So when my Mom discovered that he might enjoy using the binki as his teether--it was pretty amusing. He kind of gnaws on it and it squeaks. He also is getting very good at hand-mouth coordination--he can even put his own binki in his mouth! And he also tried to give Vegas a go at it, but there was parental intervention.

It's not easy eatin' green...

Last weekend while Eric was out cheering the Huskers on to victory, my parents and Grant and Johanna came over to eat dinner with us. Callan was thrilled with the audience...and was particularly happy when Grant and Johanna arrived in time to distract me from 'helping' him try a new food---green beans. As you might imagine, they didn't go over well. I didn't expect that they would, but I had a game plan. I figured if I tried the green beans with bananas, it might make the bananas seem better tasting. Let's just say I underestimated my son. Not only did he hate the green beans and continued hating the bananas, he developed a new skill, which is the side-spoon-sip. He now buttons up his little lips and sucks in just a little taste from the spoon. If it is something he likes...say applesauce and sweet potatoes, well then he just opens that little mouth as wide as can be and life is good. If it is something not on our 'approved' list--that little mouth stays zipped shut.

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After recovering from his near poisoning, Callan requested a new dinner and I obliged---going the pear and squash route---much to his delight. We had a great night with my folks and Grant and Jo. It's so fun to see Callan watch everyone, he is definitely a little observer. It is especially wonderful to see him recognize people. He knows my mom by her name now--when you tell him 'Grandma' is coming--he seems to know just what that means; lots of love and cuddles and good times await!

Sittin' Pretty

Guess who's trying out their sitting skills? Preparing for all of those hours spent in school desks and on the couch and in the car---a lifetime of future sitting all built on a foundation formed in the next few weeks. Oh, what mountains to climb! Well, if practice makes perfect, we are on the road to the sitting hall of fame. Callan is trying to sit up all the time--when he is supposed to be getting buckled into his car seat, or his bouncer, or his swing... and then of course while playing or sitting in some one's lap. He is just so dang strong! Here's a little time lapse photography of one of our sessions this week. The good news is we have definitely improved since our days at the pumpkin patch---we probably had a good 15-20 seconds during this photo shoot as opposed to the 1.5 seconds in the pumpkin patch debacle!

Let Me Get Them Digits

Callan has officially discovered his feet as he can now get them into his mouth! Hmm. Foot in mouth....like mother, like son I guess!

Where Stuffed Animals Go to Die

It's really unfortunate that Callan's favorite teething vice seems to be stuffed animals. Someone else in our house really loves stuffed animals too. Loves them so much he just can't seem to help himself....

These are our latest casualties of the crime wave. I think we are on about 8 'kills' and 5 or 6 severe maimings. Rest in peace Froggie, Cuddle Bear and Rock Lobster...you'll be missed, but please know you were delicous.

A Night at the Museum

Callan had his first visit to the Children's Museum this weekend! He got to go with all of his cousins to check out the new dinosaur exhibit. As expected, the dinosaurs, even the animatronic ones, were not nearly as interesting as watching all the kids! Callan had so much fun watching everyone that by the time he remembered he was overdue for a snack and a nap, we were in the absolute loudest part of the museum. No bother to him--despite the sirens wailing, the kids jumping on huge tin pistons, and the screaming---he feel soundly asleep. It was great fun to be with all of Eric's nieces and nephews!

The next day we went to Wahoo to celebrate Eric's grandma's 93rd Birthday. Callan was pleased to see the guest of honor, but especially pleased to see his first mylar balloon. I believe his father was slightly concerned by the character on the balloon and whether Callan's interest was in the balloon or the doll on the balloon, especially when his nieces starting teasing him--but he very convincingly pretended not to notice.

We had many other birthdays to celebrate in the last week...

First, Amanda! Happy Birthday! We hope that you had a great day celebrating with Hannah and Justin, and that you were able to find a suitable restaurant in Boone. Ok. How about just a restaurant w/o a drive through. Ok. Hope you were able to find a restaurant in Boone. Miss you!

Up next, Johanna! Johanna was hanging' tough celebrating her birthday all weekend!!! In fact, even though I said, please don't go girl---she capped it off with a very special event----the New Kids on the Block Reunion Concert. So sorry I missed it. They've got the right stuff, I'll be loving them forever. Happy Birthday Johanna!

Our third birthday of the week is Liza! We hope you had a great party and were able to enjoy some downtime relaxing with Ethan and Baxter! Looking forward to seeing you at Christmas!

Our last Birthday of the week---KIMMY! Happy Birthday--hope it is filled with all the things you love. Like beer, crab legs, beer, line dancing, beer and for dessert, beer.

Kris Kross Will Make Ya...

JUMP! JUMP! (Backwards jersey anyone? Yeah '92!)

OH, we started trying out our jumping skills a few weeks ago. We used our training wheels (parents, grandparents) to get the feel of it at first...(sorry about the camera angle...and the bad lighting---our production budget is limited.)


And then we moved on to the big time. Callan is loving his jumperoo at the moment. As he gets closer to it his little legs just start pumping away---he knows just what to do in there!

Run (to the) Forrest, Run

We have been having such beautiful weather, we wanted to get Callan out to enjoy it, so we took a trip to Fontanelle Forrest. For those of you who know me, you can see the love pouring out in those words...I, Joslynn, WANTED to go out and be in nature. Wow, babies really do change you! We had a terrific day. We'll look forward to going back when Callan can explore a little more.

Sorry, Huskers! Or Sorry Huskers!

Eric asked me for help dressing Callan on Saturday. Which I soon learned only meant physically dressing him, as I listened to Eric explain to Callan that we don't have a choice what we wear on game day, we live in Nebraska, we wear Husker clothes. And so it was...

But I guess it wasn't enough spirit to save our poor Huskers! It wasn't for lack of trying on our part! Eric's family came over for a pre-game dinner. His folks and sister Gwynne and his nieces Christine and Stephanie were all able to join us. Callan had a great time playing with everyone!

It's a Dirty Job, but Somebody's Got To Do It

We had a great Halloween! We went to visit Grandpa Mike at work, Grandma Char and our family friends Jolene & Arlene. Callan had a great time being out and about and meeting new people! He was quite a trooper! He even permitted me to put him in his puppy costume twice! What a patient little guy he is!

While we were at QLI, we needed a quick change... and just as we were headed the floor, my Dad offered up his desk---what a loving Grandpa! And especially memorable for Callan as he could see Grandpa, and gaze at my kindergarten, junior and senior pictures...I'm surprised he wasn't scared seeing hair that big. Also, I wonder if it might be time for my Dad to update his desk photos?!?

Stop, Chomp and Roll

WE HAVE TEETH!!!!!!!!!! OK, tooth. How fitting that our first tooth shows itself the day before our Halloween...the favorite holiday of tooth decay. We tried very hard to get a picture of our new little sharpie, but only succeeded in temporarily blinding Callan with the flash, and getting pictures of my fingers and his tongue covering his tooth. I included those anyway, just to show our efforts!

In other firsts, Callan started to roll over! He's not particularly fond of it, it is by no means a transportation mode just yet...but he can flip from stomach to back and is dangerously close from back to stomach. This was also way to challenging for my poor photographic skills...also I decided it isn't a good idea to leave a rolling baby alone while I go get my camera. I think Callan's days of staying where we put him are numbered. In fact we are down to hours I think.... We are on the move. LOOK out!

The Pokey (dotted) Little Puppy

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I want to preface this entry with a pat on the back for myself. For Callan's first Halloween, I was able to limit myself to buying just one costume!!!!!!!!! Which is about 5 less than I wanted. I mean seriously---putting the world's cutest baby in a super cute Halloween costume, it's exponentially cute. It's just simple math. I compensated for my purchase urges by putting Callan in his costume as often as possible, and by dressing up Vegas. Here are a few pictures of Callan---a few from his 3 month photo shoot, and a few with his puppy, who is dressed as a baby (although his diapers are hard to see in these pics.) They make a rather dashing pair! It sounds like the weather on Friday may be nice enough to allow us to actually Treat or Treat! I've been practicing with Callan---I ring the doorbell and give myself candy. I imagine we'll have to renegotiate the split next year, but for now we've agreed on baby/mom= 0/100.

Hope everyone has a great Halloween!

Lots of love!

Callan, Vegas, Eric & Joslynn

These are Bananas? B-A-N-A-N-A-S?

Our food journey continues! Callan is very much enjoying solid foods---he seems to prefer them to his previous all liquid diet. He loved applesauce, butternut squash, peaches and pears. Noticeably absent from the list is bananas. I tortured the poor guy with them for three days...thinking he might acquire a taste for them, but he just doesn't like them. Having a food nemesis myself (aurgh, how I hate you mayonnaise!) I can't help but wonder if I seeing a lifelong distaste or a passing disinterest...we'll try mixing them in w/a few other fruits to see if they become more tolerable. The good news about it was that I saw a volume miracle--two ounces of food in a small bowl can completely shellac a baby. He spit out so much fruit I think that he somehow multiplied it in his mouth. I wasn't able to capture the banana rejection on video, but in other fruit related news, here is Callan displaying his talent for raspberry blowing.

Hair today, gone tomorrow

Our boy is ever changing! Along with his tremendous growth, he also has a lot of folicular changes. Most of his 'baby' hair has fallen out and had gradually been replaced by our 'big boy' hair. The last hold out appears to be his 'mohawk' which is quite a shape changer. My personal fav is when it styles itself into a little curl Whohawk ala Whos (as in the Whos from Whoville).

What's up, Cuz?

Callan got a special treat on Friday--dinner with his cousins!!! We met Eric's folks, sister Gwynne and his nephews and youngest niece for pizza on Friday night. It was a perfect place---food, a little bit of noise and lots of entertainment. Grandpa gave Ryan, Luke and Rachael each a ziploc bag full of quarters and turned them loose in the retro arcade. Callan decided not to show off his killer PacMan skills and sat and people watched instead. He was so delighted to see that some of the kids from the restaurant followed us home! And thrilled beyond belief to see one of them follow him to his room! Little Miss Rachael was quite a hit---he couldn't take his eyes off of her. Rachael helped us with our bedtime routine and Callan wasn't a bit sleepy as long as she was around for entertainment. It was very sweet.

Inch by Inch

Callan was four months old on October 12! We celebrated the day with a blow-out shopping trip! We went shopping with my folks and my sister, and during our trip Callan had a blow-out diaper. It required a new outfit for him, and had I better packed the diaper bag, I could have used a change of clothes myself---lesson learned. Now that is a 'mother moment' not thinking a thing about finishing your shopping while you have a little bit of baby poop on your shirt and only a baby wipe to clean it up. If you carry the baby with just the right posture, no one is the wiser!

I absolutely cannot believe how fast the last four months have gone! Truly a blink of an eye. I feel like he gets bigger every day, and the pediatrician confirmed that last week! Callan is just over 27" tall and weighs about 17 lbs! He may have my eyes, but that is his dad's height and metabolism. (lucky boys!) At our appointment we got some very exciting news---we were given the go ahead for solid foods!!!! Eric's sister Gwynne stopped by just in time to witness our first spoon experience and act as photog for us. Callan wasn't nearly as interested as Vegas was! We ended up with more cereal on us than in us, but we have made progress in the last few days! Practice, practice, practice!!! My mom helped me make baby food this weekend and Callan seems to enjoy apple sauce---up next, butternut squash!

A Roll in the Hay

or

Our first injury

or

The Great Pumpkin Patch Pain

Actually, 'and' may be a more appropriate separator than 'or.' I know I have fallen behind in my posts...so here come a few to get us all caught up!

FIRST two weeks ago (Oct.12) Eric and I decided to celebrate the wonderful fall weather by taking Callan to a pumpkin patch. In theory, a fabulous idea, no? In practice, a pretty terrible one. The weather was beautiful--the pumpkin patch---not so much. We went to a smaller pumpkin patch instead of the most popular one. I can't remember if that is how the group of adventuring business men got off track in Deliverance...but it we probably should have just surveyed the 'patch' from the car and called it a day. First clue...large wooden structure which looked like a great climbing thing for kids was roped off w/yellow crime scene tape that said DANGER--BURIED ELECTRICAL LINE. Huh. Second clue, the first animal we took Callan to visit was a sweet little calf who had a terrible eye infection. At this point, I had both hands in the diaper bag digging for the Purell. Third clue, warning sign to pet animals at own risk---next to three little 'petting' areas. Seriously, this place was a wreck. But it was swarming with kids (and flies.) and I think Callan had a great time watching them all run around. It was definitely the most kids he has seen at any one time---I think he was pretty jealous of their freedom while he stayed strapped into the Dad-pack. Thinking I couldn't stand to miss a great photo opp of our sweet little pumpkin with a little pumpkin, Eric and I started to look for a place to take a few pictures. Low and behold, we found a great little place complete w/pumpkins, hay bales...the works. I was in charge of the camera and Eric was positioning Callan. Here are the two pictures in order...please note, photo one contains parental arm supporting baby. Photo two contains pumpkin supporting baby.

If there was a photo three it would be of me crying because Callan tipped over and scratched his face on the hay bale. I felt TERRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Callan recovered in about 30 seconds, I think I was scared permanently. I decided that over protective is definitely winning out in favor of under protective. Please ignore the bubble wrap that Callan will be wearing for the next 25 years. I'm sure it isn't as uncomfortable as it looks.

Love,

Jos

So Much to Say!

Callan was talking our ears off last night! He wanted to talk about the debate, what 'economic crisis' means, and when we thought he might be able to start eating cereal--you know, the big things. Here are a few of his thoughts on current events.

All in the Family

I think I can safely speak for Callan (and Eric) when I say what a fun weekend we had!!! Lots of family time and lots of new 'firsts!'

Callan loved getting to see Ethan and Liza and meeting his "cousin" Baxter. Baxter is about 5 months old and as cute as can be---Callan was the first baby that Baxter has met, and she was so sweet with him. Giving him lots of smells and tons of gentle kisses...I think both Callan and Baxter were equally curious about each other. Baxter is the first non-Vegas puppy that Callan has gotten to meet. I felt like you could kind of see him process...hmm. I've seen someone do those same things before--the licking, the smelling, the tail wagging....you look a little different than that guy...I wonder if you two know each other? Either that or maybe he was thinking, oh boy, here we go again!!!!

I think Eth was surprised at how big Callan has gotten. Heck, I'm surprised at how big Callan has gotten!!!! Callan was particularly fond of Liza's finger---on both Friday and Saturday he grabbed her by the pointer and wouldn't let go. Though literally he was wrapped around her finger, I'm not so sure it wasn't figuratively the other way around.

On Saturday we went out to enjoy the beautiful fall weather and take in one of the last Farmer's Markets of the season. It was a great morning! Uncle Grant bought us breakfast at the Upstream and while we all were sitting outside Callan got to see his first fire truck and got a wave from one of the firemen. He was happy to be outside and was loving the people watching (he was not alone on that front)...we had to cover his eyes while he witnessed his first act of parking-spot-stealing rage and then saw his first bird (and not the kind with feathers). It was a fun and eventful morning! Callan was so tired he fell right asleep on our way home, and knowing how badly he needed a nap I wanted him to keep sleeping, so we drove until he woke up....almost two hours later. Had I known how sleepy he was, we could have driven to Hastings to visit my Grandma! He definitely needed the rest as we had another big night of company with Eric's parents and his sister Gwynne coming over for dinner. We wrapped up the weekend w/dinner at my parents to say good-bye to the New Yorkers. Grant and Johanna were there and it is always fun to see them--they are both so busy--I never know how they have so much energy! Pretty impressive!

Not only is Callan growing so much, he is learning so much! Mostly through his sense of taste---everything he can get a hold of goes into his mouth! It won't be long and we are going to have to get a little more serious about baby proofing around here. My mom said that he was grabbing his toes this morning, and sure enough he showed me exactly how this evening. Won't be long until those make it to his mouth too! And, my Mom also backed up a claim Eric and I made this weekend---Callan waves!!!! If you call to him from across the room he will wave at you---not an open/close hand wave but a whole arm wave. Then again, he is moving all the time, so perhaps it is just repeated coincidence, but I prefer to imagine on the side of amazing advancement/potential genius.

XXX,

Jos