International Man of Mystery

"Hola Guapo!" was the official and most common greeting during our trip to Mexico. Apparently, Callan's appeal is international. I had no doubt.

We had a seriously wonderful trip! Callan is perfect, and he behaved perfectly---no airplane crying, no tantrums, just wonderful wonderfulness. Can you even stand it? He was awesome (and as noted in previous paragraph) practically too cute for words.

Every day with my little Mister feels like heaven, but it was a wonderful treat to also wake up in paradise! Yay Eric for winning a wonderful vacation for us! We could get used to this kind of thing!!! ; )

Callan just enjoyed everything! He loved the water and watching the other kids. He also was very pleased to learn that on vacation, there are on no food rules. You aren't forced to eat your vegetables and meat isn't snuck into your mouth sandwiched between banana slices. He was able to pretty much eat only fruit, yogurt, cheese and cheerios for five straight days. We have already begun the veggie revolt now that we are back home!

Our first trip taught us, or tried to teach us a lot of things:

1..You can't change yourself too much. The universe won't let you.

I have spent WEEKS preparing for this trip. I had spreadsheets of check lists, due dates---I mean I was seriously working against type to make sure we had everything we needed. I even shipped freakin' boxes to myself ahead of time full of all the things I knew we would need. Infant sunglasses that are 100% UVa & UVb, pool float w/shade, sunscreen, deet free bug spray, antibacterial wipes, creams, lotion, shampoo, canned organic fruit, cereal...I think I would have made Martha Stewart proud...I mean I was ready. Or so I thought. Apparently my research on international shipping was a little lacking. 2 of my 3 boxes were held (and are currently in captivity) in Mexican Customs in MexCity. BOOO. I was frantic last Monday trying to track the boxes and then giving up and working to replace everything that was in the boxes to pack and bring with us. Phew. Crisis averted. Lesson: I did twice the work to try and be something I'm not (organized) than I would have done if I would have just waited until the last minute in the first place. OH well!

2. Giving Birth is a Right of Package.
This being our first family trip since Callan was born, I discovered an ascribed role I was previously unaware of: Family Packer. I assumed I would be in charge of packing up Callan. I know Eric would have done it, but I just didn't want Callan to have one t shirt and one pair of sweatpants as his only clothes for the trip. So that one, I was ready for. What I was not ready for was that I also had to pack Eric (who was having a little what to wear in a tropical paradise while working clothing crisis) and pack Vegas up to go to the Kennel. In addition to packing myself. Luckily, we got everything in, and I didn't even have to sit on a single suitcase!

3. Haircuts before vacation = Bad idea!
Or maybe that should be, letting your mom cut your hair is a bad idea. Callan, are you reading this? Callan's hair is growing like crazy! And as you may have noticed, it has a mind of it's own. So we figured it was time for a trim. Well I got started and thought I had done a pretty fine job. Eric took one look at it and told me I hadn't taken enough off. I have been using the clippers so as to not cut Callan, but my greatest fear of cutting his hair (aside from actually cutting him) is to accidently give him a flat top. SOOOO against my better hair cutting judgement (despite the red hair incident of '03 I do have some better hair judgement sometimes) I took the clippers to the top of his little noggin. I almost started crying!!! IT WAS SOOOOOOOOOO short! Or it seemed like it. I had a moment of feeling like ok, maybe I could glue it back on. Or that Callan could wear a hat for the next month. Or I could just tell everyone he was terribly advanced and had cut his own hair. With pinking shears. But, luckily, the majority of the problem was just his bed-head. It wasn't nearly as bad as I had feared. And thank GOD it will not be the bad haircut that is forever memorialized in all of our vacation pictures. Seriously. I'm sure that will happen sometime....but not this time! Yay!

4. Eric is right. Sometimes. Or at least once.

But we were in a foreign country, so it could have just been the international waters throwing me off. Nothing interesting, just worth mentioning as I am sure I won't admit to it again and want to document this one occurrence.

5. Pina Coladas are the new water.

Seriously. Most delicious thing ever. They make the beach better and the beach makes them better. It is a ridiculously wonderful mutually beneficial relationship. Plus, they both make me happy. I believe Micheal Scott would call that a win-win-win.

6. McGruff did not say take a bite out of your mom. He said crime. Crime.

I ate dinner over a swarm of mosquitoes our first night there. So I had about 40 bug bites from my knees to my ankles. Those were annoying. But my nastiest bites were from my hungry or thirsty or teething son!!! Since we haven't had teeth yet in tank top weather, more often than not Callan, lets me know when he would like to belly up to the bar by giving my t shirt, or sweater, or sweat shirt a little nip. Well, apparently the warning nip still happens even without the protective clothing. So I have about 15 baby bites from shoulder to shoulder. And they are hanging around longer than those of the mosquitoes. The good news is---you can't get west nile from baby bites!

7. Swim "diapers" is kind of a misnomer.

OK. Swim diapers may keep solid waste out of the water---but they do not repel, hold or absorb pee. Which after thinking about it, of course they don't. That totally makes sense. But, we know how I like my experiential learning! The first time Callan got out of the pool and sat on my lap I thought, hmm. That's weird the water feels so warm now. Right. Water. I learned and relearned this lesson a few times a day while on our trip. A high chair and a few pool lounge chairs also learned this lesson. Whoops.

Even though we had the best time ever, we are glad to be home! And if the universal greeting in Mexico was "Hola Guapo" our most common greeting upon returning is "How are you feeling?"...all feeling perfectly well--thank you for asking! But not to worry, the momachondriac has been taking regular temps just to be sure. (Thank GOD for digital ear thermometers! The old fashioned way I would really, really have to think about that. Yuck!)

I wasn't sure how Callan would feel about being home. He was glad to see Vegas, thrilled to see his room and toys, and absolutely beside himself to see his Grandma Char and Grandpa Mike! I guess there is no place like home!


Love to all!

P.S. I am seriously delayed in my posting, and consequently, seriously delayed in my blog bday wish to my sister! Glad you had a great birthday Ang! We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend and cheering you on to victory in your first ever half marathon! Can't wait!

Beat It.

Callan's first Easter was so much fun! We spent Saturday with Eric's family in Wahoo. The weather was beautiful! Aunt Beth brought lots of eggs so Callan was able to enjoy his first egg hunt....he seemed to know just what to do! And when he lost interest his cousins were more than happy to pick up his slack. Callan loves to watch his cousins, especially Rachael! He was also especially thrilled that MoJo, Stephanie's teeny tiny Yorkie was there, he was lots of fun to watch run around. Lucky for MoJo Callan can't quite catch him just yet....

Now that Callan is eating 'table' food, these events present an interesting challenge for us. ME! I am learning that any special occasion that normally involves dessert or candy also involves people wanting to feed said dessert or candy to my baby. After spending the last ten months feeding Callan exclusively breast milk and making all of his baby food homemade so that it was completely organic with no pesticides or preservatives....you can understand that I might be a little resistant to this idea. This started early in the week when my dad sent me an email asking me if I would be letting Callan have Easter candy!?!?! (written "will you be letting Callan have a little candy on Easter?", meaning: "Do you intend to ruin one of the great pleasures of grandparenthood by refusing to allow me to give Callan one tiny little harmless piece of candy on a holiday that is all about candy?") ((ANSWER: NOOOOOOOOO CANDY! (sorry Dad!)) On Saturday I was diving between Callan and wrapped candy, blocking a well intentioned great grandmother trying to feed Callan pie, cake and, just for balance, a Hershey bar. I was succesful! But hours of being on sugar watch started to wear me down. By the time Sunday rolled around my resolve was weakening.

Sunday. Callan's first Easter basket was full of lots of fun stuff from The Bunny! An Elmo puppet, some bubbles, a new book and a little chicky. Callan loved the bubble container and Vegas loved and wanted to eat Elmo, the book and the little chicky, with a helping of Easter Basket for dessert. My parents, my grandma and Grant and Johanna came over to have Easter dinner with us. We had a great time! Callan was thrilled to see everyone and was almost immedeately tired from all of the attention! I too was starting to feel a little tired.

And by the time dessert was ready and I was whipping the cream for pies...I crumbled. I decided since it was just cream and an isty bit of sugar and vanilla, that it would be ok. Just a little taste. Well, of course, Callan was delighted. I had no idea the beater instinct was so strong. I think it is a Hon gene. But we are back on the bandwagon! If I keep this up, when we get to Mexico, Callan will arrive in a protective bubble and by the time we come home he'll be drinking a margarita at the airport. I have to get a hold of myself!!!! No more lines in the sand. No more sugar until the big birthday cake! I MEAN IT!

We were so glad to get to see Grandma Char and Grandpa Mike, GG, Uncle Grant and Aunt Jo, but we missed Angie, Joe, Ethan and Liza! Can't wait to see you all in June!!!!

P.S. We also missed wishing Aunt Beth a Happy Birthday! And an early Happy Birthday to Grandpa Roger!

No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service

As long as they don't require pants we should be in business!

The first of April brought April showers and Aunt Angie!!! Boo on the rain, YAY for the Auntie! Ang came to visit and volunteered to be the Grandma Char's Apprentice Sitter. Our union is pretty tough here, I don't know if she'll get her card soon, but the customer seemed pleased with her work. I think that she may have been slightly surprised to learn that for someone who is only a few weeks away from running a marathon---her endurance needs a little work! I think that she was shocked at how much energy Callan has and that 'watching' him is not nearly as passive an activity as it sounds! We got some great pictures while Ang was here---but of course they are not on my camera. Here's one that is... I can't remember for sure but I believe Ang was on diaper change duty immediately prior to this picture being taken. It is a testament to how great a communicator our little man is becoming...he was able to let her know, times up--we are getting up and getting moving now--pants or no pants!

We loved seeing Angie---but seems like it is never enough time!

Back That Thing Up

OK! We are so far behind on posts. (When implying guilt I duly imply there is more than one person to blame. Are you fooled?) But you've heard this before. I have promised improvement and failed to deliver. I think we can all agree that forgiveness is more likely than change...but lets hold out hope!

One important thing to catch up on...pictures! Just before the U.I.F.A. (unfortunate incident featuring the appendix), we got Callan's 9 month pics taken. Below are a few of them---they turned out AH-MAAAAAAAAAAZING! Behold!

Now is that a sweet baby, or what????

Give That Guy A Hand!

Or, let's hear it for the boy...

OK, I'm sure there is no actual correlation between Callan's motor skill development and my appendix, but let's just say that in the absence of the appendix, things around here are changing awfully quickly! And it seems like an awfully big coincidence!

Callan is no longer approaching, instead he has officially reached, the don't-turn-your-back-for-a-second stage. If you sit him down to play with his toys he will be inching, scooting, creeping, sliding and end up 40 feet from where you put him in approximately 1.2 seconds. It is amazing!

He has also learned to clap---which is timely so that he can clap for himself and all of his great new feats. Here's a video of the applause...

Callan has also started pointing to let you know what he wants, what direction he would like to go in and who he would like to see---NOW. (I think that those are all the skills you need to work in an office? He is so advanced!) That combined with a little 'eh-eh-eh' noise, and we catch on eventually. His pointing skills have also allowed him to be able to find new body parts---like nostrils. Both mine and his....and if I had to guess probably my mom's too. When he discovered I was trying to take a picture of him doing this, he decided to trick me a few hundred times. So here's our 'close enough, I'll remember what the picture was supposed to be of' picture.

It does seem as though there were some great things that came from my surgery (besides the obvious of not having an organ burst), Callan and I were spoiled to have my mom and dad come stay with us for a few nights while Eric was out of town. We had so much fun! (At least as much fun as is post operatively allowed and recommended.) Not ever leaving the fabulous big O I have been blessed to see my parents very regularly, but not typically for more than a few hours at a time. So it was fun to have a 'sleep over' and get to spend a lot of time with my Mom. To watch she and Callan together is truly a joy. I don't know who loves the other more---they are quite the pair! Here's some of the fun we had with Grandma Char! Of course Grandpa Mike was also in on the action---Callan even treated him to some vocalization that sounded remarkably like "Grandpa!" I don't think I am speaking out of turn to say that was the highlight of Dad's day!

The 'ol cardboard box race car---zoom zoom!

Callan's first flash light---out for the storm that gave us the hail pictured below. We had an impressive emergency kit gathered. Flash lights, radio, water, food for Callan and cookies for my mom and I, you know--just in case. Impressively, even after 30 minutes in the basement, all the cookies survived.

In other family excitement---congratulations to Eric! He has been studying for months for a certification---which he passed today! Hurray!!!! All of those Saturdays that Eric told me he was "studying" to get out of diaper duty really did pay off!

And, of course, we have a birthday wish for Uncle Ethan! Hope you have a great day tomorrow--we love and miss you and are looking forward to your visit in June!

Keep Me Hanging On...

How sweet is this little face?

Looking at a picture of that beautiful boy is all I have been able to do since Tuesday night! I can not wait to get my hands on him! Hopefully I will get to go home tonight and do some cuddling!

Go home tonight? What does that mean you ask? Well I'll tell ya---we've had an adventurous few days. Apparently my body was in such a state of shock over not being able to celebrate St. Patrick's day in a style to which it had previously become accustomed, it was angered and took that frustration out on my appendix. Woo hoo. Long story short, Tuesday night I brought myself to the ER with the sole purpose of putting my hypochondria to rest. Instead, score 1 for the hypo! I had an appendectomy on Wednesday morning. So I haven't gotten to squeeze that baby for almost 72 hours! Painful!

Callan is enjoying himself at home with Grandma and Dad. In an interesting twist of fate, he is now eating mostly table food and I am on pureed food. De-lish!

So a little bit about my fabulous hospital stay....

1. WHY do they call a room semi-private? It is note even remotely private, let alone semi. When all that is separating you from another person's post-surgical noises and issues is a very thin curtain...there is no privacy what so ever. I am just so thankful to know that I am only here for a short while. And that soon I will be able to sleep for more than 20 minutes at a time. Who knew this little trip would make some of Callan's sleeping habits seem so desirable?

2. Gowned and fabulous! Hospital gowns are just wonder filled garments. I couldn't wait to get some personal items on under mine, so I asked Eric to please bring me a toothbrush, clean underwear and a sports bra. Obviously, the sports bra is for all of the jogging I've been doing while here. On Tuesday night, about 3 am I asked my nurse to grab my clean undergarments. She produced what looked to be a slightly frightening wad which I feared to be tights. Whew. Not tights, bra stuck to underwear with the hair tie I had asked for. Relief. Temporary relief. When I unfurled the combo pack I discovered that Eric had picked out the correct bra (good) and a pair of SPANX! (For those of you unfamiliar with the miracle that is SPANX, they are a fabulously hard working pair of spandex underwear that will smooth you into your fav little black dress, etc. Part physics, part physical (contortions are required to get into a proper fitting pair). What they are not, is post surgical wear. Perhaps it was the morphine cloud, but I found this to be particularly hilarious!

3. Having been fortunate enough to not have required hospitalization for anything other than the birth of Callan I have learned that sick folks come in all shapes and size. My new next door neighbor is a gal suffering from dementia that calls down the hallway for people. People she sounds angry at. Particularly last night, someone named Audrey Silverberg was really getting on her nerves as she yelled for her/at her several times. At about 1, 3 and 4 a.m. Very restful. Damn you Audrey.

Once again, a HUGE thank you to my parents. With out their help I am not sure how we would have survived this week! I am a 30 something who this week alone has had my mom doing my laundry, cooking my food, and if I had to put money on it, probably cleaning my house. And I also get the idea that while I am typing this she may be doing my grocery shopping. Not to mention caring for my baby! What a lucky girl I am! What would I do with out my mom?

Two, Four, Niner, Five, Six...

Uh, did I catch a niner in there? Were you calling from a walkie-talkie?

Oh, thank you for the humor Tommy Boy!!!

And yes, we did catch a niner! Right in our house! I can't believe Callan is 9 months old already! The time has just gone by so, so fast!

Time flying by is also my lame excuse for lack of posts. So, in place of chatter, I give you pictures.

Callan and Rachael reading Callan's favorite Elmo book. Look at him with that pointer finger! A man who knows what he wants!

I was trying to take a funny picture of Callan with a coffee mug to make a coffee mug for my Grandma for her birthday. He looks like he could use a shot of joe in this pic. Needless to say, my efforts were fruitless---I started to worry about him waving the mug around and hurting himself. Sorry Grandma! Happy Birthday---hope it is the thought that counts!!! ; )

Callan showing Aunt Johanna how to eat a teething biscuit. This was his first one and it was more crumbly than sticky---so we are missing the follow up shots of cookie-plastered hair.

Love to all!

Jos

We Walk the Line

Callan's latest and greatest is walking! He is not quite steady enough to go it alone, but if there are a willing pair of hands (and an able back) available, he is most happy to strut around. He can go to a place you tell him (like the laundry room) or sometimes it is pretty funny to see where he will choose to explore. This morning it was his bathroom to see what the tub looks like with no water. Here's a quick video of his practice with Grandma Char. Obviously, Vegas is quite proud of Callan's accomplishments and wanted to show his excitement at the 'finish line'!

And this weekend I think we got a little sneak peek at Callan's sense of humor....he had quite a giggle fest with Eric. Callan belched and Eric imitated him, and every time he did Callan would laugh harder and harder. He was just about beside himself. I am pretty sure that finding burping that funny is a mark in the "He is ALL boy" category. Look out--I see whoopee cushions in our future.

Eat Your Heart Out

Callan's first Valentine's Day started out with breakfast. A light but hearty (pun intended) fare of the Hallmark variety. Everyone does love a Hallmark, and our boy is no exception! Cupid left Callan a book and a new picnic play set, but the card was definitely his favorite. Even though delicious, it was short lived and he did eventually give his picnic basket a whirl. He bypassed the stuffed sandwich, watermelon, and soda in favor of the stuffed ice cream cone. Seriously--is he his mother's son or what????

We also got to go to a belated Valentine's dinner at my parents. Callan had lots of fun getting to see Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Johanna and Uncle Grant! And Grandma Char was very pleased to learn that Callan could practice picnicing---her favorite!

A Moment in the Sun

First, the Wahoo Weporter (OK, I have no idea what it is called, but I thought that had a nice ring to it) and now, the Sandoval Sun. We are just making our way around the Newspaper Circuit. Callan got a 'shout out' in the Family newsletter. Hopefully all this publicity won't go to his head! But with a face like this, it is hard to keep the cameras away.

Crazy Eights

Today is Callan's 8 month birthday! I am hoping he'll celebrate with 8 hours of sleep! So far, I believe he has other plans....

He celebrated today by getting up EXTRA early and taking a nice long morning nap for Grandma Char. Then tonight we had a little giggle party--lots and lots of tickles! And we wore our new pajamas to bed---I got them out thinking they would still be too big. NOT so much! The bad news is I only have one 18 month sleeper, and now I feel like the 12mo are like a fleece unitard! I think there is a shopping excursion in our future!

Speaking of birthdays---we have a few to celebrate this week! Happy Birthday to Uncle Ron, Cousin Rachael and little Miss Hannah Grace!

Three and a half down, sixteen and a half to go..

Even though I thought that Callan had been teething for the last 4 months (since he got his first two teeth!) he's just really gotten down to business in the last week or so. My Mom called to report the appearance of his third tooth, and the fourth one isn't far behind! Instead of his top middle teeth, he is getting his 'fangs!' We might have a little jack o'latern smile on our hands in a few days!

Shaking Hands and Kissing Babies

Well, we are a bit from shaking hands yet--we've got a version of a 'five' down--'patty.' And now we can officially add 'kiss!' Callan loves to kiss the baby! And since the only baby around these parts is Callan, this is terrific news for anyone who owns stock in Windex. I think 'kiss' was an easy one for Callan to learn, as he gets a few million every day! Who could resist this guy?

Running in Circles

Why crawl if you could walk? Why walk if you could run? I have a feeling there is some serious independent movement awaiting us. While Callan has stuck to his decision not to crawl thus far, he is giving serious thought to the idea of running. Check out his activity station warm up. LOOK out!


You may also notice, that the table looks like it is airborne...or soon to be. Our sweet little baby is outgrowing EVERYTHING! Including his beloved jumperoo and swing---he has about two more pounds to go before he's reached their weight limit.

In other exciting news---we're expanding our food horizons! This week Callan tried a few delicious 'Cheerios!' He wasn't sure what to make of them at first, but after getting the hang of "chewing" them, he liked them so much he decided he couldn't get them in his mouth fast enough and that a better method would be to put his face on the tray of his highchair and pick them up with his mouth--avoiding the pesky tray to hand, hand to mouth transfer. What a little smarty. Then he decided to prove me wrong (I can hear you all thinking--won't be the last time, Jos) and enjoy some banana with his Grandma Char. I guess as long as it isn't mashed or pureed, he likes it just fine. How about that?

For all this forward momentum--we do have some 'slippage.' Poor Callan is NOT sleeping! We are back to an every two hour wake up pattern. I hope, hope, hope it is just a passing phase. Every night I lay him down thinking please, please, please, please.....tonight let's sleep for three hours. Or four hours. I don't get crazy. I don't wish for overnight, or six hours or anything nutty like that. But a few more than two consecutive would really be outstanding. It might even make me productive. Something I vaguely remember being at some point.

Granimals, We Need You!

OK. I try. I really, really try not to micro-momage Eric. (Which is like micro managing but much naggier.) He does so many wonderful things with and for Callan, that I know he can handle just about anything on his own. (Although upon writing this I am wondering why I get called to the scene whenever there is a poopy diaper?) And as with many things, Eric and I have our own ways of doing things. So I try not to nag and prod...do this, I do it like this, he likes this...etc. I try to take a deep breath and let things be.

But then Eric got Callan dressed the other morning..........

And I started to think it's OK to provide a little more direction. For the record, Eric is not color blind. Even though this outfit may look like evidence to the contrary. While my camera doesn't capture the true essence--this is black and red pants, paired with some high contrast white socks, and a navy blue, grey & orange shirt. For the record, even though it made me twitch, I did leave him in it...

Greener Pastures, Bigger Ponds

We have officially graduated to the big boy tub. Trying to bathe Callan in the infant tub was resulting in wet clothes, wet floors, and a mostly dry baby. Callan seems to love the bigger bath---lots of room for splashing and extra bonus--tub toys!

P.S. Nice work from the photography assistant on the duck placement. Teenage Callan will thank you.

Shave and a Haircut

or at least a haircut. Eric has pretty much been begging me to cut Callan's hair since Callan was 6 weeks old. I held off as long as possible....a few more weeks and I feared we'd be mimicking The Donald's comb over/around. Here are our before pics.....

and an after. I definitely need to get some hair scissors...poor Callan's first hair cut was with my trusty Fiskars (fabric scissors) but I maintain that they were a more appropriate choice than the clippers Eric wanted to use!!!!

Baby Bogan

One of Callan's favorite Christmas presents is his new sled! Of course, we haven't had an ounce of snow since our inaugural voyage----but I'm sure it won't be long! Vegas is going to try and pull Callan next time--we'll see if he has a future in the Ididarod.

Christmas Catch Up

OK! BAD BLOGGER! I guess I took a little blog-cation....but we're back in action now!
We had wonderful holidays! Eric and I were both able to take a few days off of work and enjoy lots of time with Callan, which was a treat! I think Callan missed seeing his Grandma Char everyday, and I think Grandma Char may have missed him a bit too!Callan was thrilled with Christmas! And by Christmas I mean the wrapping paper and all the new boxes there were to chew on! Eric and Callan worked out a system for gift opening which seemed to work well for them both.
Here are a few pictures from Christmas eve and Christmas Day.
Hope you all enjoyed wonderful holidays full of all the things that matter most!

Put A Sock In It!!!

Callan is working very hard on coaxing his top two teeth in. It's all he wants for Christmas.

So in what I believe is an effort to gnaw them on through...he puts EVERYTHING in his mouth. Anything he can reach. A special favorite is socks. We go through a few pairs a day as they seem to wind up soaking wet....