Before and After

I used to spend alot of time perusing decorating blogs, and one of the really common posts is a before/after post. The popular blogs "host" a before and after day usually about once a month, and other bloggers "link up" their before and after posts, such as a dresser makeover, or even a whole kitchen remodel. I happened on one such post a few weeks ago, and had a quick moment of feeling disappointed, because seriously the last time I did one of those projects was SO long ago. My before/after post would be quite different...
Life before Caleb, though it was only 9-ish months ago, is such a blur in some ways! I wonder often how I filled my time, and why I always felt so busy! Granted, I was working full instead of part time but still! I get about the same amount done in a day now, and yet most of my time is filled with chasing after/entertaining a very small, very fast, very cute little person. However,  I was glancing at some Christmas pictures from last year the other day, and noticed that there are definately some differences in some areas of our lifestyle. This was our living room a few weeks before the Bubs was born:

And the kitchen area:

And you know, it pretty much stayed that way. I have *ahem* a slight twinge of OCD, and so (though he's not as quick to admit it;) does Garrett. So it was never difficult for us to keep things pretty much picked up all the time. The day after my third nightshift every week, I would deep clean the house. All in one day. Every week. Seriously, I liked it that way--we both did! I used to groccery shop once every 2 weeks, get all that we needed, and if I thought of a random errand while I was out, I could meander over and finish that up. I could "plan" my meals pretty much when I wanted and eat in peace. And now, the living room "After":

and the kitchen area:

This was taken just now, just after a serious playtime, breakfast, and more playtime. And you know, it pretty much stays that way until bedtime. Its pointless to put away all his toys during nap, because his first order of buisness is to dump over his basket and start again when he wakes! So, this is how my OCD must live. Before Garrett gets home, I pick up somewhat, and then we pick up after Caleb goes to sleep...but then we start again the next day. There is NO WAY I can clean the whole house in one day anymore, so I do a little each day. Which, to some people means that a part of the house is clean every day...but to my OCD it means that the OTHER parts of the house are NOT clean most days. Now I carefully plan when I can rush out to the store between naps/feedings, leaving a messy house, coming back to a messy house, and more days than not, forgetting to eat either breakfast or lunch...alot of people told me that my life will forever be split into "before kids" and "after kids" and oh how right they were...

Oh but wait, I forgot one part of the "After" picture:

...and seriously that sweet face makes ALL the difference! Every mess, every sticky finger print on our nice tan couches, every task left undone because I had to stop and discipline, or just stop to play, is so, so totally worth it. And so, even though I wouldn't have a before/after project to contribute to a popular blogger's monthly party, because I haven't had time to do a real decorating project since December...I choose the "After", every time.

9 Months Old!

Wow! 9 Months!

STATS:
Length: Still 29in...nearing more the 60-70th percentile
Weight: 17lbs 14oz...still on the 10th percentile curve that he hit around 5 months. According to his pediatrician, its common for babies to dip on the curve at about 9 months and stay low til about a year, because of increased activity. Our little mover, however, dropped down at 5 months because thats when he started crawling!

New Skills:
* Standing!

Caleb can stand with no help for at least 10-15 seconds! I think it really would be longer, but really he's only ever STILL for that long! Then he wants to go get something or see something, so he drops down to crawl. He is rediculously fast at crawling now, so I think his first step will be a totally inadvertant thing -- he won't take a step towards something or someone because he wants to GET there...if he did he would just crawl (if that makes sense!).

* New Sounds:

Baba, motor boat sound (which he uses when he pushes toys around like a car, but we're not sure if he means to make that sound for that reason), Nana (this either means "no" or "food/banana" because he uses it when he doesnt want to sleep or when he wants food NOW), Mama, Dada (still not specifying Garrett or I, though he says "Mama" most often when he's sad....not sure if thats sweet or sad).

* New Name: Houdini

(yes he got in there himself...)

Two examples:
1. One night when I was working Garrett found Caleb on the other side of the "child proof" gate...seriously. When he found him, Caleb just grinned up at him and then went into turbo mode, trying to scramble up the stairs before Garrett could grab him -- totally knew he wasn't supposed to be there! I was inclined to think it was left open by mistake until a few days later (see example 2;). We think that he was holding onto the bars and bouncing and just "bounced" the gate up and open-- crazy.

2. Just a few days later Caleb was in his bouncer just outside the bathroom while I was taking a shower (up til now this has been HOW I've been able to shower, since during his 40 min naps I have a meeellion other things I want to get done). I heard him make a frustrated noise and drop his toy. Then, about 30 seconds later I heard the pitter pat of little hands on the tile and a sweet, smiley, mischevious face peeked around the door...I almost screamed out loud! I still cannot figure out how he got out! The bouncer was upright still. I put him back in to see if he would do it again, but nope. I am thanking God that he did not break his little neck!!

*Imitating!
Caleb is just starting to imitate --which is SO fun! Garrett taught him to clap one day, and now he does it all the time! He looooves "patty-cake"

* 2 more teeth!
Yay! He won't have to be Daracula for Halloween! (just kidding) Caleb's top middle teeth finally came in:)

Well, we are 2/3 of the way to a YEAR old...seriously I can't believe it. In some ways I am very ready for Caleb to hit the 1 year mark. Mainly, I am ready to be done with the nursing thing.  I am ready to be able to sleep in (really, just once!) for the first time since before he was born, I am ready to be able to go overnight somewhere with Garrett, or even out to dinner without having to think about pumping and all that fun stuff (not to mention pumping at work - no fun!) Totally don't regret doing it and, Lord willing, I will nurse all of our kids. However, there were (and still are) times that I have to go over and over the medical and financial benefits of nursing in my head, just to convince myself I did the right thing:)

BUT, Caleb is growing and changing at warp speed, and sometimes I really wish I had a "slow down" button! Part of me can't wait to hear him put words together, but the other part knows I will miss his sweet babbling. Part of me can't wait to see him take his first steps, but the other part wants to hold on to the cute, crawling, scrambling baby! I think right now I will go hug the sweet face that just woke up and, for now, enjoy the moment:)

Look Who's 8 Months!

Ok every month I PLAN on writing more often then just the monthly post annnd every month I forget -- sorry! The Bubster is now...

...8 MONTHS OLD! I can't even believe it, it is going by so fast. Going to have to start thinking about birthday party ideas...oh wait, who am I kidding? Already been thinking of ideas:) Well, here are Caleb's 8 month Stats:
Length: 29inches!
Weight: 17lbs 2oz
 

New Skills:
1 -- "Cruising"

this boy just loves to be vertical! He is getting really good at moving from furniture to furniture and is so loving it. He is also able to stand alone for a good few seconds when he lets go, before he drops...he is so going to be walking soon...   

He is also very in to "climbing" -- he is really all boy!

2 -- 4 teeth!
Yep, in just the last month he's sprouted 4 chompers! His two bottom middle teeth were the first:

And just about a week later I noticed his top two -- I think they're called his lateral incisors? Unfortunately they came BEFORE the top middle ones, so unless his sprouts those in the next month or so, Garrett says we will be dressing him as Daracula for Halloween...just kidding, just kidding. Actually, he comes by it naturally -- those were Garrett's first teeth!

He is still very much enjoying his solids...

...very impatient to start eating!!

3 -- More chatting

Little Caleb is very verbal...though he still doesn't know WHAT he's saying, he pretty much babbles constantly. Eventually he will figure out which one of us is "mama" and which is "dada"...right?...


This month we had some professional pictures taken by a friend in Upland, Diedra Blosser. They turned out WONDERFUL! I just can't resist posting a few of our favorites:)

Caleb wasn't a super happy camper that day, plus he's not a big fan of evenings, but Diedra got some amazing shots! I seriously ordered pictures the DAY she said they were done and, yes, they are already on the wall:) Couldn't help myself!

Such a sweet smile:)
At the end of this month Caleb is going on his first road trip! We are meeting friends from Cedarville in Pennsylvania for Labor day weekend...6 hour car ride...oh goodness I shall start praying for patience now...

7 Months!

So I know I say this every time but this month went by SO FAST!

Here are the stats:
Weight: 16lbs 5oz -- what a good boy!
Height: 28 in -- it is definately possible he will pass me by at 5 years old.

Look what I can do now!:
1: Pulling up!

This is new as of this week! I think it may be due to a recent playdate with Miss Kherington Mae (Caleb's betrothed) who is 7 wks older and juuust a stage ahead. She is an expert at pulling up and Caleb was definately watching her and lookin' jealous!

She offered him her hand to play with...which he took and they smiled at each other, all cute and sweet...and then he tried to eat her hand (totally logical -- anything he is holding is fair game really)...

And apparently that was too forward of him!

She is wacking him on the head with my cell phone cover! He took it well.

He has crossed into that SUPER fun stage though where he wants to play with other babies-- I love how social our little boy is:)

2: Sitting to crawling

About to eat Daddy's prized possesion -- his scanner!

Really this is just that Caleb has gotten so much more comfortable with moving so that he can easily throw himself from sitting into the crawling position and take off! It is so much fun to see him learn:) He is also getting up on his hands and knees and rocking. I thought he might just pass the "true" crawling stage right by because he is so good at his army-crawl, but maybe not! He is really fast though -- my mom said we should tape a Swiffer pad to his tummy and he would clean the floors. It would work, too!

3: Chasing the dog!
Ok so this isnt really technically a "skill" but its just so cute I have to  share! Caleb is noticing his fluffy friend so much more lately -- much to Maya's concern:

We are starting to teach him"gentle" (though I'm skeptical as to whether its working) because he loves to pull poor Maya's tail and "drum" on her head. For all her hyperness she is a very longsuffering dog! We have constantly reassured her that she will LOVE Caleb one day when he can really play with her...

....and with Daddy's help, now he can!

We also took a vacation to Raccoon Lake this month, which was a blast! Caleb did so well, with only a very few meltdowns! He was a champion sleeper (at night at least), and handled the 100 degree weather...

 being fed in the backseat of the car, a boat ride...

and wacky schedule like a pro! He was clearly the center of attention:

We even visited the Mayberry Cafe in Danville, which was SO fun! Both Garrett and I grew up watching Andy Griffith so the little diner commemorating the show was near and dear to our hearts:)

They even had "Andy and Barney's" squad car parked out front!

Its a really good thing that Caleb doesn't know how much attention he gets by being the only grandchild on both sides! I knew it was bad when I dropped him off at the UCC nursery and the nursery worker (who I have never met) said "Oh, this is the Biehl grandson! I recognize him from his picture!". Great. And I am sure that when we go out to Washington in December we will get much the same responses-- when your name has been on a reader board across the country before you're 1 year old you know you're spolied special! How do you parent a national celebrity?! ;)

6 Months!

Well, I don't  know how it happened, but THIS:

turned into THIS:

like overnight! Ok, I know thats not really true but it sure feels like it! Little Mister is 6 months old!!!
STATS:
Length (when do you start calling it "height" -- when he's walking? Ok that will be soon...): 27.5in (95th percentile
Weight: 14lbs 13oz (10th percentile) --- soo still long and thin:)
New Skills (alot this month!):

1: Crawling...

...Like crazy! We always knew this little boy loved to move (since before he was actually born, let me tell you!) but now that he can army crawl he is just always on the move! Gone are the days of putting him on a blanket and expecting him to be there the next time you turn around. He is a very determined little boy too -- when he sets off on an adventure (say, to eat the TV remote, or to drool on the computer) he scoots FAST until he reaches his goal...never takes his eyes off the prize either - this kid is FOCUSED! Except if he suddenly realizes he wants some company:



"Want to come, Mom? Off to eat the remote now, should be fun!"

2: Babbling:

Yes, yes, he said "DaDa" first, but we are fairly certain he is just babbling  and doesn't actually know that Garrett is called "DaDa". However, I did buy Garrett a recordable picture frame for Father's day and recorded Caleb saying it for his desk at work:) And also -- he may not know how to SAY my name but how adorable is THIS:

Oh so sweet:)

3: Sitting!

Gettin good at sitting by himself, although he does fall over fairly often. He tries to fool you into thinking he's totally got it -- all steady and balanced...and then lunge forward onto his face. Many tears. Much comforting needed. The problem is that he doesn't WANT to sit -- I mean, why would he when he can move?! I had many friends tell me there is this lovely golden time around 6-7 months when my baby can sit by himself and will sit contentedly for a period of time just sweetly playing with the toys around him. Not so. In fact, Caleb is not super interested in the pretty, bright, fun toys that were bought for him. Actually his favorite toys are currently:
Aunt Megan's old, non-working cell phone, And the top of a spatula from Grandma's house that he just loves on his gums:

Seriously, I think I should market this thing -- he loves it because it is easy to hold and chew at the same time. Although, I would add some kind of wristlet or something because it is also very easy to drop.

4: Solids-- yay!
Actually, we started rice ceareal a few weeks ago:

He has come to love it:
And we started sweet potatoes at 6 months -- wasn't so sure at first:

But now he is in love with the orangey goodness! And I am in love with my 'Magic Baby Bullet'!

This thing was a gift from my wonderful mother in law and makes it OH so easy to make Caleb's baby food:) I plan on making all his food if I can -- even try making the rice cereal (maybe). I am not really a believer in "organic" food or any of that, but I AM a believer in saving about $50 a month which is what baby food jars are estimated to cost. Seriously?! Somone is laughing about that for sure.

Well, we were hoping that starting solids would help our little Bubster sleep better, especially during the day...hasn't happened yet but hopefully...he still wakes once in the night to eat, and he stil naps in these little 30-40 min spurts. Despite that, Caleb is pretty much happy all the time:

See? What a sweet smile! He just can't really stand to miss out on the action -- can you blame him?
Here's hoping the next 6 months don't go quite so fast...but I hear that it just gets faster...