Family birthday for Eddie

We celebrated Eddie's big birthday with my family on Monday night.  It was gorgeous outside so we headed over to my parent's house and they had it all set up for the grandbabies to play!

They have a water table that they boys are determined to "swim" in.  They both saw it and were naked and in the thing in no time.  Cal thought it was too funny.  As soon as they were naked, it was hard to get them dressed again!

 Cal got out of the "pool" long enough to ride the scooter....

 And the boys enjoyed a snack together.......

 and then Cal was determined to wear his boots....but no clothes.  At least he's covering himself here... oh, and the boots are ALWAYS on the wrong feet.  This is another battle I am not going to fight-- he loves to put them on and always does it the same way!

 Eating a HUGE dinner!  He loves to feed himself :)

 The cousins singing Happy Birthday to Eddie.  I love Cal's face in this one-- just watching Jackson (who would blow out the candles for Eddie!).

 It was such a fun night and no one wanted to leave...

We are so blessed to have family nearby that all gets along and actually enjoys spending time together.

This week

Oh, what a week! 

In my last post, I wrote that Cal was feeling better, but was having an "issue" that I wasn't going to go into... well, that "issue" persisted for the next 3 days.  He had the fever and was really sick on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, I changed his diaper every 40 minutes (literally), and most of those times required a total outfit change as well.  It was TOUGH. I just felt so sorry for him.

Back up to Wednesday....

Eddie was leaving Thursday morning really early to head to Augusta for the weekend for the Masters.  He goes every year and was really excited to be going this year too. Before he left, we had to celebrate his birthday on Wednesday night!  I had big plans for errands on Tuesday, but with Cal being so sick, I was unable to leave the house to take care of ANYTHING.  On Wednesday, Cal just wanted to be held.  He didn't want anyone but me to hold him and he would scream if anyone else tried.  It made me feel good, but I was worn out by the end of the day!  My amazing mom came over during nap time so I could run out to pick up a few things to celebrate Eddie turning 30.  I felt like a horrible wife-- he was turning the big 3-0 and I hadn't done a thing (granted I was home with a kid who was SUPER sick, but still...).  As soon as she got here, I sprinted out the door and picked up a cookie cake from the mall, some balloons from Party City, and BBQ for dinner from his favorite restaurant (I had intended on cooking a big meal, but with Cal being the way he was, that wasn't happening).  I flew home and tied some balloons to the mailbox and to the stair post and finished decorating.  Cal woke up and was, of course, a huge mess.  My sweet mom was there to help with clean up, since Cal wouldn't even go to her (a true rarity). 

Thursday and Friday I raced around running errands for the new house-- finalizing carpeting, picking out paint, ordering countertops, etc....! It was a busy day and it was hard on a little guy with an upset tummy, but you'd never know he was sick!  He was a trooper (minus the complete outfit change in Home Depot....sheesh!). 

feeling better-- windows down, with foot sticking out of the window!

Then, Saturday morning hit.  And it hit me like a ton of bricks.  Cal woke up early (6:00 is wayyyy too early in this house), and normally, I would have made him go back to sleep, but I could smell him in my room.... so I went in and changed him and I wasn't feeling quite right.  He came back in bed with me and I was thinking of all of the things we were going to get done that day, and I just couldn't shake the feeling that I wasn't feeling quite "right."  Well, I tried to get up and brush my teeth and I felt like I had been mowed over by death. 

I couldn't keep water down and every time I took a sip, since I was trying to stay hydrated for the baby, it would come up/out immediately.  Cal was in a great mood and just wanted to climb, jump, hang or body slam me.  It was awful-- I was SO thankful he was feeling better, but I felt so awful, I just wanted to pass out.  Eddie was out of town, and my mom was at a tennis tournament.  I didn't want to call a friend to take him because he had been sick and I didn't want to expose them/their kids to it, and I didn't think they would appreciate changing a nasty diaper....

At 10:30 I texted my Aunt to see what she was doing for the day to see if she could come help out, and when I was waiting for her reply, my mom called to say she lost early on in the tournament!  I was SO thankful she lost!!!!  I know it's horrible to say, but I was crying at this point.  It was beyond pathetic.  I was sitting on the couch with Cal climbing all over me and just crying.  She came over immediately, walked in the door, picked up Cal and put him in her car and then drove off.  It was the greatest thing ever so I could just rest and try to kick this thing.  I never had a fever, but I did get pretty dehydrated. 

My mom kept Cal for all of Saturday and brought him home at 5:30 when she fed him dinner, started a load of laundry, gave him a bath, and put him to bed.  It was ah-mazing.  I couldn't drag myself off of the couch.  Pathetic, right?  My mom is the best.  That's just all there is to it.  She even offered to spend the night at my house to be there in case Cal was up in the night.  I almost took her up on it, but thought that I should just suck it up :) 

Sunday morning came and I was feeling better.  I felt like I had the workout of my life the night before-- my stomach muscles were CRAZY sore, but at least I was almost back to normal.  Eddie woke up really early on Sunday to head home.  He always watches the final round of the Masters at home and he knew I was under the weather so he decided to get on home early.  He was very helpful with Cal on Sunday so that I could just take it easy. 

I had anticipated on packing this weekend to get a head start-- we close next week....!!!!  Instead, I got my start today.  I am just a few days behind... oh well.....

Hope none of you get this bug!  It WIPED this girl out!

33 weeks!

Woohoo! I reached 33 weeks yesterday-- crazy! I have a bunch of friends who are preggers and are blogging a picture each week of their growing bellies, and I am feeling like a slacker, so here ya go:

Please pardon the confused look on my face and the mess in the room.  You will notice Cal Boy sitting behind me on the bed.  He's feeling much better today and his fever was gone yesterday, thank goodness.  I won't go into the "issue" today.  Let's just say we are on our 4th diaper and second pair of shorts today and it's only 10:00... I guess this is the virus running its course...

Anyway, back to 33 weeks....

I am feeling fine, like I am getting bigger and bigger, but I don't feel quite as big as I did last time...yet.  I will, I know... at my last doctor's appointment, Andy was measuring small, which was weird to hear, since Cal was always measuring right on track, if not a little big (um, hello, 9 pound baby!).  I am still right on track to gain an absurd amount of weight.  Just like last time! Here is a pic from last pregnancy right around the same time. 

This baby feels suuuuuuper low and at times, when he kicks, it realllllly hurts.....ahem...the lower regions.  I actually thought I was in labor the other night.  I had a contraction that was worse than the others that I have had with this pregnancy, and then he started kicking/moving really low and it was causing a lot of pain.  It passed pretty quickly though and I chalked it up to carrying Cal too much that day.  That was the day he was sick and just wanted to be held, so I think my stomach took a beating that day.

I am craving chocolate chip cookies like no other (hence the absurd weight gain).  It almost (notice I say ALMOST) disgusts me how many cookies I am eating in a day.  I can't stop making them and I can't stop eating them.  I didn't have any in the house yesterday so I ordered a chocolate chip cookie cake for Eddie's birthday.  I am ridiculous.

Today a lady in the grocery store asked me when I was due and I said May.  She goes, "oh, next month!" And it took me a minute, but yes...that would be next (freaking) month!

Just wanted to post a belly pic.  For you Elon girls-- have you seen Maggie W's facebook page?  She has posted a picture from each week of her pregnancy, and I think it is so neat to be able to see how she progresses as the baby grows.  I wish I had it together enough to do that. :)

Sick Day

I will begin with last night...

Everyone went to bed without a problem-- normal night.  At 3:30 this morning, the storms came to town, and I have written before about Hank's "distaste" for thunder.  He started crying and he doesn't just cry a little, he cries these long, loud noises and bangs his head on the bed (my side only) over and over and over again.  I tried to comfort him, like I always do, but he was beyond it.  I took him to the downstairs study so that we could sleep and so he wouldn't wake up Cal.  Well, he was reallllly upset at this and was head butting the door and barking non-stop.  Eddie and I were worried he would tear up the carpeting (not that he's ever done that before, but still), and with our house on the market, that would just be realllllly bad.  So, I came downstairs and sat with him in the study.  I got on the computer and watched the radar on weather.com.  At 4:45, I thought the storm had passed us enough for me to go back to bed and just leave him in the room.  Nope!  He freaked out even more.  Finally, I just came down and got on the floor with him-- it was quite pathetic, but I didn't care.  I just wanted sleep at that point.  Eddie came down and saw me on the floor and lost it.  He reminded me that I am pregnant and that I should NOT be sleeping on the floor with a dog.  Eddie worked on getting Hank calm and I went back up to bed.  Eddie came up a little while later and was sound asleep right away.  Hank started barking AGAIN, so I went and got in the guest bed with him.  Hank was too riled up to sleep, so he sat on the bed panting in my face.  We just stared at each other for another hour, and I finally fell asleep around 6:30 ish.  I heard Eddie and Cal wake up around 7 and I ran upstairs to sleep for another little bit. 

Eddie brought Cal into our room this morning and said Cal really didn't eat much breakfast at all.  I thought he felt a little warm, but it was his forehead and his cheeks were cool, so I thought maybe he was just playing really hard and got warm.

Cal and I came downstairs together and, thinking he was just not into the cereal bar that Eddie offered, I made scrambled eggs.  I cut him a piece and he took a bite and then looked at me...and puked all down the front of me and him.  It was classic.  I was standing in the kitchen and stripped both of us down and carried him upstairs.  Then I realized that he was feeling pretty warm to me.

I changed both of us and he only wanted to be held and snuggle-- a rarity for my little busy bee!  We got back into my bed together and he passed out on my shoulder:

This is RARE.  Homie never falls asleep on me like this.  He was just laying there and then passed out.  I was making phone calls and the TV was on and he slept through it all.  Bless his heart. 

As he was sleeping, I could feel him getting warmer and warmer so when he woke up, I took his temp (my first time taking a temperature rectally....ahem...), and it was 102.3.  Cal has never had a fever before, so this seemed kind of high to me.  I decided to call the advice nurse at our pediatrician's office. 

While we were waiting for the call back, I gave him some Tylenol and we continued snuggling in bed-- I hate that he is sick, but I did love the snuggle time.  Sweet boy....

Anyway, she said it was probably a virus and to just monitor his responsiveness.  They would be concerned if he was out of it, or wouldn't make eye contact, etc.  Cal was very responsive, so we weren't worried.  We were sprawled out on the bed and I had to go to the bathroom (um, hello, I am 33 weeks preggers-- momma has to pee often!).  When I stood up to go, Cal stuck his lip so far out and started crying.  It broke my heart.  So he came to pee with me.  Whatever.

Cal went down for his nap around 1:00, like normal, and slept for just over two hours.  When he woke up, he was doing the most pathetic cry ever and I went in to get him and was laying on his side with tears going down his face and he was HOT to the touch.  I took his temp again and this time is was 103.  I called the advice nurse again (because that's what a worried momma does), and they basically said the same thing as the first time.  He got another dose of Tylenol and seemed to be feeling a bit better...

Here is how we spent the afternoon:

sprawled out on the bed (you know he's not feeling well if he's this still)

 snuggling with his momma

 hugging Andy

 "kicked" back on Hank

 and lounging with his bff

I have a feeling tonight might be a long night, so I am going to go to bed early!  I think we will give him another dose of Tylenol before we go to bed just to fend it off a fever.  Hopefully this little virus will pass quickly! 

Tomorrow is Eddie's birthday and I had a list a mile long of errands to run for him today.  Guess I might do that tomorrow??? I'm only one person....

say a little prayer for my little man!

How Do I Love You?

amazon.com

This is a book that could have been written about Cal.  It's all about how much the author loves this little boy when he's good, bad, happy, sad, etc.... (the wording in the book is MUCH more eloquent!), and I am telling you, the words could not be truer to me. 

"How do I love you? Let me count the ways.  I love you on your very best...and very worst of days."  It goes on to say how (s)he loves to watch him playing and laughing.  She also writes that she loves him when he loses his shoes, which is so fitting for us since Cal seems to lose his shoes every chance he gets (he just kicks them off, he doesn't really misplace them). 

Any way, my pregnancy hormones must be acting up lately, because the last part of the book just kicks my butt and brings tears to my eyes every single time I am reading it to Cal (while he is all snuggled up in my arms with one of his arms resting on my belly):

"How do I love you?

It's impossible to say.

For if I had a million days

And time enough for all the praise,

I couldn't tell you all the ways....

I love you."

gahhhh!  it just makes me want to hug him and kiss him and never let him go!  This new baby is going to rock his world and I just hope and pray that Cal knows how much I love him, even when he's naughty and up to no good, and especially when he comes over and gives me a huge hug.  I love this little boy more than I ever thought possible and he makes my life so much better-- every single day.  I am so so so blessed by him, and....here I go......tears again!  Anyway-- it's a great book....check it out.  ;)

Also, if you are bored at work on a Friday and trying to kill some time, I upload all of our pictures from the month to our MobileMe account, and I just did the pictures from March.  If you want to see them (and some videos too!), click here.

have a great weekend!

What have we been up to?

Kind of a loaded question! I have been bad about blogging lately-- sorry! Things are going a mile a minute around here.

I will say first that I am 32 weeks pregnant today.  I still feel great, but the tiredness is really kicking in around 8:00 every night.  I just know I have to make myself lie down and rest my back.  Cal has been a handful and a half lately and I think that's contributing to it.  I was going to do a post last Thursday about a reallllllly bad day with Cal (it involved biting, kicking, and getting hit in the head with a golf club...all in a grocery store parking lot....with people watching.....), but then I thought, who wants to read about something that awful, albeit funny??  So I skipped it...but I think that's adding to my levels of exhaustion!

We had the inspection on the new house yesterday and everything looks great-- the inspectors were in shock at what great condition everything was in: phew! What a freaking relief.

I am not sure when I will find the time to blog with everything we have going on, but I realllllly want to, so the posts might be some brain dumps and might not be very good for a while.... just know I'm trying!

More on the house---

We have decided to replace the carpeting before moving in and we also want to paint the entire inside of the house prior to moving (so preggers lady doesn't have to smell it).  I have been running like crazy pricing out carpeting and painters and we are also looking at some granite countertops, so I am pricing those too.  It's like a full time job!

I just have to keep telling myself: it will get done, it will get done.......


Some people have been asking about decor for the new house.....good question!

For the boys rooms:
Cal is getting a big boy bed....he isn't in it yet, but he will be sometime soon, so we have that (and the most adorable bedding EVER for it).  We are borrowing my brother's extra crib to go in the room also...and since we don't know how long Cal will be in the crib, my (fairy god)mother is making a crib skirt that matches the bedding (navy and white stripes with lime green piping) and it is about the cutest thing I have ever seen.  The skirt is navy blue with lime green grosgrain ribbon around the bottom.  She is also making the curtains to match--SO SO SO cute!  We found some big boy sheets and matching crib sheets, so Cal's room is pretty set.  Pictures will come once we get it all put together :) I am also debating painting one wall navy blue, but that's up in the air still...

Andy's room is going to be adorable too.  My (fairy God)mother is making his bedding as well.  She is doing the crib skirt and the bumpers as well as the curtains.  Have I mentioned that my mom is Martha Stewart? She made the entire crib bedding for my cousin's baby and it turned our adorable.  We are going with a nautical theme in Andy's room  and the skirt for the crib will be navy, red and white.  The bumpers are going to be navy blue with red piping, and I think we are going to put his monogram in the middle of the back bumper that faces out (when you are looking into the crib, it will be facing you).  The curtains are going to be roman shades that are blue with red trim...I think....they might be red with blue trim, I can't remember. 

Their bathroom is going to be SO fun....it's going to be a lime greenish color (it's off of Cal's room, so it will tie in) and have a car theme....

We are sticking with a neutral wall color throughout the house--I think Wicker or something close to it.  If we want to change that later on we can...

soooo, it's been a little busy around these parts!

Here are some pictures from recent happenings:

We had 2 showings this past Sunday so we headed to Lowe's to look at paint, flooring, etc, etc.....not on our list? A tractor.

 We took Cal to the Country Club to watch the Tar Heels.  Sadly, they lost.  Cal wasn't too upset though.

 It is tough work being Cal. 

 No, he isn't potty training.  Yes, I covered his "parts" with a blur.  The kid loves to sit on the toilet.  He has yet to actually "go" while sitting there, but he climbs up (and holds my hand) and cracks up the entire time he's sitting there.  I might need to grab some books or something for him to look at while sitting there.  He thinks this is the funniest thing ever. 

 His new favorite word is GOLF!  Eddie is thrilled.  He actually has a really good swing and has mastered swinging with one hand so that he can hold his other clubs with his free hand. :)

 And finally, yesterday, it was beyond time for Cal Boy to get his second haircut.  We went back to see Miss Donna, who did his first cut and she gave him a lollipop for being so good and he was in heaven!  She did a great job again and we were happy with the result!  His hair was SO long in the back.  It was def a mullet :)

OH!  And for all of the local moms (or moms that have a Chick-fil-a near you--see if they offer this service!), the Chick-fil-a near Southpoint mall has started a "Mom Valet" service.  I watched it in action yesterday and was amazed:  A woman drove out of the drive-thru and parked her car next to me.  I walked in with Cal and she walked in with her kids.  A person who worked there greeted her at the door and said: "your table is ready right over here!"  I watched in absolute awe and she walked her kids over to a table with all of their food already set up with the placemats already placed with the highchairs already out and ready.  All they had to do was walk in and eat!  She placed her entire order when she went through the drive thru and by the time she parked and walked in, it was ready for her.  You tell me that isn't amazing!  I was carrying Cal, a purse the size (and weight) of a small child and juggling our drinks and just staring at this woman.  The people at this Chick-fil-a are amazing regardless though....they carried all of my food over to my table.  Just wanted to share that little tidbit with you!

Pictures from August

The talented photographer, Tamara Lackey, held a workshop in August where photographers from all over the country came in to her studio to learn hoe to be a better photographer.  Tamara did our wedding and did Cal's one month pictures, so I feel like she's family to us. 

Tamara asked if I would mind bringing Cal in so she could "shoot" him and show the others how to take pictures of babies.  Of course, I would to!  As "payment" for our time, we would receive the disk of some of the pictures taken that day. 

As the title of this post suggests, it was August...and it was SUPER hot.  Cal was a great sport in the beginning, but then when he saw all of the people there, he put his hands in his mouth, causing his drool factor to increase by 100%.  Oh, also, three days after this shoot, he got ALL FOUR of his upper teeth.  He started the shoot in an adorable polo shirt.  I did not bring a change of clothes because I didn't think we would have a fountain coming out of his mouth... Tamara suggested we just take the shirt off!  So we did...

I wasn't supposed to be in the pictures, but he was being kind of difficult, so my sweaty self made an appearance in some. 

When I went to pick up the DVD this past week, she told me they were doing another workshop this week (yesterday), and would Cal want to do it again... um, of course!  So yesterday we headed out to a park-- he was much happier there!  And Cal got his picture taken again.  I can't wait to see how those turned out-- hopefully we will see them sooner this time around! But, hey, I can't complain...I didn't have to pay anything! :)

Moving ahead

Well, we have decided to bite the bullet and get going with this move....!!!!

Eddie and I have been talking about it a lot lately and we realize that it is just too hard to have the house on the market with all of our stuff in it with a toddler and a dog (not to mention a husband.....).  We are going to take our chances and move into the new house and just hope that our house sells as soon as we get everything out!

We are SUUUUUUPER excited to get moved and (hopefully) settled before Andy arrives.  We have the inspection on the new house on Tuesday and, fingers crossed, we will be closing on the new house April 19th.  We are getting new carpeting and new paint in the house, so I am hoping to get that going on the 20th (why waste time??) so we can be in by the end of the month....2 weeks before Andy arrives! 

Are we crazy, or what????

Here is a picture of the new house taken from the flier:

 And here is a picture from the kitchen looking into the family room. 

 To the right (where the door is open), is a screen porch that leads out to a bigger deck.  Straight ahead is the downstairs bath, and to the right of that is the guest room.  If you turn at the stairs, there is a formal living room and a dining room...

There are a lot more pictures to come, but I wanted to share a few!

My fingers and toes are crossed that everything goes well with the inspection next week!!!  I am going to go over there with Cal after his nap to measure windows....My saint of a mother is going to start working on the curtains for the boys rooms!  Also, my saint of a mother is making all new bedding for Andy.  I will do another post on his nursery soon.  I haven't done the FIRST thing for him yet....that will be coming....all in time, right???

Cross your fingers for me, k??

Save The Date!!!

Save the date! Steven Andrew Williamson is scheduled to be delivered via c-section on MAY 18th!!!  WOOT WOOT!

I had a doctor's appointment today and begged him to go ahead and schedule me...we are all set for the 18th...as in TWO months from today!!!  ACK! 

Cal went with me to my appointment.  It was a crazy morning: 

Eddie is out of town for work, my parents are out of town, and we had a showing.  Oh, and Cal is wild.  Have I mentioned that last one lately?

I got up before Cal-- he's been sleeping in until 8:30 the past two mornings.  Go figure, but I am LOVING it! I took a quick shower and raced around getting myself and the house ready.  When he finally woke up, I cleaned up his room, got him dressed and then we headed downstairs.  Before he could tear up the house too much, I let him play outside while I finished getting things ready and loading the car.  I did most of the cleaning late last night, so the house was for the most part ready, but needed the final touches. 

Cal was having a great time playing:

(I know I've said this a million times, but he is alllllll boy.  He wanted the hat and he wanted to put it on all by himself!)

We left the house early... this is a new thing I've been doing before a showing.  The realtor was scheduled to come between 11:30 and 12:30 and we were out of the house by 9:30.  It just gives Cal less time to tear things up! I swung by my parents house to check on things and drop off Hank, and then I took Cal to the mall so he could walk around and burn some energy.

By the time we arrived at the mall, the cute sneakers and socks were off and thrown into the back of the car and he was pointing at his bug boots.  Fine by me!  (see this new attitude I've taken???).  We went into the mall and walked from one end to the next with Cal waving at every person we passed.  He was having a great time pointing out neat things to me.  The kid about died when we passed a shoe store!  He was gasping and pointing and shrieking! He likes shoes....

After the mall, we went to the doctor's office.  They love kids there and always welcome them, but I make a point to never take him with me.  Normally, I don't have to, but today was a special circumstance.  We walked into the waiting room and every woman in there went "awwwwww" as soon as we walked in.  Cal had an audience!  He pretended to be shy and would come over to my lap and tried to bury his head.  Phony.  

They called us back and Cal was having fun in the examination room:

 This is gross, but Cal saw me pee into a cup and he was adamant that he have a cup too!  So, I got him his own cup to carry around.  He wouldn't put it down!  He had a great time at the appointment until the sweet doctor had me sit on the table.  I think he thought I was hurt and he started crying.  I picked him up and had him sit with me, which was a challenge since I was wearing a dress (dum dum move on my part).  So, with one hand, I was trying to hike up my dress, while the doctor was trying to cover my legs and underwear with a paper sheet.  Cal didn't like him that close to me apparently because he kicked the doctor with a big old rubber boot.  Once I got my dress up and paper sheet in place, Cal started pulling the sheet up to cover my belly.  I asked Cal to show the doctor where the baby was, and he lowered the sheet and pointed to my belly like, duh-- it's right here.  I had him "pat the baby" and he looooooves to do that, so he started smacking my stomach and the doctor was cracking up.  He listened to the heart beat and measured me and everything was right on track!

I feel like I am carrying this baby lower than I did Cal....not that I look any different (I have gained a ton lately....Andy has grown a lot lately!), but when he kicks, it feels like he is kicking SOOOO low.  The doc said that was totally normal with a second baby. 

After we were done measuring, etc, we set the date for the c-section!  I am super excited...it makes it even MORE real, if that's possible!

Cal came home and had lunch and was worn out from all the walking and entertaining:

The above picture reminded me of a time I caught Cal napping like this-- last May:

Both times in plaid shorts and white polo shirts! haha!

Hope you all enjoy this beautiful weather!  I am off to bake more cookies....we have an Open House this weekend!

18 months!

WOW! Can my sweet little guy really be 18 months old today?? Before we know it, he will be TWO!  Everyone said that from 15 months to about 19 or 20 months are extremely hard with a baby.  They are developing their own opinions and are not afraid to share them (read: he likes to say NO).  I will say, things have gotten so. much. easier as of lately.  Maybe it's because we took the trip last week and I got a little break from the wild child, or maybe it's because he's growing out of this tough phase.  Or maybe it's because I am learning how to pick my battles and to relinquish some control (you wanna wear your rain boots all the damn time?  FINE!).  I think it's been a combo of all of the above that have made life so good lately. 

this morning: getting ready for our appointment! Brushing teeth, sporting a stylish robe

I love being a mom.  I really really really do.  It's hard.  But no one said it would be easy.  I love the challenges that I am faced with in this journey and I think it's so much fun to watch my son grow and learn (it'll never get old saying my son.....I can't believe how lucky I am).

Speaking of growing and learning: we had Cal's 18 month check up this morning! He was quite a ham at the office.  We got there a little early- not sure what was up with that.  I've been wayyyy late to every other appointment.  Go figure. Anyway, we were there early, so Cal had some time to play with toys in the waiting room.  Oh, and he wanted to wear his bug boots.  I tried to put on his cowboy boots because they look really cute with jeans and there was almost a meltdown to end all meltdowns in the parking lot of the office (yes, I travel with multiple pairs of shoes), so I choose to not pick that battle and he got to wear the bug boots!

 Playing in the waiting room!

When we got called back, he waved BYE to everyone in the waiting room (who were all cracking up at his boots) and grabbed my hand to walk back with the nurse.  Let me just say how much it melts my heart to have him reach up and grab my hand.  I don't know what it is about his little hand in mine, but he loves to hold my hand and I love love love love to hold his.  I don't ever want to let go....

Distracted, sorry...

We went into the "triage room" to get weighed and measured.  The nurse tried to help by removing the boots.  Ohhhhh buddy.  Not a good idea, ma'am!  After I calmed him back down again, Cal was measured and when she tried to measure his noggin, he got SO upset.  Apparently, when they reach 18 months, they aren't big fans of people touching them...good to know!  The nurse swore it was fine and totally normal.  I felt terrible.  As soon as she was done, Cal (in just a diaper), put on his boots and tromped through the entire office to the complete opposite end of the building to the examination room.  People were coming out of their rooms to look at him.  It was hilarious.  He was holding my hand (sigh), and holding his head high and clomping down the hall like he owned the place!  Cal would say "HI" to every single person we passed, and he swung his free arm.  It was great.

hanging out in the room wearing just a diaper and boots waiting for Dr. Kathy (have I mentioned how much we love her??)

Here are his measurements for 18 months:

Weight: 24 pounds, 11 ounces-----> about the 25-50th percentile (this is the lowest he's ever been in weight--percentile wise....I think it's because he is SO SO SO busy)
Height: 32.5 inches-----> about the 50-75th percentile
Head circumference: 50.2 cm -----> 97th percentile!!!!!!  hahahahahhahahaha....it's from the brains, really!

She was really happy with him developmentally, and therefore, we are too. 

We talked about his lack of TV watching... I know it's not great for a kid to watch TV a whole lot, but this kid doesn't watch it AT ALL.  I mean, we try....we try all the time (which I am not bragging about at all!), but he doesn't care a thing about it.  I didn't know if this was odd, since all of the other kids his age we know love to at least watch one show on TV.  The only thing he will ever pay attention to (other than GameDay and The Today Show) is Wonder Pets and that's only when he's strapped down in a chair, which is a trend I am not fond of.  I just didn't know if this was a sign of some ADD for later on down the road.  Okay, make fun of me, but the kid will not sit still long enough for 30 seconds of a show..... we just decided that he would much rather be going going going and watching TV takes up too much time.  I guess I should try to adopt that mentality....maybe?  But, I love the Bachelor..... (hmmm, does he get his ADD from me, perhaps???).

We had a big afternoon that ended with us playing in the yard and me taking a ton of pictures :)

Here is our monthly shot:

I just love this one....an airplane flew by and he was so excited:

 He's so serious in this one, but I love the expression on his face:

 The "boys" were having such a fun time together.  Cal would find a stick, Hank would take it from him and Cal would crack up.  This went round and round and round....

And finally, just some other fun shots of Mr. Cal Boy!

 Thanks for reading all the way to the end....phew!  This was a long post!