10.02.2014

4 years

Lots of big milestones in this family recently...

Caleb is now 4 years old!!!!!

I included a lot of pics from the past few months.  I haven't uploaded birthday party pics yet, but for now... Enjoy :)












Dear Caleb,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!  I can't believe you are 4!  And my, how I love you!  You are such a bright spot in my everyday.  The way you see the world is such an adventure.  Every car is a RACE CAR.  Your snow boots are "INSTRUCTION BOOTS" (construction boots).  When you run, you are FASTER THAN BULLETS!  Any number of clothing items can transform you into SUPERMAN or CAPTAIN AMERICA or BATMAN!!!  Your recent loves are legos, superheroes, sports of all kinds, race cars, your dad, hiking, and baby Ethan.

You wear 4-5T clothes (with a few 3T mixed in) and your "daddy underwear" (boxer briefs).  You LOVE "sports clothes".  During any given day, you change 3-4 times as you dress up like different things.  You sleep about 13 hours every night (8pm-9am).  You gave up your afternoon nap around 3.5, but observe a quiet time for about 1.5 hours everyday.  You are getting so big and can do most daily routines semi-independently (need lots of reminders).  You are a great big brother and are really learning how to play with Asher.  It's so precious to see the relationship that is starting to form as you both grow.  You are an okay eater.  Asher nearly eats as much as you, but I see your appetite growing.  You are a routined eater- the same thing everyday would be just fine with you :).  You currently weight about 34 pounds and are 39 inches tall (I think?).

You attend preschool 2 afternoons a week and enjoy the social time.  You also attend a music class and Awana. I hope to get you into swimming lessons for a couple of sessions this winter.  Your best friends are Elijah and Owen (church friends), Isaac (a neighbor), and Jackson (family friend).  It is so fun to see you start to make real friendships and enjoy playing WITH other kids (not just beside them).  You have SO MUCH FUN with them.

You have a servant's heart and are always ready to help out.  Sometimes you have trouble when you don't get to choose clothing, activities, food, etc.  Recently, you have been able to check your emotions and come up with something to be thankful for, even when you are disappointed.  (Especially since I give you choices 90% of the time- hehe).  Overall, you are a very easy going child.  Eager to please, eager to spend time with your mom and dad, eager to pretend, eager to learn.

I pray and pray for you, child.  You desire to be strong, to be a hero.  We talk a lot about using our strength to help others.  I pray that you will have faith like your namesake.  That you would trust God to overcome the giants in your life and in the world.  That God would bring you into the promised land.  That you would have a different spirit- one that follows God wholeheartedly- one that seeks justice, loves mercy, and walks humbly- one that has a hope in the grace that brings eternal life.
Numbers 13:30, 14:7-9, 24
"Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."

"The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good.  If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us.  Only do not rebel against the Lord.  And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because will devour them.  Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us.  Do not be afraid of them."

"But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it."

I love you dearly, firstborn.  You are incredibly special and unique.  Perfect in our family.
Love,
Mama

Here is your "I am 4" question and answer:

My favorite animal- don't have one
My favorite food- birthday cake
My favorite toy- race track
My favorite game- hide and seek
My favorite color- blue
My favorite fruit- all of them
My favorite TV show- Mighty Machines
My favorite lunch- peanut butter and jelly, strawberries, and fries
My favorite outfit- captain america shirt and sports shorts
My favorite snack- applesauce
My favorite book- super hero books
My favorite song- Seeds of Faith CD
My favorite friend- Elijah Mondt
My favorite cereal- granola
My favorite thing to do outside- play sports
My favorite drink- juice
My favorite holiday- summer
My favorite thing to do before bed- eat snacks
My favorite breakfast- cereal
My birthday dinner was- hot dogs, chips, veggies, capri suns
When I grow up I want to be- a doctor like daddy

10.01.2014

2 months

Dear Ethan,
You are now over 2 months old!  I was telling your daddy the other night that it feels we've always had you. You are the perfect addition to our family. You are adored by all. You are the most chill, smiley baby that ever was. Here's to hoping that continues :). 

You are a gentle giant!  At your 2 month check up you were 25.5 inches long (over 99th percentile) and 14 pounds (75th percentile). You wear anything between 3-6 and 6-9 month clothes  you are in size 2 diapers. (I'm still trying to pawn off all those newborn diapers you never wore-haha). You eat about 5 oz at a time (when I pump). You are eating about 8 times a day. You are on a pretty good sleep, eat, play, sleep routine during the day and now can fall asleep in your crib independently. You suck your hand and are working on getting your thumb in there. Right at 2 months, you were getting up 1-2 times/night to eat. 

You are a strong baby. You can hold your head up fairly well when on your tummy. You can turn your head side to side. You are staring to pull in your tummy muscles when we are holding you in a reclined position. You love swatting at toys and grab them every once in a while. You aren't laughing quite yet, but give the biggest, goofiest grins. You are cooing and gabbing a lot too. 

Oh Ethan. Once again I am surprised how the love I have for my boys can be equally multipled. I love you intensely. I love you in a special way too. You may be my last baby. I am treasuring your babyhood in a different way than I did with your brothers. I am realizing as they grow how quickly time passes and I'm trying to hold onto every moment with you. You are such a unique, perfect gift. God knew what he was doing when he gave you to us!  
Love,
Mama