Big Baby DuRee

I realized the other day that Kaleb has learned a lot of new things. So... I attempted ALL week to try and capture those on video and camera, but I give up. Something always thwarted my efforts! Here's what I did manage to catch:

He loves cooking like me. Only instead of food, he cooks poker chips. (Don't ask why we have poker chips). Or he'll take off his socks and throw them in the pot and whatever else is available. I finally packed away all his toys in the closet and now have a clutter free floor! (well, until he covers it with the contents of my ENTIRE utensil drawer. He never plays with his toys unless someone comes over and then suddenly they're interesting.

He knows the word "dance." Whenever he hears music, he'll stop what he's doing and bob up and down. He would never do it good for the video, but I tried! (It's annoying Baby Einstein music in the background)

He LOVES animals. Whenever he hears a dog bark (even a mile away), he runs to the window and looks out. When we read about dogs, he sticks out his tongue like a dog and makes a bark sound. There's a goat park around the block from our house and he screams when we go home.

He has his great grandma's rocker couch in his room and he learned how to climb on it. Every time, he plops down on it, he looks at me like he's pretty hot stuff. He won't let me on it with him. Rude.

I think the coolest thing is that he knows what I'm saying!!! I ask him, "Do you want to go read a book?" He then runs to the stairs, climbs up to his room, throws his favorite books on the chair, and then climbs on the chair. The first time he did it, I was in shock. I couldn't believe he actually understood me. I feel like I'm learning everyday right a long with him! It's cool to be a new mom.

I had to do a close-up of his big bellyHe likes food like his mommy :)

Just one more thing! He says two words: Ouch and Uh-oh. I think you can tell WHY just by looking at this picture! (He face planted on concrete!)

Male Bonding

I just thought this picture was funny. Braydan has been obsessed with the hot tub this past week (and dragging kaleb in with him). I guess he thought the life vest would actually fit over his big belly, but it's obviously too small! It's more like a straight-jacket.

I've been craving tennis for the past few months now, but never knew what to do with Kaleb (he's not a kid that will sit happy in the stroller watching). Finally, we just went and let him play too. He thought the other court was better for some reason and kept wandering into another couple's game, so Braydan picked him up and played with a severe handicap for a while. Sadly, he still beat me :(
When the other group left, we let Kaleb go wherever and he only got hit once on the head with the ball (by Braydan). Don't worry mom, it wasn't that hard :)

Birthday Paint

Now that my birthday is a few days past, Braydan gave me permission to write about it (and laugh about it). First let me say that he is a very practical guy. Also, his family never made a big deal of b-days. That said, Wednesday morning I woke up happy and excited. Braydan was already out the door for work, but he left me a huge, beautifully wrapped box with a pink bow on top. He also left me a scavenger hunt. I still had to watch Tori and Sheraden, but they helped me figure out the 10 clues and collect all my favorite snacks hidden around the house.

I was very surprised and impressed that he came up with that scavenger hunt. I began to imagine what could be in the big box. As the day wore on and I had to look at it every time I went in the kitchen, my ideas got more and more extravagant. Since it was obviously gift-wrapped, I assumed it had to be from the mall or something besides Fred Meyer. Maybe it was a fancy dress and new shoes? Maybe it was the expensive duvet cover that I wanted?

Well, when he finally got home from work, we had dinner (which he picked up) and I couldn't wait any longer. I was like a little kid seriously! "Please can I open that present?" I let Kaleb help me rip the wrapping and I slowly opened the lid. First (drum roll please...........) I pulled out a new set of tree clippers. I kinda let out a nervous laugh and reached for the next thing: Gardening gloves. I slipped my fingers in them and pulled out the last thing: New trowels. (no, not towels--which would have been better--but TROWELS)

Now, you're probably thinking these are very nice gifts, but to me, after my dumb imagination worked on me all day, (not to mention that dumb, beautiful, pink bow!) I was in near shock. I tried to hide it and say polite things, like "these will sure come in handy." And, "these gloves fit so well." But Braydan could tell I was disappointed and then he was sad. After that anti-climax, we spent a solemn evening together.

A note to husbands: Never gift wrap something you buy at Coast-to-Coast, even if they do offer! It's just not right :) I think we'll be laughing about this for a while, and he says from now on he's giving me money for my b-day :( Sad.

I took back my present and instead of buying that fancy dress from my imagination, I bought paint. I know it doesn't make sense. Kaleb was helping me as you can see. I almost fell off the ladder when I saw him climbing up. He did it again another day when braydan was home, so he caught a picture. Crazy kid! (Notice his shirt says Mountain Goat :) If you can't tell, the paint is a light green color. I like it. Now I want to do new molding and paint the next room. Sorry for this long post!

Caldwell Visit

This weekend we had a fun visit from my old roomate Shayla and her little family. Her husband Chase had an interview in Shoreline for a firefighter position. I loved seeing little Parker and getting to know Chase better. (You married a good guy Shayla) We didn't really do anything too exciting (sorry!), but I loved just visiting and playing games.

Kaleb usually bullied Parker . . .

But, Parker finally got his revenge!

Thanks for visiting Caldwells and I hope you guys move up here soon!

Randomness

Here's a cute picture of Tori Sue and Kaleb. I'm going strong 7 months now and will probably finish out the school year (until June) watching her. I'm also watching another girl, Sheridan, a few days a week. She's 9 though and pretty much watches Kaleb for me :) I taught my first piano lesson today (to Sheridan) and am excited to get into that again. I have another girl ready to start too.


I've never really gotten into a TV show, but this one is so good. Braydan and I talk about our theories all the time and love the twists and genius behind this 4th season of LOST.(Warning: If you start watching, you will be hooked!) (Thanks a lot Ashley!)

I finished the third novel in the Sarah Agnes Prine series, which is a continuation of this one (my favorite) These Is My Words. (Don't let the scary grammar fool you). The books are based on diary entries from a woman who survives making a home in Arizona Territory (1860-1908). They are not mormon pioneer books, which is what I assumed at first. Anyways, I know I'm not making any sense, so just go read them!


For anyone that knows me well, decorating (or anything creative and domestic) isn't really my forte. Despite this, I tried to make my own pillows. Now that they're done, the color bugs me and I wish the fabric was silky instead of suede. But, at least I know how to (sort of) make some more!

In conclusion to this long essay, I had to show these silly pictures. We went bowling the other night with some friends and decided dressing up would be funny, cause...well....it's a bowling alley. After being stared at by teenagers and going deaf from speakers right next to us, we still decided it was a fun night. (Do you like the sweet shoes with my black tights)

B-Dog and Jesster (Bowling Alias)
The Rod and Sinister Sammy (Bowling Alias)