***I've been absent from the blogging world for a few weeks because I've been studying hard core for the school librarian TExES test. (I studied for 2 months about 30 minutes each day, but tried to increase my study time the last 2 weeks.) I graduated with my masters degree in library science a year ago, but in order to use that degree in Texas and get a job, I had to take this TExES test. When I graduated, I decided that it wasn't worth it to take this test as it only certifies you in Texas for 5 years. I knew the chances of me working as a librarian in the next 5 years were slim, so I opted out. But, with the economy not doing so well and lots of people losing jobs, I figured I better play it safe and just pay the $120 to take the test, which I did this morning. I feel pretty confident that I passed as there were only about 5 questions I wasn't totally sure on out of the 100 questions. It felt weird to study again after having a year break from schooling.
The most important thing to catch up on from these last two weeks was that Caleb celebrated his 2nd birthday last Saturday, Aug. 22nd. For reasons of crowd control, we had my family over Saturday night and Matt's family over on Sunday night. The Saturday party started around 3:30 for some swimming. We ate dinner at our house at 5:30 followed by presents and dessert. His presents from my family revolved around Thomas the Train, as that seems to be Caleb's favorite obsession right now. Here is a video of us singing happy birthday to him and his first attempt ever at blowing out candles.
The most important thing to catch up on from these last two weeks was that Caleb celebrated his 2nd birthday last Saturday, Aug. 22nd. For reasons of crowd control, we had my family over Saturday night and Matt's family over on Sunday night. The Saturday party started around 3:30 for some swimming. We ate dinner at our house at 5:30 followed by presents and dessert. His presents from my family revolved around Thomas the Train, as that seems to be Caleb's favorite obsession right now. Here is a video of us singing happy birthday to him and his first attempt ever at blowing out candles.
Sunday night, Matt's family joined us for dinner, presents, and cake. Matt's mom made this doggie cake for Caleb.
Caleb was unsuccessful in blowing out the candles Sunday night.
I thought this was such a neat idea for a present...a piggy bank! Caleb LOVES to put the quarters in that came with the present over and over again.
As I've been reflecting on all that Caleb has added to our lives over the past two years, his more unique qualities that grate on my nerves come forefront to my mind perhaps because this last week was really trying. He got a live flu virus at his doctor's appointment which gave him symptoms of the flu so he's had a fever and diarrhea all week and therefore did not sleep/nap well (when I so desperately needed his nap time so I could study)!
Some of these unique qualities include some of his sleeping troubles that I didn't mention in the last post. Caleb is a light sleeper. When he was much younger, we had to watch what activities we did at night after he went to bed, and I had to be careful about noise while he took a nap. He's improved slightly, but even this morning a toilet flushing woke him up at 6:30 a.m. as I was preparing to leave to take my test. Not so much now as when he was younger, but phones ringing when he took a nap woke him up, so I usually unplugged our house phone and had my phone on a low ring tone. If I talked on the phone while he napped, I had to be at the opposite side of the house, and I still lowered my voice. Not anymore, but I remember watching movies downstairs after Caleb went to bed (his room is upstairs) and having the volume on low. We got real used to subtitles and now actually prefer to have them on when we watch movies. I can also count on one hand these last two years the number of times Caleb has woken up happy and just plays in his crib. When he wakes up each day, he lets you know he's awake with a terrifying death scream that neighbors could probably hear walking past our house. Is this normal? Are there any other kids out there like this or is Caleb just "special"?
Despite how hard it can be to be his mom at times, the good always outweigh the bad. It is so adorable the way he greets Matt when Matt gets home from work each day. His "Thank you Momma and Thank you Daddy" melt our hearts. He's always been a little cuddler, and we love cuddling when we watch a movie with him. I love his fascination with the scriptures. Caleb loves music and will get up and dance right away when fun music is playing. He's recently started singing songs (abc song although he just knows the tune and throws in whatever letters he wants), and he loves to act out songs in nursery. Races are his favorite, but usually he's just racing against himself. He'll say "mark, set, go" or "1, 2, 3, go" and just start running from one destination to another. He's so forgiving and so fun to play with. We love taking him on new adventures (zoo, museums, new parks, etc.) because his face just lights up.
We're so glad he's a part of our lives and love him so much.
I thought this was such a neat idea for a present...a piggy bank! Caleb LOVES to put the quarters in that came with the present over and over again.
Caleb's 2-year-old stats from the doctor: Height 33.25" & Weight 27 lb. His cousin 6 months younger than him is now taller and bigger than Caleb, but his stats are still average.
As I've been reflecting on all that Caleb has added to our lives over the past two years, his more unique qualities that grate on my nerves come forefront to my mind perhaps because this last week was really trying. He got a live flu virus at his doctor's appointment which gave him symptoms of the flu so he's had a fever and diarrhea all week and therefore did not sleep/nap well (when I so desperately needed his nap time so I could study)!
Some of these unique qualities include some of his sleeping troubles that I didn't mention in the last post. Caleb is a light sleeper. When he was much younger, we had to watch what activities we did at night after he went to bed, and I had to be careful about noise while he took a nap. He's improved slightly, but even this morning a toilet flushing woke him up at 6:30 a.m. as I was preparing to leave to take my test. Not so much now as when he was younger, but phones ringing when he took a nap woke him up, so I usually unplugged our house phone and had my phone on a low ring tone. If I talked on the phone while he napped, I had to be at the opposite side of the house, and I still lowered my voice. Not anymore, but I remember watching movies downstairs after Caleb went to bed (his room is upstairs) and having the volume on low. We got real used to subtitles and now actually prefer to have them on when we watch movies. I can also count on one hand these last two years the number of times Caleb has woken up happy and just plays in his crib. When he wakes up each day, he lets you know he's awake with a terrifying death scream that neighbors could probably hear walking past our house. Is this normal? Are there any other kids out there like this or is Caleb just "special"?
Despite how hard it can be to be his mom at times, the good always outweigh the bad. It is so adorable the way he greets Matt when Matt gets home from work each day. His "Thank you Momma and Thank you Daddy" melt our hearts. He's always been a little cuddler, and we love cuddling when we watch a movie with him. I love his fascination with the scriptures. Caleb loves music and will get up and dance right away when fun music is playing. He's recently started singing songs (abc song although he just knows the tune and throws in whatever letters he wants), and he loves to act out songs in nursery. Races are his favorite, but usually he's just racing against himself. He'll say "mark, set, go" or "1, 2, 3, go" and just start running from one destination to another. He's so forgiving and so fun to play with. We love taking him on new adventures (zoo, museums, new parks, etc.) because his face just lights up.
We're so glad he's a part of our lives and love him so much.
