Catch of a Lifetime

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Great Grandparents are wonderful!

Great Grandparents are all love and smiles. They are special people in families because they carry stories of the people they have loved and and remember, and of the people they have seen grow up and extend their family and love further. Caleb is blessed to have 7 Great Grandparents. He has three in the state and four out of state (Ohio and Florida).

Caleb decided he needed a "fix" so we drove to Green Isle over Labor Day weekend.

Great Grandpa Bill rubbed all his grandchildrens' hands over his cheeks.


He likes to wear his bib as a side cape:)

The next evening (Labor Day) we went to Pizza Ranch with some of the Monson Alms. Caleb was in great form and loved being out and about. He loves people! Zach had fun being a bit of a jungle gym. Caleb is crawling all over people. Next is the floor!

Aunt Krista, Great Grandpa Mel, Gladys, Caleb, Zach, Becky

They found Caleb's few long hairs amidst his fresh, thick hair

We look forward to seeing Ohio Great Grandparents in October! Thank goodness for Skype to tie us over until then!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Photo Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Monday, September 5, 2011

Meet Woody

Woody is our 2 year old Red Lab. He is a stinker and a lover, which means he is a great family dog. Being a farm girl I never thought I'd have an indoor dog, but most days I'm glad we do. I'm always glad we have a dog, just sometimes I hate the extra cleaning that comes from having one indoors. Anyway, Caleb has finally realized he has a buddy. Woody has previously sniffed and licked Caleb without much of a response from him. Now Caleb sees Woody approach and he smiles. Friday evening Josh had Caleb petting Woody and Woody gave him kisses in return, which made Caleb laugh! Adorable!

Then Saturday Woody laid down in front of Caleb's bouncy seat and Caleb put his foot on Woody. Woody turned his head and licked his foot which made Caleb grin again. I can just imagine the fun those two will have over the years!

Rollie Pollie Olie

Caleb hasn't done a lot of rolling from his tummy to his back, but he can. So it shocked me that when I laid him on his blanket to kick on his back Wednesday night (Aug31), that when I came back in the room a minute later that he was on his tummy. That's right folks...he can now roll from his back to his tummy. Uh Oh! He just got a whole lot more mobile! I'm not sure I'm ready for this but I still celebrated his accomplishment with him!

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Vikings

Thursday, September 1:
Today was a long day! I have been working hard at school this week and it was starting to catch up with me this morning when I dragged myself out of bed at 5:15 to feed Caleb. I was happy to go back to sleep for another 30 minutes and press snooze a time or two before truly getting up for the day. I had Caleb packed the night before because it was a big day!

Caleb went to daycare, but when I picked him up we didn't go home. We went to Nana and Papa's house. Caleb would staying with them for the evening while Josh and I joined my parents and siblings in the Dome for a Vikings pre-season game. This would be the shortest amount of time I have spent with Caleb in a day EVER. I was at my inlaws with Caleb for about 40 minutes, fed him and kissed him, and then left to ride up with Josh and Krista to the Twin Cities.

We had a great time! I have never been to a professional football game. Even though our seats were in the upper deck they were not bad seats. I liked the view point and Gene brought two pairs of binoculars for when you wanted the up close and personal view.

A night out

Our view

The crew (I took the pic)

Greta was there too, just left early to avoid the crowds

I survived my late night away from Caleb and Caleb had fun with Nana and Papa. We picked him up at midnight and he was sprawled across Papa's chest and stomach. He is sooo big all laid out! He didn't even flinch when Josh picked him up and buckled him into his car seat.

While we all had a great night, just in different places, I still prefer to have quality time with Caleb as much as possible now that I'm back at work. But the consolation is that he has people whole love him watching over him at all times.

Back to school

August 29:
Mommy is back to school officially! The day I knew would come finally came...and I survived. I think it helps that Josh drops Caleb off at daycare in the morning. I get to say my goodbyes at home. So far we have a pretty good routine. Caleb wakes at about 5:00/5:30 for an early morning feeding and then goes back to sleep. I do too, but just for an hour. I shower and get ready from 6:00 to 6:30. Then I get Caleb up, dressed, and packed for the day while Daddy showers. By 7:00/7:15 we're all ready to leave for the day. So far this seems to be working well for us. I may leave earlier at some point, but I like this time with Caleb. He really doesn't wake up before 6:30, so I'd hate to leave too early and miss some of his morning smiles. Here is a picture of us saying goodbye on my first official day back at work:

Caleb came last Friday morning (Aug 26) to help me at school...or really just to distract me:)

Papa & Papa Bob's birthday

As many of you know I was an exchange student in Germany my junior year of high school. Best 10 months of my teenage life! Such a blessing to have that experience and to be placed with such a wonderful host family. Kurt and Renate (Papa and Mutti) Dohmen were wonderful host parents and truly invited me into their family. I have gone back many times to see them and they have come to visit. Last summer they came to meet Josh and I was in my first trimester of my pregnancy with Caleb. Since Caleb has been born we have skyped and kept in touch via Facebook. They print pictures of Caleb and post them in the kitchen...their American grandchild. We hadn't skyped in a long time and they finally got to see him Sunday, August 28th. We of course couldn't get the sound to work, but at least they got to see him and then hear him over the phone. It was great to have Papa and Mutti see Caleb live again. He has so much more personality now. Of course it seemed to be a morning that was atypical for Caleb seeing as he was a little "needy," but I think he was still recovering from the State Fair. Anyway....great to reconnect with my German family.

Then we went to Nana and Papa's house to celebrate Papa's birthday. Nana and Papa were traveling last week so we hadn't gotten a chance to celebrate yet. Caleb was in a great mood and loved being with his extended Miller family!