one month

Dear Sweet Caleb,

How are you one month old already?  It's hard to believe how that much time has gone by. 

You are such a perfect little addition to our family.  We love your spiky hair, your tiny, long fingers and toes, your smiles, and your sweet little face. 

You spend most of your day sleeping away. I'm pretty sure you are asleep more than you are awake.  You sleep great at night too, waking either once or twice.  Sleeping and growing. 

You are such a mellow little guy.  You don't fuss much and when you do it doesn't last long.  You already put up with a lot from Mason and Emma.  They are in your face, covering you with kisses and hugs (Emma) and trying to get you to play with toys (Mason).  They love to hold you and ask to do so several times a day.  Caleb, they adore you.  We all do.  You are so precious.  It's amazing to think that during my whole pregnancy it was you waiting to come join us.

A few things to remember about this month:

~you do awesome in the car and have been on many trips already
~you have long, skinny arms and legs (75th percentile for height, 25th percentile for weight)
~you don't mind being on the floor and really seem to like your bouncy chair
~you can sleep through any noise
~you are starting to smile
~you have the quietest little newborn cry
~you are still all scrunchie when I hold you on my shoulder{love!}
~you grab on to Mason and Emma's hands {they love!}
~you are really a pretty calm, easy going baby.

Caleb, we love you so much!  We are cherishing this time that goes so fast.  
xoxo, 
mommy

studying

Just a few snapshots of Mason and Emma studying the wildflowers.  Several bouquets have graced our kitchen table. 

A great way to spend a summer afternoon.

wordless wednesday

rest

This has been a week of rest thanks to my awesome sister and mama for taking Mason and Emma for 6 whole days.  They're living it up with the cousins.  I cherish their nightly phone calls with stories of the animals they saw at the zoo, the pools they splashed in, the parks where they played on slides and swings and the ice cream flavors of the day.  Mason is learning all about baseball from Uncle Chris.  Emma is making everyone laugh with her antics.  

And Ryan, Caleb and I are resting.  We're spending our days sleeping in, taking naps, snuggling sweet Caleb and enjoying some fresh air and sunshine.

We went and picked spruce tips for a spruce tip beer that Ryan is brewing.  We had a picnic after his two week doctor appointment.  We organized closets and drawers making room for tiny onesies.  We haven't cooked at all, thanks to amazing friends for all the meals.  We're actually having conversations at the dinner table. 

Thanks again mama and sister!  Love you!

wordless wednesday

first harvest

We cut our first harvest of rhubarb and of course the first thing we did with it was make strawberry rhubarb jam.  It's one of our favorites to have on hand.  Mason and Emma are great strawberry mashers.  Making jam has turned in to a family affair...a fun way to spend a morning.  We ended up with 21 jars.  Success.

Our rhubarb is nice and healthy this year thanks to all the rain we've gotten.  I think the next batch will probably be turned into a nice pie.  Hopefully the hail will stay away this year and we'll get a few more cuttings.

five

Hard to believe this guy is five!!  These years really have flown by.  We are so proud of you Mason.  You are such a kind, thoughtful fellow.  We appreciate your attention to detail and observations about the world around you.  You amaze us every day with the things you are learning.

 

You do love to learn.  You are reading like crazy.  You love numbers and patterns.  At the moment you love puzzles, mazes, and cards.  You love to play Nertz any chance you get and win more often than not. You are also very creative when it comes to drawing and making things.  You will sit and color, write, and draw for hours.  Then out comes the scissors, glue and stapler.  The walls in your room are covered with masking tape and your artwork. 

 

 You are very careful and pay attention to details.  You love to plant in the garden, water the plants, and help with the greenhouse.  You know the names of all the plants and how to harvest them.  I love that I can send you to the greenhouse and you will return with a bowl of salad greens or a handful of chives.  You have your own tomato plant, locust tree, and sunflower plants that you are taking care of. 

 Most of all we love your sense of humor, your memory, and the way you tell stories.  You entertain us and are so fun to hang out with.  These five years have been full of so many memories and special moments.  You are such a joy and we are so blessed to watch you grow up.  We love you Mason man.

xoxo,
mommy

first week

Caleb's first week at home has been awesome.  Full of tons of family and friends popping in for visits.  Full of lots of cuddles.  I could sit and hold this little guy all day long.  Except that daddy and Mason and Emma want their turns too.  Plus a bit of floor time and cradle time for good measure.  

We're settling into somewhat of a routine around here.  Sleep, eat, fill the diaper. Repeat.  

We're also loving these summer days, full of sunshine, laughter, and baby snuggles.