Caleb enjoying a beautiful fall day…
He sure has changed since we did this photoshoot last year:
Â
(Thank goodness his taste for leaves has disappeared!)
Â
Author: Squishy's Mom (Page 15 of 32)
To Daddy,
I forgot you were away in Vancouver. When we got home today, Mommy said “we’re home!” So I said “Hum…daddeee…” and tried to look for you. I was sad you weren’t here. So I drew you a picture:
Here it is:
I love you daddy!
Love,
Gooey
XO
PS – I am sending some bathtime splashes to you!
Dear Caleb,
You are 15 months old now… well into toddlerhood… and well into everything! Now that you can walk, and almost run, you explore everywhere and everything. Nothing is safe anymore from your curious little hands. Even when we are away from home, you love to be discovering everything about the environment around you … like how sand tastes… or how big the ocean really is!
Some days we barely manage to keep up with you!
You love to be Mr. Independant. You want to feed yourself now, and also love to feed others!
I’m also happy that you are finally a milk lover! You drink bottles like a pro now – which is wonderful, because you weaned yourself off breastfeeding. We went 15 months – and although the last few months you slowed down, I was surprised at how you were able to stop and have never looked back. I’m a little sad that our close bonding time is gone – but you always give me extra cuddles to make up for it!
Recently we did the ultimate family test – we went on a huge 12 day road trip… all the way to San Francisco, and then…a last minute spontaeous decision… all the way to Disneyland! You absolutely loved it! The look on your face as you met Pooh, eeyore, Tigger and Mickey was priceless and made the long days of driving totally worth it. We’ve always joked that the last time daddy and I went to Disney we brought you back as an extra souvineer! It was nice to go full circle, and watch the wonder and amazement in your face as you explored the magical world of Disney!
It seems like such a long time ago we starting taking our monthly Eeyore shots… it was fun to get one more!
We love you!
Love,
Mommy
PS- I know this letter was late, but we were still on vacation on the 3rd… and it’s taken a while to get back into routine…
We did the ultimate Westcoast family roadtrip – Victoria to Disneyland and back – 10 cities – in twelve days!
Tuesday August 22:
Caught the 6:10am Coho Ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles – boring ferry with creepy looking guy aboard… then drove through Washington state to Portland Oregon. We stopped at the Three Rivers Mall on the way – boring and empty place, but Caleb discovered the joys of Target – and got his first Elmo’s World DVD (the obessession starts!) We spend the afternoon at the Lloyd Center in Portland, and spend the night at the Comfort Inn.
Wednesday August 23:
We get up early – have our continential breakfast and then head on our way to California. After a lot of driving, we get to Redding in the late afternoon. Wehave dinner at Appleby’s, play around at another Target (yet another Elmo DVD), and then go for an evening swim at the hotel’s outdoor pool. We spend the night at the Holiday Inn.
Thursday August 24:
Up early again, and another continential breakfast… then we hit the road once more. We detour and take the scenic route through Sonoma and the Wine Country, and then cross over the Golden Gate bridge throught he rolling fog into San Francisco!
We check into our hotel – Hilton Garden Inn in South San Francisco – and then take the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) to the downtown Union Square shopping district. We do lots of window shopping and have dinner at Lois’ Dinner. Caleb enjoys his Spaghetti kids meal. The poor little guy was tuckered out from all his adventures he fell asleep on the BART on the way back to our hotel.
Friday August 25:
We finally had a day were we could sleep in – yay! caleb had a quick breakfast in our hotel room, and then we headed towards downtown San Francisco. Our first stop: In & Out Burger. Caleb had a horrible time waiting, but really enjoyed his burger once it came! We explored Fisherman’s Wharf and all the fun of Pier 39. Caleb loved the carousel and was intrigued by the sea lions.
He was also very fond of the San Fransisco Sourdough bun he got. That night we met up with Great Aunt Joan, and cousins Chris and Dwayne, and also Jessica and her boyfriend. Aunt Joan treated us all to a big chinese dinner. Caleb decided this was the night he was going to misbehave… it was a long dinner and 1 night out 12 for misbehaviour was okay. (He was great the rest of the trip!)
Saturday August 26:
We had breakfast at our hotel this morning – Caleb has a new found love of breakfast sausage and waffles. Then we headed back to downtown San Francisco. This time we park in the discount parking lot we’d found the day before, and then explored the Ghiradelli factory and the Cannery. We then hopped on the cable car trolly (after a long wait… but a free ride) and rode into Union Square. Caleb was so excited on the cable car, he was holding on and jumping around…. until he fell asleep. We window shopped and then walked to Chinatown. Caleb woke up and we had lunch. We found the Apple store for Adam and were disappointed to find out that FAO Swartz was closed for renovations. We had dinner that night at Aunt Joan’s.
Sunday August 27:
Up early… because we had made the big decision the night before that we were heading for Disneyland. We packed up and drove to Monterey. We spent the early afternoon at the Monterey Aquarium. Caleb loved the touch pools and the water play areas. Then we continued on towards Anaheim. It was a long drive, and around 9pm we saw the sign for the Disney Resort Exits. When we mentioned the next exiot was Disneyland Drive – Caleb let out a huge YAY from the backseat!
Monday August 28:
M-I-C-K-E-Y…M-O-U-S-E!
We spent all day and night in the magic kindom and it was a blast. We wer right up front for the welcoming greeting from Mickey and the Gang, and Caleb got a high 5 from Donald Duck. Then we went on the carousel, and visited with Pooh and friends. Caleb ran up to Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore and gave each lots of hugs and kisses. Later in the afternoon we visited Mickey in his house. Caleb got to have Mickey all to himself for almost 10 minutes. They were cuddling and Caleb was kissing Mickey’s nose. It made the long drive all worth it! We had a wonderful time!
 
Â
Tuesday August 29:
We started to head North and made it all the way to Sacramento that night. It was a long day of driving!
Wednesday August 30:
We made it up to Eugene Oregon after another long driving day. We stopped at a Barnes and Noble and Caleb got some time to play with the train table and other kids. Then we went for an evening swim at the hotel pool. we stayed at a Courtyard Marriott and it was the most comfortable bed ever!
Thursday August 31:
We left Eugene and headed west to Florence Oregon. We visited the famous sea lion caves. Caleb was only intersted in climbing the stairs, but the sea lions were cool to see. We drove along the scenic highway 101 Oregon coast, and then stopped in Woodburn for some great outlet shopping. We scored some major deals! We made it to Seattle WA that night.
Friday: Septemebr 1:
We spend a fun day in Seattle. We visited the Woodland Park Zoo and showed Caleb all sorts of animals. He loved the elephants. And half way through he fell asleep and missed out on a few things – oh well – we took pictures for him! Then we went shopping at the Auburn Supermall – it was fun. Tons of great outlets! Caleb had a fantastic time playing in the kids area. He was laughing and chasing other kids, and moving so fast he lost his diaper! We then went out for a nice family dinner at Elliots down at the Piers. It was a long funfilled day.
Saturday September 2:
Our trip comes to a close with a long wait at the Canadian border. Caleb watched a lot of Elmo and Finding Nemo as we waited at the Peace Arch. We finally made it to the ferries and caught the 7pm boat home. Caleb had a blast playing in the kids area. He made lots of new friends and kept everyone on the ferry entertained with his antics. We made it home just before 10.
It was a long but wonderful roadtrip, full of good times, memories and of course lots and lots of pictures! You can view some of them here: California Trip Photo Gallery. We will try to add more later!
We just got back from our first big family road trip… 3000 miles and 10 cities in 12 days! So we’ll be updating the site soon. But here’s a sneak peek at our adventures…
Dear Caleb,
You are now 14 months and 20 pounds -yay! Unfortunately you are still too underweight to have your carseat turned around -but oh well, you are safer facing backwards anyway. And you have definately grown taller. Everyday I look at you and see a more of a little boy than a baby. Your baby days seem so far away… especially since you are now WALKING!
Yes, you have finally decided that the lightening fast crawl you have just isn’t as fun as walking on your two little feet. So you have been working hard all month at walking. What started as a few steps to get some ice cream has turned into more and more steps everyday. You often wander around the house pausing at the odd piece of furniture or wall to adjust your balance – and then off you go. You love to stand up. And you love to have us walk you around.
You also love to climb on things. Apparently while I was out a few weeks ago, daddy found you standing on the toilet emptying my make-up bag. And you seem to think that it’s fun to try to ride your tricycle by standing on the seat. I am in trouble when you start to run aren’t I?!
You also have an obsession with walking up and down stairs. Many times now I have followed you up to the fifth floor of our building and then have to break my back walking back down with you. You also love to walk in and out our balcony door, and wander around the deck. If you could you’d be out there all day!
You love your water table, the swimming pool, your turtle pool, the water park, playing in the sink, and playing in any puddle… but you have decided you hate your bath. You whine and cry and scream… (did I mention you have a very loud scream!) We have become experts at soaping you up and rinsing you off in less than a minute. We may have to start bathing you in your turtle pool!
You have also decided to become fussier about the foods you eat. Some days you refuse any vegetable, some days you won’t eat meat. Something you loved a week ago, you now hate. Feeding you dinner is becoming as bad as washing your hair some days.
Some of this “grumpiness” is also because you have finally cut your fifth tooth… and believe it or not it’s a molar. Four front teeth and a molar and nothing in between! I have a feeling you have quite a few more teeth coming and that is why we have been dealing with hurricane Caleb the last week or so!
You have also become super clingy to me again. You don’t seem to want to go to daddy anymore – poor daddy. I enjoy all my extra cuddles from you, but would appreciate being able to go to the bathroom without you wrapped around my legs screaming “mama”!
But despite all the grumpies and screaming and whining… you are still so much fun, and so darn cute! Lately you have been imitating what you see us do – you try to brush your hair and mine, you like to feed Elmo and Cookie Monster with a bowl and spoon, you try to feed yourself and you try to feed us, you try to water the flowers and you are great at fitting lids on containers and helping put things away in drawers and in the dishwasher. We love you to pieces and love watching you learn all your new skills everyday!
We love you little monkey!
Love,
Mama
XO XO XO XO
PS – We are hoping to find you a backyard soon. Our condo is for sale and we are house hunting. I am going to be one tired mama if we buy a house with stairs!
Caleb is enjoying the fun days of summer in Victoria:
Walks with mommy and daddy along Dallas Road:
Eating the best ice cream – from Beacon Drive In (and sharing with daddy too):
Playing at the water park:
Playing on the playground:
Splashing in the ocean:
Splashing in the water table:
Enjoying Luminera 2006 in the cutest hat…
And just being cute, playing peek a boo on the patio:
HAPPY SUMMER EVERYONE!