99 Things

Okay, I've seen this on a number of blogs and thought it would be fun. The green things are the things I've done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept over night on a train (Stockholm to Copenhagen and back)
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23.Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone Deep Sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

I've learned I have a lot of traveling to do. There are a few things on the list that I don't have any interest in doing. Of course there are the obvious things like breaking a bone or bouncing a check, but I've heard the Salt Lake is not a great swimming place and Russia is very very cold.

2 Months

I can't believe Calder is now two months old. Time is going by so fast. I am having so much fun discovering new things about him. I imagine he's having a bunch of fun discovering new things about himself as well. Here's a few he's working on:

• He coos a lot. I love it. He's so close to laughing. It's like he laughs silently. He jiggles, but no sound comes out. Oh, I love it.
• He has started reaching for things.
• He is working so hard at getting his hands to his mouth. He brings it up so he can see it and then very slowly pulls it in to his mouth, or chin or forehead depending on where the hand ends up. He has also found that if he gets his hand to his chin, he can use his other hand to push it up to his mouth. The greatest thing about this whole thing is that he doesn't like the way his fingers taste. He gets this totally grossed out look on his face.
• He has recently started loving swaddling. We've been doing it since he was born, but it didn't seem to matter until this last week. It totally calms him down when he's upset.
  
• Calder puts himself to bed. Yes, you read that correctly. He has been doing it for quite some time. If I notice his eyes getting heavy or if he yawns a few times I swaddle him and put him in bed. He coos and talks for a little bit and then goes to sleep. It's so great. If I miss the subtle tired cues he gets upset and cries to sleep while I hold and shush him. I really try not to miss the cues because it makes both of us happier.
• During those upset moments when I miss the tired cues he cries a certain way. He makes the 'N' sound a lot. It's very cute.
  
• He has started sleeping 6-8 hours a night consistently. Oh, how blessed I am.
  

Our Elf Dance

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

I'm a Believer

Calder received a letter from Santa this week. Yes, Santa Claus himself. It came in an envelope with a North Pole postmark and on beautiful stationary. Here's what is said:

Dear Calder,

I know you can't read this yet, but I wanted to send a note letting you know how excited I am to share your first Christmas with you! One day when you're bigger, you'll know just how special and wonderful this time of year is, and all about the magic I bring to good boys and girls.

Since this is your very first Christmas, you get a special spot on my GOOD LIST! When you're older you'll have to be sure to listen to your family, be kind to others, and do your best to be a good person, but for now being a sweet, cuddly baby is just fine! The joy you bring to your family is one of the greatest gifts of all, even better than the toys I bring!

I can't wait to peek in on you when I fly into Hermiston this Christmas. I'll do my best not to wake you up, since a baby sleeping all night is quite a blessing, too! Merry Christmas, Calder, and welcome to the world!

Love,
Santa Claus