Calder's First Haircut

The top of Calder's hair was getting quite long. I've known I needed to cut it for quite some time. I struggled with this because I've only cut Jason's hair once (like 3 years ago) and it took 2 hours and we both swore we would never do it again. It looked fine when we were finished but paying $14 dollars every month is worth 2 hours of our time.

So, the other night I decided to just bite the bullet and give it a try. Since I only had to do the top it was a lot easier than I expected. Calder did a good job just sitting there. He did want to use the scissors but all in all it was a success. I should probably buy some clippers at some point but for now I'll stick with the scissors.

Will Travel With Kid

So, I'm going to be going to Oregon alone with Calder next week and I need some advice from all of you. I haven't traveled alone with Calder ever and so I'm a little nervous. I have three questions / concerns:

1. I want to get Calder a new 'special' toy for the trip. I'd like it to keep his attention for quite a while. Do you have any favorite silent (or very quiet) toys that would fit the bill?

2. The last time Calder was on an airplane he was 2.5 months old. I carried him in the sling and it worked perfectly. I can certainly do this again but I'm wondering if it would be easier for me to take the stroller. I won't be needing it in Oregon so it would be just for the airports etc. He will be 12 months at the end of the trip, is taking steps but not yet walking if that makes a difference. He likes his stroller very much and when we went to DC a few weeks ago (crud, I didn't blog about that yet) he took many naps in it. The sling is comfortable but I don't know if Calder would nap in it. I'm leaning toward taking the stroller but I think it will be a little bit of a hassle. If you've done this was it a big deal?

3. I'm worried there's something I'm forgetting. If you have any travel advice, please bestow it upon my comment section.

Cheese?

Mommy, can I have some cheese?

Please?

I love you!

I'll charm you. I'll really charm you.

I'll give you a hug!

And pinch your nose. You know you love it!

What do you say? Just one?

Note: If you're interested in the item on the couch behind Calder in this last picture check my crafty blog to see it in more detail.

New Haircut

One of the most annoying things about moving is finding new doctors, hairstylists and, for us, doggy daycare. This is the second time I've gotten my haircut since we moved here. The first time was okay but nothing to write home about. The second time was a. maz. ing. I love the way she did the bangs and the big body in the back. If you ever need a good stylists in Columbus, Ohio, just let me know. I've got the girl for you.

11 Months

Dear Calder,

It has been a great month but also a difficult month. You have grown so much! You've picked up two teeth and started taking small steps. I feel like you're transitioning from a baby to a little boy. Ugh. I'm not ready. You can do all the motions to '5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed' and love to use your ever growing vocabulary. A few new favorites are 'yeah, uh-oh, cheese and dee' (deebo).

You're getting better at letting other people hold you and watch you. When we were in DC last week you let the hostess at a restaurant hold you. I was shocked! You spent a lot of time with Grandma Kate today and didn't seem to notice when I went to get my hair cut.

On the other hand you have not wanted to sleep at all! You fight it so much. That is definitely my biggest challenge right now. You need sleep. I need down time and sleep. We're still working on not nursing to sleep, which doesn't help. I'm trying to enjoy this special time and I know it won't last forever. You're becoming quite the independent boy. I love you!

Love,
Mommy

Calder, future underwear model.

Opinions

Hello, I am looking for your thoughts and opinions over on the blog where I keep all my crafty stuff. Please go look here and give me your thoughts on the new stroller cover.

Thanks!

Jam

Dear Mom,

I miss you like I miss your jam. I love that you brought me my own special raspberry with seeds and sugar jam, just the way I like it. Thank you. Unfortunately I ate it. I ate it all. I ate it fast. I mean you were here what, 2 weeks ago. That's ridiculous. Next time you come, could you bring me enough to make it through the long, hard, terrible winter?

Love,
Cami (the jamless one)

Tupperware and Lederhosen

This was Calder's church outfit this last Sunday. Fittingly we live in a neighborhood called German Village. I found the lederhosen at the thrift store for $1. They were a little snug but I think it's pretty cute. He probably won't be wearing them to Oktoberfest this fall since they're so snug, but maybe. He wasn't cooperating so you get three less than perfect pictures. He was probably trying to avoid future embarrassment.

Here are a few other random pictures as of late. This was before the grouchy teething monster arrived. We don't have any pictures of that. He does have one tooth that just poked through. I think there is a second one on the way. Oddly he didn't become grouchy until after the first tooth came in.

I love this picture. He was flailing his arms around and I caught it at just the right time.

10 Months

I chose these pictures because we spend a lot of time doing this every day. You unload and I throw everything back in. It's a fun game.

Dear Calder,

The last month went by like it was just a few days. We've been so incredibly busy. You have changed and grown so much. Here's what you've been doing:

• You now say 'all done', 'snack', 'amen' 'hi', 'hey' and of course 'mama' and 'daddy'. 'All done' is by far your favorite. I am trying to get it on film but every time I get out the camera you just smile and stop whatever you're doing.
  
• You fold your arms to pray and you like to do it randomly throughout the day. You'll sit patiently with your arms folded until I pray. We say a lot of prayers. The other day we were in the car and I couldn't see that you were folding your arms. You started grunting and finally said 'hey' so I would notice you.
• Last week you said 'Hi Daddy!' when I brought you into our room in the morning.
  
• You finally started signing 'please'.
• You mimic the number syllables in the words we say. Daddy said 'raining' the other day and you said 'maimnin'.
• Reading is a new love. You used to somewhat like it but now you just love it. Sometimes you like to look at books by yourself and sometimes you like me to read to you.
• A few weeks ago you were on the deck and decided you didn't want to scrape your belly by army crawling, so you started to crawl on your hand and knees. Now you do a mixture of both.
• You use everything to pull yourself up and love to walk by holding one of my hands.
• You still don't have any teeth but I'm sure they're on their way. That doesn't hold you back in the eating department. You can chew everything I throw at you. It's so nice that I don't have to puree everything anymore. String cheese, grapes and blueberries are your favorites.
  
• I cut your hair for the first time. It was just a little trim in the front. You were very curious about what I was doing.
  
• You can crawl up the stairs by yourself. You also race toward the stairs when we're upstairs. You think it's a fun game when I come running and lunging to catch you before you hit the stairs. I don't think it's funny.
• You started giving a few snuggles here and there. I LOVE IT.
  

I love the stage you're at now and am so proud of you.

Love,
Mommy

Calder still loves to climb in the laundry basket. He also loves to push it around as he walks behind. This time I thought he could help me carry his laundry upstairs. He thought it was the funniest thing. Not that you can tell that from the picture.

Grandma Jan

My mom was here this last week and I LOVED it. She spoiled us rotten. Here's a quick rundown of the things we did:

• Went to COSI
• Shopped
• Sewed
• Baked
• Took walks
• Went out to lunch
• Shopped some more
• Went to North Market
• Got my hair cut
• I got an Ohio license
• Went swimming in the back yard
• Went to the Farmers Market

My mom is really the sweetest. I love how much Calder opened up to her. She is so fun and Calder loved playing with her. She even cleaned my bathroom and did the dishes over and over again. I love you so much mom! I can't wait for you to come back.