Rings

I love wooden toys. They seem so sturdy and timeless. Calder is also a fan.

Laundry Basket

Now that Calder is mobile I'm having a harder time containing him! Our apartment is laid out in such a way that if I'm in the kitchen I can't see the living room or bedroom so it is hard to just let him roam. (We're waiting to baby proof until we move) I've become rather creative in my containment methods. The laundry basket is awesome! I love that when Calder gets tired of the kitchen tool I've given him I can just give him another one.

Calder does have a Johnny Jump Up in the doorway and an exersaucer that I haven't packet yet but there's only so long he's willing to stay in one place.

7 months

Calder,

You are such a sweet little man. I love everything about you. It is so fun to be with you all the time and see you discover new things. And this month was full of new things.

• You spent a good part of this month sucking on your bottom lip. Just recently you stopped doing that but you stick your tongue out just enough to touch you lips and hold it there. I think you're biting it but I'm not sure.

• You scoot like a mad man. You can get all over the house in a matter of seconds. It's a good thing we're starting fresh in a new house so I can baby proof as I set up. Things are way too accessible here.

• You are becoming better friends with Deebo. He hasn't growled at you all month. He appreciates that you don't pull his fur or pinch his face as much as you used to.

• You can clearly say Dada and Oma. I assume Oma is me. If you're really mad you throw out a Mama, but those are rare. You also seem to say DeDe for Deebo. I'm not 100% sure about that though.
  

• You are incredibly ticklish. Especially on the back of your neck. I love it!

• You are eating so much now. You LOVE sweet potatoes and bananas. Avocados have not been a favorite lately. And you love puffs.
  

• You can pull yourself up from sitting to standing in your crib. You can't yet get yourself to sitting position.
  

• You love to watch hockey with Daddy. When I had a meeting and Daddy needed to put you to bed this is the special trick he pulled to calm you down and get you to sleep.
  

• You love socializing but don't want other people to hold you. You talk to everyone at the grocery store and at the park. You even reach out to them but it's not because you want them to hold you. It is your special greeting.

• You give the best high fives.
  

• You clap your feet when you are happy or excited.

• You recently started quickly sucking air in and out of your nose. You find it absolutely hilarious when we do it.
  

• Although you still don't take a bottle very well, you started taking a sippy cup and you LOVE to drink water out of it. Especially if it is cold from the fridge.
  

Your Daddy and I agree that you are the best kid ever. We are so thankful to have you as part of our family. Life with you has been so much better than we could have ever imagined. We love you.

Productivity

(I know it looks like Calder is the one doing all the packing, but I promise I help!)

I had a very productive day. Calder, Jason and I woke up, had breakfast and got dressed. Jason went to school and Calder and I had friends over. Calder played with his friend. I sewed an apron with sleeves with my friend. It was fun! Since I packed my crafty stuff a few weeks ago I haven't done any crafting and I really missed it. It felt good. All my creative juices are going towards getting many things in not many boxes.

Calder enjoyed two beautiful naps today and I used my time very wisely. I did ELEVEN loads of laundry and packed 3 boxes. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that there were 11 loads of laundry to do. Every linen in my house is clean and many are even packed.

After a productive afternoon I made dinner, fed and bathed Calder and put him to bed. Now I'm going to work on a presentation for work. Yep, I'm going to work tomorrow! Just for a meeting so I can give a presentation, but it will still be fun! I'm looking forward to it. Calder gets to come with me.

Happy Mother's Day

I am so thankful for my mom and my mom in law. I am so spoiled to have them. My mom is an amazing woman. She is very patient, loving and happy. I have learned so many things from her. She is such a great example of selfless giving. She has sacrificed so much for our family. As I get older I notice things I do just like my mom and it makes me smile. I look up to her a lot. She is always thrilled to listen to me talk about my day, no matter how boring and always has words of encouragement for the rough days.

Jason's mom is also an amazing woman. She is so organized and thoughtful. She raised Jason to be smart, driven, loving and honest. All traits I admire in both of them. Jason's mom is also a great example of continuous learning. I love that she takes piano lessons and learned how to quilt. I want that. I want to always have something new I'm learning and doing. I'm so thankful for such great examples as I'm just starting out as a mother.

I had a fabulous mothers day yesterday! It was of course my first and I enjoyed it so much. Jason made breakfast and I got an adorable gift from Calder (and Jason).

Jason also spoke in church. I think that was a great present. He did a fantastic job and I really am thankful I got to hear his comments. He always does a great job speaking. Calder fell asleep during it. I was even sitting down in the congregation! That never happens. What a gift.

I love being a mom. I am so happy with my life (even though it involves a lot of packing at this point). Calder is such a great baby and I love teaching him new things. He seems to understand so much. He is getting so good at expressing his emotions. I love it. I want to be able to see every milestone he reaches and I want to be a constant influence for good for him. Jason and I both have moms who set great examples for us. I have much to learn, but I have great teachers.

The Zoo

On Monday we had a fantastic trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo with some friends. And get this... it was totally free. The zoo is always free and we found street parking. Woohoo! If packing continues to go well maybe we'll go again before we move.

Vintage Swing

I really like the effect of this picture. It makes Calder look very lonely. Next time we go, we'll invite some friends.

Swings

Calder and I took advantage of the beautiful day and went to the park out our back door. It was so fun to see Calder discover the joy of swinging. He wasn't too sure at first and held on for dear life. He did end up laughing a lot and really liked it.

I'm loving his hair these days. It's getting longer but is still a little thin. It also still grows to the side so it looks like I style it that way. It is a really pretty color. I would say sandy blonde. It will be fun to see if it changes over the summer.

Flat Shelby

We had the honor of hosting Flat Shelby over the weekend! Flat Shelby is a creation of my cousin Shelby in Temecula, California. She is in 2nd grade. I don't know if you have all read the book Flat Stanley, but it is a great book. It was one of my favorites when I was younger. In the book a boy named Stanley has a bulletin board fall on him. He is fine but he is squished flat. He is thrilled to discover all the places he can go. Flat Shelby visited Chicago.

Flat Shelby in front of the Sears Tower. It will be changing its name to Willis Tower this summer. It is the tallest building in the United States and the second tallest in the world.

Flat Shelby in front of the Corn Cob buildings.

Flat Shelby and the Chicago sign.

Flat Shelby and the Art Institute.

Flat Shelby at the American Girl store on Michigan Ave.

The beautiful Chicago skyline view from The Point.

This is one of my favorite stops with Flat Shelby. This is the newspaper guy I waved at every day on my way to work for 4 years. He is very nice and definitely a part of my Chicago experience. I never bought a paper from him. He may not have the same warm feelings for me that I have for him.
We took Flat Shelby to the White Sox game tonight. Unfortunately it was rained out, so we enjoyed some brats with onions and went home. It was great.

This is my very favorite part of having Flat Shelby visit. Shelby's brother is serving a mission here in Chicago and is currently serving in our stake. We got to have them over for dinner. It was great! I'm hoping to host them at least one more time before we move.

Calder Scooting

Girly?

I make some of Calder clothes and for the most part Jason is on board. They're cute and super cheap and they give me an outlet for creativity which I need. Well, I found this adorable vintage BOY overall outfit. I love it and think it is just so fun. I want to make a few more pairs but Jason is not on board. He think they look girly. So, I'm opening it up for a vote. On the sidebar you'll notice a poll. Please vote. Also, I won't be offended if you think it's girly. If you do think it is girly and can think of a way to 'man it up' please leave me a comment.




As a side note, that is two TVs in our living room. It's hockey playoff time. Enough said.