Hippo walk

Who knew learning to walk involved a hippo, a long stretch of open living room space and lots of smiles and squeals.

And we have 2 front teeth slowly starting to make their way down! They haven't popped out just yet but they are on their way.

Surgery :(

Caleb had a little surgery done this week and everything went better than I could have hoped for. I was totally freaking out! My baby was going to have to be put to sleep and I was worrying myself to death!! I felt like we were being so superficial doing a surgery that really was mostly cosmetic (my 9 month old was having plastic surgery!) but we were really just fixing something that wasn't done correctly when he was born. I could hear the mean kids picking on him when he was older and I just knew it HAD to be done. So I sucked it up, said my prayers and signed my 9 month old baby boy up for surgery. I was so afraid he was going to be sore afterwards but you would not even know he had anything done to him. He slept for a couple hours when we got home and as soon as he woke up he was back to his normal, all over the place, exploring, playing, happy self!! All of my prayers had been answered: he made it through the anesthesia perfectly fine and he wasn't hurting at all! Now he won't be teased when he's older, well at least not for that. Of course I took some pictures to document this big day!!

Just arriving at the surgery center waiting to go back

Changed into his gown and socks and getting weighed and prepped for surgery.

His doctor was in surgery with another child and we were waiting our turn. You can tell Caleb was worried sick :) Him sleeping like this and cuddling up next to me is really what kept me calm and the tears held back) while we waited.
After it was all over and we were able to go back and see him in recovery. I could actually breath now. It was all over and he was in my arms. Passed out from all the drugs!!
About 4 hours later! Man nothing can keep this little angel down for long!!
After all this I thanked God for blessing us with a healthy little boy. It was such a minor thing and I was so worried. Going through this really made me even more appreciative of a healthy child. I can't even imagine having a sick child. I pray that God will pour out his blessings on the families with sick children. Because there is no other way to get through it without the strength from above!

Still not too big, yet

Caleb roamed over to his jumpy this morning and was trying to get in it. I guess he hasn't outgrown it just yet!!

He looks so big in it now compared to when he first started playing in it!

Enjoying Mommy's birthday balloon. Dianna said he threw quite the fit when he couldn't figure out how to get it into his mouth.

We went to his new doctor for his 9 month check up last week. I felt like I was cheating on Dr. Cush-John but since she refused to move to Memphis with us, we had to find someone else :)

We saw Dr. Geiger and really liked her. His stats this time were:

weight: 22 lbs 11 oz (85-90 percentile, Caleb you lost some ground here buddy! Must be from constantly moving and playing!! :) )

height: 30 inches (90-95 percentile, he was 75th last time! I thought he was looking taller/longer)

head circumference: 47 cm (90 percentile) I knew you were smart, you have a big brain in there :)

He goes in the morning for his surgery to get recircumcised! I am really nervous about it but it has to be done. When he is older he will thank us for doing it while he was still little!

Weekend with MiMi

MiMi came to Memphis to celebrate my 26th birthday and to visit Little Man of course. We had a fun filled weekend despite the rainy weather!

We all went to Melting Pot for my birthday dinner. Despite us staying there 2 1/2 hours, Caleb was great. He entertained himself and begged for a taste of whatever we were eating!

I posted this one for you Nanner! Such a great picture of both of us!! :)

On Friday we had to go to Little Gym. MiMi was excited she was able to come watch.

Our little Monkey! He loves swinging on the bars.

He was trying to figure out where the bubbles were coming from.

Born a flirt!

When we got a small break in the rain, we went to check out the Cooper Young festival. It is like the Revel but bigger and only one day. We were really glad to get a break in the rain and have something fun to roam around and look at outside.

Caleb was all tuckered out!! Does he not look so big!!! What happened to my sweet little angel! I must have blinked again!

Nanner moves in!!

The Auschwitz house has gotten fuller and no not another baby just yet. Nanner moved in for the next couple months! We are so excited to have her stay with us. Let the spoiling begin, as if it didn't start as soon as he was born! They started playing as soon as she walked in the door.

Papa and Nina's visit and Graceland tour

When Papa and Nina came to Memphis last weekend, they wanted to go see Graceland. Tyler and I have been wanting to go but we knew we'd have plenty of opportunities to go when people came to visit. Tyler was on call so Papa, Nina, Caleb and I headed to see Elvis's house.On the shuttle over to Graceland.
Caleb loved the mirrors on the ceiling of this room. Don't you love our headsets!
Caleb was so funny in this room. They had an Elvis performance playing and Caleb was singing along. The whole time we were in here, he was making all kinds of noise singing with Elvis.
Don't we all wish we had our own plane!
We had a great visit. Caleb just entertained Papa and Nina the whole time!

Watching Cartoons with Papa

Caleb's been eating finger foods for awhile now. I usually will do one thing with each meal that he can grab and eat himself. This time I did his whole meal. It wasn't as mess as I was afraid of. Caleb doesn't drop too much because he doesn't want to lose that bite! :) Today he had one of his special Caleb turkey burgers, bananas and avocados. Yummy!

Caleb is 9 months old

Nine months ago today my world was turned upside down in the best way. I couldn't have imagined the effect such a tiny sweet little boy would have on the rest of my life! I knew I would love him instantly but the depth of that love is beyond what I could've comprehended. It is crazy how fast it has gone by! I look at him now and I can't imagine that only 9 months ago he was just making his grand arrival. The places he's been and the things he's done in such a short time!!

Here's what he's up to this month:

- EVERYTHING!! His favorites are the fridge, the fireplace, the end tables/coffee table and everything thats on it, and still the dvd/ tivo box cabinet. Oh and I can't forget the doggy bowls, splish, splashing in the water.

-pulling up and standing on everything: He loves standing on the doggy gate and looking for the puppies. When Mommy's sitting in her chair, he loves to pull up and give a big smile and then go back on his way. Just dropping in to say hello. Another favorite is standing on the french doors watching what's going on outside.

- exploring and analyzing everything. Caleb will play with something and its like you can see his wheels turning trying to figure it out and then of course he tries to see how it tastes!

- going up and down stairs! If there are stairs he will find them! He's gotten good at 2-3 stairs but if there are more than that he's likely to just slide down head first :)

- still no teeth: They're just waiting and getting stronger before they pop :)

- Caleb's moved up to the big boy car seat! But we do still have it rear facing. I can't wait to switch it but he doesn't seem to mind as long as he's sitting up and not laying back in that carrier.

-Little Gym: I swear I call MiMi or Papa and Nina after every class because he's done something new and funny at Little Gym! He just loves exploring all the equipment and playing with his friends. He was squealing and laughing so hard swinging on the rings the last time.

Things Caleb loves:

- giving hugs and kisses! Caleb has always been so cuddly and lovable but I just love it how he comes in for the hugs and kisses now instead of Mommy just stealing them! He just comes in and attacks and I love it!! I still steal plenty!!

- laughing and smiling

- playing with friends. If Caleb sees another baby or even a bigger kid, he takes off to go play! I love watching him interact with other kids! Caleb was playing chase with the Kimball boys the other day. They were so sweet how well they played with him.

- Tiger and Gracie!!!

- eating!! This boy is a true Antee! He can put away some food. I think I'm raising a pig! I hope he stays a good eater as he gets older. There isn't anything I found that he doesn't like yet. Now he begs, yes like the puppies, for food from Mommy and Daddy when we are eating. Like all that he just ate isn't enough :)

It amazes me how every day I love him more and more! I feel so blessed to have this sweet angel as part of my life and to be able to watch and witness all the great things God has in store for him!