Give Me Back That Ear!

So I got all the photos back of our live bunny session. (Grandparents - they are available in the March Picasa album.) I thought I would share some photos of Clara's anger at us for taking away her bunny.

Going for the ear...

Pulling the ear. It almost looks like she is asking Caleb if it is okay and he is warning her, but I don't really think either of those things were happening.

Why did you take my bunny????

A little dramatic, don't you think?

Pictures with Bunnies

I took Caleb and Clara to have their photos made with live (tame) bunnies late last week. Here are my sneak peak photos. I love the one of them looking at each other. We got a couple of good shots but then Clara grabbed the bunny's ear and pulled. Then she got royally upset when we took the bunny away. It was down hill from there!

 

 

 

 

Caleb's Third Birthday Party

We had Caleb's "friend" birthday party last Thursday. It was early because we shared the day - and the expenses - with his friend Claire who turned 3 at the beginning of March. We did a ladybug and bumble bee party at Monkey Joes (one of those huge places with all kinds of jump houses), and I think it turned out super cute. Most importantly, Caleb had a great time with his friends.

Caleb with all his loot.

Enjoying his gifts!

A video of Caleb blowing out his candles. We were really surprised that he knew just what to do and that he blew all the candles out on the first try. He's a big boy!

My (Almost) Three Year Old

I just wanted to write to document a few major milestones for Caleb.

1. I am going to go ahead and announce it - Caleb is potty trained. I've been hesitant to call him that, but seeing as how he has gone all week without an accident, insists on wearing his "big boys" 24 hours a day, and has pooped outside this house (and not in his big boys), I think he's now officially potty trained.

We went through several trials over the last several months and he fought us on it. While it was frustrating to just give up, it was more frustrating cleaning up accidents and trying to "make" him go. Then one day he said he wanted to wear his big boys so we started trying and he went to the potty willingly - with expectation of a sucker of course.

Then we ran into another problem; he only wanted to go on his frog potty. So after a couple of accidents at school (where there was no frog potty), we took away the frog potty one weekend and Caleb happily went standing up. From that point on, he held no potty preference.

Our next semi-battle was with the treats. He got to the point where he would go whenever he wanted a treat. One time he asked me for a snack and when I said it was too close to dinner, he said, "okay, I need to potty." After about 4 drops came out, he asked for a sucker. So... we took away treats except for when he went all day at school with no accidents.

About a week ago, he looked up as I was putting him in his "night time big boys" (pull-ups) and said, "try big boys at night?" So, I reluctantly gave in and fully expected to be changing the sheets at 3 a.m., but he made it all night and has for several nights in a row now.

So now I will say it again, Caleb is potty trained!


2. We took him to Super Cuts on Monday night. He sat the entire time without crying. The event took some convincing and slight manipulation, like "we have to get your hair cut so you can go to your birthday party" and "do you want sprinkles on the ice cream you'll get when we are done" but hey, he didn't cry. I'm not sure if this behavior will be duplicated when a party is not involved, but we were happy for one hair cut without kicking, screaming, violent hand waving - you get the idea.

We are extremely proud of our little boy. I certainly never thought I would feel so much pride and excitement for normal, everyday events like going to the bathroom and getting a hair cut. I know there will be nights that sheets do have to be changed. And if he never cries during a haircut again, there will unnecessary, dramatic tears shed over something else (and probably very soon). But even during those frustrating times, we'll be proud of Caleb. That, I think, is parenthood.



Here is is trying to hold up the number 3. He can't get that pinkie to stay down!

A few more favorites from the 9 month photo shoot...

Clara - 9 Months

Sweet Clara will be 9 months on Wednesday. I can't believe it but it is true. She's quite the speed crawler and pulls up on everything she can. She has starting waving and says bye-bye. She is also very good at saying mama, but I still can't tell if she is referring to me or just says it randomly.

Clara gets into anything she can and already just looks at me and grins when I say no. She smiles a lot but not that full face smile that Caleb always had, so a little more reserved but still has plenty of charm.

She loves chasing her big brother and I love hearing them laugh together. Time 0ut for Caleb has become less effective because Clara heads straight for him while he is sitting on the stairs and starts climbing on him and the stairs.

She's a good little eater - a little more picky than Caleb was at the same age, but she definitely likes to eat.

Now if her hair would just grow a little faster!

We are so blessed and happy to be her parents - if only we could slow down time. We'll be celebrating her first birthday before I know it and that makes me a little sad.

Here are a few of Clara's 9 month photos taken this morning. http://brookekellyphotography.blogspot.com/2010/02/clara-9-months.html

Brother and Sister

Clara playing with Caleb's toys.

Caleb playing with hers.

Together watching our little river in the back that has formed due to all the snow and rain.

Clara likes to get right up under Caleb while he eats. Sometimes Caleb thinks it is funny and other times we have to watch to make sure he doesn't try to kick her down. Here they are during our little Valentine's Day party.