Caleb's 1st haircut

Well I finally bit the bullet and took Caleb into get his haircut. It was getting quite long and I finally decided it was time to part with the curls. Caleb did wonderful. He sat on my lap looking around and we got the whole haircut done before he got antsy. He's an adorable little boy now and doesn't look so much like my baby...awww.

Another brave boy

Isaac had surgery today. He's only had 1 or 2 ear infections that we know of so his ears haven't bothered him much like they did Caleb. Isaac is considered to have a speech delay because he's not talking as much as he should be. He is also having trouble saying words that start with "tr" and they come out quite nasily. We had Isaac's ears checked in May and they could only get a reading on one ear which showed there was fluid in his ear. We had it rechecked on July 1st and it was determined that the right ear was good and the left ear was bad. We visited with an ENT in Sioux Falls. He looked in Isaac's ear and agreed the right ear is fine and the left ear has some fluid in it. He thought it would be best to try and put a tube in his left ear and at the same time they would run a ABR test while Isaac was sedated.

We got to the hospital at 7:00 am and went to our room. I had been dreading surgery day because Isaac gets really scared of doctors and nurses so I figured it would be a tough morning for all of us. I was quite surprised when Isaac was fine sitting on our laps watching cartoons or playing with his new tractor I got him. They finally came to get him about 8:40 and wheeled him away in a little red wagon. The nurse came in during the surgery to ask if we were okay with the doctor putting a tube in both ears so we said that was fine. The doctor told us that he did see a lot of fluid in both ears so he put a tube in both ears and ran the hearing test. We'll get those results later on. Isaac had a little bit of a tough time coming out of the anethesia but not as bad as I expected. He was hooked up to an iv which he wanted out but we managed to get him distracted so he didn't try to pull it out. Isaac took about an hour nap and then woke up and had something to eat and drink and was fine.

Now we just wait and see if surgery will help his speech. It's so nice to have it done with.

On the way to Sioux Falls at 6:00 a.m.

Into hospital jammies

Watching cartoons with Daddy

Playing tractors with Daddy

Trying to figure out what's going on

After surgery, alseep on Mommy's lap

Not sure about the iv's hooked up

After eating...much happier

Showing Caleb new surgical cap

Caleb's 12 month check up

Today we went in for Caleb's 12 month baby well check. He is doing great. He now weighs a whopping 23 lbs 3 oz. and is 31 inches long. He is in the 50th percentile for weight and 75th percentile for height. He didn't grow much between his 6 and 9 month checkups but he sure did between 9 and 12 months, wow!!! Just for comparison I checked Isaac's measurements at 12 months. He was only 20 lbs 11 oz. and 30 1/4 inches. It's so funny because when Isaac was 9 months old he was 29 inches and Caleb was only 28 1/2 inches at 9 months. Now Caleb is ahead of Isaac on his 12 month measurements!!!

Caleb is cruising furniture like crazy and talking up a storm. He says quite a few words, sometimes I keep thinking he acts older then he really is. He's weaned off of formula and is off of the bottle. I never realized how easy that would be. With Isaac, weaning off the bottle was difficult and we didn't bite that bullet until 15 months. This time Caleb pretty much gave us signals that he wanted to be like his brother. He never once fussed or asked for his bottle. He went to the sippy cup like nothing ever happened.

I now have 2 toddlers, it's a bittersweet feeling I think.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CALEB BENJAMIN!!!!

Our baby is ONE today!!!! This past year has gone by so fast. It seems like just yesterday I was in labor. I really love the baby stage (aside from the sleepless nights) but I'm loving this age as well. Caleb's personality is really beginning to show. He is not walking yet, but I'm in no hurry for him to do so either. He is cruising furniture and pulling up to EVERYTHING so I doubt it will be long. I'm guessing 13 or 14 months. Isaac has already taught Caleb how to push buttons on the computer and tv and how to get all the cans out of the cupboards and the pots and pans out as well. These two are going to be partners in crime.

Caleb is still in the infant room at daycare but he moves to the toddler room next week to join his brother. I'm sure they'll be sent home with interesting stories from their day. Ha!!!!

Caleb is really talking up a storm. I'm hoping his ability to talk well will help Isaac along the way. He started talking about 9 1/2 months and has continued since. Most words he doesn't really know, he just copies us, but he does know the meaning of some. He's currently saying Mama, Dada, Isaac, tractor, truck, bubbles, more, doggy, nana. He makes the tractor noise and puppy noises. He's a character none the less.

2 years ago I would have never guessed in a million years that I would have given birth to a baby, let alone be a proud Mommy to 2 very special boys. God has really blessed our family and we are thankful every day.

It's hard to believe that Caleb was 8 lbs 3 oz. at birth and now he's weighing in at over 23 lbs. We'll get the official results next week.

Here's some pictures through the past year! We love you Caleb Benjamin.

Love, Mommy, Daddy & Isaac

1 day old

6 weeks old

3 months old

6 months old

9 months old

12 months old

Party picture overload

Saturday we had Caleb's FIRST birthday party. I can't believe my little guy is almost ONE. We spent quite a bit of time outside. It was a very nice day and not too hot. The guests included Grandma and Grandpa B, Grandma and Grandpa K, Great Grandma and Grandpa W, Uncle Nolan, Aunt Gina, Uncle Brad, cousin Caden, cousin Kim and cousin Emily. The kids spent time playing in the kiddie pools and sandbox. Caleb was given a toy push lawn mower from Caden but Isaac seems to have claimed that for himself. A bunch of family members went together and got him a picnic play table. The top comes off and we can put sand and water on top for them to play with. Isaac and Caleb love it, Isaac loves to stand on top of it too!!!! Caleb also got a new book, a bath towel, soft blocks for the tub, and money.

Caleb was very clean with his cake. He started picking at it a little bit but did not dig in like Isaac did. That's the obvious difference in their personalities. Along with cake and icecream we had maidrites, chips, and salad. It was a great day and went way too fast.

Here are some pictures from the party.

Little fish

Isaac has a little slide that we keep in the house but I decided to haul it outside and put it in his kiddie pool for some extra fun outdoors. Isaac loves it, but only when the water is warm. Some days he knows the water is cold and tries to go off the side before hitting the pool. We put up a little bigger pool for him but he doesn't like that one as well so that will go up next year.

Congratulations Joshua Dennis!

Today we had a Graduation open house for my nephew Josh. It's so hard to believe Josh is now a young man at 18 years old and has enrolled in the National Guard. He will be going off to basic training in a few weeks and we won't see him for 5 months. I still remember the day I found out I became an Aunt. I was 11 years old and in the 4th grade. Congratulations Josh, you've come a long way and we are very proud of you!!!

The boys did pretty well at my parents aside from the fact they wouldn't take a nap since too much was going on. We were able to see Daryan, Norah and Bjorn which was nice. This was the first time my parents had all their grandchildren together. We had to get pictures of course.

Caleb (11 months) Bjorn (10 months)




All grandchildren-
Back row Left to Right
Norah (almost 3), Daryan (almost 12), Emily (8), Josh (18), Kim (12)
On laps
Bjorn (10 months), Caleb (11 months), Isaac (19 months)

Time to update

Things are busy here as usual.

Mr. Isaac is 19 months old and turning into quite the little toddler. I think the terrible 2's could be on their way. Isaac has quite the temper and decides to share that with us every day when I get home from work. Trying to feed 2 little ones after a long day at daycare is quite challenging and frustrating as you can imagine. I've figured out that his behavior is much worse on days he goes to daycare and I think he's just overly tired. Isaac is beginning to talk a little more every day. His constant vocabulary consists of: Mama, Dada, Truck, More, Ball, No, Grandma, Grandpa, Cracker, Bye-bye, outside. We're getting him a little extra help with talking. He was evaluated by a speech therapist and she does not think we need to worry at this point. She said it's obvious he is able to say the words, she really thinks he's just too busy to work on communication right now. We had his vision and hearing checked. His left eye is showing an inaccurate reading so that will have to be retested in couple weeks. The hearing test we had done only shows if there is fluid in his ears and there is. Not sure if that means he'll be a candidate for tubes or not. He's only had 1 or 2 infections. He will have an appointment with an audiologist on July 1st. Isaac LOVES being outside. He would be outside all day if we let him. His real passion is pushing anything and everything all around the yard. I'm happy to say our yard is fenced in now so I don't have to worry about them if I have to run inside quickly.

Caleb is almost 11 months old. I'm starting to think about his birthday party which will probably be quite similar to Isaac's, small gathering at our house with food and presents. Caleb is talking up a storm already. He says Mama, Dada, tractor, Isaac, ball, puppy. He just started crawling full time a few weeks ago. He's almost pulling himself up but not quite. He too loves to be outside but has to stay on a blanket as he doesn't like the grass. I was exactly like that when I was little.

I've taken some pictures of the boys outside. Caleb's turned out great and I've been told I don't even need to take him for his 1 year shots, but we'll see. Isaac is a bit harder as his are done on the go!

Well here are some pictures for your enjoyment.