Proof of Caleb's comprehension and communication skills. So what if it looks like he's saying hello to himself? Geniuses always seem talk to themselves.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Hello, Goodbye
Proof of Caleb's comprehension and communication skills. So what if it looks like he's saying hello to himself? Geniuses always seem talk to themselves.
Monday, March 30, 2009
10 months
It doesn't seem possible that Caleb is already 10 months old!
After interviewing Caleb extensively, here is the latest:
- Favorite food: cottage cheese and fruit
- Favorite game to play in the grocery store: peekaboo
- Favorite new toy: Baby swings at the park
- Newest skill: waving hello and goodbye
- Latest research focus: walking and going down stairs
- Biggest adventure: Staying at Grandpa and Grandma Baker's house for the weekend
- Newest territory to explore and conquer: Cabinets
- New acquisitions: 2 new teeth for a total of 8
Overall it's been a good month!
The results of Caleb's new explorations:
Caleb is on a fairly predictable (but flexible) routine now, which the planning side of me really enjoys. His personality is becoming clearer. He is constantly moving, very active, slow to wake up, and generally happy. He is not a fan of some of the consequences of his explorations (paper cuts, falling after trying to climb, etc.). If you have any fun activities or games that keep little boys out of trouble, I'd love to hear about them. I'm starting to run out of ideas, and we haven't even hit the one-year mark!
As was mentioned earlier, Caleb stayed with my parents for a weekend while Luke and I went to a marriage conference in Des Moines. We enjoyed the conference, and Caleb enjoyed having new territory to explore. Oh, and he loved playing with Grandma from what I hear. I was afraid Caleb would really take off walking over the weekend and I'd miss it, but he didn't. He takes a few steps on his own, but he's not confident yet. Instead of walking at Grandma's, he decided to break out two new teeth. Thankfully they were easy teeth, and he didn't keep Grandpa and Grandma up all night.
The following video is actually from about a month ago, but it seems that I've been too busy playing with (i.e. chasing after) Caleb to take many pictures or capture video.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Board Book Reviews
I haven't read many noteworthy adult books lately, so I decided to write about the books I have been reading. Here's a list of books Caleb loves:
Moo Baa La La La by Sandra Boynton:
This is classic Boynton. Simple enough for the kids to love it, but humorous enough for the adults to enjoy reading it...even after the 10th, 43rd, or 100th time.
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown:
Another classic. But this time it's actually a classic. It's a simple concept, but one that makes Caleb smile each time we pull out this book.
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney:
A great bedtime book with a wonderfully sappy message. I may write more on this one at another time. The basic premise is that no matter how much Little Nutbrown Hare says that he loves Big Nutbrown Hare, Big Nutbrown Hare loves him even more.
Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? by Dr. Seuss:
This one is full of fun sounds, which hold the attention of squirmy kids like mine.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin, Jr.:
This is not one of my favorites, but Caleb enjoys the rhythmic pulse of this book. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see? I see a red bird looking at me. Red bird, red bird, what do you see? I see a.... and so forth.
Dinosaurs, Pets, Wild Animals: Any touch and feel book.
We have several other great books that Caleb will grow into I'm sure, but right now he mostly enjoys pulling them off the bookshelf and scattering them around the floor. Sometimes I pick them up just so he can have the pleasure of scattering them again.
Moo Baa La La La by Sandra Boynton:
This is classic Boynton. Simple enough for the kids to love it, but humorous enough for the adults to enjoy reading it...even after the 10th, 43rd, or 100th time.
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown:
Another classic. But this time it's actually a classic. It's a simple concept, but one that makes Caleb smile each time we pull out this book.
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney:
A great bedtime book with a wonderfully sappy message. I may write more on this one at another time. The basic premise is that no matter how much Little Nutbrown Hare says that he loves Big Nutbrown Hare, Big Nutbrown Hare loves him even more.
Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? by Dr. Seuss:
This one is full of fun sounds, which hold the attention of squirmy kids like mine.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin, Jr.:
This is not one of my favorites, but Caleb enjoys the rhythmic pulse of this book. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see? I see a red bird looking at me. Red bird, red bird, what do you see? I see a.... and so forth.
Dinosaurs, Pets, Wild Animals: Any touch and feel book.
We have several other great books that Caleb will grow into I'm sure, but right now he mostly enjoys pulling them off the bookshelf and scattering them around the floor. Sometimes I pick them up just so he can have the pleasure of scattering them again.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Sounds
Last week I checked out Oh the Wonderful Sounds Mr. Brown Can Do from the library. I think Caleb was inspired and is now rehearsing for a part in the Broadway show:
Monday, March 2, 2009
The Best Toys
I've heard plenty of parents say that you don't need to buy toys for your kids. Now I know why.
The thing that attracts Caleb to the fancy jumperoo is the zip tie holding on the tag. I've thought about removing the tag, but then the jumper would be completely useless. Caleb will pass by the his rattle in favor of (clean) sour cream containers. He loves to play in our green bedroom because I let him play with several colored pieces of paper when he's in that room. He'll leave behind the numerous toys in our basement in favor of climbing the stairs. An oatmeal canister with a plastic link inside serves as roll toy, drum, and teether. An empty formula can makes an even louder drum--use at your own risk. A rubber ducky hidden inside a cardboard box provides at least a few minutes of fun and/or distraction. And when in doubt, just say "peekaboo" and Caleb will hide and peek.
This past week I discovered the board book section at the library so I at least have some variety. I love the board books we have, but I can recite them in the car when Caleb starts fussing. Let's just say that I am enjoying new material.
I also tried checking out a Baby Einstein video from the library. Any guesses on how long Caleb paid attention to it? If you're not sure of the answer, go see his 9-month picture.
The thing that attracts Caleb to the fancy jumperoo is the zip tie holding on the tag. I've thought about removing the tag, but then the jumper would be completely useless. Caleb will pass by the his rattle in favor of (clean) sour cream containers. He loves to play in our green bedroom because I let him play with several colored pieces of paper when he's in that room. He'll leave behind the numerous toys in our basement in favor of climbing the stairs. An oatmeal canister with a plastic link inside serves as roll toy, drum, and teether. An empty formula can makes an even louder drum--use at your own risk. A rubber ducky hidden inside a cardboard box provides at least a few minutes of fun and/or distraction. And when in doubt, just say "peekaboo" and Caleb will hide and peek.
This past week I discovered the board book section at the library so I at least have some variety. I love the board books we have, but I can recite them in the car when Caleb starts fussing. Let's just say that I am enjoying new material.
I also tried checking out a Baby Einstein video from the library. Any guesses on how long Caleb paid attention to it? If you're not sure of the answer, go see his 9-month picture.
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