New Friend

For Christmas, Great-grandpa and Great-grandma Ellsworth gave Cael his first teddy bear. He snuggled with it right away, and he goes to sleep hugging it every time.

My Day with Cael

What a day I had with Cael on Monday! I mistakenly believed that a mobile baby was a crawling baby. Apparently not.

You've seen "Where's Waldo," right? We play the "Where's Cael?" game. He started on his playmat and had moved all that way in a few short minutes while I was in the other room cleaning.
Later, it was time for his nap, so I left him in his crib, eyes closed, pacifier in his mouth, hugging his teddy bear. He was fast asleep, or so I thought. When I checked on him, this is what I found: totally turned around from where I'd put him, both socks off, all stuffed animals played with and sucked on, and the mobile being pulled down.
Later, to my great relief, he finally slept. He was on one that day. He kept me going and laughing all the way. I absolutely love this kid!

Mr. Fashion

Thanks to Grandma Jill, Cael has this new hat to keep his head warm, and he looks mighty cute in it, too. His dad wants a matching one.

Merry First Christmas!

All smiles in his "My First Christmas" outfit from Grandma Jill

Mmm... Santa's sleeve is tasty!

Grandpa Time

Cael and Grandpa (Gerald Hancock) had quite the conversation.

Sleeping

Cael was so exhausted from playing, he couldn't even manage to keep his thumb all the way in his mouth.

More Meal Time

Before...... and After

Four-month Feeding Time

Cael turned four months on Friday, and on Sunday, he ate his first rice cereal meal. Well, I use the word "ate" loosely, as you can see from the pictures. First Bite

Eating leftovers off the Bumbo

Seriously, guys, where's the breast milk?

Stop the torture!

Remnants of the Meal

Sleeping Peacefully

Cael rolled over and was just so tuckered out from the endeavor that he fell asleep.

The Cutest Boy Ever

Okay, you may think he isn't the cutest boy ever, but I am his mama, and I am supposed to think that.

16 weeks old and smiling:)

Cael is eating his sock. Paul is jealous of his flexibility.

Travels

The poor boy just wants to stay home, and we keep gallivanting around the countryside:)

Last week, we were gone every day, to a doctor's appointment in Eagar, to Flagstaff for Paul's conference, and to the Valley for state football and volleyball games. Cael is such a good boy, though, and good-natured about traveling. Being held by cousin, Kiki: She loves him so much and is so good to him.

I'm in this car seat again?

Precious Time With Grammy

We went to visit Grammy, my maternal grandmother, in Eagar today, and she just loved seeing Cael. It made her day to see him smile at her and talk to her. She said some great things to him, so I thought I better record them before I forget. (I am finishing this post almost two weeks later, and I, indeed, did forget all she said. Dang it! Here is what I remember, though.)

"You came straight from Heavenly Father, and He just told you to come down here and smile at people and make them happy."

I brought Grammy some See's chocolates, which she loves, and she put the one in her hand down, reaching for Cael. "Oh, he wants to see me," she said.

Grammy just lights up when you are around, Cael. She loves you so much.

Go Big Red!

Cael cheered on the home team of St. Johns, and his friend Garrett Davis, at a wrestling tournament yesterday. Cael's mother did not get into a fight with a Show Low woman this time:)

Happy Halloween

Cael was a cute candy corn for his first Halloween.
Thanks to Aunt Jennifer for lending us the costume Lee wore.

The trick-or-treating was short lived; we only made it to Aunt Bev's house, where the witch had her root beer brew. He then became fussy and fell asleep, so we just drove around for awhile and then went home.

My Favorite Hands

Cael holding Paul's Hand

Growing Too Fast

Cael is now rolling over (bottom picture) and talking up a storm with great expression (top photo). He tells sad stories to his mom and dad all the time.

Happy Mileage, Spectra!

I know I am weird. I will admit it. Paul will testify to it, and soon Cael will, too.

Regardless of the question of my sanity, I celebrate my time with my dear car, Spectra. I always have, at decade miles, or even smaller thousands of miles. She and I have a bond, as we have spent much time together, traveling on long and short journeys alike. We have been on a road trip to Tennessee, with my mom and my brother, Tyson. My mom and I traveled up the Pacific Coast, from San Francisco to Seattle, in Spectra. Paul and I took her to San Diego and Las Vegas last summer. Spectra and I have been on numerous trips to the Valley as well. Paul and she have bonded lately with him driving her to Show Low almost daily. Not only is she a very reliable car, but she is also the one I have hung onto the longest. I hope to have her around many more years, dancing around her as she hits more milestones and patting her dashboard as she successfully passes another flashier vehicle going uphill. Last Wednesday, on October 22nd, Spectra's dial turned to 100,000. Woohoo! It was quite the moment, driving back from a dinner in Springerville. I had butterflies the whole time, knowing the time was near for this special moment. When it arrived, right at the Lyman Lake turnoff, I welled up with emotion as I realized the moments that had all built up to this. I pulled over, my mom in the passenger seat as she'd been so many times, Paul behind me in the back seat with Cael, who was sound asleep for the momentous occasion. I ran around this car, this assemblage of metal, and I realized that Spectra is a piece of me. I have cried in her from a broken heart, laughed with friends, sang my favorite songs at the top of my lungs, shared precious time with my mom, drove to Holbrook to meet Paul for the first time, viewed beautiful sights from her windows, received revelations from my Heavenly Father, visited family, and I could go on and on. She holds in her a part of me. That is why I celebrate her miles - because I celebrate the life I have lived. Here's to 100,000 more, Spectra!

I washed and cleaned her, inside and out, for her special day,

as well as filling her up with premium gasoline.

Three Months on October 21st/22nd

Cael is almost as tall as his mother already:)

He is just hanging out on the bed in the morning, looking so bright-eyed.

His I'm-so-cool pose.

Good Times

Hope Davis was holding Cael at this St. Johns volleyball game.

She loves him, and we all love her.

They are both just as cute as can be.

The Best Smile

Paul said one day that when Cael smiles, his whole body smiles. It is so true. His face lights up, his eyes twinkle, and his little chubby self curls up in happiness.

It doesn't matter what is going on in the day, or the night: when he smiles at me, my heart stops and swells at the joy he brings to me. He makes everything else wrong in the world right, with just a grin.

First Trips

We have been traveling the last two weekends: first, Cael and I went to pick up my mom in Chandler (and to get my hair done:); and second, Paul, Cael, my mom, and I went to my cousin's daughter's wedding in Tucson and then to spend some time in the Valley of the Sun. These marked Cael's first long trips. He was such a good boy, sleeping most of the driving time.

At Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Lon's:

What's so special about this Valley place, Mom?

First Target Trip (first of MANY)

First nights in a hotel: Playing on the bed with Dad

Cael's First Toy

I ordered this playmat for Cael and received it about two weeks ago.

It is so fun to watch him on it. He just smiles and talks and interacts with all the hanging items.

He scoots himself, too, to kick the bars to make the star go on (it lights up and plays music).

Stealing My Heart

Seriously, if anyone can tell me how in the world I could resist him, please comment. Moments such as these, which happen a hundred times each day, confirm that I am blessed to be home to witness the small things.

Shots!

Cael had his first shots Wednesday. He was so brave - only crying a little.

He then went promptly to sleep for most of the afternoon,

which is how he seems to deal with trauma. I think I will try that, too:)

He is now 12 pounds 8 ounces and 24 inches long.

In this picture he is zoned out from Tylenol - pain? What pain?

Who needs a girl?

Ready for the SJHS football game

Cael always looks cute, but I especially like seeing him in his "big boy" clothes, full outfits that are a step out from just his normal onesies. I love picking out his clothes and getting him dressed each morning. It is so fun that I have to ask, "Who needs a girl?"

Above Outfit from Grandma Jill

Pants from Aunt Kirstin and Jenna

Little Paul

Ways Cael is just like his Daddy:

Watching T.V. . . .

In a Deep Sleep (Cael Sleep, we call it). . .
Content After Eating . . .

Cael is two months old at 11:54 P.M. tonight.

This time goes by too quickly, in the blink of an eye,

And all of a sudden he communicates, with a coo and a sigh.

He went from nights of crying to sleeping rather well,

With changes happening rapidly, sometimes it's hard to tell.

His smile lights up his dimpled round face, melting our hearts,

Hearing the smallest sounds in his sleep, his tiny body starts.

To show his extreme happiness, he squeals in utter delight,

He laughs at Dad, sings with Mom, is very alert and bright.

He is quite the social butterfly, flitting with Mom here and there,

Football games, Volleyball too, and the Apache County Fair.

He loves sitting up to watch events, rocking, and being in his swing,

Holding him ever close to us, we do not want to miss a thing.

Only two short months ago he arrived, to our greatest joy,

Now our newborn infant son is starting to become a boy.

This time goes by too quickly, in the blink of an eye,

Always know we love you, buddy, favorite little guy.

Bath Time

In the first month of his life, Cael did not like bath time at all. I would hurry as fast as I could to get it over with, with him crying and screaming the whole time, and that was mostly spit bathing at that point. When we went to the infant bathtub, he became braver, and now it is at least tolerable for him. He looks like a deer in the headlights each time I put him in the tub and his feet touch the water. I start singing to him, he looks at me directly, or at me in the mirror, and we are fine. I sing "We Are a Happy Family" and "You Are My Sunshine," both songs he loves. Putting him in his towel is great, seeing him so cozy. This particular towel, given to us by Candy Garcia, is soft and warm, and I just love his look here. He is adorable.