Some Say Dad, I Say Daddy

I don't know why, but for whatever reason, I call my father, daddy, and my sister calls him dad. When it comes to our mother, I call her mom and Jennifer calls her momma. We're weird. Anyway, I haven't forgotten about my birthday post for my daddy (even though his birthday was on the 21st). He deserves a good post on this blog and quite honestly, I've just not had the time to sit down and really write what I want to write. Doing posts on Caleb can be quick and easy because I post about him all the time, but with daddy, I needed to take my time and do it right.



Most people growing up would have been afraid of my daddy. He had long hair that he wore in a ponytail, he's a truck driver, and he used to have his huge weight bench set up next to his drum set. He also used to own a motorcycle. But honestly, when you get to know him, you find that he's a tenderhearted teddy bear and the proud father of two little girls (I know we're grown up, but he'll always see us this way). I have to admit that even though we were never well off growing up, I loved my childhood. Loved it. My sister and I always got along and shared some of the same friends. My parents are still married and loved on us all the time. Birthdays, Christmas, Valentines Day, Easter, Halloween, etc. were never missed. Jennifer and I always had a blast. But it wasn't until later in life that I realized what was going on behind the scenes of my perfect childhood.


My daddy has one of the most horrible jobs out there, I'm convinced. Granted, he has a job and I'm thankful for that, but in all honesty, it sucks. Growing up, daddy was always working. He would often take any shift he could get just to provide for his family. Even then, he would sometimes get laid off from work. I don't know how God provides, but He always does. I never went hungry. Never (I mean, look at me.....does it look like I've ever missed a meal?). Even today, my daddy busts his butt to provide. He's currently working a night shift. Did you all hear me? My 53 year old father is working a night shift. Night shifts should be for people fresh out of school in their 20's, not for a man who's worked his whole life. I know he's tired, I know his health has suffered because of it, I know he misses his wife, children, and grandchild. I also know that if it meant my sister and I would have a better life because of it, he would do it all over again. And you know what? Jennifer and I do have a better life because of him.


My mom and dad have struggled through a lot, but through it all, they never stopped loving each other or their little girls and for once I can be a person that says they have parents they can look up to. Most people can't say that. There's a lot that's happened in my life and there were moments where I wanted to throw in the towel. I know that watching my daddy growing up taught me to never give up. I'm so glad I didn't.



I know that turning another year older isn't exactly what most people look forward to. I mean, heck, after 21 most people lose track of how old they are. I know I do. I had to ask Jason how old I was the other day....seriously (you think I'm kidding, but I'm not). But in the eyes of a little girl, I don't see my daddy as another year older. I still see him as my daddy, teaching me life lessons as we go along this journey, regardless of what year it is.


I can't tell you all how thankful I am for him. And daddy, if you're reading this, I want you to know that everything you ever did for me, for Jennifer, for mom; none of that went unnoticed. I'm so proud of you. I'm so proud to call you my daddy. I'm so proud to be called daddy's little girl. I love you. Happy Birthday.



R

Check Out the Check-up

Caleb had his six-month doctor visit today, and he's a healthy, happy, growing boy! He weighed less than I thought he would (my back says so). He weighed in at 16 lbs. 11.8 oz. He was 25 in. long and his head circumference was 44.3 cm (30, 10, 75th percentile respectively). So basically, I have a short kid with a big head. Sounds about right.

The doctor complimented him on how happy he was (before shots), how developed he was in his motor skills and leg strength, how beautiful his eyes and eyelashes were, and how expressionable (I'm making this a word) he was. I wouldn't think too much of any of these things, but it seems that no matter who we see, everyone (even strangers) tell us the same things.

After his shots today, Caleb was asleep before I could even get him to the car and slept for several hours afterward on my chest. I love hunkering with this little boy and hearing him breathe. So far, no fever, but we'll see.....

I don't have any pictures to share of today, but I'll attach some fun ones that we've taken over the past month just for kicks. While were on the subject of pictures, Caleb is getting his six-month pictures done on Saturday with the ever so talented Sarah McAffry , so stay tuned for some of those to be posted. I can't tell you how excited I am for this session! I have some fun outfits picked out for Caleb and a special purchase was made just for these pictures. Until then....Happy Fall Yall!


R

Half a Year

My sweet little boy turned six months old today. Amazing how fast time goes by! I think Caleb is changing every day. I'd like to share with you some things I've noticed over the past month (and before you go and think how great my memory is, I no longer possess such a thing. It's called a pen and notebook.). First of all, Caleb is ticklish. We find new spots every so often and it changes daily it seems. We've got him to laugh by tickling his belly, under the upper part of his legs, his chest, neck, and underarms. I l-o-v-e to hear him giggle!


He loves to play with my hair (and pull it out sometimes). Jason's not such a fan of Caleb pulling out chest, leg, or arm hair. He's learning how to sit up unassisted and loves for you to hold his hands so he can stand on your lap. He also loves to play with his feet. He sucks and chews on his toes all the time. I know...gross. Caleb now has two teeth and I suspect it won't be long until we have a few more. He's really starting to babble more and make lots of different noises with his mouth. He tries new foods every few days and so far he really hates bananas and watermelon. What's wrong with him!?!


On the 22nd of this month, Caleb said, "mamamamamama." I know he probably had no idea what he was saying, but I'll take it! It was so cute! As he falls asleep or wakes up, he scratches his fingernails on the bed sheet or your shirt or whatever he's laying on. It's kind of funny to listen to it over the baby monitor. He'll usually go to bed at 8:00 pm and get up somewhere around 6:30 - 7:00 am. I'll update you on height and weight after his doctor's appointment on Tuesday!



Overall, the biggest change in Caleb is his personality. He loves to play, swing, spin, laugh, watch cartoons in the morning, and hear me sing (believe it or not). I still can't believe how blessed I truly am. I thank God that He allows us to share with Him the ability to create. Having a child has changed my life in so many ways, but more than anything it has opened my eyes to how big, true, wonderful and awesome my God is.


R

All the Good Things

I don't even know where to begin with this post. Really, no idea. So please excuse me if this one comes off as a bit scattered and random. Since my last post, I could honestly have posted something every single day and still had stuff to talk about. There's just a lot going on in our lives right now! Let me try and give you a quick run down of a few things that's happened/happening:

1. Caleb is teething and has already cut two teeth (the bottom fronts). I still have not been able to get a picture of them. Sorry! But here's a cute pic to tide you over until then.


2. Caleb is eating baby food. At this point, he's still getting his bottles, but trying new foods every few days. So far he's had rice cereal, barley cereal, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, peas, and green beans.


3. Caleb loves it when I sing and clap! He laughs so much now. I love it, love it, love it! He has really grown close to Mommy and Daddy!


4. Caleb got to be around another baby his age for the first time the other night. It was pretty funny. My friend Nadiah brought her daughter, Lanah, who was born 5 days before Caleb over see us. They just looked at each other and wanted to touch each other. So cute.


Honestly, this list could just keep going and going. Every day it seems like Caleb is changing and growing up into a little man. It doesn't seem like he'll turn 6 months old here in a few days. Time flies. I promise I'll post more often, but please know that Jason and I take hundreds of pictures of Caleb. There's just no way I could post all of those on the blog (it takes way too long to upload), but I can on Facebook! Please log in, or have someone that knows me, log in to Facebook so you can truly see all of the cute photos of this little boy! Thank you to all of my loyal readers :)


Please keep my brother- and sister-in-law (Jeremy and Amanda) in your prayers. They are in China about to meet their son Ezra for the first time. We can't wait to meet him on October 1st!!!

R