50 weeks - Mommy and Cal's trip to Florida

Cal and I decided to be adventurous and go to Florida for a week to visit our old Chattanooga neighbors (who have since relocated to Lakeland, FL) Joel and Ashley! Daddy couldn't join us because he had just taken time off for our big Oregon trip, we missed him, but we were still able to have a great time. My friend Ashley is going to have her baby, Weston, soon so I wanted to make sure to get one more trip in while she was still pregnant. We saw gators, Cal had a double ear infection (ugh!), chased Queso (Joel and Ashley's cat), followed around Eden (their sweet daughter), swam in their pool, and saw some pretty awesome thunderstorms.

Let me on! Let me on!

The trip started out with a bang with Cal waking up screaming the first night with a blazing 103 fever.  Luckily, Ashley had some Motrin on hand to calm him down (after being awake 5 hours in the middle of the night), and he finally did get some sleep. In the morning he still appeared to not be himself - moaning, seeming to be in pain - so we called the urgent care and we were able to get in right away and they diagnosed him with a double ear infection! Fortunately the out of state urgent care was covered by insurance as well as the Amoxicillin they prescribed him, so it didn't throw us off too much. The poor little guy still wanted to sleep on me at night and we had to give him Motrin for a couple of days to keep the fever down. After a couple of days of Amoxicillin, he was back to his normal, joyful self. 

Sweet boy was so tired and hot.

After Cal was more like himself, Ashley and I took him and Eden to a great sprayground nearby. Cal loved being sprayed in the belly and sitting on the water. Eden loved getting her hair wet (see background).

Love the palm trees in the background!

Cal's curly afro from the Florida humidity!

One night I gave Cal Motrin and Amoxicillin at the same time, needless to say that was a bad idea because he was all hyped up and wouldn't go to sleep! So... here is Cal around 8:30p.m. watching TV with Ashley all relaxed and propped up on her pregnant bely.

We went on an exciting adventure to Gatorland!! Wooo, I think I may have been the most excited, but    that's okay, memories were still made!

"Cal, show me how excited you are."

Classic.

Admiring the beautiful parrots.

They were EVERYWHERE!

Why wouldn't I pet the alligator?

Watch out!

Joel and Ashley have an awesome pool in their backyard that we frequented on the sunny days and I often would lay on a floatie while Cal napped. Pure bliss.

Eden giving Cal a little pat on the back.

Cal and Mama

Relaxing.

That's how you have fun!

Ashley and I had a much needed girl's night while Joel watched the baby monitors. We went to an awesome bbq restaurant for dinner and then to a place called The Red Door for dessert. We had a great time!

Cal was so worn out on the flight home (especially after an hour delay while on the plane, sitting on the tarmac, which made our flight 3+ hours) that he fell asleep in the Ergo carrier and I laid him down on the tray table where he stayed fast asleep. Soo sweet.

We had an awesome trip and I definitely felt rejuvenated after spending the time away. Miss you already - Joel, Ashley and Eden!

49 weeks - Bluegrass and Blueberry Festival

For some reason I keep forgetting to take pictures! So again, a brief post. 

We ventured out to Peddler's Village on Saturday and went to the Bluegrass and Blueberry Festival. There was great live music and tents set up with lots of blueberry goodies. Cal did his usual tent camping and Matt and I enjoyed people watching in the grass. We ate lunch at a cute little cafe called Nancy's and Cal tried to get the attention of anyone who would look his direction. He's becoming such a ham. While we were walking around we ran into my friend Joanna and her husband Michael and their sweet baby Lila. Cal was excited to see one of his playmates and they had fun crawling around in the grass, sharing water, and trying to grab a water bottle that didn't belong to us. Good times.

48 weeks - 11 months - Hammocks

Come on Mom, I'm done posing for these pictures!

Cal and I went to the Spruce Street Harbor Park this week and relaxed in the hammocks that were hung from the trees. This was such a fun area, that is apparently very happening at night, but pretty calm during the day when we went. There was a giant-sized game of chess, shuffleboard, carnival games, carnival food and sand that was trucked in to make it feel like a beach. Philly has some pretty cool summer activities!

By the way, this all lasted about 10 minutes and then Cal was ready to go.

47 weeks - A very short post

I did not take many pictures this week for whatever reason, I guess we were just catching up on rest after coming back from our trip to Oregon. 

Cal loves the kitchen, he opens drawers, cabinets and pulls out cupcake wrappers to drag across the floor. He is so curious!

Cal also likes white chicken chili.

Here is Cal's latest trick. We call it, "Party People."

46 weeks - Cal's First Trip to Oregon

This is a post full of incredible pictures of an incredible trip to Oregon to see my family! It had been 2 years since I had been able to make it back to Oregon, usually going in the summer, but last summer I had a big guy growing in my belly getting ready to make an appearance. I'm so glad we are on the other side of that!

There were two things I was nervous about going into this trip. 

1. 6 hour plane ride with a baby who is very active and is not the best sleeper.

2. 3 hour time change

Shockingly, Cal proved to me again that he is an expert traveler and adapts well in new situations, and that I just need to settle down a bit. The nights were a bit rough - waking 4-5 times - but he went to sleep easily and I was able to get him on a nap schedule fairly quickly that gave him normal bedtime and waking times. If anyone cares to know what I did, just ask... it was a bit of a guess based on his cues, but also pushing him to see if he could handle staying up longer. 

Anyway, the trip was fantastic. Oregon is a magical place. I love my family. The pictures will tell the story.

Here is happy little Cal on the plane ride to Oregon, we left at night, so fortunately after about 30 minutes of protesting, he slept the majority of the flight.

Lucky us, we were able to stay with one of my best friends Mary-Anne and her husband Connor our first night in Oregon! It was our first time meeting their sweet son Rowan, and as you can see Cal and Rowan had a great time.

Matt and I with Mary-Anne and Connor and our sweet babes.

My brother has many, many cats. 7 to be exact. Cal had a hey day chasing them around and petting them. His favorite was Stan.

We of course had to go to Roth's - my favorite grocery store, where I worked for the entirety of my college career. (No, Matt is not related to these Roth's). They have the best donuts (The MAPLE BAR!!!) and also carry the best ice cream and cheese known to man. Tillamook. The cheese factory is in Oregon. It's the best.

It really doesn't get any better than this...

Just taking cues from Max the cat on what to do when a dog stares at you through the window.

Another one of my personal favorites... The Chai Frost from Java Crew. 

What a treat!! I was able to meet up with some of my dear high school friends in Keizer. 

My friend Robyn, with two of Tiffany's children (Lily and Audrey)

My brother has a great pool in his backyard and we found out Cal liked to sunbathe! I've never seen him lay still for so long since he was a tiny baby! He loved the warm sun on his body.

Of course I needed to play Bingo with my gal pals when I was in town.

So many Oregon berries to eat, so little time!! This was when Cal was eating a rather large Marionberry that got all over his face.

Cal and his sweet cousin Katelyn. 

Loving it!

Of course we will take some time to feed a wild deer in my Aunt and Uncle's backyard. As mentioned before, Oregon is the best!

Oh my sweet boy!

Cal's Great Aunt Amber feeding him lunch. 

He loved his Great Uncle Bill!

 We decided to take Cal to Mission Mill, where we got married 5 years ago.

Lots of wildlife to see! My brother has some cute goats that live next door that Cal helped him feed carrots to.

My brother's beautiful house. 

Already showing him how to operate the heavy machinery. 

Definitely wanted to give it a try himself.

 

"Is this how it works Uncle Ben?"

Cal and his buddy Rowan pretending to drive my brother's dump truck.

Mary-Anne and I taking the boys for a ride in the Polaris around my brother's property. 

Tent camping on the beach!

He loved being buried in the sand! 

Daddy and Cal relaxing at the Oregon Coast.

Cal's first taste of the Pacific Ocean. He cried! Toooo cold. 

Family time at the coast!

Now this isn't one of the 7 wonders of the world, but it should be! I'm telling you, Oregon is a magical place! This is Three Pools, and there really isn't anything like it. It's a great swimming area, and has crystal clear water, and waterfalls! We went on a day when it was rainy, but it was still beautiful being surrounded by trees and the raindrops hitting our face. Even Cal liked getting wet in the rain. After all it was still 70 degrees outside. 

Soaking it all in...

Matt was loving it. 

Family photo!

A little game of peekaboo on the drive back home. 

Cal meeting his cousin Ashley and his Great Aunt Bobbi for the first time. 

Cal and my cousin Amy

This picture was a little difficult to get, mainly because Cal was afraid of my cousin Mike! For whatever reason, every time Cal looked at him he would burst out crying! So, the first picture I asked everyone to go outside and get in position and then Cal and I would join in quickly. The second picture is when Cal discovered Mike was in the picture. Poor Mike! Next year I promise he will love you!

We drove up to Scappoose to my Grandparent's house, which my Aunt Joanie and Uncle Jay live in now. Many of the Callahan family members lived on this road, which is where the name comes from. 

Checking out the beautiful view!

Cal and Aunt Joanie reading his favorite animal sounds book.

Just catching up with Aunt Joanie and Uncle Jay. 

What is that you say? Oh just my brother feeding a deer an apple from his mouth. 

"Give me all your money!"

Having a great time!

Some more of the Callahan clan!

Flying home and taking a great nap! ZZzzzZ