31 weeks (7 months) - Surprise trip to Chattanooga!

Our dear friend Dr. Kim Eckert, who lives in Chattanooga, recently published a book and was having a book launch to promote her book and bring awareness to the community. She had no idea we were going to surprise her by coming to Chattanooga, and her reaction at the event was priceless. We were so grateful to have the opportunity to share in her joy and success in person, and also had a great time visiting with our friends and church family at Bridge.

Cal's traveling style has changed a bit since his last flight at 4 1/2 months. He now will not nap anywhere but his crib, stroller, pack n play, or tent. So that means a wide awake baby for hours on end during the day! Surprisingly enough, he was still his cheerful self with little to no tears, even though he was utterly exhausted from having zero naps. What do you think you are Cal, a big kid or something?

Cal made quick friends in Chattanooga, especially with Tommy, one of Kim's sweet children.

Also, we stayed with our dear friends Dylan and Meaghan. Cal loved all the attention.

I was able to meet up with my two best DuPont friends, Sharon and Julie and this was the first time our babies could all meet! Julie and Sharon had their babies a day apart, and Cal was born two months later. I'd say they had a great time playing together and moving all around the room.

Julie and Carlee Anne, Me and Cal, and Sharon and Haley

Carlee Anne and Cal just working on their standing skills. They really had fun together, despite their facial expressions. I think Cal is saying, "Mom, really? Enough pictures of me and my ladies!"

Sweet cheeks

Dylan and Meaghan live close to a great hiking trail, so we put Cal on Matt's back, put on some shades and off we went!

30 weeks - Piano Man

Since Cal is all about sitting, crawling, moving everywhere, there will be no more laying down pictures. I think he's a lot happier this way, don't you agree?

This was a sad week - one of my close friends here in Philly, Annsley, moved away! We hadn't known each other long, but became close quickly, talking on the phone nearly every day and going over to each others houses in between baby naps. I was so excited to become her friend, but alas, the time was short, and now her family is off to Atlanta! Well wishes to the Klehr family.

A last photo of myself and Cal with Annsley and Sawyer. Our boys were a week apart. 

To celebrate the friendship of Annsley, her neighbor hosted a going away party where all the babies could get together and we could share our last sentiments and enjoy gluten-free foods. Thanks to Annsley, I now know many gluten-free foods that are surprisingly tasty!

Here is a picture of Cal and his friend Nina from the party. Her mom, Eunmi, and I knew each other from prenatal yoga class, and our babies ended up being born just a few days apart!

Watch out Cal!

Cal is a moving maniac these days, trying out new moves here and there. This is his latest yoga move, downward dog. I think he really believes he can stand...honestly I wouldn't be shocked if I turn around one day soon and see him on his feet!

Here is a fun little video of Callahan Mozart playing his first piano solo.

Thanks to Freecycle (MY FAVORITE!), I was able to get Cal this great stand alone jumper for... you guessed it... FREE! We had the door hanging jumper but Cal kept knocking his head on the door frame, so fortunately for him, I was able to connect with someone willing to part with this type, that allows him to jump anywhere his heart desires!

29 weeks - Watch out world! Cal's crawling!

I thought I would change it up this week and have Cal lay next to his blocks, but the blocks were too fun to knock down, so as you can see that will not be the new pose each week.

That's more like it.

Cal had his shots this week and he ended up with a fever that night, so here he is with his favorite distraction, the beloved owl night light. As you can see, Cal needs little to be content.

We have been trying some new foods this week, and Cal is very serious about eating. He is usually shirtless, and incredibly messy. Check out those buff arms, or arm rolls. You decide.

First we have peas...it appeared as though he was not excited about them at first. Even going as far as holding the spoon so I wouldn't put it in his mouth, and putting his fist on the tray saying, "no more peas, no more peas!" Then I said, "Give peas a chance." And by the end, he was okay with his green mustache.

Next, Cal had some sweet potatoes. Yummy! He grabbed onto that spoon and made sure it went right into his mouth! What a delicious meal.

What you've all been waiting for.... dun dun DUN! Cal can CRAWL!! After a few weeks of rocking, he is now fully crawling. He's not the fastest, but he definitely is getting the hang of it. The video makes it look like it is a new extreme sport, so intense with the crying but when he knew that the reward was getting to hold my phone, it all made it worth it. 

Finally, for those of you wanting to know what Cal will look like in 29 years. Here you go.

28 weeks - 6 month stats, and so much laughing.

Cal's face is looking mighty chunky and scrumptious these days!

Let's start off with Cal's 6 month stats!

Weight: 19 lbs. 0.9 oz - 76th percentile

Length: 27.25 inches - 72nd percentile

Head Circumference: 45.7cm - 97th percentile - He's got the Callahan head!

All that to say he is healthy and growing well, and I couldn't ask for anything better in that department. 

Here is Cal being coy while wearing his "tuxedo" for Valentine's Day. I was his date, and will be for the next 25 years...lol. Okay, maybe he can have a girlfriend at 20, we'll see. ;)

Cal's sense of humor is really blossoming, and it's easier to get him to laugh these days. Of course tickles are an instant giggle fest.

Oh wise Cal, please tell me your plans.

Cal loves having time in the morning with Daddy, so much that he decided he is going to get up at 6:30 everyday to play with him... and that's okay with me. Especially when this is what happens...

The squishiest lips you've ever seen!

Nothing new here, just about 14 inches of snow! At least it's starting to melt now, and coming from Oregon, I never thought I'd be wishing that. Growing up we were lucky to get a few inches here and there and have it stick a whole day, but now that I'm living in Philadelphia,  I now know that we never really experienced Winter the same way as the Northeast.

Still need to get out and get some fresh air!

Cal gets himself into some pretty interesting situations these days, and I never know which corner of the room he's going to end up in. Here is he trying to eat the table.

27 weeks - Our poor little sickie

           Oh, and he does like carrots.

26 weeks (6 months) - Sweet Potato, swimming and a visit to AFS.

This is Cal's new lip smile. 

And this is Cal's "two"thy grin.

Let's start off with a little video of something that makes Cal laugh. I LOVE his giggle and he's sharing it with me a little more each day. 

This week we tried a sweet potato, and at first he wasn't sure what to think, but immediately put it in his mouth... and as you can see by the end he was loving it!

We had the privilege of being invited Abington Friends School this week to visit the Owls class that "we" worked with last year. I missed their sweet faces and smiles and couldn't wait for them all to see Cal. I wonder if he recognizes their voices, since last year they always wanted to talk to him... it's much more fun having him outside of me for them to interact with. Cal was such a big boy and it seemed like he was ready to go to school. ;)

"I remember you..."

"Cal, tell us everything!"

So gentle with the little guy.

Another week of swim class, and more dunking. Our sweet friends Bill and Angela let us borrow their waterproof camera so this time we were able to get some up close shots in the water! Onto the dunking...Let's just say Cal remembered the traumatic event from the last swim class, and as you can see in the picture below, he was bracing himself with clinched fists and nearly crying when it was time to dunk. Surprisingly, he didn't cry once it happened. He just didn't look forward to it.

Cuties

An up-close version of "the dunk."