Thanksgiving in Florida 2014 edition

This post is LONG overdue, considering we have already celebrated Christmas and New Year's, but with so many great pictures and memories our annual trip to Florida for Thanksgiving needed to be commemorated. Traveling last year, Cal was only 4 months old and unable to sit or move around a whole lot. We knew this year we were going to have a whole lot more fun exploring and going on adventures with a walking, talking little guy who is full of personality. 

During this trip Cal learned how to go up and down a single step while standing... tried very hard to jump, but acts as though his feet are stuck to the ground...had his first tantrum...took his longest nap ever - 2 hours and 45 minutes! 

The fun started at the Philadelphia airport, where they have an awesome airplane themed play area. Cal had a great time wearing himself out and socializing with some big kids before getting on the plane. 

Down the luggage chute! Weeeee!

"What was that? Did you say turbulence?"

We were on a huge plane with three rows of seats which left us having our own two seat row to ourselves. It was great since Cal wanted to stand or walk around some of the time, read books, play with toys, etc. It allowed us to have some freedom and not feel like we were cramping anyone's style.

We were able to do so many great things this trip that we had never experienced before. We visited Blue Springs State Park where were saw manatees in their natural habitat. They were massive and very slow moving, coming up for air every so often with their pig-like snouts. Cal enjoyed trying to spot them in the clear waters below. 

 

"Are you a manatee?"

Melanie, Patty and I enjoying the sunny Florida weather... in jackets!

Just loving life!

Bella could always make Cal smile with her silly monkey face!

Searching the waters...

Bella showing Cal around.

Matt and I love kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, etc. and weren't sure when we were going to be able to enjoy those activities again, since Cal was born, thinking he would want to climb out and fall in the water. We took the risk and went canoeing at Wekiwa Springs State Park and much to our surprise, Cal did awesome! We strapped him into a big puffy life jacket, plopped him in the middle of the canoe between my legs and he sat there for 2 hours taking it all in. We looked for turtles along the edges, all the while Cal was whispering "turtle, turtle" to himself as he was hunting. It was so peaceful and such a great activity we were able to enjoy as a family of 3.  

What a dreamboat. 

Someone decided they wanted to help paddle...

We were so lucky to get to see our friends Joel and Ashley in Florida again and Cal got the chance to hang out with his buddy Eden again! We also met their new baby Weston and went to the lake to feed geese and swans.

Cal and Eden having a fun time in the bath. 

 Cal loved frolicking among the geese and swans, but as you can see, the swans are a bit more aggressive than you would expect, and so were the geese. Cal had his hand nibbled on by a goose and I was nearly taken to the ground by that swan (not really, but that swan was crazy).

 

We ventured off to New Smyrna Beach and played in the sunshine and the sand for the day.

 

Nothing sweeter than a napping babe whilst listening to the ocean waves. 

Daytona Beach boardwalk

 Unfortunately, Cal did not enjoy any Thanksgiving foods, even though everything was absolutely delicious. I believe he ended up having a smoothie and a black bean and cheese burrito. Maybe next year he will take a liking to turkey and mashed potatoes.
 

Cal LOVED being at his Great Aunt Joanie and Great Uncle Jay's house. He chased around their dog "Har-ee" (Harley) and tromped around everywhere he could. He loved all the time he was able to get with my side of the family and were so thankful to have an entire week together.
 

Uncle Ben showing Cal a few things.

Cal and Uncle Ben reading one of his favorite books called, "Pssst!"

Love my brother!

  

Everyone always has fun with Uncle Jay!

This is one of my favorite moments from the trip. Cal has a new love for lizards. Watch his special lizard communication skills in the video below.

After a long week of waking up early with Cal and many night time wake-ups, we finally were able to get a little rest on the airplane ride home. Until next year!

15 months - Talk, Talk, Talk

Cal is truly thriving and it is so wonderful to be a part of his little world. His language has really exploded this month and it is truly amazing to see what he picks up on in the books we read. Every week we go to the library and check out a new set of 10 books, some he LOVES and others he takes no interest in. His favorite books so far have been:

R is for Robot  by Adam Watkins

Little Green Peas by Keith Baker

Listen to the City by Rachel Isadora

Rain! by Linda Ashman

Pssst! by Adam Rex

Hickory Dickory Dock by Keith Baker

It's an Orange Aardvark by Michael Hall

Some of my favorite Cal things this month:

-He strokes my face when I say the word "gentle" - quite the contrast from when he used to smack me in the face... we've been working on it.

- LOVES the music class at Jeanes Library

- Snuggles in the rocking chair with me before he goes to bed.

- he HATES the sound of an almost empty ketchup bottle - screams and cries when he hears the sound

- He can say his own name, and it sounds like he has a Spanish accent.

- He waves at everyone when we are out in public and laughs when he sees other people laughing.

- Is able to say a few of his friends names 

- When his friend Teddy got his cast off his leg, he patted him on the back when he saw him walking for the first time. Almost got teary when that happened!

- Says "night, night" when he is going to take a nap or go to bed.

- He got his first molar! Woo hoo!

- He likes to snuggle his stuffed animals, especially his giant moose.

- His favorite food is whole grain burritos with eggs, black beans and cheddar cheese

- He can unvelcro his shoes

- He does a great monkey impersonation - hence his Halloween costume -  says "ee, ee" while bending his knees and bounces up and down.

Here are Cal's latest and greatest words and phrases he likes to use.

Words! Words! Words!

no

this

see

"let's see"

mess

baby

shoes

boat

go

Asher

Cal

apple

leaves

jeans

peas

Ella

blinds

okay

map

puppy 

night night

boo

peek-a-boo

happy

purple

Lila

Isla 

"I know"

At 15 months we also visited the doctor for his well-visit where we found out the following stats:

Height: 31.5 inches - 59th percentile

Weight: 24 lbs 5.4 oz - 72nd percentile

Head Circumference: 19 inches - 86th percentile

When the weather is sunny and nice we like to go to Morris Arboretum and tromp around. Cal thinks he is friends with the statues and gives them a nice pat on the leg to make sure they know he likes them.

Can I borrow that?

Cal and I enjoying the view from the log cabin at the arboretum. Who smiles with their teeth anyway?

Lucky us, Holly came to visit us, all the way from Oregon!! We had a week full of fun and Cal couldn't have been happier reading books and playing outside with his new friend.

Picnicking at the arboretum

I'm a robin's egg, I promise.

How do I get to swim in there?

We visited a nearby park and chased around the ducks and geese. They were far from scared of Cal. 

Holly and Cal

Sometimes you have to go grocery shopping, and what do you do with a toddler who wants to wander around? Put them in the bag slot of course. Problem solved.

I have been so blessed by this group of women over the last year and our group just continues to grow with more babies and more mommies. We all got together and had brunch at the Chestnut Hill hotel without babies!! We haven't been able to just sit and chat with one another uninterrupted... EVER. We shared funny stories and encouraging words towards one another, and just had a great time.

Our squirrels were a bit ravenous this year and decided to eat our pumpkin... before we even carved it! How rude.

The culprit...

The cousins got together to show off their costumes.

Matt and I and our little monkey

We attended a costume party for all the babies, and had a great time seeing all of Cal's friends parading around in their costumes. (See middle for Cal as a monkey)

Ooo oo ah ah

Rosey cheeks and a long tongue.

What happened to your teeth mama?

This is Cal and his newest "cousin" Levi. 

Snack time!

14 months - Mr. Ham

Oh how fun life with Cal is! Matt and I truly can't get enough of his lovable and joyful personality. Each night when he is asleep we talk about or re-enact funny moments with Cal and it swells our hearts with so much love for our little guy. At 14 months he is really increasing his vocabulary, eating large amounts of food, becoming affectionate (finally!!) and dun dun dun.... no longer nursing! Hooray! After a strange turn of events...Cal falling and biting a hole in his tongue... he stopped nursing and never wanted anything to do with it again. Easier than I ever expected weaning to be. Now, I know that's not typical at all, and am not really sure how we would have tackled it otherwise, but am glad that it took care of itself. Shockingly enough, once Cal stopped nursing, he started sleeping! After 10+ months of waking up 1-5 times a night, yes 5 times.... don't ask me how I'm still functioning, because some days I didn't think I could take it anymore... he decided that sleeping was better than waking up to nurse. Praise the Lord. Speaking of Cal's tongue, he loves to show it off... for whatever reason. I think it's because he's going to be the Einstein of the future - see photo below. 

We find ourselves at the playground a lot these days. Now that Cal can walk, the playgrounds are SO fun for him and he loves the slide the best. 

Sometimes we like to get real crazy and get all the cousins together and read books. Aunt Kim is the best story reader.

I have discovered that Cal takes forever to get teeth, once they first start bulging in his gums. This is day 1 of 25 of painful molars coming through. My blondie with his teether and sad face.

Teething is no fun.

I decided it was time to tackle Cal's toys in the living room by building a small bookshelf. Cal puts them all back exactly where I have them in this picture. Not.

We celebrated Cal's friend Connor's 1st birthday by having a picnic at the Allens Lane Playground on a great fall day. 

Beep Beep!

We must take care of the plants. 

That's a big lego.

Cal's most favorite place is the Academy of Natural Sciences and fortunately with Matt's work badge, we are able to get in free. Such an awesome perk! There are many life-size stuffed animals, as well as dinosaur bones that just make Cal so giddy and excited.

Checking out the butterflies.

We celebrated another 1st birthday Cal's friend Chloe! There was an awesome musician who came and played music from around the world and once you watch the video, you will see Cal's favorite part.

Matt's friend Ben came to visit us from Louisiana while he in town for a conference. Here we are in Chestnut Hill at a festival before having brunch at Cake. This was the morning that Cal bit his tongue. Notice his sad face... poor guy.

Trying to teach Cal a little independence in eating. A very messy process.

Who needs a spoon, anyway?

My snuggle buggle.