a family photo

Here's this quaint little threesome on the front steps of our humble (and temporary) abode.

Caleb may look like he's a happy camper, but really he's trying to escape from our grasp so he can climb up and down those steps. It's his favorite activity for the time being, even after his little spill a few days ago. He biffed it hard, and had scratches from his forehead to the left side of his neck (including his ear) to show for it.

There've been several falls over the last week or two, big and little, and I'm not sure what to make of it. Either he's just out of his comfort zone, he's exploring and doing more risk-taking, or he's just gotten really clumsy. Sometimes when I watch him, I think it must be the latter. I'm slowly learning to accept that it's just going to happen, and I just have to let it. He's a pretty tough kid, even for a momma's boy.

a real homecoming

In fact, the most important homecoming of our lives. The day our marine comes home for good! It's been a rough seven months for our little family, and we have no idea what's in store for us after this moment, but now that Michael is on American soil again (and more importantly, back in my arms), it seems as though everything's going to be alright.



Michael's dad Chris was our camera man, and since he was also eager to greet his son, we only got this short video, and a longer one that's mostly sky and ground, but from it I snagged a few decent pictures that show our first reunited moments.

I'm never fully prepared for the rush of emotions that are inevitable at these reunions (we've had several that weren't related to a deployment), but I can't even imagine how it is for Michael, after all he's been through... After a few hugs and kisses for all three of us, his main concern was to get away from the group of dudes he's been around nonstop for over half a year, slip into something more comfortable than the cammies and gear he's been bearing the whole time, and lay down on a real bed.

Caleb, who is typically slow-to-warm-up, seems to remember Michael, though I'm afraid he's going to be a bit territorial of his momma for a while. It's been just the two of us for so long, and now my attention is going to be devided. Hopefully he realizes how cool it is to have a dad in the mix, that he's going to have some awesome experiences with him too, and that he loves him just as much as I do.

As for me, I can't believe he's home. It's so unreal, so wonderful, and I find myself staring hard at his face, and holding on tight to any part of him, just to make sure I don't waste another moment being apart from him.

Welcome home, my love.

the coolest thing since his binky

Automatic doors. Better yet, four automatic doors in a row. I'm not sure what the point is, having so many, but they certainly kept Caleb entertained for a good fifteen minutes at one of the rest areas we stopped at along the way. Definitely a nice break from our four-day car ride (not to mention the tire swing out back).



We also discovered that he's fascinated by drinking fountains. At first he wanted to touch the water, then he liked putting his mouth in it (but can't figure out how to drink any), now the only thing he's interested in is getting his binky wet and shoving that back in his mouth. I wonder if we'll ever be rid of that thing? I suppose I should be glad he even takes one. It has definitely come in handy doing this many hours of non-stop driving. Toys and snacks and music were a big help as well :).

talent show

Here are a some videos of Caleb showing off a few of his many talents, such as:

Climbing the stairs (he's been doing this for about over two months),

Saying "kitty" (also not such a new development),

and riding a horse (and clap for himself).

He can also say several words (and knows what a couple of them mean), but he seems to be having trouble distinguishing between "yes" and "no."

I love that he's even answering our questions now, that if you say a sentence with the right vocal inflection, he'll recognize it as something he's supposed to respond to. "Can I have a kiss?" *kiss* (my favorite)."How did you sleep?" "Guh." "What's that right there?" "Beh b-tt (belly button)." "Are you hungry?" "No." "Is there something in your pants?" "Poo-poo." "Do you want to take a nap?" *sign for sleep* ... etcetera.

our Toddler

Caleb took his first steps - a couple times - right around February 8th, just a few days after his big #1. He tested his limits a bit, got up the guts to take 4-6 steps (more if he was distracted from how daring he was being), then just a few days around a pro walker, and he took off!



This video was taken at Grandma and Grandpa Stover's house (the walking influence was our niece Kayleigh), and uploaded just in time for one proud daddy to watch with a few of his buddies at some computer station in Afghanistan. A big smile and an "I told that kid to wait" formed his response. Sorry Michael, but your son's doing everything his way, at his own pace (remind you of anyone?) and all any of us can do is try not to blink and miss it.

Between learning how to walk, and say eight words in sign language, exploring his tiny nostril with his equally small finger (where did that come from?), and catching on to the dreaded "N-O" word [ dun - Dun - DUN! ], I can forsee a very exciting, and probably frustrating, stage ahead of us.

Our next endeavor: Your Baby Can Read. More on that later.

baby steps

We're getting a lot of these baby steps around here, where he's mostly just falling with style, but they're still pretty exciting. Another week or two and he'll be walking for sure!

*sniff* My little boy...

transporter

I honestly have no idea how he got there.