Happy Halloween

Caleb was Dumbo for Halloween! He was so adorable in his outfit, but he didn't really like it. He couldn't bend over to pick anything up and if he fell down while he was walking he couldn't stand back up! Poor guy.

Tonight we went to Bethel (the church I grew up at) for "Trunk-or-Treat". Here is a picture of 80's girl, Waldo, Dumbo and Gorilla man also known as my cousin Kendell, me, Caleb and Uncle Colby.

Grayden is an ice cream sandwich and Olivia is a ballerina.

Pumpkin Hat

This afternoon we went to a Seminary "Harvest Festival" where you could carve pumpkins, paint pumpkins and eat good food. Caleb wore his pumpkin hat from Ingrid Reese and played with his first pumpkin (he actually was calling it a ball).

He said "football" today and has been saying "bye bye" as well.

Drew Oliver Bramley

My friends Rachel and Grant had their first baby last night. Here is a picture of Karina and I holding Drew for the first time. Drew was born at 11:12 pm on October 27, 2006 - he was 7lbs 4 oz. and has a little peach fuzz. Everyone is doing great.

Sleepy

Recently Caleb became attached to this blanket. When he wakes up in the morning he first hands us the blanket and then reaches up to get out. Then, he will carry the blanket around wherever he goes and take little breaks now and then. Today was laundry day and Caleb wanted to help out!

A picture taken on Wednesday with Daddy. Erik was feeling "artsy" with the natural lighting.

I LOVE BOOKS!

Lately, all Caleb wants to do is read books. It has been so wonderful, I can be in the kitchen making dinner and he will just keep himself busy looking at all his books. In this picture he is pointing to and saying "ball".

An afternoon at the farm

This weekend, while Erik and the guys were backpacking in the frigid weather, Caleb and I spent the afternoon with Linnea and Gwen. Here we are at a farm, looking at the pumpkins. We could not get both kids to look at the camera...this is the best we could do! We were able to see a bunch of animals too. Caleb enjoys looking at animlas in books, however, he got scared when the horse moved and the rooster crowed!

thanks auntie erin!

I have been so anxious for Caleb to wear this vest that my sister erin made for him. It is still a little big on him, but that just means he can wear it more times! What a little stud. Thanks erin...we love you!

Cell Phones

This is how Caleb has been passing the time the past few days. If you give him this "toy" cell phone he immediately climbs up into this chair and keeps himself occupied for a long time.

Little Italia

Here is Caleb sporting a thrift store special from Uncle Colby. Colby babysits on Tuesdays, so we made sure he was wearing this for him today. (Tony and Wendy, you can borrow this sweatshirt for your little one!) I cannot get over how big he looks in these pictures.

Caleb has had a pretty bad cough, runny nose and congested chest the last few days, but how would you ever be able to tell with that smile? It has caused him to wake up several times during the night, which has been draining on Erik and I. We are hoping that once he gets over this that he will go back to his normal sleeping routine.

He is still a lot of fun and learning so much everyday. Yesterday he was saying "shoes" over and over again as Erik was getting him dressed in the morning. He knows what the dog and the cow say, and tonight he finally figured out how to use the shape sorter. Oh yeah, and he loves to hide behind his hands now too! It is so amazing to watch this little person figure everything out for the first time. Kids are amazing!

BOTTLE

One of the words Caleb knows right now is "bottle." We have resorted to spelling this word when we are getting his bottle ready otherwise he would say it over and over and get himself all upset. I finally caught it on tape, so here is a little video of our little talker. (click on the link below) He is slowly beginning to "communicate" with us either by signs or words and it is already making things much easier.

http://media.putfile.com/Bottle-43

Stuck

When we went in to get Caleb this morning, this is what we found! He was just laying there, wide awake, sucking his thumb. A few tears were shed as we had to twist and pull on his leg to get him free. We are just wondering how long he was stuck for.

Garfield Park Conservatory

I think he looks like such a big boy in these two pictures.
So...he was really interested in the ferns...what can I say?
Today Caleb and i went over to the Garfield Park Conservatory. We walked through all the different rooms, felt the different plants and played in the childrens room. It was a great field trip.

A is for Apple

Here are some shots of Caleb eating his first apple. We knew he loved applesauce, but I didn't even think he would know what to do with a whole apple. I loved how little his bites were and how much he seemed to be enjoying himself.

The whole family

Whenever we are all together my mom makes sure we take a family picture. Pictures are getting a little tricky these days with three little ones wiggling around and crying, but it didn't take too long to get one we liked. Well...ok...we couldn't have done it without a digital camera and a few touch ups in photoshop, Erik actually had his eyes closed in this picture! We had so much fun spending time with the whole family.

Jenna and Caleb's Party

Erin and I with the cupcake cakes we made for the party.

Opening presents.

Singing Happy Birthday to Jenna and Caleb.
Caleb enjoyed his cupcake again.
Jenna was a very neat eater. She hardly had any frosting on her face...then Caleb decided he should help her!
Gramma, Poppa and their grandchildren

The Condaps are here!

Jim, Erin, Kira and Jenna arrived in Chicago on Thursday. It is so much fun to see the little ones "play" together. Jenna is 6 weeks older than Caleb, but she is much smaller and lighter. Here they are at the Children's Museum. Caleb and Jenna were really enjoying the water works exhibit until a huge splash drenched both of them (my mom has a video of that...I will try to post it later). Then Caleb put a marker in his mouth and everything started to go down hill. Everyone was in need of a nap, the two little ones were asleep before we left the parking lot!


http://media.putfile.com/water-works

Happy 1st Birthday, Caleb!

One year ago today we were holding Caleb in our arms for the first time. Sometimes it is crazy to think that a year has already gone by, and other times it is hard to remember life without him. Looking at this picture of Caleb brings back so many memories. I remember the first time I saw him...the first thing I said was, "You look just like your daddy!" He had so much dark hair then! (I am still not convinced that Caleb looks like either one of us anymore.) I remember that first night in the hospital, wondering if I would ever fall asleep. I didn't want to take my eyes off of him. I knew I should get some rest, but I just wanted to hold him and stare at him! And here we are today with a one year old. We thank God every day for giving us this wonderful gift. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CALEB MATTHEW STROM...we love you so much! Eating sticky buns for the first time (a birthday tradition in the Mecher household).
When we brought Caleb over to Gramma's house this morning, this was on the porch, another Mecher tradition. Thanks everyone for calling and singing to Caleb today!

Today

This morning I found Caleb in the crate with the drinks!
Later we made loud music together while cheering on the Bears.