18 Month Old Caleb

My baby turned 18 months old this last Saturday.

I know I should be sad that he is getting bigger and he is my last baby.

But really, I'm not.

There's just too much to worry about when they are babies.  And it's always nice to see that they are becoming more independent.  Plus I'm ready for a bit more freedom.

Snapshot of Caleb at 18 months:

Uses "No" and "Stop" to pretty much get anything he wants

Climbs out of his crib and now sleeps on a big boy bed

Loves to give kisses 

Climbs onto the kitchen counters using chairs

Climbs into bathroom sink and runs water all over himself

Loves being outside and his blankie

Loves you to read him books as long as he gets to hold them

Hates his diaper or his clothes changed

Loves his mom best

Has the best dimples and smile

I'm In Trouble

About a month ago Caleb fell out of his crib and I thought for sure I would be taking down his crib the very next day. 

But luckily he didn't try it again for so long I thought I would get lucky and he would stay in it a little longer even though part of me really REALLY wants to get rid of the crib.

I was also seriously hoping that he would at least not try to get out of it until after Wes' parents came to town in September to make it easier on them. 

However, this morning he walked out of his room like it was just an everyday occurrence to climb out of his crib.  And then again at nap time.  So I told him to show me.  He was rather proud of himself.

Of course it had to happen while Wes is out of town.  

Yay me...

Solar Eclipse

On Monday we watched the solar eclipse from our front yard with above 99% totality.  With Wes hating crowds and me hating traffic there was no chance we were leaving our house.  Luckily Wes didn't have to go into work in the morning so we got to experience it all together.

We sat in our front yard, eating nectarines, shouting "TOTALITY!" every few minutes, laughing and goofing around.  It was the best!

It was amazing to watch the shadow bands and crescent shaped shadows from the leaves when the eclipsed reached near totality.  

Afterwards I saw some pictures taken from some of my friends that were in places that reached 100%.  They were so different from even where we were at that I almost wished we drove to a totality zone, almost.

I read online afterwards that a solar eclipse happens about every 18 months, with the next total eclipse happening July 2nd 2019 in the South Pacific.   😎

Pool Time

We found a free pool sitting on the side of the road a while back.  

I've been wanting one like this all summer!

Wes was skeptical but I made him pull over and let me out. 

I felt pretty lucky to find one for free...I didn't even mind carrying it home all by myself a few blocks...haha!

Our little kids love it!  They love the slide whether or not there is water in the pool. 

These little ones are just the cutest!  

I spent the morning hacking back our blackberry bushes and they spent it playing in the pool.

I love my sweet children!

Meeting George the Elephant

The first weekend of August we drove down to Winston, OR to the Wildlife Safari to do a "pet and meet" with the Elephants.

I. LOVE. ELEPHANTS.

So getting to pet one was kind of a dream.  

All the kids came with us and they were all so SO good for both the drive and while we were there. 

Valerie, one of the elephants there painted a picture for us!  

After the safari we ate at Texas Roadhouse. 

It was sort of the best day!