Mama and Daddy's Get away

Mama and Daddy went away to the Catskill Mountains of NY for a long weekend, and all they brought me back was a book (okay -- it's a good one!), a maraca (okay -- that's pretty fun too), and a jigsaw puzzle book (they said I'd be old enough to play with it soon!). I sure did miss them and BOY did they ever hug and cuddle me on their return! It was really fun to stay with Oma, though...so I guess it's okay that they left me for a couple days.

Chillin' in Daddy's bathrobe

Thanks for finding this heirloom Oma! It's fun to wear Daddy's bathrobe after a refreshing bath. Notice the snazzy "S" for Schantz?! And everyone says my hair is really growing. Still no cute hair clips, but they are waiting and at the ready.

Bath on Baptism Day (2/25/07)

We thought it was appropriate that Caleigh had her first bath outside of the baby bathtub on her baptism day. ;-) She loved her Finding Nemo bath mat and how all her toys fit in her new tub! She splashed her face and laughed...clapped her hands and laughed...cheesed for the camera... and generally had a blast playing (and getting clean of course). And then we wrapped her up in her butterfly hooded towel and took a picture (just like after her very first bath at home). Our routine upon getting out of the bath is to wrap up in the blanket and then Caleigh smiles at herself in the bathroom mirror before going to her room to get dressed. She actually now points up to the mirror as I get her out of the bathtub -- she really likes looking at herself and smiling!

Pictures

Well...taking professional one-year-old pictures didn't turn out so well. Caleigh pretty much cried whenever the lady pointed the camera at her.

So I took a couple pictures of her playing with my keys in her pretty dress. At least in these she didn't have tears in her eyes. Not fun for anyone. We'll try again.

Warming up in the sun room

After working so hard outside, we enjoyed having a snack and sharing a laugh in the small sunroom.

I'm a happy girl.

Cleaning up the yard

Spring cleaning out in the yard (Sunday, March 11). And Caleigh's first time walking on grass. It's been cold, snowy, or rainy since she started walking. She seemed to like roaming around the yard. And when she got tired, a bit of refreshment (puffs) in her high chair. She encouraged Mama and Daddy to finish raking and picking up sticks so we could go back inside.

It got warmer through the week and not so windy. Caleigh and Mama met a friend and her 18 month old at Morris Arboretum on Wednesday. We enjoyed walking around in 70 degree weather and looking at the trees, flowers, and water.

More cupcake please

Caleigh enjoyed her second cupcake ever. Good thing for two birthday parties! She again started out ever so delicately, eating the icing so neatly. Then she dug in like I remember this -- the whole thing is good! Lots of kids joined in the fun. Caleigh so enjoyed each one -- playing with each one and lovingly patting their shoulders. And that's her blowing a kiss to Daddy taking her picture. She greets him first thing in the morning and when he gets home from work with this sweet gesture.

She has started "jumping" and twisting when asked and just randomly! Her feet don't leave the ground when she jumps, but it's so cute. We'll have to work on the vertical. And she twists when she walks or is just standing there. I think this is from her music class. She's been in the 1-2 year old class with four-five others for the past 2 1/2 months. I think she's picking up some good things from these bigger kids. And, of course, she loves beating the huge drum!

Hide and Seek

Another favorite thing is to shut Mama and Daddy on the other side of a door.

We play peek-a-boo and they call out "where's Caleigh!?" which I think is so funny. HERE I AM!

More pictures from Caleigh's birthday

Me again -- playing with my blankie and Eeyore. I'm such a good walker - everybody says so. I get more ability/stability to go with my boldness every day! ;-)

And I love my room! It's such a fun place -- lots of toys and Mama lets me roam free. I have shelves of books to look through and baskets of little toys under the bed. I can decide to gingerly take one book down to sit and read or make an event of taking all the books off the bookshelf to "rearrange" them. Fun!

Knocking about the house

I really like to shut the swinging door between the kitchen and dining room. Mama and Daddy installed a "catch" so I can't get my head or fingers stuck, but it's still fun to watch it swing.

I love my new hot pink shoes and wear them all the time -- so comfy on my lil tootsies.

Birthday -- 12 months!!

I was a little adventurous with the monthly pictures this time -- walking around with my blanket, cuddling Eeyore, and pretending to nap. But I also remember the picture Mama likes to take -- of me stretched out big to show how many squares I am tall. So I sprawled out for her (for a moment!) and then went back to being my busy self.

Official numbers: 29 5/8" tall and 19lb 6oz. Close enough to turn that car seat around -- my feet are pushing against the seat and my knees are up to my ears! ;-)

One year old & snow for my birthday!

We thought about going out and playing, but stayed in the nice warm house instead. That suited me just fine. It was nice to just loaf about the house all day.

I was SO good for Mama (she told me so)! Playing nicely with my toys, eating & napping well, and just being a mature lil one-year old. Can you believe it?! What a great year it's been!

Reading with Da

Me and Da and my dolly. I like to hear Da read to me about Brown Bears and Yellow Ducks! I get SO excited when I hear his keys in the door at night when he gets home from work. I'm now able to literally run to meet him at the door, usually laughing joyfully. Sometimes I bring him a large box or a book or whatever I'm playing with at the time. It's fun to show him what I'm busy doing.

And it's funny when dolly and I dress the same, both in our purple. I like patting her head and singing to her a bit. One day I'll read her the same book Da reads to me!

One year molars & another unique smile

If you look closely, you can see my big ol' molars are coming in. I've tried to be brave, but admit to having to "hit the oragel" a couple times a week. [Don't look too closely, though, 'cause Mama took a picture of me with a fairly dry nose ;-]

And sometimes I get really smiley when Mama brings the camera out during dinner.

Baptism at Tenth Presbyterian Church

I was baptized with two other little ones in front of the 9:00 congregation. I was perfect the entire time. I enjoyed receiving my special baptismal blessing "to dance before the Lord."

Caleigh was little stoic by the time we went out in front of the congregation. It could have been all the people looking at her or because she fell into a table leg (and screamed!) in the fellowship hall minutes before the baptism. ;->

Before falling down and knocking her cheek, Caleigh was walking around laughing (showing all six teeth!), entertaining those in the room. She was quite enthralled with her dress and hat. She was certain she was beautiful and she was right!

Getting ready for baptism

Mama and Grandma put me in my pretty dress at the church.

I really wanted to hold onto something (or cry)...the flower from the silk arrangement seemed more appropriate than the hairbursh!

More party pictures (this was a big birthday, ya know)

Thanks for the cool phone Grandma and Grandpa Kenneth!

And do I look like a little "Winnie the Pooh" in my hat?

The Zooks came to celebrate too!

Mama was very happy to see her good friend, Melissa (her baby is due the end of March and we're going to be FRIENDS!). It was almost naptime when Melissa finally got to hold me so I was a little grumpy.

You'll notice in the background that the cupcakes were a big hit! I only got one, but maybe more will be in my future! ;-)