Singing

Caleigh enjoys singing into her make-shift mic...an old computer keyboard plug. ;-) Like many artists, she also believes one needs to put the mic in her mouth for best sound quality...

We think she might be singing about her great aunt Judy for part of the song...hard to tell. Daddy self taped this while Mama took a much needed Sunday afternoon nap. He seems to be grooving along with our little songstress. ;-)

In the water

Caleigh could have played in the water all afternoon and evening. She liked watching her feet make prints and be swallowed by the sand. She would put one foot up (usually the right one) to step over the little waves as they came in. She answered 'yes' to are you having fun? and kept pointing out the 'wawa' to Mama and Daddy -- to make sure we knew it was there.

Daddy was just out of the picture but close enough to catch her if she stumbled, which she never did. She did sit down to play and put wet sand on her shirt once. Oh well! She cleaned up okay for the rest of our ride. ;-) We are looking forward to taking her to the big waves of the Atlantic one Saturday in September. Grandma, Mama and Caleigh will travel to SC to experience those waves in early October.

First dip in the big water

Caleigh and Daddy took off their shoes & socks (and pants in Caleigh's case) to explore the sand and water of the Chesapeake.

Daddy, Mama and Caleigh took a nice drive along the eastern shore of MD to celebrate Daddy's 1/2 day off from work. We met him in Center City and enjoyed a wonderful Cuban lunch to sustain us during our afternoon drive.

Caleigh enjoyed touching the sand and putting handfuls of it on her shirt. She was brave getting her feet wet, too. These little waves were a perfect introduction for her.

Playing with Daddy's old hats

Caleigh (and Mama and Daddy) had a blast sporting Daddy's "vintage" hats.

Caleigh thought it very funny to put 2-3 on Daddy. Not sure why she is holding "moose" in all the pics. But she has been more cuddly with her doll and other stuffed animals recently. Maybe this will help in our efforts to eliminate the pacifier (when we start that process...). It's fun but sobering (to think of taking it away) to hear her giggle and laugh when she sees her pacifier in her crib. We think she is pretty addicted! ;-)

So BIG!

Caleigh is holding steady at about 32 inches. We'll see what the doctor says she is up to at the next appointment (9/7).

She seems pretty pleased with her progress!

Just a-sittin'

Caleigh likes her frog chair and her rocking chair, especially when there is an animal video to watch. And a bear to snuggle and juice or crackers for snack doesn't hurt either!

Spending an afternoon with the Batzels

Caleigh and Zoe played nicely together during their play date (the Mamas enjoyed the time to sit and chat, too!). Caleigh gave Zoe lots of hugs before she left, which Zoe didn't seem to mind at all! Thanks for coming over!

Safari Park -- Natural Bridge, VA

Caleigh, Grandma and Mama ventured into the Safari Park (and tried to be brave! ;-) Upon entry we were promptly 'attacked' by a myriad of animals -- emu, ostrich, deer, llama (to name a few) -- who expected to be fed from our open car windows...which remained closed! Mama did not help ease Caleigh into this experience by letting a little scream escape when an ostrich started pecking on her window, inches from her nose. Grandma did her best to sooth Caleigh and the rest of the trip around the park was much more enjoyable. Caleigh even started asking for the window to be rolled down and for Mama to feed the animals. Then came the camel...it stretched it's neck just a little extra as I held the bucket of feed out (luckily not full as we'd fed other animals along the way). While other animals would eat nicely but greedily out of the bucket, the camel grabbed the bucket out of my hand, tipped it back to empty the contents in it's mouth, and tossed the bucket away. We laughed as Caleigh then repeated at least 12 times in quick succession (and then for days when asked about the camel) -- "UH OH! Mama...buck(et). Down!"

Grandma has more pictures, which we will post when we obtain them in late September (Mama let her battery run out in the camera!).

Kicking back with Uncle Logan

Caleigh and Uncle Logan had a grand time together. She really enjoyed relaxing with him over a snack & juice, and showing him where the cows graze. ;-)


We think she is a true farmer at heart. Uncle Logan has so much knowledge to share about cows and farm equipment -- we're sure he'll have an able assistant and a willing learner in Caleigh.

We love her little smile in the picture where she and Logan are both looking at the camera. She recognizes Uncle Logan (it comes out 'o-gen') in pictures.

Mill Mountain Zoo in Roanoke, VA

Kelly & Mack and Mama & Caleigh had a fun time at the zoo one afternoon. It was pretty hot and humid, but all enjoyed the animals (even though they were quite lethargic) and the 'Zoo Choo' train ride!

Caleigh wasn't quite sure about the train at first (is she ringing her hands or practicing motions to itsy bitsy spider? ;-) but Mack loved every minute.

The kids aren't used to sharing the back seat with anyone so they stayed awake the whole trip down and the whole trip back up the mountain to home. Whew! Both are going to have to get used to relaxing (and not fussing!) on car trips by the end of the year, though -- when both become the 'oldest'. Kelly and Lori are both due with #2 in December!

Hanging out and kissing family

Caleigh loves to give kisses and hugs. She also really likes great grandma's duck and is even willing to share her juice.

She is cutting four new teeth and added a new vocab word -- 'orajel' ;-)

She spends most of her visiting time at the great grandparents' dancing, eating, playing with the duck, running up and down and around the halls and rooms, siting on laps, and eating ;-). What a life!

Caleigh dancing at the Floyd Co. Jamboree

Whether surrounded by family in the backyard, in the kitchen at home or out in public, Caleigh enjoys to dance to good music (especially the 'mountain' kind). Grandma, Daddy, Mama, and Caleigh enjoyed a couple hours on the Floyd Co. streets listening to various bands pick and sing. We then found refreshment at a local coffee shop with local art (and air conditioning!). Needless to say, Caleigh missed her bedtime that night!

Dancing at the picnic

Always up for a party with dancing, Caleigh and Mack entertain the family crowd.

Bubbles and snugglin'

Caleigh and Mack were energized and emboldened by their pursuit of bubbles to pop. They headed around the corner of the house and around the tree chasing bubbles...before noticing they were all alone out there!

Grandma enjoyed snuggling them both while some of the family chatted away behind them.

Family picnic

The whole family got together for a great evening picnic. Caleigh and Mack had a blast running around and playing with Grandma's toy collection and popping bubbles. Grandpa turned over some yummy hamburgers and chicken, and we all enjoyed a yummy feast. That big tree provided enough shade for all.

Later that evening, Caleigh donned her 'dancing' outfit and we Grandma, Mama, and Daddy headed to the Floyd Co. Jamboree!

Caleigh with Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Gearheart

What fun to laugh and snuggle with GGma and GGpa at their house.

I love their long hall, too. I can RUN down it and back, and run around in circles through their bedroom and den. I like playing peek-a-boo and closing doors.

And the food! YUMMY! I honed my skills of eating with a spoon and fork over a big lunch that great grandma made for Mama, Daddy and I (and great grandpa, too). I ate a whole plate of corn, potatoes, cornbread, green beans, cucumbers and meat all washed down with milk. Thanks for the feast!

Early morning walk with Grandma

Caleigh and Grandma liked to get out early to avoid the heat of the day. They looked for cows, inspected the garden, smelled the flowers and laughed together. A great time was had by all.

Sorry for the long lapse...some random pics from late July 07

Just some fun pics of Caleigh playing and laughing. She is a joy...loves to play in the wawa, kick her lil soccer ball, take her bear/doll/popper for rides on her budin' and generally be outside and on the go.

She runs so fast! and climbs multiple stairs to go down the play slides by herself. She is enjoying music play days over the summer -- play doh to squish, musical instruments to beat on, and kids to run around with. We've also hit pool days with Lori's Mom's group. She loves the outdoor toys (especially the car like Isaac's!) and talking about how she plays with the kids (and in the sandbox and of course in the pool).

We've been on many outings to the park, the zoo, the city for lunch with Daddy, visit friends, etc. What a difference (Lori) not having a job has made!! We are about three months away from the due date of #2 and the time has flown by! Caleigh knows she is the big girl (and points to herself) and that the baby is in Mama's tummy. She likes to pull Lori's shirt up to 'see' the baby and give it a kiss...this is okay in the house, but a little strange in public ;-)

She is learning new words everyday. We 'watch' Daddy leave for work every day on the 'porch' and then look for the 'squirrels.' She often asks for her 'hat,' 'coat' (on those chilly days) and 'shoes' so we can go 'outside.' Every morning she eats 'oatmeal' with Daddy and drinks 'milk' or 'orange juice' to 'wash' it down (usually used when she says 'wash...hands'). She tells us when she wants to go 'upstairs' and 'downstairs' and when she would like 'music' played. She is pretty good with her 'please' and 'thank you' words. And recognizes 'Caleigh' in pictures and references herself by name...when she wants to go outside or wants a 'pear' or 'peach' or 'berry.'

She will be 18 months Sept. 7 (less than 2 weeks). We plan to have a family picture made (and try and hide Mama's belly in it!) soon, and a picture with just Caleigh as we haven't had a studio make one since she turned one.