He's a Walker!

Calvin is officially a walker. He's been walking as far as twenty feet at a time for a couple weeks now, but we always had to trick him into it . . . get him going and then suddenly let go, or push him in the direction of someone cooing and calling at him. But suddenly on Friday he decided he could do it himself, and started letting go himself! At first it was only two or three feet at a time - from the couch to the table, or one side of a door way to another. Then he would still hold on to the couch, wall, what-have-you to continue on his way. But today I saw him let go of the wall at one end of the hall and walk the entire distance, right down the middle! He still likes to get "somewhere" where he can again grab onto something, but he doesn't hold on to stuff while he walks. What a big boy! SUPER CAL!

Happy Birthday Calvin!

Today was my darling baby boy's first birthday. Calvin Wyatt Christensen was born one year ago today. I can't believe it's been a whole year, and yet it seems like he's always been here. He is a smiley, curious, adventurous kid who loves his sister and loves to laugh. 

To celebrate his big day we did some shopping, and then had a party of ice cream and cake over at the park. Calvin got his first pair of shoes (well, he got a pair of sandals a few weeks ago, but they hardly count), a cute little outfit, a couple books, and a big walker/rider toy. I was very careful to explain to Olivia that these were his gifts, and they weren't for her, but that he would be happy to share them. (She usually thinks things are the other way around, and has thus adopted most of his toys as hers, having a hard time letting him play with them).

Happy Birthday Cal! We're so glad you're here with us!

Calvin and his gifts. Happy Birthday Calvin!

Blowing out the candle of his first birthday cake. Actually, he just put his hand in the cake. Someone else took care of the candle.

Eating his first piece of birthday cake. I should have stripped him first, but oh well.

If You're Happy and You Know It

CLAP YOUR HANDS! I taught Calvin how to clap his hands today. Now he's added clapping to his list of tricks. What a cutie!

Calvin's Firsts

As we approach Cal's first birthday, it's only natural that he experience some "firsts." Like a couple weeks ago in Yellowstone, he had his first "falling out of the tub." The tub in Yellowstone was much smaller than ours at home, and he swung his leg over to climb out (he's a climber, much MUCH different than his sister). Next thing he knew he landed on his head on the linoleum. Don't worry, it was only about 10 inches. Where was I? I was there, but it happened so fast. He's a speedy.

And last Sunday at about 3:00 am Cal had his first milk bottle. We ran out of formula on Saturday evening, and I decided rather than buying more, we would wean him (overnight) to milk. It's been a week, and I think the coldness still surprises him, but other than that he seems to be doing fine.

And first steps . . . I've been uncertain as to what were "first steps." When we got back from Yellowstone I decided to start working with him on his walking. I've let go of his a few times, and he's taken a hurried two or three steps before either grabbing something or popping on his bum. But he definately doesn't like it, and as soon as he's on to what I'm doing, he just gives his legs out and won't stand up. So I'm not sure if I should count that as first steps. Thing is, he's SO good at walking around the furniture. He's so strong. He'll walk along the walls, bend down to pick something up (holding on with one hand), or pull himself up. All he wants to do is walk. He just wont. Yet. But we'll keep working with him.

Cal's First Rodeo

We went to the rodeo on Wednesday night, as a kick off to our fourth of July weekend. It was opening night, and the stands were, surprisingly, only about half full. Olivia was really into it though. It's the first year she seemed to be even aware that something was going on. She talked about how the horsies would jump and jump and jump, and the cowboys would fall off. Cal was more interested in walking along the benches. One funny thing that happened though was one rider, who was riding a bronc, was RIGHT IN FRONT OF US as he went flying into the air (we had front row seats, center of the stadium), and as he was flying up into the air, he took his cowboy hat off and waved at us. It was pretty funny. I love the Oakley Rodeo.

At the rodeo

Playing in the pool before the rodeo.

Olivia in the pool