I am been extremely negligent in keeping this blog updated. I just looked back through my posts and really can't believe he was that little at one time. He has grown into an adorable, spirited, independent, talkative, inquisitive little boy who I adore. He has hit all of his milestones and just keeps going.

dance

Casey Dance

I know it has been alomst one year since I have posted and there has been way too much growth and development to comment on now, but here is a cute video of Casey dancing. This went on for about 30 minutes. Just one day before he had a temperature of 102 for three days, a chest x-ray and diagnosis of severe bronchitis. But I think he feels better. What do you think?

Recent Trip to the Zoo

Happy half birthday!

Yep, that's right. Casey is a year and a half old!! Hard to believe. He is still a pleasure to be around - happy, fun, and full of life. He had his 18-month check-up today and made through with flying colors. He is 28lbs, 33.5 inches and his head is a whopping 19.5 inches. He doesn't talk as much as the ped wants him too. He has suggested that we start to make Casey ask for the item he wants rather than letting him point and us grabbing it for him. He starts daycare tomorrow and it makes me unhappy to drop him off, but I know he is safe. I will miss him terribly! Happy half birthday!

Latest Pics

Casey has been out and about. We have taken a ride on the train at Balboa Park, went to the fair and spent a lot of evenings at Padres games. He says mama, dada, bah-bye and uhoh. He is feisty and happy. He eats just about everything and LOVES anything to do with water. He loves the park and spends most of his time their on the swing or the slide. Here are some recent pictures.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Father's Day to Opa and Rick!

Success!!!

We found a daycare and Casey is enrolled to begin on August 16 for two days per week! I went to four daycares during my search, I LOVED SDSU's magnificent facility and staff but we can't afford it so we are going with the only other place I felt good 'vibe' about. If you are interested, here is the webiste: http://www.centerforyoungimaginations.com/

This is a new phase for me and I am sure it will be hard to leave him with strangers but I hope I have given him the foundation he needs to know how loved he is!

Well, off to buy him some new pants since today he was sporting some floods :)!!!

Now considering daycare

I am back to work full-time and Casey is as social as ever, so I have decided it is time to give him some interaction with kids his age. We have checked out SDSU childcare which was BEAUTIFUL, first-class, close and I wouldn't hesitate a second to drop him off there, but it is a bit out of our financial league. When I took him for the tour he just loved the classroom, he was running around and up and down and the little set of stairs they had and the slide. He was also about 3 inches taller than the 18-month old standing next to him. I will put him on the waiting list and see what happens anyway. We have another appointment for a smaller daycare up the street on Friday morning, which is much cheaper but it may show, I will update on Friday. By the way, being back to work full-time and makes it feel like I hardly ever see Casey which is extremely dissappointing and hard to adjust to. I really do miss him and I am slowly building my reputation in private practice, one student at at time, in order to have the freedom to take Casey to the park on any morning of the week!

A big huge 'Thank you' to my dad for coming down to take Casey to the zoo, it not only means the world to me but it also allows us to work! I have uploaded some random pictures. Enjoy!

15-month appt

Casey had his 15-month well-baby appointment today! He is 33.5 inches tall (96th percentile), 28lbs (88th percentile) and his head is 19 inches (95th percentile), so he is T.A.L.L. which is no surprise to anyone. He is talking a lot but not being completely coherent. He points and names things in his own language. He is very social, a great walker, loves to feed his dog treats, travels like a champ and loves to walk outside. He is a fantastic kid!

Maui 2010

Just back from Maui! Had a fantastic time. Casey is a great traveller and the people in front of us on the plane didn't even know we had a baby with us. The hotel was beautiful,but I am more of a condo dweller. With a kid the condo would have been a lot easier. He loved it all and we loved spending so much time with him. Rick and I enjoyed the trip and bot feel less relaxed than prior Hawaiian holidays, but relaxed nonetheless. Looking forward to going back - I will always love going to Hawaii! Here are some pics!

Almost!

Easter 2010

Some truly beautiful pictures of Casey on Easter.

Here he is...ready to take on the world

Here is our little walking fool. He just started walking 'great distances' and is more fun than ever! For all you neat freaks, the house isnt really a mess, just that one place where is toys are. Enjoy!!

New milestones!

I've been remiss. No, make that, I have been extraordinarily busy. With my dissertation defense only two days away I have been preoccupied, but Casey progresses nonetheless. Casey continues to be the happy, healthy child I love. He has achieved three huge milestones over the last week. He now walks. He doesn't walk all the time but he can walk about ten feet and he is getting better every day. It is really cute to watch, but I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Video coming as soon as I can capture it. I am having loads to trouble getting shoes on his feet. He lets me try but they just won't go on and they are plenty big. Not sure where to go from here. He might have super wide feet.

He spontaneously started clapping and he LOVES it. He also likes to take my hands and clap them for me.

He has mastered 'mama' and loves to say it.

Oh, there is a fourth discovery...his penis.

Kelli

Everyone Feeling 'Normal' Again

Wow, the last month, no the last year has been crazy. Since Casey's birthday he has been sick. Runny nose, fever, lethargy and general crankiness. It lasted quite awhile and Rick and I both caught it. All is well now. Casey is sleeping through then night..EVERY NIGHT, which has been huge life saver. I did not realize how out of it I was and what difficulty I was having concentrating until I started sleeping again. Then I start to think about my year: difficult labor, appendectomy, dissertation, major sleep deprivation, two jobs, loss of beloved pet, Dad has major surgery, possible loss of job (didnt happen but awfully close). This all equals HUGE amounts of stress. Dad is good, dissertation is written, Casey is sleeping through the night and I am on my way to going into private practice in May, so I hope this is the beginning of feeling 'normal' again.

Anyway, here is a picture of Casey on his new bike yesterday.

One Year Doc Appt

Casey is healthy, healthy, healthy. He has 8 teeth, some hair, all ten fingers and toes, beautiful skin, healthy bowels, no allergies, no rashes! What he has had his first year: one black eye (sorry Casey!), one cat scratch, one dog scratch (not Patsy) and one bad cold.

His stats as of today:

31 inches long (Now is 50-75th percentile)
23.9 pounds

As of today he can have:
Peanut butter
honey
milk (NO MORE FORMULA-WOOHOO)
Strawberries (which we already gave him and he LOVES)
Eggs (Which we also already gave him)

Happy Birthday my love!!!

Happy first birthday. As I sat back and watched you make the rounds at your party today I noticed that you bring joy, laughter and love to any place you go. Your smile is inviting and authentic. You are fun and emotional. You are as real as it gets. Happy Birthday to my favorite person in the world!

First Birthday on the Horizon

Sometimes I scroll all the way down this page and get misty-eyed. I have trouble believing he was that little, the young and that quiet! This was the fastest,most complicated year of my life. I sometimes wish I could take a moment when he smiles at me and freeze it in time forever.

Casey is a quite exceptional (not the 'special' way) child. He is beautiful, fun, and loving. He gives out kisses and likes to share. He loves his books more than anything and he loves his dog.

I will cry on his birthday as I tear up just writing this. I almost don't want him to grow up so fast.

Casey, I love you more than I could ever express and I am eternally grateful you finally found your way into my life. I have slowed down and enjoyed long walks with you, numerous trips to the zoo, a first trip to disneyland and countless outings to Target. May you continue to be the uber healthy child you were the first year of your life. May you remain as happy as you are today and may you always know that I love you! Happy 1st Birthday my Valentine's baby!!!

Away he goes

Cute hat

No time to write right now.

Casey's palate

Casey had steamed halibut, baked sweet potato and wheat pita for dinner tonight. What a good kid. We also spend a nice afternoon walking by the beach and everyone who walked by told me he was smiling and giggling the whole way!

Food

Let's see...there is spinach pasta with marinara sauce, steamed broccoli, carrots and corn on his face. Not sur how much in his stomach though.

First word

Loud and clear. Over and over, as he looks for his favorite....BOOK! Definitely my child! Go Casey.