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.

Opa, Christmas and milestones

First and foremost, we are so happy that Opa is home and healing. Although it was stressful to see him like that and know he was vulnerable we appreciate that we will have him even longer now.

Second, Christmas was a blast. Casey received high-quality toys that he loves and has really brought out some talents we didnt even know he had. I am focused more than ever on getting him some musical instruments and things he can pound on.

Third, Casey threw a ball while standing alone. Very cool. He talks up a storm and has mama and dada down but not really saying them to anyone in particular. His diet is now very diverse. I have thrown out all the rules (except Peanut Butter, honey, milk and eggs) and just given him whatever we are eating, hoping to create a sophisticated palate. This morning he has cottage cheese and blueberried with whole grain toast. Lunch was steamed corn, peas, carrots and bananas. he also has Quinoa last night. Tonight will be whole wheat pasta and yogurt.

He is more fun than ever to talk to mostly because he appears to respond. He will show me where his book is if I ask and he will come and get me if I cover my eyes and ask 'where's mommy'. He is fun!

Off to get things done while he is napping.

Cheers and happy new year. Will post pictures as soon as I get a minute!

Just Cute

He' Standing

He is now standing unassisted..oh my god. Walking is not far behind! Picture when I can get one.

Book Toss

Casey is extremely happy that his Opa is recovering so nicely. In celebration he decided it was time to clean off the shelves. Enjoy!

Happy 10-month birthday Casey!

Wow, ten months. How fast it has gone. Lately I have been looking at him and thinking that he is not only looking more and more like a little boy rather than a baby but that he is looking back at me with the same expression. I am now more aware then ever that he is listening to me and trying to understand what I am asking him. He LOVES his books and he loves to be chased down the hallway. He also enjoys opening and shutting doors which thrills him for several minutes at a time. He is happy all the time and only whines when he is tired or hungry.

The last couple of times I have taken him to the zoo he seems to enjoy it more than before. He also loved the beach when I took him down there to see the big waves.

I am glad he is too young to understand that Bear is gone and that I didnt have to explain that to him. Dont think I will be as lucky with my remaining two animals.

Really looking forward to his first Christmas!

Happy 10-months Casey!!

Goodbye Bear

I had to put Bear down today. He was emaciated, unable to walk and totally uninterested in food and water. He could not even move. He has suffered from diabetes for at least 3 yaers and we gave him daily insulin injections but it wasnt enough. I was in the room when he passed and I looked into his eyes right before we started the injections. He really wasnt there anymore. I kissed him as he passed and hoped he enjoyed his life. We did everything we could for him, from his acute renal failure as a kitten, to bad teeth, to diabetes and the liver failure. Our vet often commented that he couldnt believe he was still alive. His passing was peaceful and painless and I am glad I could be there for him in the end. We loved him and will now take that love and make sure our remaining animals know they are wanted and loved. RIP Bear.

Food fight with himself

Casey now insists on feeding himself or else he won't eat, so what choice do I have? Here is what happens when he feeds himself.