We’ve taken him to the doctor, asked both our parents, our daycare provider, and frankly anyone else who will listen when the conversation shifts to the color, texture, odor and frequency of bowel movements, and still we have no answer as to this crazy new poop schedule.  Even though it might sound like we’re totally freaking out, we’re not.  We still have our happy-go-lucky little guy, complete with buckets-o-drool and sparkly eyes!  We’ve just upped the rate at which we plow through diapers!

As I write, my wonderful hubby just finished cleaning up another stinky diaper and is now joining me for breakfast (which he graciously made, granting me a few more minutes of shut-eye).  I am sooo very blessed to have such a wonderful man!  I wouldn’t know what to do if it weren’t for the amazing help, support and encouragement he gives on a daily basis.  Thanks, Babe!!

my “little” brother and his fiance Ann!  It’s been a long couple of weeks waiting to announce this happiness here on my blog, but I didn’t want to spoil the fun of telling everyone.  Though, I’ve been assured that folks now know and I can blab all I want! 🙂

We’re thrilled to have Ann as a part of our family (yeah, I get another sister!) and can’t wait for the big day!  January will be here before we know it! 

Pardon the quality of the image, but it was taken from my phone at Luke’s AF graduation.  They make a great couple, don’t you think?!

Garth, Calder and I had the pleasure of taking Great Grandma Ewing out for brunch this morning.  From my childhood camping trips at the South Higgins Lake State Park, I vividly remember heading out for breakfast at the Cut River Restaurant.  I was thrilled to start the camping tradition with Calder this summer, though we did not indulge in a breakfast visit. 

There have been several changes (no more painted saws adorning the walls) from what I remember as a child, it was still a wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning.  I love watching Grandma with Calder…..I just think about all the things I have learned from my grandparents and can’t wait for him to share in those memories as well.

Likely the most exciting aspect of our trip was the addition to the Ewing household.  A 6-month old Labradoodle pup named Riley.  Grandma’s new companion is all-puppy (read very excitable, quite clumsy and still prone to accidents).  Nonetheless he seems very lovable and will hopefully settle into a good routine with Grandma. 

Upon our return home, we enjoyed a nice long walk with our new jogger.  Calder liked it so much he slept most of the time.  After devouring his cereal and nursing, he was bathed and put to bed.  Things are getting better with our nighttime routine too.  We held things off a little later the past couple of nights and that seemed to work well.  He’s such a little stinker though…he rolls all over now, and flashes this adorably mischevious smile whenever I go up to untangle or reposition him.  That reminds me…I wish we would have gotten a picture of it, but today he successfully “handcuffed” himself with his Linkadoos.  He had fallen asleep while playing with them, and somehow managed to get one around both wrists.  Only when he awoke and went to stretch did he realize he couldn’t move very far.  It was pretty cute!  More later!

So we did it.  We decided to try Calder on cereal.  He was a bit flummoxed by the spoon at first, but he eventually caught on.  I think that making it a little thicker will help and he seems to have enjoyed it.  We’re going to keep trying just one meal in the evenings for a bit and then maybe switch to a couple of meals of oatmeal per day.  Here’s my favorite photo of his first official “meal.”

With our first official teacher workday today, and our daycare provider off to move her daughter into her dorm room, Calder was able to spend the day with Grandma.  They played, laughed, talked and read books.  I think they both had a great time!  Garth and I got home around 3:30 and were able to spend a good evening hanging out and getting things around for tomorrow.

I think that’s going to be the hardest part of this new school schedule.  I’m really used to either staying really late working on things at school or coming home and resting for a bit and then really getting to work later.  But now, I want to spend every moment with Calder, then I have to get lunches around, pump parts washed, bottles frozen, running in, and that’s not considering schoolwork or things for church or the writing project.  I’m not saying this as “woe is me” anymore, just in awe of how I’ll get it all done!  But I know I will….and I have a awesome husband who is so great at helping with these things!  What’s more, he’s a great role model for me with the way he can get so much accomplished at school in a short amount of time!

I really hope to keep writing on a daily basis, but it might take me a little bit to figure out just how to get stuff posted.  Speaking of…I just uploaded a bunch of pictures to Flickr.  There are the pics of the downed tree, our camping trip, the outlaw party in the UP from last weekend and a few random shots too!  Check ’em out!