Been way too long!

Well hello, not sure if anyone even checks this anymore being that I haven't updated in FOREVER, but life happened this became low on the priority list and here we are. Things have been for the most part good. I never understood before why the best things in life were considered to be the most stressful, but now I do. I met my life partner and Caleb's life dad (Kevin) last year, and now we are engaged and gearing up for hopefully an October wedding. I am pregnant with number 2, who is due on November 29th, 2010. I am so excited.
Not having help with Caleb til he was 2 and being use to how hard single parenting was and getting so comfortable with how life was and then having a very helpful man who takes at least half the burden it has been so much more sweet! I wouldn't take back my single years with Caleb for anything, as it makes me appreciate what I have so much more!!
Kevin and I begin the premarital class at our church tomorrow, to help build a good foundation for our marriage. Had we of done things by the cookie cutout, we would of waited til after we were married before we had another addition, but my whole life, I have always veered off the cookie sheet and I am OK with that.
I haven't been working for a couple months now, before I was just working every other weekend, but I haven't even done that. I have been home with Caleb which I have really enjoyed! I am 11 weeks now and when I hit the 13 week mark I think then I will start picking up a day or 2 a week. Well Caleb is begging me to put together his train set. Off I go!

Life as we know it

"More rain!!"
Ready? Set? GO!

Caleb, Rachel and Momma

Running with the umbrella

Jumping with the umbrella

Sliding down the skate ramp

Playing in a puddle

Ready for bed

Going to visit Great Grandpa before he died

The view is better this way;)

Caleb, Butter and Grandma

Shy guyI am hoping he will start to fix my car!

Hi down there!

Lots has been going on lately. I just graduated with my RN with a 4.0! I was in survival mode for a long time and feel I can finally come out! My plans for the summer are to study for boards, take my boards and search for jobs! I want to move very badly, especially while Caleb is still a wee one:) I am just in search of a job that will pay for my move, which is important right now.

Caleb will be 2 next month and I am so amazed at how much he has changed! He is so smart!! He has mastered matching games and the wooden puzzles, he says several several words and is able to make his needs and desires known to me which is really helpful! He helps me clean up his toys FINALLY, and of course he throws lots of tantrums. As far as the tantrums go... i have found that when I take the time to acknowledge his point of view and how he is feeling they end really quickly, then there is distraction which works like a charm and then there is plain old "get over it we need to go", I usually save those for when he is in the middle of the street or similiar:) He poops on the potty almost everyday, due to the fact that God decided to give him man intestines and his poops are so big they won't come out any other way!! He started a new daycare last week which he LOVES. Nancy is still watching him but i want to work a .8 this summer so he goes to the daycare 2 days a week and is with Nancy the rest of the time. Thats all for now!

Christmas and after

He is such a little cutie (I think)

(I used product in hair... shhh)

Playing with rice

Playing with dried beansHe is such a cheese ball

His new train set from Auntie Charlotte and family

Playing piano with his cousin

My brother in law dressed up as santa when we were in the cities for Christmas.... it was funny

Watching the kids open presents

Finally got him to sit still for a picture!!

Gave him a book to entertain him for a split second so I could get a picture!

Bringing me books to read

FINALLY AN UPDATE!!!!

My huge pile of books... makes a great stepstool!

Walking with the naughty face... and he is about to get his "NU NU" taken away
His Halloween costume (a green dragon)

Lounging

("HI!)

I was trying to ship him overseas... but was caught

Woo hoo... noise!

His new bedroom (since we moved in september) his 4th time moving since he was born

Doctor Carver

Who can resist that smile??

I don't allow this anymore... got way too messy!!

Yes I realize it has been way too long. I have been so busy with school it's not even funny. I have a break now and am hoping to catch up on stuff and then start another busy semester!! So I will be graduating with my RN (if all goes well) in May!! I am excited to almost be done and then be making a pretty decent living for Caleb and I. The big thought is that we will be hopefully moving to Eugene Oregon come next year! Most likely/realistically August... for a good job, a change in environment and just pure desire out of my part. I have always loved Oregon and feel that the lack of RN jobs here in Duluth make moving to Eugene pretty appealing being that they just built a brand new hospital and have any job I could want.

Caleb is 18 months now and so amazing. He says close to 100 words and is putting words together. He signs too... but has them so confused, I don't know what he is signing, but he is able to say the word anyway. He started walking a bit late (15-16 months), and is getting really good at it. We just found out at his appointment that his tibia turns in when he walks and that's why he has had so many problems!! They say it happens with 20-30% of clubfoot babies and often it corrects itself and if it doesn't by age 4 he will have to have a tibial tendon transfer. Anyway other than all that he is a happy little boy and brings me tons of joy=o)

Almost a big 13 month old!!

Sorry it's been so long! It's been a busy last month or so... first it was Caleb's big 1 year b-day. then my sister got married, then I worked 12 days on a paycheck for my Oregon trip, then my friend Amanda got married and then I went to Oregon for 5 days!! It was my first time leaving Caleb for that long and it was fun... but hard. I missed him soooo much!! We are happy to be re-united!
Caleb still isn't walking, just along furniture and if you hold his hands with your fingers. He is wearing the boots and bar 16 hours a day until the middle of August then he will go to only nights again. He says many words... hard to keep track if he means to or not.. mostly yes. His sentence.... "I get up". Anyway onto some pictures...

This one is so pitiful I just love it

Caleb and auntie Dawn at Amanda's wedding
His new chair that he likes

Big boy!!

He was busy watching baby einstein

Action shot

His cousin Hayden... they are twins! About 5 weeks apart

Sitting in cousin Braylan's carseat

Swimming at the hotel we stayed at when we went to Connie's wedding