Cal's favorite book

When Beezy was Cal's age, she was a talker. She could tell you her name, how old she was, she could make all kinds of animal sounds, identify and somewhat pronounce most of those animals.

Cal, on the other hand, will only really say ball, Poppa, bye-bye. Sometimes he'll say bubble when he sees a pool/pond/pic of the ocean. Grandparents claim he'll say mama and da-da when we're not around, but I've never heard him actually say it on command.

When you ask him to say a word, he just smiles instead. Stinker.

It's funny, though how he may not be able to say very many words, but TOTALLY and COMPLETELY understands exactly what you tell him.

(*Notice I didn't say "obey" what you tell him...ha!)

So, without comparing him to his big sister (I do realize they all develop at different ages), we've been trying to get him to at least practice saying different words. He loves this one book in particular. He doesn't say the words, but loves to be quizzed, "Where's the shark?" etc.

I'm realizing that in many ways he's so very different than Bee.

But that's okay; I love him just how God created him.

He's so rough and goofy and messy and lovable.

Beezy trying to teach him. Poor kid, he has me and Lola both bugging him to talk!

KJ & his Mini Me. I don't see it but EVERYONE says Cal looks just like KJ.

Ham (Cal)

It's safe to say that Cal is a ham. Not just bc of his layers of lovable chub, but in personality. He's kind of getting in this "bad" habit of fake smiling/grimacing when I get my camera out. That's it above.

Even when we are simply playing with Lola's toy camera, he stops to give us his goofy grimace. Then, once the pretend picture is taken, he hightails it over to look at the pretend picture on the back of her pretend camera. She always tells him, "Ooooh, that's a good one." Their imaginations are crazy!

So, it's kind of becoming obvious that he enjoys getting his picture taken. At least most of the time anyway. I try to capture them doing everyday things, you know, and kind of blend into the background. Nope. Once he spots the camera he has to start "smiling" and rush over to see himself on the little screen on the back of my camera. Ham.

HeliCALpter

"Ook. Ook."

Cal's spotting a helicopter.

I'll be glad when he starts talking more.

The things she says (Unicorn)

Lola got a haircut last week. She hasn't had her hair this short since before Cal was born. She loves it and I think it fits her personality. (That's also a headband I made her this summer. Considering making some more for my Etsy shop...???)

Bee gave all 4 of us new names recently:
My new name is "Polka Dot."
Cal is "Have Fun."
She named herself "Unicorn."
And the best of all, KJ is now "Bruce!"

We have no idea where she got the name Bruce bc we don't even know anyone with that name. She loves to call us by our new names. It does make for pretty entertaining conversation.

For instance, this morning I called Bruce to let him know how Have Fun's doctor visit went. Unicorn wanted to eat at Corn Medida (Casa Bonita) for supper. Polka Dot and Bruce are so blessed to have such good kids.

I'm thinking that maybe someday when I'm a grandma, I'll have my grandkids call me Polka Dot. I think that'd be cute. I love my Unicorn.

Bee @ the birthday party

This past weekend, Bee went to our neighbor's birthday party. They held it at our 'hood's clubhouse so that they could have a giant inflatable jumpy castle. It was so hot outside, but that didn't slow down the kids! This was Lola's very first time down that big slide. She loved it!

Goodies with Grandparents (9-16-10)

I love the kids' school. Their teachers are so friendly and really seem to enjoy kids in general. Last week they had a "Goodies with Grandparents" day. My mom came to town so that she could attend with Lola, and KJ's dad was able to get away from work for a bit to hang out with Cal. Each class had donuts and special gifts to give the grandparents. I was able to hang out just long enough to take a few pictures of the special morning. Gramby and Poppers were each able to peek inside the other kid's room on their way out, so that nobody was left out.

It was originally scheduled to last only 20 minutes, but in Lola's room they stayed a little longer so that they could show their families how they do their pledge to the US flag, the Christian flag, and the Bible. They also sang their "Months of the Year" song and did their weather bear. Good times. Thanks for coming Gramby and Poppers!

In Cal's room, we all got a good laugh bc when they placed his half of the donut in front of him, he said, "MMMmmmmm." Look at his face in the second picture. LOL Obviously it was a special treat bc he doesn't get glazed donuts too often around here!

Wake Up!!!

The kids usually take their naps at the same time. Last week, Cal was up quite a bit earlier than Lola. He wanted her to wake up! He'd play in his room for a bit while I folded laundry, then I'd go to check on him and catch him in her room trying to wake her up. Didn't work.

However, he quickly realized that as long as she was sleeping, he had free reign over all of her toys. He liked that, so he played a while.

After a bit longer, I peeked in again and this is what he was doing. "Reading" her new Yo Gabba Gabba! book.

"Sssshhhhh,"....(that's his version anyway)

He tried tickling her feet. He'd say, "tick, tick." She wouldn't budge.

Later he found my phone and took it back to her room with him. He sat in her chair playing with my phone for a while longer.

He got bored with that and decided to crawl back up on her bed and stab her with a toy. Still nothing.

Then, finally, after about 10 more minutes she woke up. He was so glad to see his Lola awake!

On this day 2 years ago...

On this exact day two years ago, I found out I was pregnant for the second time. I remember that day like it was yesterday. This is a picture from that day. I was packing for a week-long trip to NYC. Lola was 16 months old. KJ had just gotten home from work at Cedar Ridge Country Club. They were goofing off while I tried to pack. This pic was taken right after I'd told KJ the exciting news. We were thrilled!

Flash forward 2 years, and Cal Rocco is the biggest goofball in our family.

Lug nuts

Yep, that's Lola putting on lug nuts. We had just gotten new tires and after seeing KJ doing something (?) to the wheels, Beezy wanted to help too. She's so curious about how things work and loves to help out. This is the only picture I got of her though bc it was late, hot, and Cal was screaming for bed. I wish I could have gotten in closer on her face.

Walker (Cal)

Here's some pics of the first few days of Cal walking completely on his own. He always kept his arms up like this. We always laughed about it bc it was like he was in a hold-up or something. He was so proud of himself!

Below, he's getting much better at walking so his "Don't shoot!" arms were disappearing.

Toddler Lola

Is it just me or does Lola look just like Cal? (minus the earrings and long hair!)
Crazy!!

(Bee, 8-2-09)

Happy Birthday, Mom (aka Gramby)

Here's a hug "samwich" for you!!!! Happy birthday! We love you so much and are so grateful for all of the many, many things you do for us. We're lucky to have you.

(June 2009)

(Fourth of July, 2009)


(Halloween 2009)

Cribs

Earlier this summer, Lola went through a phase where she'd crawl in bed with Cal first thing in the morning. First, she'd usually throw in a bunch of random objects, then climb in. They'd goof off for a while. The funny thing is, Lola's never been much of a climber. She never once climbed out of her crib as a baby. I know some kids climb all over everything, but she never did that. Climbing over the couch is about as wild as she ever got. I think Cal's going to be more of a daredevil though. Yet, he's never tried to climb out either.

And, just like usual, it's all fun and games until somebody gets their head slammed on the rails.

Saturday mornings

Just another Saturday morning at home. KJ leaves for work every weekday long before the kids ever wake up. And, every morning, Lola bursts out of bed and asks, "Where's Daddy?" My response is always, "He's at work." "With Mr. Todd?" "Yep." Then she always replies, "Ohhh," as if this is new to her or something. LOL

So, needless to say, she is always beyond thrilled when he's home on the weekends. Cal gets pretty excited too. There's just something about getting to climb all over Daddy that they love.

Camping Out

Over Labor Day weekend, we camped out with the kids. It was the first time they'd ever slept in a tent overnight. My parents and brother joined us for hot dogs and S'mores, but it was just me, KJ and the kids who camped out. The kids had a blast! It took Cal a while to calm down and go to sleep bc he just wanted to run around the tent. Lola snuggled into her little sleeping bag and extra blankets and she went to sleep so easily. They were fascinated by all the coyotes and their pups that we could hear in the distance.

We camped out just down the road from my parents' house. We didn't rough it too much this go-around. Overnight, it got COLD. At least the kids were bundled up. You can tell from looking at the pond that it was pretty chilly down in that valley.

This is a little picnic area on my family's property. There's a pond and tables with a little shelter. My family has gathered for cookouts here my entire life. The brick fireplace was built to cook on nearly 50 years ago -- according to my dad. We have all of our holiday cookouts here. Good memories.

Cal had dried S'mores marshmallow on his chin -- well, actually it was all over him -- and we the fuzziness of his pj's, it made him a little hairy beard. LOL

Good morning!!!!! Check out Lola's ultra-over-the-top fake smile. She is crazy.

Little Lola @ the pool

Time to look back at summers passed. I already miss summer. I came across these pics recently, and, once again, couldn't get over how much Bee and Cal look alike. She was such a cutie pie. She loved playing at the pool. These pictures were two years ago in July. I remember this day as if it were last week. So crazy how fast time flies.

Infant Cal

Since I didn't blog at all once Cal was born, I'm kinda making up for lost time. I love looking back at how much he and Lola have grown. I sure love the people they're becoming, but there's just nothing quite as sweet as snuggling a newborn. These are just a couple I found one some of Cal's first baths in our bathroom sink. So tiny!

Happy Birthday, Dad! (aka Poppa Bobcat)

(May 2010; Cal's 1st birthday)

(Camping out last weekend)

Happy birthday, Dad! Here's just a few pics of you with your favorite little people doing some of your favorite things with them. I'm so glad the kids get to see you as much as they do. Lola created you a birthday card yesterday. It only took her an hour to get it just right. I don't know where she gets that from....???



Hope you enjoy these pics. I had to dig to locate them on the computer.

(May 2010)

(September 2008; Mom & Dad's surprise birthday fiesta;

Look how little Lola is -- she's the exact same age there as Cal is right now.)


(Napping with Cal; July 2010)

(September 11, 2008 @ Click's for your birthday)

(Swinging with Lola; May 19, 2008)

(Sneaking popsicles before bed; May 2010)


HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

We love you!!