Our Last Visit With Great Grandpa Bob

"Grandpa Bob was a good man."

Caedmon didn't know Grandpa Bob very well, but he knew enough to say that.

We had the honor of visiting my Grandpa on Christmas day, just a few weeks before he said goodbye to this world. He was very tired and didn't say much, and it was hard to see him like that. Somehow I knew that it was the last time I was to see him. 

He got to meet Esther that day. 

It's beginnings and endings all mixed up together.

 

I think he loved her. My mom got this picture of them looking at each other, each reaching their hand out to the other.

 

There was a beautiful creche at the nursing home where Grandpa Bob spent his last months. I loved showing all the different figures to Caedmon and explaining who they were. Their eyes were so lifelike, as though they really knew what a crazy wonderful mind-blowing thing it was for God to come to us as a baby.

As Caedmon and Esther grow, I'll tell them about their Great Grandpa. I'll show them the hutches and doll houses and benches and cabinets he built and I'll show Caedmon the picture of him at his drum set. We'll think of him when we rake leaves and pick up sticks in the yard, and when we hear big band music or see a Cubs hat.

I'm sad that they will not have the joy of knowing him as I knew him, but in some mysterious way he is a part of all of us. We will remember this " good man," and we look with longing toward the day when we will meet again.

Caedmon's Creations

Here are some of the things Caedmon's been creating lately.

Outside-the-box Lincoln Log houses:

 Pretend beds on the living room floor:

And "cars":

Don't Drum and Drive!

He has also used these same items to make several different "models" of cars, as well as buses and airplanes. The variations are endless. The only rule is that he must use all the toys, the file boxes, the ottoman, and all the throw pillows.

See that skinny pillow in between the ottoman and the file box? That's the engine.

 

What will you be someday, Caedmon?

The Milk Sessions

You'll be glad to know that this post is not a series of photos of me breastfeeding Esther.

No, it's a series of photos I took of Caedmon waaaaay back in June, drinking a big glass of raw milk. I took them for this post I wrote about the awesomeness of raw milk, but it might as well have been about his cuteness. So here they are. Sorry there are so many; I couldn't bear to leave out any of those adorable, milk moustached faces.

 

 

 

Half a Year!

We can't believe our dear little Esther-girl is 6 months old. To celebrate her half-birthday, we gave her her very first ride on the (oddly high-up) swings in our communal backyard. She showed her delight in this activity with her trademark side-smile.

 

 Which sometimes ends up being less of a side-smile and more of a side...face.

"Hey how's it goin'!? Long time no see!"

Showing off the lovely flower that Analisa made.

"Yeah so as I was sayin'..."

What's weighing her down? Her cheeks, or the flower on her hat?

 

We love you, dear Esther! You light up our lives and teach us new things every day.

Happy Third Birthday, Caedmon!

Caedmon then...

 I can't believe our boy is three. In honor of him, here is a list of just a few of the things I love about Caedmon.

1. His high need for physical contact.
It may have made sleep difficult for his first two and a half years, but now when he says, "Mommy, I need you," by which he means, "Mommy, I need you to hug me," my heart melts.

2. "Mommy, sing me just one more song."
 Currently his favorites are Jesus Loves Me, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Row Row Row Your Boat, and "The Mary Poppins Song," which can mean (I think?) any song from Mary Poppins.

3. His intense sense of order.
He must close all the doors before coming downstairs, and finish lining everything up before leaving his toys. He builds perfectly symmetrical Duplo constuctions, and matches up all his letter magnets.

4. His interactions with language.
He's always making up words (i.e. "Gargison"), and altering real words (i.e."bachine," "deeder dodder"). It simultaneously cracks us up and amazes us.

5. His ability to be quiet in public.
We take no credit for this. He has an uncanny ability to be quiet during church services, lectures, and meetings. Don't worry, he's plenty loud at home.

6. His boy-ness.
When he was a baby, we dressed him clothes featuring typical boy things: cars, construction vehicles, sports, dogs, and dinosaurs. But now that he's talking and running and playing, we're seeing many of those things to be fitting stereotypes. His favorite book right now is called, "Bang! Boom! Roar! A Busy Crew of Dinosaurs." Dinosaurs AND construction vehicles AND loud noises AND gross stuff all in one book. Can we say "BOY"!?

7. His sweet, sweet face.
It's sweet when he's awake, but it's downright angelic when he's asleep. He is such a gift!

...Caedmon now.

Happy Birthday Caedmon!

A Boy in a Box Part 2

Don't look now, but there's a boy in a box!

He's comin'...

 

...comin'...

 

...comin'...

There he is!!

It's amazing how many different ways you can fit into a box.

"Here I am!"

"It's this big."

Plotting what to do next.

 

He's so happy he can't contain himself! (I think I just made a pun.)

 Yes, it's a disposable diaper box. We use them for nighttime and church. I'm over it. :)

Sometimes you need a break from pink.

Headbands on baby girls. Not very practical, but pretty much the cutest thing ever.

There's a little bit of "Why I oughta...!" in this one. But she doesn't mean it, clearly.

"My cheeks are so heavy I can't hold my head up! But I'm happy about it."

Oh Esther. You're just too sweet.

Thanks Analisa & Zach for the great headband, and Erin for the adorable organic cotton onesie that says "Homemade"...you just can't see that part. :) The earth tones are providing a welcome respite from girly pink. (Don't get me wrong, I love me some pink.)