The Music Man

Shooting Hoops!

"Getting down" to Beach Boys
Starting to move a little

"I'm not going to touch, mama! Just listen!"



I know these may not be the best pictures ever, but today I was just thinking about how much Caleb loves music! I kind of thought he might like music with having a pianist for a mom and a dad who can put anything to song! I mentioned earlier that Caleb loves the stereo! So, today I popped in a little Beach Boys and sure enough... he crawled right over and started bopping along. "Barbara Ann" is his favorite!

What fascinates me is the kind of music he likes though. For those of you who don't know this about him, I hope you find it interesting too. We travel a lot since my family is in Illinois, so sometimes we have had to try various things to keep him entertained or to help him go to sleep. One trip he just wouldn't stop crying and go to sleep even though it was way past his naptime, so Jason decides to pop in his opera cd. Immediately, Caleb went quiet and didn't make another peep thanks to "O Mio Babbino Caro." It now works like a charm consistently!

Most recently, since we purchased our new to us minivan, we have found out Caleb loves Ladysmith Black Mambazo! This is a famous acapella African group that Jason introduced me to when we started dating. Turn on a little Ladysmith and Caleb is soothed, entertained, or put to sleep!

I appreciate our son's eclectic taste! He makes life interesting!

Christmas 2008

I'm finally getting my act together after the holidays, and blogging again. We had a wonderful, busy Christmas season! We celebrated Jesus' birth in IL, MI, and TN. We thought you might enjoy a slideshow of pictures of what we have been up to since Thanksgiving. Hope you enjoy the pictures... be sure to check out the birthday pictures as well!

Since the New Year has begun, life hasn't slowed down much. Caleb seems to have tons of energy now since he began to crawl. He's pulling himself up on everything that he can, and cruises along. He hasn't been able to walk on his own yet, but I have a feeling it's not too far away. His favorite attraction is the stereo right now. We are really working on teaching him "no!" He's constantly going over to the stereo, which keeps us all on our toes. He's learning to obey more all of the time! His favorite toy from Christmas is probably the Sports Center he got. He loves shooting baskets and hitting the baseball, and gets so excited when the points light up!

Jason is in his 3rd week of student teaching! He will take over classes completely beginning next week after finals. He's doing a great job so far, and seems to be enjoying it.

Amber is still teaching piano 2 days a week. For the most part is trying to keep up with her boys and maintain enough energy to do that while being 7 1/2 months pregnant. We are getting excited to share what Baby Redoutey #2 will be like.

1 Year Birthday!

Caleb is One! 1 year ago I could not explain or imagine how life would change for this family. Caleb has grown into a charming little boy. He started crawling 1 week before his birthday. It was hilarious! One afternoon we were playing ball, and there was a ball across the living room. He literally just decided to go get it! When he got to the ball he didn't stop.... he kept going to the kitchen. Then he got worn out! :)

We were in Illinois for his birthday, so we had a small party with family. It was a snowman theme and Caleb got to have a cupcake for the 1st time. Caleb had so much fun, and he even learned how to hold up his finger that he was 1! It was hilarious!

So far Caleb has a large vocabulary... "mama"(although he hasn't said it in over a month!), "dada", "do" for dog, "duh" for duck, "bah" for ball, "boo" for book, "p.t." for pretty tree (thanks to Grandma Becky!), "baba" for bye.

Caleb loves to be around people, which we are so grateful for! He is such a happy boy unless... he's tired or feeling poopy! He's going to be such a great helper to mama when his little brother/sister comes in March.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was held in Peoria, IL this year. Caleb tried Grandpa Brian's smoked turkey and mashed potatoes for the 1st time! Great Grandma Aaron watched him one night, so the rest of the family could go watch Australia at the movie theatre. We are so thankful that God has bless us with a healthy boy this year!

Playing Ball

Have fun playing ball with Caleb. You'll see a little of the backwards army crawl. :)

Sorry for the shaking sometimes.

Grandma and Grandpa Visit

Our "Russian Prince" :)

Caleb and Grandpa ready for church

Well, we had our first snowfall over the weekend while Grandma and Grandpa were visiting. Caleb fits his Pooh hat and mittens this winter... they were a little big last Christmas! He doesn't like to wear the hat and mittens, but he'll just have to get used to it. We have a long winter ahead of us. Caleb is more fun to be around currently. He had 2 more teeth come in this past month for a total of 3! He's no fun when they are coming in! Still not crawling or walking yet, but showing great progress recently. He is starting to army crawl backwards, not forwards. :) He loves to hold on and walk with you. He's starting to move his feet on his own and his balance is always improving. Some of his new words now are dada, ba for ball, up, ba ba for bye bye, and I think he's about ready to say duck since he loves all his rubber duckies during bathtime. His newest trick is learning to give a high five! We have fun doing that. He continues to sleep wonderfully at night: 7pm to 7am!

Happy Halloween!

Ttttttigger!

Daddy and Tigger at church for "Trunk or Treat"!

Mommy and Tigger at "Trunk or Treat!"

Well, our camera's battery died as soon as I started trying to take pictures, so we didn't get as many as I would have liked. Doesn't he look adorable? Someone gave us this costume last fall when I was pregnant still, and it fit perfectly!