New Year's Eve

Speaking of traditions, we spend New Year's with college friends. At our place or at a friend's cabin, each year a group of North Parkers and I gather to usher in the new year. This year we all piled into our home in Galena, and I brought reinforcements from Hope College.

There were just nine of us the first night: Kyle, Trish, and Eva Olson, Peter, Julie, and Wil TeWinkle, and the three of us. We talked theology and wandered the decorated streets in search of the perfect breakfast place.

Later we were joined by others: Kevin and Alison McKernan (with baby M due in April), Chris, Becca, and Ellis Newhouse, Peter Carlson, Mark and Naomi Peterson (with baby P due in Feb), Jon Heintzelman, Aaron Balsam, and Aimee Johnson.

The kids worked hard to cover the house with toys and the rest of us tried not to trip over them. We look forward to this gathering every year, but watching these kids have time together added a new element; as potential lifelong friends, every photo taken is blackmail for years to come ....

PS -- Thanks to GG and Papa TeWinkle for the matching PJs! With sippy cups, too, we couldn't tell Calvin and Wil apart!

Christmas Day

After dreaming of sugar plums, Calvin awoke at Grandma and Grandpa Caldwell's house on Christmas morning for more family fun.

Cal and Grandpa played with the John Deere tractors, props we used to announce our pregnancy, and enjoyed more gingerbread men cookies that he found in his stocking.

Chris, Jen, and Chloe joined us via webcam to complete the family circle.

Christmas Eve

This year Calvin joined us for a standing tradition at the Naperville Anderson's home: a Christmas Eve smorgasbord and church service.

As it turned out, he napped during the family dinner, but was awake to squirm through the Christmas Eve service and open -- and play with -- a present or two before sleeping.

He and cousin Ava especially enjoyed a ride around the living room in Cal's new sleigh.

First Christmas

2006 brought a new tradition to the Lake Geneva Andersons -- a Christmas celebration of our own. With extended family close by, we celebrate at their houses. But with a child of our own, we thought it time for a celebration at our place.

So with the tree lit, Calvin in his PJs, and a dinner buffet of appetizers, Eric attempted to read the biblical story of Christ's birth before giving way to a squirmy kid ready for his first Christmas present.

It was short and sweet, but just like that, a tradition is born.

Big Fists

A Gerber Foods commercial once told me that a baby's stomach is the size of his fist. If this is true, then Calvin has deceptively large fists because the boy can eat!

Take, for example, tonight's dinner:

- One whole avocado
- One whole pear
- 1/2 cup of cottage cheese and applesauce
- 1/2 slice of bread
- One ginger cookie ...'tis the season

We have introduced him to Quinoa, a complete protein grain, that might fill him up more than water-based fruits. We mix it with apple sauce and into oatmeal, and there's a recipe for quinoa cookies that I'd like to try. Still, even with a 1/2 cup of grains, this kid still holds his own.

Back to Sleep

Calvin often sleeps on his back with his hands behind his head. He looks so cool ... like he's on a chaise lounge and couldn't be bothered to stay awake any longer.

Candy Cane

Calvin has had healthy and mostly organic foods throughout his (short) life, but something about this holiday season has sent me askew.

It started with ginger cookies. Whether they're cute gingerbread men from Whole Foods or homemade ginger snaps, Calvin loves these cookies, and since ginger is so good for one's digestive system they might as well be health food.

Then, while patronizing a local store, Calvin received his first candy cane. Fully wrapped, it was a harmless chew toy. But soon enough he found his way through the wrapper and thoroughly enjoyed his first taste of unadulterated sugar. However, since peppermint is so good for one's digestive system ... well, you can see where this is going ....

Since then, Cal has happened upon pieces of said candy cane and enjoyed carrying it like a dog carries a bone as he crawls across the room. Don't worry, I'm fully aware of the dangers therein and watch the boy like a hawk.

First Steps (Without Assistance)

It's official -- Calvin can walk on his own!

Just before bed tonight (on Grammy Great's 85th birthday), Calvin was enjoying his evening bottle when he decided to stand up. Eric joined him on the floor and encouraged Cal to walk toward him.

Lo and behold, he did! Four or five steps on his own, and without dropping the bottle! Once he was satisfactorily in his father's arms, I ran for the camera.

Even with the pressure of the camera (and the clock ticking toward bedtime) he took another stroll toward Dad.

We'll get that video loaded soon, but wanted to get the word out ASAP.

Extra! Extra! Read All About It .....

Lounge Act

Yeah, this is my highchair.
It's where I hang to eat my ginger cookies.

All I Want For Christmas ....

You may know that Calvin has four teeth: two on the bottom center and two on top ... not in the center. But if that's all you know, my friend, you need an update.

I admit that I haven't paid close attention to how people "grow" teeth, but from the giddy responses to Calvin's adorable gap-tooth smile, I understand that children often find their front teeth first.

Calvin waited to introduce his with a seasonal song.

Just in time for Christmas Calvin got his wish; his two front teeth came in so in sync that they were practically holding hands.

"... Gee I really hope I get my two front teeth,
So I can wish you Merry Christmas!"

Happy Birthday, Grammy Great!

Once recovered from the sausage party, we were ready to celebrate Grammy Great's 85th birthday.

Vera's daughters, Diann (Grammy) and Deb planned a lovely luncheon at Windsor Park Manor and the family came in droves. We were sixteen in all.

Calvin and Cousin Ava gave Great Aunt Deb a run for the title of "Spunkiest Guest", and Vera enjoyed having half of her family together to mark this momentous occasion.

Getting the Job Done

We made our way to Naperville for the annual Anderson korv-making party. In preparation for our Christmas Eve smorgasbord we've been stuffing potato sausage for a few years, but this was Calvin's first.

He seemed to have a good time but did distract from the task at hand. Not only did he somehow avoid making any sausage, he occupied others' attention with his antics.

Still, while he didn't peel potatoes or grind meat, it was hard to be mad when he donned Uncle Ryan's old tool belt and saved all of us from unruly pool balls.