First Birthday Party

Calvin had the family over to show off his new hair cut and we decided to celebrate his birthday while they were here. Wait -- reverse that.

We're fortunate to have so much family in the area and are glad that they were able to gather at our place to toast our little guy's first year.

We had simple food and drink, focusing more on being together, and I attempted a block cake in honor of Calvin's favored toy this year. We collected most of his blocks, comfortably scattered around the house, for decoration.

Despite his trial run with a cake, he didn't much take to the little block I made for him. Maybe it was the crowd of people waiting to see what he did, but he didn't eat much, if any. Cousin Ava to the rescue. She didn't like her first birthday cake, either, but showed us what an extra nine months will teach you when she happily accepted his leftovers.

For the record, guests in attendance:

Grammy and Papa, Uncle Kurt, Aunt Denee and Ava, Uncle Ryan, adoptive grandparents and neighbors Jerry and Diane Bauman, Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Shane and Cassie, and Dave, Diane, and Drake Petersen.

Click here for more pictures: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AYtHDlu4btmFk

First Hair Cut

It was arduous at times, but we made it a year without cutting Cal's hair.

He went from a full head to basically nothing and back to long locks in a year. We wondered whether it would bend some, taking on Papa's curl, but it looks like stick straight Caldwell hair to me.

His sideburns have continued to grow from birth, as well as the ring around his neck. For his first hair cut, we essentially cut off this original hair and trimmed up the rest.

With Eric at work (and unable to protest further) I started a video (Baby Neptune, his favorite. Thanks Nadia), sat him backwards in a chair, and took my scissors to his neck. He turned his head as I snipped and I basically buzzed the lower-right corner, but it went better from there. I cut around the back of his head first, stacking it some. For the weighty decision about his trademark sideburns, though, I waited for Eric's input.

But I was at the store when Calvin awoke from his nap a new boy and Eric was inspired to snip off the sideburns, now hanging awkwardly long. We worked together on the front.

I like the finished product. He's definitely a big boy now, but shaggy hair wouldn't have stopped that. He looks cleaner and we can see his big blue with ease.

By the way, he's watching Baby Neptune again in the "after" picture. Do you recognize the gaping awe of television? Or is that learning?

12-Month Measurements

Calvin's one year stats:

Height: 30 1/2 inches
Weight: 22 pounds

He has followed clothing charts throughout his first year, though now at 12 months, he's ready to move in to 18-month shirts. He has long arms like his mother.

Happy Birthday to Calvin!

Calvin is ONE!

Without permission, 365 days have passed since Calvin made his way into our lives; each one of them exquisite. So this day, when we celebrate meeting him for the first time, could be no different.

He started his day with breakfast with the family and presents from mom and dad. Acting his age, before his John Deere tractor was even unwrapped it was climbed and conquered.

He spent the day with Grandma Caldwell who was in town to help him recover from a perma-chest rattle. She peppered him with gifts throughout the day. Life Lesson: It's always more fun to go down for a nap if you get a birthday present when you wake up!

And he ended the day with a family dinner and ... cake. Kindof. It was actually brownies, stacked as a trial run for the cake I planned to make for his birthday party to come. He enjoyed the homemade icing on the gooey brownie one finger swipe at a time. 'Atta boy.

I can't believe our little guy is already a year old....

As the day approached, Eric and I thought that we might cry on Cal's birthday. Watching him grow and his character develop is wonder-full, joy-full, and awe-full. But each step, literal and figurative, takes him farther from the snugglebug we brought home from the hospital. Each word he understands moves him away from the cooing of (not-so) old. With every day comes new amazement only realized by letting go of yesterday's.

And so it was when I pulled out the outfit he wore home from the hospital that the tears came (as they do now). I mourn the loss of my bundled baby and our quiet days at home in order to fully welcome my joyful little boy, whose laughter fills a room, and whose legs work hard to keep up with his far-reaching mind. Like fine wine, Calvin gets better with age, and I look forward to tasting his finely crafted personality through the years.

As always, Calvin, May the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you his peace. Amen.

Sleigh Ride

A beautiful coat of snow inspired Calvin to put on his coat (and snow pants, and hat, and mittens, and boots) and hit the road in his new sleigh. Dad came home from work before the sun tucked itself in for the night and we made our way around the house and down the hill.

It wasn't a long trip because Cal is fighting a bug, but he seemed to enjoy his spin. More or less.

One Man Band (with a sidekick)

Padding around the kitchen this evening, Calvin found the drawer under the stove that holds the lids to our pots and pans.

You can see where this is going, yes?

Before long he had figured out that they made great sounds if banged together. Dad helped. (check back for another video here.)

It was such a stereotypical childhood moment: beautiful.

Winnie the Pooh

Calvin had been oblivious if not averse to stuffed animals until
he met Winnie the Pooh.

An impulse purchase from Papa Anderson, Calvin met Pooh just before Christmas and it was truly love at first sight.

Pooh is essentially a bean bag, providing a soft landing for a wobbly walker and a terrific pillow that makes bed time fun!

And unlike Jake the Cat, Pooh doesn't mind a friendly tackle from time to time.

Check back for a video of the two friends ....

Radio Flyer Tricycle

As I went into labor with Calvin, Grandma Caldwell arrived with a Radio Flyer tricycle in hand. For the first ten months it sat as a boyish decoration in his room, but he has recently taken an interest in it.

At first he would stand beside it and pat it, asking for an explanation, at least. But with greater confidence on his feet he wanted to sit on it, and now he climbs up essentially begging for a ride.

We tool around his room and down the hall, doing a three-point turn in the bathroom before returning to his room. Today he waved at his friend, Winnie the Pooh, as we passed him.

And, of course, there are sound effects. I make a "brr" car noise as we travel, which he echoes with a "grr" or a tongue-wagging "lubba lubba lubba". It's fantastic.

Don't be fooled by the photos -- he can't yet get from kneeling to sitting, as you'll see in the video I'll attach soon. But his pride is evident ... he loves this thing!

More Crazy Hair

Despite his growing mop head we haven't cut Calvin's hair; we're holding out until his first birthday (in twenty-two days and counting).

Dried after a bath it's passable, but usually a plastered disaster by the time he wakes up in the morning.

Nevertheless, it's still fun to play with in the bath.