... and a Yummy Thanksgiving Was Had by All

This morning, we loaded the car with food and folks, and headed to Opa and Grammy's house for Thanksgiving. When we explained this Thanksgiving plan to Karston, his first question was Opa and Grammy come here? (no, we're going to see them, and Mimi will come with us). When we started to explain that the rest of the immediate family would be there too, Karston jumped in, and Evan too? He really likes his cousin Evan now that he can run. When Karston was less sure on his feet, he preferred to play with Hayley, but now that he's older, he loves that Evan will jump on the trampoline for hours. Sure enough, Karston ran around after Evan all afternoon (who now accepts that his young cousin Karston is just plain going to follow him around), and they jumped on the trampoline.

A bonus to the typical Thanksgiving feast is that I didn't feel deprived by what I couldn't eat due to Cale's allergies to milk, soy, egg, and barley. I knew in advance that I couldn't eat any of the desserts, so I made a small batch of six cookies for myself. I had turkey (plain), stuffing, cranberry sauce, green beans made plain especially by Grammy for me (*smile*), plain baked potato, and salad. My mother remembered that I couldn't have commercial salad dressing, so she brought some for me, so I didn't have to eat my salad plain. I have to admit, I didn't miss the creamed corn, marinated veggies, bread, or pies with everything that I could eat. (As long as there's salad, I'm probably happy anyway.) Grammy made a side of plain boiled new red potatoes for me (although the baked potatoes were safe for Cale's allergies too), but I didn't know that until I'd finished my baked potato. However, Cale was interested in potatoes from Mommy and Daddy, so we gave him some from our baked potatoes. He wanted to keep going, so we quickly peeled the red potatoes for him. What a hit! Cale like small potato quarters that he can hold and cram into his mouth! I don't think he's had potatoes before, but he sure likes them! (And they're not likely to be allergenic. I actually planned not to introduce new foods on the holiday weekend just to be sure we wouldn't need to go to the doctor.)

After we were all full, we adjourned to the comfy chairs of the living room for Hayley's birthday and general relaxation. Daddy handed Cale to Uncle Chip for what he expected would be a minute of knee bouncing. Cale fell in love with the DJ voice, and would look up adoringly at Chip when he spoke. Cale was having such a nice time on his uncle's knee that no one else wanted to hold him: those adoring gazes were priceless! So snuggly Cale fell asleep on Chip.

We thought we would get a nap for everyone when we got home, but it didn't happen. On the other hand, they both went to bed easily. And so should I! Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!

Technorati Tags: Baby, Toddler

Pleased to meet you, 007

After a long session using my drawstring as floss, Cale brought out chopper #7. Yes, another tooth, this one lower left. I thought he was acting like teething, but it took this tooth a long time to appear. So far his teeth have appeared in pairs, so although it doesn't feel close, I wouldn't be surprised to see #8 within a week. Then maybe we can return to his earlier and better sleeping habits!

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Silence of the Chocolate

Our kitchen was quite, quite loud this evening, with both boys making commotions. I guessed that Cale was trying to tell us he wanted to feed himself again (he says it beats baby food, and he's done with baby bottles now that he's almost eight months old). I thought he might want a change from Rice Chex, so I opened a box of Cocoa Puffs. Karston stopped and said, Cocoa Puffs??!?! Let me tell you what's really nice about Cocoa Puffs: our kitchen got quiet. Both Karston and Cale think that Cocoa Puffs are good to put in your own mouth. Ah, blessed silence!

Technorati Tags: Baby, Toddler

Chocolate Cookie

Cale has reached "the cheerio stage" where he can grasp a moderately small item and put it in his mouth. A month ago, he didn't know what to do with them. Karston never had a cheerio stage because his tummy always hurts; his next pediatrician appointment to discuss this is Thursday. Cale's actually eating Rice Chex instead of cheerios because we don't know if he has an allergy to oatmeal but we do know he doesn't react well to barley, another gluten grain. House brand rice chex and corn chex contain barley, so Cale gets allergy-friendly Rice Chex. Several months ago, Mimi let Cale try a few crumbs of chocolate cake: he loved it! So this evening, I let him take a few bites of her chocolate cookies. Cale took a baby bite, yum. He tried to take a much larger bite, but settled out for another baby bite. Then that little hand came around and took my cookie! He crammed in as much cookie as he could over the next 20 minutes until I decided it was time to clean the crumbs from the disaster area. He likes self-feeding, a refreshing change, and just like Karston he likes chocolate! I'm looking forward to experiencing this cheerio (and Cookie Monster) stage of baby development for the first time.

Baby Banana

Cale stayed with his grandmother Mimi today while Karston watched the big equipment crane at Opa and Grammy's house after preschool. (Cale refused a bottle of milk, probably because it wasn't the perfect warm temperature he likes, and he only had a mediocre showing for baby food. He was definitely ready to nurse warm milk! when I showed up.) Mimi wanted to eat a banana when she was very hungry, but Cale informed her that she was required to share with him. I think this is the first time that he's eaten food that did not arrive in his mouth on a spoon! He took about half a dozen baby bites from her banana. He seemed to think it wasn't as tasty as mashed banana baby food, but he ate it and came back for more. Karston was much older before he ate bananas himself!

Big Orange Car(t)

Cale had a first today: his first time riding in a shopping cart next to Karston (not in his car seat)! We needed some grass seed, so we went to the really close Home Depot. They have orange carts with racing decals and two steering wheels for two kids. Karston showed Cale how to use his steering wheel, but Cale preferred to watch in awe as Karston used his. Cale did an excellent job sitting up on his own and enjoyed playing with (watching) his older brother, so I think he's ready for shopping carts now (at least when he's not tired).

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