I too got tagged!

As I was reading my friend Lincoln's blog, I realized that I had been tagged to share some unknown information about myself, so here I go:


1) I am still sleeping very well in my big boy bunk bed and on some nights have started to go to sleep on my own (without mommy & daddy laying with me)... they usually beat me to sleep... silly parents!


2) I have been to Canada twice since I was born and once when I was in mommy's belly. I really like going there because my Gma, Papa and my two aunts spoil me to death!


3) I know pretty much all of my animal noises (or at least the common ones) and love to look at books and point to them and make the noise. With some of them, I even make the gesture (rooster, duck, snake, elephant, etc.). I also love The Wiggle's dvd where they're at the Australia Zoo with Steve Irwin... he sure is a cool guy!


4) I can point out most of my body parts, with my eyes being the favorite. I like to show the cats where there eyes are, but every time I do this, they run away... crazy cats!

5) I know where my little brother "hangs out" now and I like to point to where he is (in mommy's belly) and give him kisses.

6) I spend almost every weekend at Momo & Grandpa's house in Spring Hill. I really like going there because we always go to McDonald's for breakfast and then they take me grocery shopping with them. Oh, and I really enjoy eating grandpa's breakfast!

7) I have really taken a liking to bananas. As a matter of fact, I had one for breakfast yesterday, two for dinner last night and another one for breakfast this morning. I heard mommy tell Gma last night that I won't be going to the potty for a while... whatever that means.

8) My name (Cal Gardner) is already on the Stanley Cup....twice! I was named after my great-grandpa Cal who played for the Leafs in the 40s and 50s. Did you know that he once beat up Gordie Howe (who one of our cats is named after) in a hockey game and even scored the game-winning goal in a stanley cup game? He was also involved in Bill Barilko's famous last goal. He sounds like he was a really cool guy!!

So, that's about it for me. I'd love for any of my friends who have blogs like this (Parker, Ty-Ty & Beckham, etc.) to do the same thing. It was really neat to learn all the neat things about Lincoln.

Christmas 2007

Scott finished finals on December 21 and we were very fortunate to be able to spend the holidays with family (in Nashville). Gma C, Papa H, Aunt Ash & Aunt Linz came down from Canada, Uncle Mike came over from NC and Great-Grandma McLean came up from Florida. Not everyone stayed at our house (fortunately), but we did have a full house at Chrismas dinner when everyone, including Momo and Grandpa Wellock joined us. You never really realize how small your house is until you squeeze 11 people in a dining room. But, we had a great time and ate WAY TOO MUCH!!!!

As I'm sure everyone can imagine, Calvin was spoiled to death and we had to re-train him so that he didn't think that he would always get his way... GRANDPARENTS! One of the best moments so far in my parental life was when Calvin opened his new fire truck. It was one of those moments where I didn't know whether to smile or cry! The look on his face was sheer joy and excitement and I kick myself for not having the camera or video camera out for that moment. Of course, the truck is pretty much broken by now. How do you explain to a 20 month old that you're not supposed to sit on the truck or put it on a table and let it fall to the ground? Oh well, guess that's what boys do.

We managed to make two trips to Pump It Up, an indoors, inflatable playground, and Calvin fell in love! Apparently, children under 2 are free and so are parents, so we really took advantage of this. I think Scott and Lindsey had the most fun jousting. I would highly recommend everyone visit a place like this when children are the proper age.

Calvin has also started sleeping in a "big boy" bed. Scott had bunk beds when he was growing up, and I always wanted them, so we decided to purchase a new bedroom (w/ bunk beds) for Calvin. We decided that after Christmas it would be time to start transitioning him to his own bed and not a crib. We were really dreading this process, as we figured it would be like trying to get him to sleep through the night all over again. We have been very fortunate in that we have had NO problems with this transition. He still sleeps 12-13 hours a night and still takes a 2 hour nap during the day. THANK GOODNESS! If only potty training, or taking the pacifier away, is this easy.

I got to spend all day Thursday at doctor appointments, which is always fun. I had my annual appointment with my oncologist and everything looks good, so I will continue to go annually until they feel that I am "safe." I then went to have another ultrasound and was able to see our little monster, Aiden, again. It's amazing to see how much they change in just a month. They said he weighed about 3 lbs 3 oz., which is the 66th percentile. So, I'm assuming we'll have anotherbig baby... not that it really matters. I'm just fortunate and greatful that he appears healthy. I mean really, what more could you ask for?

That's about it from our neck of the woods... just counting down the days until we become parents of two boys (phew!) and keeping a positive outlook that I will be able to have my husband back sometime soon.

The Boys

Yesterday, on my "day off", I was able to see a lot of my boys. I had a 10 a.m. ultrasound appointment and we were able to see a lot more of Aiden. This has become a frequent occurance, as I have been having an ultrasound every 3-4 weeks and this is the 4th time we've been able to see our newest monster. Aiden is a wiggle worm, so they have to get their pictures taken quickly or he will change positions on them. Yesterday he kicked so hard you could see the wand jump on my belly. It's funny that I can feel him move, then see the ultrasound change. We got some really good pictures of Aiden and wanted to share them. He measured about 2 lbs, which is just amazing to me that something so small can tickle me so much.

Later that afternoon, Calvin had his 18 month well visit... about 6 weeks late. He weighed in at 27 lbs, 8 oz (67th percentile) and measured 33 3/4 inches (80th percentile). Believe it or not, his head was even normal, measuring in at the 59th percentile... pretty impressive considering the size of both mine & Scott's head. He only had to have one shot, so that was nice. Calvin was not impressed, but handled it like a champ. The doctor Calvin saw is actually Grandpa Paul & Grandma Sherri's neighbor, so that's always nice to have a personal connection with his pediatrician.

Aiden with his hands crossed, like he's praying

Aiden's left leg... those look like some solid Gardner thighs!

Aiden's most recent side shot... staring at his umbilical cord

Thanksgiving & Santa Claus

Thanksgiving was a success!! Scott & I cooked dinner and if I must say so myself, we did a phenomenal job! The timing was perfect and everything was delicious. Mom, dad, Michael, and Carrie joined us to watch the football game before eating and stayed for a bit after to watch more football. I think they were just putting off the drive home, and we were putting off finishing cleaning everything! All of us ate WAY TOO MUCH and after talking to mom learned that we all went to bed before 8:30 that evening (which isn't much earlier than my normal bed time these days).



I thought about braving the shopping centers the day after Thanksgiving, but then opted against it at the last minute. Finally on Saturday, I got brave and had to get out of the house as both Calvin & I were going stir-crazy. We went down to Cool Springs Galleria and were very surprised at the lack of people out and about (not sure if the sleet had anything to do with it, but wasn't complaining!). We went inside and rode the carousel. Calvin absolutely loved it and did a very good job of holding on by himself. I, of course, didn't want to let him go in case he got the wild idea of jumping off his animal. We continued our venture at the mall and as we made our way to the middle of the mall realized that Santa had arrived. Santa was set amid all of the husbands whose wives had forced them to go to the mall with them and who were watching the UT/UK football game. The mall looked like a bar and there were even people upstairs standing around the railing watching... COMPLETE MADNESS! I looked and there were only like 4 or 5 people in line to get a picture with Santa and I thought "awesome... the line will only continue to grow" and jumped in line. Calvin was so excited and we talked the whole time we were in line and he kept showing me the big smile he was going to do when he got on Santa's lap. We get closer and closer and now it's our turn. As I approach Santa, with Calvin on my hip, his arm & leg grips get tighter and tighter. I go to hand him to Santa and full panic ensues. I think that if we get the balls and dogs, etc. out that he'll be fine... UM, CHECK NO! After several failed attempts, the lady finally just snaps a picture. It doesn't show the official panic of Calvin, but you can clearly see he's not impressed. I thought he'd be fine because 1) he's not afraid of strangers and will pretty much go to anyone and 2) he absolutely loved Santa last year. Oh well... maybe next year!

We were hoping to use the Santa picture for our Christmas card, but decided to try taking pictures with different Christmas outfits on in front of the tree. Calvin was more interested in the train & other ornaments than taking a picture. We managed to snap a few good pictures in between playing with ornaments and trying to kill Gordie.

Check out our newest dance moves... even Aiden has them down already!! http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9600070859

Just an update

Loving the bath!

A side of Calvin rarely seen by others!

What do you want?

How cute is he?!?!

I love chocolate chip pancakes!!

Thanks for the chocolate chip pancakes, daddy!

Ready to watch The Wiggles' "Doodle Doo"

I said "I'm ready to watch doodle doo"

So, it's a few days before Thanksgiving and we're really looking forward to having mom, dad, Michael, and Carrie over for dinner. Calvin has made some really nice Thanksgiving decorations, so we're putting them up and getting ready for the festivities!

As you can see, Calvin is getting bigger by the day. We've started talking to him about the baby in mommy's belly and are trying to get him to say "Aiden"... not working so well, but hopefully he'll pick it up before the new monster is born. Calvin is trying to talk up a storm these days and has started saying Mike, Ash & Linz (his aunts & uncle). His new thing is to pick up the phone and say "hello?"... one of the cutest things I've seen in a while. He has also mastered the art of kicking things when he doesn't get his way... not sure where he got that temper.

We think another tooth is FINALLY coming through. After many sleepless nights, nasty diapers & a major case of diaper rash, we are glad this ordeal may soon be over.

We will post pictures from our holiday festivities. Hope everyone has a safe & Happy Turkey Day!!!!

Calvin Loves His Yogurt!

Oops!

Your turn, daddy!

Calvin & mommy enjoying some quality time

We've learned that Calvin absolutely LOVES yogurt, which will make G-ma C very happy!! Calvin has been having a hard time sleeping the past week, and we've determined that he's cutting some more teeth (fun times!!).

Yesterday, we went to Louisville for a friend's baby shower and he went through three shirts & a bib that his girlfriend, Lana, graciously let him borrow. He wasn't at all embarrassed that he had to wear a pink bib. Thanks, Lana... you're a lifesaver!! I don't remember him ever drooling this much, even when he was a little man. I just feel so bad & helpless for him. He just cries and cries and looks absolutely miserable!

Trick or Treat

The day before Halloween, Calvin painted his own pumpkin and was able to bring it home. It's so darn cute!

Calvin dressed up as a dragon for Halloween this year and threw out the occassional "roar" to let us know he's in charge. He was able to wear his costume to daycare and was joined by an astronaut, a fireman, Shrek, and many others.

Scott brought Calvin to my work and he ran around like a little dragon would do. We left my work and headed to the mall. We thought that would be a safe place for him to run around and exert some of his dragon energy. Enjoy some pictures of our little dragon!!

Outside of daycare with daddy

Outside of daycare with mommy

Inside daycare with mommy

"ROAR!!"

At home with daddy

At home with daddy (no, he's not falling asleep... this just seems to be his normal picture face)