quick update

August is ticking away and we go up north in a week!!!!  We are so excited to get out of the 100 degree weather for two weeks.  My Mom said it was barely 70 today!  I can't wait to pack jeans and long sleeves!

Callie Jae has been quite a little character lately.  She is beginning to mimic a little bit.  For about a week straight, she focused real hard on blowing raspberries constantly.  Each time I got near her belly, she stuck out her tongue and did it...very cute. 

Today, 8/9, was the first time since we began solids, that she actually opened her mouth like a little bird when the spoon came near.  It was fun to see her do that.  Her favorite foods so far have been avocado and banana puree, sweet potato, and she enjoys when I mix formula into her cereals (instead of just water).  Making her food has been easy and fun so far.  I actually bought baby food green beans from the store yesterday because mine did not turn out very smooth.  I have to mix mine with rice cereal in order for her to eat them.  I actually felt really good when she completely spit out the store bought stuff.  She wanted NOTHING to do with those!  At least she will eat mine with rice cereal, so beans and rice it is!

My favorite joy as a Mom right now is to watch Callie Jae's face light up around Rylan.  Those stares and little joys that I used to love getting from Rylan when he was a baby seemed to be saved for him this time around.  I still get some of them, but Rylan ALWAYS gets the loving looks from his little sis.  Love it!

quick note

just for my own memory...

Callie Jae's accomplishments:
end of 4M...giving kisses (first trick she has done)
beginning of 5M...mimicking raspberries (does them quite a bit and it's pretty darn cute)

Little Miss Callie Jae

Our sweet girl turned five months old on July 28th!  She is really becoming a little lady!  These next few months should bring lots of changes, but for now we are working on eating solid foods (rice cereal, bananas, green beans), rolling over, pushing up pretty far on forearms, and interacting with her brother.  Rylan was the sole source of smiles from the little photo shoot that we had for her five month pictures.  She loves looking at him and following him around.

Callie Jae is also beginning to get the "pay attention to me" squeals when we are not giving her our undivided attention.  My sweet girl is on a great schedule nursing four times a day at 8, 12, 4, and 7:30 and eating solids after the 8, 12, and 4 o'clock nursings.  I sometimes feel like I live in my kitchen between feeding her, Rylan, myself, and making dinner, but that is the great thing about being a stay-at-home-Mommy.  It's my job and I am enjoying mostly every minute ;).  I am attempting to make my own baby food.  I am not against buying baby food out of a jar for convenience at times, but while we are at home, I am going to have some fun experimenting with a great little gadget called the Beaba.

Fun times all around from the eckel home!

Happy Anniversary!

July 26th marked our 8 year anniversary.  Just like everything else, it is amazing to me how quickly 8 years has gone!  We have been on quite an adventurous road in 8 years and I wouldn't change a thing.  I think we have a stronger marriage today more than ever and it's because of our journey that has gotten us to where we are today.  Jason and I celebrated at The Capital Grille in Houston and it was the most fabulous meal that I have ever had paired with a very fun wining tasting called The Generous Pour.  I definitely think it may be our new anniversary restaurant.  I love you more than words can express Jason and look forward to all of the new adventures we will continue to embark on through the years!  Thank you for being an amazing husband, father, provider, and most importantly, friend.

Yum!

Day one of solids for Miss Callie Jae was a success!  She has been all over the place lately with her schedule.  I remember month 4 being the month of all new things for Rylan as well.  She began actively rolling over in both directions the last few days.  Callie Jae is also picking up on her verbal skills again "talking" quite a bit.  I swear she's grown in both directions as well in the past week.  I love these new stages as they come.  It is so fun to see her developing into a little person!  So I decided to cave in and give her solids today.  It went extremely well.  She LOVED her rice cereal, was mad if I slowed down giving it to her, and she ate the whole darn bowl.  After she was finished, she sat in her high chair for about 10 minutes while I was cleaning up and "talked" about it.  Now the fun begins and add another thing on my list that I have to do :).  Let the fun baby food making begin!

So don't think I'm a bad mom...

Last night during dinner, we watched that show on TLC about the ice road truckers.  Rylan was fascinated and barely could even eat.  After dinner, Ry and J went upstairs to play while I stayed downstairs and nursed Callie Jae.  Apparently they were simulating the trucking experience and at one point I hear "holy shit!"  Guess who it came from?  From the mouth of my sweet boy!  Not only did he say it, but it was clear as day, and for those of you that know Rylan, his speech is far from being clear.  But of course, holy shit comes out perfectly and in the right context.  Where he got it from?  Lord only knows.  Jason and I were trying to figure it out.  The "s" word has on occasion slipped out from both of us, but never the "holy" part.  I give J a lot of credit because he held it together and did the parent thing.   I, on the other hand, was in tears on the couch.  I barely could contain myself.  J gave him the substitution of "holy cow" as being appropriate, so if you hear that...well, think whatever you'd like :).  I have a feeling this is just the beginning!

Tired Momma!

The Fourth of July weekend/celebration was a huge success!  We had so much fun and Rylan and Callie Jae did a great job even though they were both exhausted!  I think Rylan had blood shot eyes for the last two days from being so tired.  We had a blast with the Harper side of the family hanging out together for various activities, especially the 60th Anniversary party.  Jane and Diane did an amazing job organizing everything.  We always have so much fun when everyone gets together and we look forward to maybe next summer doing it again at Lake Nottely! 

We are on a slow road to recovery, well at least Mommy and Callie Jae.  She's had a rough last couple of days in the afternoon trying to readjust to her schedule and/or possible growth spurt.  I haven't quite figured it out yet, but unfortunately there has been lots of crying and tears which breaks my heart.  I am hoping that by later this weekend we will be back to normal.  We haven't done much of anything because we are trying to get back on schedule, and I think that makes me a little more irritable being "stuck" at home.  Sometimes the constraints of nursing and napping can really be difficult.  Ry and I were able to get out to story time at the library yesterday while J worked at home while Callie Jae was napping.  Life was much easier with one ;) but two will get easier when naps are not so important...in like 3 years!  LOL!  Oh well, life happens and continues to pass by like I never thought it could!  I know not to "wish" forward so I will just deal with what I am given for the time being. 

Babywise does pay off!

So I relinquished some control to my sweet daughter today.  I think I have always looked at her as being such a little peanut that I forgot that her nursing habits might actually change.  I mentioned in an earlier post that it seemed as if she was trying to put herself on a four hour nursing schedule.  Well, check this out.  This is what she did today completely ON HER OWN!

8:00 woke up and nursed
9:00 naptime (slept until 12)
12:00 woke up and nursed
1:15 naptime (slept until 4)
4:00 woke up and nursed
5:30 naptime (slept until 6:45)
7:30 final nursing

WOW!  Can't wait to move to this permanently after Milwaukee!  I hope she doesn't sleep as long though.  I missed her today :/!

4 Months

Callie Jae had her 4M check up today.  Dr. Harry said she looked great and seemed to be a happy baby and a good girl for sleeping through the night.  He gave me the go ahead to start solids whenever I choose.  Since she is sleeping so well and gaining weight fine there really is no reason to start yet.  I think I'll wait until 5-6M or if she starts to seem hungrier and/or fussy.

She was 25.5 inches long (91%), 12 lb 4 oz (21%), and 12% for head circumference; my long and lean, tiny head peanut.  Quite a difference from her chubby large head brother!  She may be taller than him some day ;).

She received 2 shots and an oral vaccine.  I made J come along to hold her down.  Mommy emotionally has a hard time with her little girl getting poked.  She did awesome though and only cried for about a minute. That's my girl!

hmmm...

So apparently it seems as though Callie Jae is ready to move to a four hour schedule.  I went to church yesterday and left J in charge of my babies.  I usually wake Callie Jae to nurse her on a 3 or 3.5 hour schedule, which means she is usually taking a 2 hour nap or so in the morning.  Apparently, yesterday and now today (thought I'd try it out), a three hour nap is something she is enjoying rather well.  I referred to my Babywise book yesterday and it pretty much says that after a few weeks of sleeping through the night, they are usually ready to move to a 4 hour schedule.  Having to wake them to nurse, which I typically have to a couple of times during the day, is also another sign.  Who knew?  I guess Daddy :).  Now the problem...do it now or wait until after the Milwaukee trip where she most likely will not be taking 3 hour naps cause it will be next to impossible.  Think I better wait.  Big girl!

Callie Jae

Yes, I know.  Callie Jae is the second child and weekly updates are just not coming like they did with Rylan.  I know you all understand and I am doing the best I can with the craziness of life.  Looking back, we really did nothing when Rylan was born so I had much more "free time."  I was so tired in the beginning that we stayed at home for the first four months.  Then, after those months were over, I was such a nap freak that I made sure we were home for every single nap.  That pretty much meant that the first two years of his life were spent home except for the occasional playdates and gymnastics.  The Fall he turned two, which really was only a year and a half ago, surprisingly enough, was when we became active with MOPS and St. Peter's.  So anywho, point being, sorry for not updating the blog more frequently :(.

Back to my sweet CJ...

She is just that...sweet.  I love her to pieces, can't imagine life without her, she makes my heart melt...yes, you have heard it all before and it is true all over again.  I can see why people have lots of babies.   They are the most precious gift that God gives us.  I am so blessed and lucky to be given this gift.

She is really beginning to move.  Callie Jae has been rolling over from her tummy to her back since last week, 15 weeks, and is like one little push away from rolling from back to tummy.  She pretty much sleeps on her side and managed last night to completely turn herself around in her crib.  She is right on target with what Ry was doing at this age as well.   Those are about her only new tricks besides the increase in her talking and giggling.  Smiles are frequent and very infectious.  Her new nickname that might stick...Button.  Who came up with it?  Rylan, of course!  Who else could come up with a cute nickname like that?  Love my kiddos! 

Whirlwind!

I knew this month would come and go without a second thought and here we are, June 24th!  Sometimes waiting for things to happen is not a good thing because they come and go so quickly that we forget to enjoy the little things that greet us on a daily basis.  My new objective is to take it one day at a time and enjoy every single moment of that day.  Thanks to one of my besties for sharing that piece of advice.  It is so true. I also read a comment from one of my "friends" on FB today that said she was delaying cleaning the tiny fingerprints off of her television and windows because she knows that one day they won't be there anymore.  That really hit me and has stuck with me throughout today.  My baby girl will be 4 months old in 4 days.  It doesn't seem possible, yet it's right there in front of me.  God, please give me the patience and satisfaction of the day that is set before me from the minute that I wake up until the time I rest on my pillow.

With that said, we've had a fabulous month starting with the Baptism, Grandma and Papa's visit, Missi and Pop's visit, an amazing Vacation Bible School Camp at St. Peter's, and a Science Camp at Holy Covenant. The three of us have a date to see Cars 2 on Monday, CJ has her 4M check up at Dr. Harry's on Tuesday, probably throw in a playdate on Wednesday or Thursday, and then Friday off to Milwaukee for the big 4th of July Birthday and Anniversary weekend.  Lots to do and lots of fun!

Oh yeah, I forgot...

With all of the craziness around Baptism, I forgot to announce that Callie Jae started sleeping 12 hours on May 24th!!!!  One night she only wanted to nurse for about 8 minutes at her 10:00 "dreamfeed" before being put back to sleep.  So the next night I decided I would start to wean her and only did 6 minutes.  The third night I simply dropped it figuring that she can't be getting much in 6 minutes.  Needless to say, my awesome little angel did it!  You go girl!

Baptism

May 29, 2011 was a very special day.  Our sweet Callie Jae was baptized by Pastor Scott at St. Peter's.  It was a very special day because my brother Jim and sister-in-law Jenny were able to be here to help celebrate.  We chose them to be Godparents to our Callie Jae because of their compassion for life and our children.  They are both so special to us and we could not have asked for a better brother and sister.  


The element makes Baptism a little extra special by having the parents choose a life verse and create a prayer for the baby.  We chose Jeremiah 29:  11-13 for Callie Jae:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.

Callie Jae,

Today you are blessed in the presence of God.  As you continue through life’s journey, may you seek Him in times of joy and in sorrow.  May He be there to celebrate your accomplishments and comfort you in times of need. 

Dear Lord, please give our family the strength and wisdom to raise a faithful, strong, and loving woman.  Let us lead by example and teach Callie Jae to be one with You in her daily life.  

We love you Callie Jae!

Summer is here!

I think I can say that summer is officially here.  Rylan finished his last day of preschool on Wednesday.  I can't believe that he has been in preschool for two years already!  I was so sad to see the day come because he has had such an amazing year.  He has really come out of his shell and has quite the personality.  He LOVED his teachers this year and became buddies with a bunch of his classmates.  Next year will be great as well because there are going to be six kiddos from his class moving with him to the next class.  St. Peter's has really done nothing but amazing things in both of our lives.  I am so thankful that I have found such a wonderful place with so many people that have done nothing but filled my heart with happiness.  If we ever have to leave Texas, St. Peter's is one place that I will miss with all of my heart!

Callie Jae is a dream baby.  There is nothing bad I can say about her...which makes me super nervous for when she turns 2 and 3.  I am just not even going to think about that and enjoy every second with her now!  She does everything by the book...well, the Babywise book.  I was excited to be able to begin Babywise with her from birth, because I started late with Rylan.  It really changed him as a baby so I was curious to see what it would be like with her if I started it right away.  My sweet girl started sleeping through MY night a couple of nights before Mother's Day at 9.5 weeks!  LOVE HER!  Since then, things have really been looking up a little because Mama is gettin' her sleep.  It makes such a difference!

There are so many times throughout the day that I look into Callie Jae's beautiful, big, blue eyes staring right at me and every little worry that I may have melts away.  I can't get enough of her.  Tears come to my eyes each and every day because I feel like the luckiest woman around.  How much better can it get?  An amazing husband that works his tail off to support us, two cute, healthy and great kiddos, a great place to live, and amazing friends, both old and new.  God is good!  Life is good!  Family and good friends are great...

J's view from his seat

On the field at London Olympic Stadium construction

Jason's adventures! Doesn't he look so grown up ;)?

Ahhh...

I may actually get in a nap today... Thanks Callie Jae and Ry for cooperating!

~sarah~

281.217.6175

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Thoughts

As I sit here and nurse my sweet angel before bed, I am able to reflect on life. I look at the blog now and think to myself that I feel so complete now as a family of four. Yes, I did enjoy being a family of 3 and was quite nervous honestly about having another child, but now I wouldn't have it any other way. Callie Jae is such an amazing blessing. She is so sweet and such an easy going and happy baby. I'm sure she'll be a toot as a toddler, but for now, I'm enjoying having a newborn. It is definitely a phase I did not think I would enjoy. God is awesome, life is great, and my heart is full of love...now only if I could get that full nights sleep to regain some patience ;).

~sarah~

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Silly girl!

Just came home from church in my cute dress. Mommy and Daddy have decided that Aunt Jenny and Uncle Jim will be my Godparents. I am so blessed and lucky! I'll probably be baptized in the next month or so!