tantrums

Some of you curious readers may be wondering why our posts have come in spurts lately - several at once and then none for a while. Well, the answer is simple and can be summed up in one word: computerless… yes, I made up a word. The reason we are computerless is a little more complicated - and very, very frustrating. But, alas, our computer has been shipped off… and we patiently wait to be connected to the world once again.

The last few weeks have truly been a blur - I really don’t know where to begin catching you all up. I believe I left off with my birthday - and since then, nothing very interesting has happened on Woodburn Drive.

Brian and I did go and see The Dark Knight on its opening night. Fabulous. If you haven’t seen it already, run - don’t walk - to go see this movie. It freaked me out a little bit, but was so worth sitting next to a very large, stinky stranger for 2 ½ hours. So good, that we will probably see it again.

Last week, Ammon and I made a trip to the park with my friend, Kira, and her kids. A very hot trip, I might add. We also had a fun afternoon running around town with Kristy and her two little ones. Speaking of Kristy’s little ones - Kate turned 3 on Friday. We so enjoyed her birthday party - Ammon’s first. So exciting to be royal for an afternoon!

Today… oh, my. I need a morphine drip to get over today. Where did the bad day end and the horrific day begin? Somewhere in between screaming fits, vomit, and digging a thrown bink out from behind the refrigerator. And it rained. Altogether a rotten day. But, when I saw that glimpse of white on Ammon’s poor inflamed gums, I could no longer throw a tantrum myself. As unpleasant as it has to be, he has to go through it - he needs those teeth. Just like I have to go through the trials that I have to endure - I need those lessons. To bad I can’t just use the Orajel…

sweet cheeks...

i’m small, i know

Just look at that face. What’s not to love? This is the flirt - the charmer - that has so oft been mentioned. This is the new face - the coy little flirtatious smile. Wherever we go, we never fail to come upon one (or several) people who can not resist this sweet face. He brings such joy - not just to us, his parents - but to all those around us. I can not help but be reminded of a favorite Primary hymn:

“Give,” said the little stream,
“Give, oh! give, give, oh! give.”
“Give,” said the little stream,
As it hurried down the hill;
“I’m small, I know, but wherever I go
The grass grows greener still.”

Ammon’s smile does make the grass seem greener, the bad days seem better, the burdens seem lighter. How we love this sweet little face - how I love this sweet little boy.

a seven-month old is…

…hard to keep track of. Unbelievable as it may seem, Ammon turned seven months old on the 7th. Here is his definition of life just past the half-year mark.

He LOVES: when his daddy comes home – to be sung to… especially Popcorn Popping – books – dogs – trucks and trains –to be “super-boy” (i.e.: held up high in the air) – to “stand” on your lap or on the floor – to blow bubbles – zerberts – to be outside – to eat – playtime on the floor – any electronic device – music – to dance – to talk, squeal, laugh – his family – large amounts of attention – anything that crinkles – to be in water – his bathtub – his fuzzy green blanket – trees – peek-a-boo – his mom’s hair – his feet – watching Transformers, Airwolf, Voltron, yada yada yada, with his daddy – to play – textures – his bink – the park – nap buddies in his crib – paper

He HATES: public restrooms – not getting his way – anyone or anything trying to get a peek at his teeth

Ammon has become a very suspicious character – he does not let anything in his mouth. This has made his meal times very, very unpleasant. He still talks and laughs all day long – words that he is currently using/practicing are: mama; da (meaning dada); hi; num (as in nummy bananas); and, unfortunately, no. He has mastered the skill of shaking his head back and forth in opposition to food, falling asleep, etc.. His sense of cause and effect continues to amaze us, as does his sense of his surroundings. He knows that when something is covered up, that it is still there – also if he drops something, he knows where to begin looking for it. He loves dumping things out of containers – and is learning to put them back in. Ammon has officially mastered the art of putting his bink in his mouth himself – and will do anything in his power to get to his bink if he does not have it. He continues to sleep through the night and take two good naps in his crib during the day – his stomach is now his sleeping position of choice. Ammon is creeping a bit on the floor and is slowly figuring out how to use his feet and knees to crawl. Ammon still loves to read books – he cannot get enough. He picks his own bedtime stories each night. He is certainly a smart cookie – he eyes and smells his food before eating it. If it is something that he isn't sure about, he will suck a little bit off the spoon. If it is something that he doesn't want, we will keep his jaws clamped shut.

Ammon’s personality continues to make us laugh – he is such a charmer and lovely boy. He is our darling buddy. We cannot wait for what tomorrow will bring… and we try to savor every moment of today.

may we introduce you to...

happy birthday to me

Well, happy late birthday to me. Yes, my birthday was last Thursday - and no, I don’t feel a year older. At least right now, anyway.

I had a very good birthday, even though it started off a bit rough. Ammon decided to wake up at 5:00 that morning… and not go back to sleep. Around mid-morning Ammon and I traveled to Enterprise with my friend, Becky, to have lunch with my mom, friend, Kristy, and her son, Caleb. We had a fun lunch at Ruby Tuesday’s - chocolate tall cake and all.

After lunch, my mom took Ammon home with her so that I could have a fun afternoon with the girls. Becky, Kristy and I met my friend, Kira, and her daughter, Josie, at I Create in Enterprise. We had such a good time painting our pottery, chatting, and just enjoying each other’s company.
Later that afternoon, Becky and I picked up Ammon and traveled back home. My mom came down later to watch Ammon again so that Brian and I could go out for the evening. He and I went to Olive Garden for dinner - ate far too much - ran some errands and went to the late showing of Hellboy. It was so nice to spend the evening with my sweetheart. So nice to have a day to myself - and some time to enjoy my day.

By far, my best birthday gifts are one’s that I get every day - my sweet boys. Thank you Brian and Ammon for making me smile. Thank you for your love - because I love you.

round of applause, please

Ammon is now the proud owner of two brand-new teeth. Don’t expect any pictures of the new chompers any time soon… this is as close as he lets us get.

caraway family gathering 2008 { june 14th – june 21st } – helen, georgia

No cracks about the lateness of this post. After the fits we have had with our computer, I don’t think my nerves would take another punch. Note: The photos in the slideshows are in no particular order, but I hope that they radiate the feeling of joy that we had all that week. So here it is – the condensed version. If I was to give you a play-by-play of the entire week, this post would end up being a novel of gargantuan size. So, I will water it down just a smidge… but the love is all there.

***

everywhere on foot – wind-blown hair – sunburns – war wounds – apples-to-apples – funnel cake – haunted houses – bottomed vs. bottomless tubes – river rock hunting – water snakes – homemade ice cream – staying up till two – sleeping in till ten – wiping out on rocks – hiking to waterfalls – vivid green grass – no humidity – cool breezes – put-put golf – testimonies – water shoes – water-logged skin – bleached hair – swimming pool fun – hysterical laughter – loud voices – mild chaos – old family photos – mucky lake water – numbing mountain water – sandy toes – muddy, twiggy, pebbly, algaefied bathing suits – jogger duty – hidden gas tanks – lovely views – catching up on jon & kate plus eight on tlc – breathtaking sunsets – food, food, food – skipping rocks – fresh dipped candy apples – flowers in bloom – a special first father’s day – arcade games – bubbles – a “91st” birthday celebration for an almost missionary – tubing down the hootch – brushing up on our german ... all of which equals family love.

How we loved our family vacation in Helen, Georgia this year. Even though we were short on numbers this year, we certainly enjoyed our week with the family that was able to come. Helen is a very quaint, picturesque town in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It is designed to resemble an alpine, German-Bavarian town. It is so nice to walk downtown, go into all the neat shops, smell all the glorious aromas – and, most importantly to us Southern folk, enjoy a nice, cool climate. The townhouses that we stay in are right on the Chattahoochee River – which runs right through the center of town. So lovely to open your back door and have the river only a few footsteps away – so heavenly to open your window and hear the babbling, flowing water.

I guess I should start by explaining the following: What exactly is this most anticipated family vacation? Well, Brian’s family has an annual family vacation every June. This was started years and years ago by Brian’s grandparents, Harold and Eloise – and is known simply as the Caraway Family Gathering. Over the years it has evolved and changed as the family has grown and moved around the country. No more are the days of cramming everyone into one condominium at the beach. Our numbers have grown, and will continue to grow. We currently rotate the location every year, in an attempt to make things more convenient for every branch of the family – traveling to the beach, the Frio River in Texas, and Helen – being our personal favorite. So glad that Helen was our destination this year. So glad that we made the sacrifices we needed to make so that we were able to spend the whole week on vacation. It all makes the cramped car ride worth it!

Probably the most special part of these gatherings is our family sacrament meeting held on Sunday. We all meet together, partake of the sacrament, and have the opportunity to bear our testimonies. Never has such a sweet spirit been felt – it could only be rivaled by being with your entire family in the Temple. We all look forward to it, it is such a sweet, lovely time – a time to focus on the real reasons we are all there, and a time to be grateful for the blessing of being part of such a family. We always have a big family lunch after our sacrament meeting where we grill hamburgers and have homemade ice cream. It is always fun to get together and eat… something our family does very well. This afternoon marked Ammon’s first time eating his Sissy’s homemade ice cream. He had just a drop – and, of course, he loved it.

We were in one body of water or another for most of the week. Ammon proved to be quite the water bug… it looks like he is going to take after all his cousins. The river water was too cold for him, but it was a difficult feat getting him out of the pool… once he got used to it, anyway. Brian and I enjoyed tubing down the river – something that we did whenever we could find someone to watch the bug… which was never very hard. The water was very low, so we spend most of the time getting stuck… the constant question was, “Bottom or bottomless?”, in regard to the types of tubes to use. Bottom: Your tube drags more in the water – meaning that you get stuck more – and your tube fills up with the freezing mountain water – meaning that you are numb from the waist down. Bottomless: You tend to not get stuck as much; however, without a bottom you have less protection from being jabbed in the behind by a rugged river rock. We took several trips down the river as a group… it was such fun to laugh at each other getting stuck, wiping out on slippery rocks, or just being plain slow in the water. There are lots of little (and some not so little) rapids on the river that are fun to go over while tubing. There is one set of really great rapids right under the bridge downtown… of course, our family had to get out of our tubes, careen across the slick, sharp rocks and through the speeding current, climb like mountain goats up the boulders (with tubes in hand) and jump back in the water to go over the rapids… over and over and over again. I am quite sure that we were the only ones on the river doing this – but such fun! Needless to say, we all went home with a war wound of some sort – cut, scrape, bruise, sunburn and all! I'm still healing from a few (i.e.: substantial tailbone injury)...

Brian and I spent a lot of time with the younger cousins – well, younger than us… but they aren’t “young” anymore – including Brian’s cousin Jacob, fresh home from Afghanistan. We played put-put twice, played the game Apples-to-Apples several times, played arcade games and visited a haunted house… with more hype than spook. We did have a lot of fun together… I especially liked all the boys helping me push Ammon’s jogger… making vroom, vroom noises all the way. How nice to see all those handsome Caraway boys pushing a baby stroller. And my how Ammon loved the boys! Looks like we will have a rowdy, punky, adventurous, active, water-loving Caraway boy on our hands. All the boys went to play real golf one day. The course was on the side of a mountain… Brian said that this was quite different from what he was used to, and that none of them did very well… but had a good time, nonetheless.

As a group, we spent one day at Lake Chatuge in North Carolina. This marked Ammon’s first sand experience and, as of right now, he likes it. We took turns going out on the boat and tubing. I had never seen Brian tubing on a lake before… but he did quite well! I opted out this time… I was already quite beaten up. We did have a very funny experience on the boat. We needed to stop at the marina for gas, but once we got there, no one could find the gas tank. Everyone hunted and searched – literally exploring the entire boat – for at least 15 minutes. Finally, I glanced behind me and there it was in big red letters: “GAS”. I had saved the day… nice to feel appreciated every now and again!

Ammon was such a trooper the whole week. As you can probably see in the pictures above, he seemed to have a better time than the rest of us did. He loved the extra attention – loved having so much going on. He went, went, went right along with us all week. Not one complaint. Ammon loved the water, the trees, the ducks and geese – everything. He soaked it all up. He made our vacation just more enjoyable – what a sweet family we have. This trip began the miraculous change in his sleep habits – he now has no problem being put to bed awake (and still sleep all night) and will take naps in his crib. Hallelujah!

By far, our favorite part of being on vacation was just that… being on vacation. Being lazy. Just being able to go for a walk, hike up to a waterfall and take in all the beautiful views was pure magic. This was definitely a much needed break for all of us. And before we all knew it – it was time to leave again. Time to go home – back to work, back to the humidity, back to laundry, back to a bedtime. But the memories that we created will last forever – and even though we had to leave paradise and say goodbye to our family – these memories will always be in our hearts. We will always have Helen. We, the next generation, have vowed to not drop the baton. These gatherings will continue. We are an eternal unit – we will always have each other.

We loved being with you: Granddaddy and Maw Maw (and Great-Aunt Caroline); Dad and Mom; Craig, Caulin and Lainee; Uncle Ron, Aunt Diane and Ian; Uncle Harry, Jeremy, Christopher, Spencer and Zachary; Jacob and Laci; Uncle Page, Aunt Bev, Shelby, Hunter (and Ethan) and Rachel; Uncle Phil

We missed you: Rachel; Uncle Don and Aunt Joyce; Todd, Heather, Garrett, Braydon, Jentri, Jared, Hayden, Lindsey and Bridger; Damen, Tiffany, Avery, Gavin and Sydney; Travis and Amanda; Jeremy and Lauren; Aunt Debbie; Harley, Jenny, Emry, Graydon and new baby Adler (congratulations!)

We love you all – and hope to see you all very soon.

me… back in full force

I’ve been in that mood. You know the one. Let’s just call it “reverse nesting”. Not an urge to clean to get ready for baby – but rather an urge to clean to make room for baby. Quite the difference – especially now that you know just how much space they consume.

Over the past week I’ve reorganized my closet, kitchen cabinets, pantry and bathroom drawers. The fridge even got a nice sprucing up. And boy did I find all kinds of goodies. You know the ones. That empty pasta box hiding on the bottom shelf for heaven only knows how long. That bottle of salad dressing that expired 3 ½ years ago. That questionable carrot. And there I was, sitting on the kitchen floor, truly swimming in a haze of Clorox. There is no question that a clean, organized home feels good. The real question is: How long will it stay that way?

I really needed this. Our family really needed this. Our home really, really needed this. Life with a seven-month old is hard enough. Easier is the only way to go. I have come to the realization that things just aren’t going to work if we aren’t what I like to call “flexibly organized”. You can not live in a small space and not have some rhyme or reason to your daily life. It’s taken me too long to think of this concept. But no more staying up until 4:00am doing laundry, no more “What’s for dinner?”. A simpler lifestyle – focusing on the important stuff – is bringing me – and us – so much joy.

So, my cabinets – for the moment – are organized… stocked to the brim with jar upon jar of baby food.

My fridge – for the moment – is squeaky clean… and free of toxic waste.

My counters – for the moment – are spotless… after the candle wax incident cleaning my counters was a matter of top priority. Maybe I should explain this one: I was getting a cookbook off the shelf on the counter… I glanced at the leaning bunch of books, the burning candle below, and thought, “Oh, it’ll be okay for just a second.”. Well, a second later… oh, you can guess the rest. There I was, scrapping an unimaginable amount of wax off the counter and floor, and dumping it back into the jar. Brian gave me that why-are-you-doing-that look. I gave him that there’s-no-way-I’m-wasting-Yankee-candle-wax look. Memories… and lessons learned. Thank heaven for Pampered Chef scrappers.

On another note, I’ve had an overwhelming urge to create lately. Truth be told: I have a passion for paper. And all the things that fall into the sphere of paper creativity make my heart pound. Creating with paper brings me joy. I crave it – not the same way I crave office supplies or kitchen gadgets. Not the same way I crave shoes, Christmas and good classic films. Or even popsicles. No, this is a complete desire to make something out of nothing. I am always being swallowed by inspiration – drowning in a sea of irresistible thoughts. I look at everything – clothing, ads, packaging – and try to figure out how to turn it on its head and create something spectacular.

For instance, I was at Michael’s the other day just browsing the isles, when I came across a line of products that I don’t usually even look at. While it is eye candy for me, and does provide a certain sense of stimulation/inspiration in regard to color combinations and patterns – I do not use these products as a rule. They tend to be too cutsie for me (I am not ashamed to admit that I am a craft supply snob). However, that day I did take a look at this line for whatever reason – be it my heart or my shoes – and was surprised as I feasted upon the gooey goodness of all the treats just jumping off the shelves. While I didn’t buy anything, my mind is teaming with ideas – can’t wait to get my hands dirty and just play.

First on my list, though, is that vacation post. I haven’t forgotten, I assure you. If you all only knew half of the computer issues we have been having here on South Woodburn Drive…

Last week, I was asked by my friend Becky to take her son’s first-year pictures. What a joy he was to photograph! I really did enjoy my time behind the camera – it’s been a long time since I’ve been in that photo-shoot-situation with someone other than Ammon. Not that I don’t love taking Ammon’s picture! I am so happy with how they turned out. And just for Becky… a sneak peek at what’s to come:

he's still six months old, after all

Technically, he doesn’t turn seven months old until tomorrow. So, in all honesty, I can still say that he is a six-month old. And while this is all old news at our house – here’s the scoop on Ammon for all of you. Just read it quick… before you know it, he will be another month older.

He LOVES: when his daddy comes home – to be sung to – books – dogs – trucks and trains –to be “super-boy” (i.e.: held up high in the air) – to “stand” on your lap or on the floor – to blow bubbles – zerberts – to snuggle – to be outside – to eat – playtime on the floor – any electronic device – music – to dance – to talk, squeal, laugh – his family, especially the “boys” – large amounts of attention – to be in water – his bathtub – his fuzzy green blanket – trees – peek-a-boo – his mom’s hair – his feet – watching Transformers, Airwolf, Voltron, yada yada yada, with his daddy – to play – textures – his bink – the park

He HATES: public restrooms – not getting his way – failing at his first attempt to get his bink in his mouth – to see his mom or daddy leaving the room without him

Ammon really enjoys blowing bubbles – more specifically, taking a deep breath and seeing how long he can drag the bubbles out before having to take another breath. He talks and laughs all day long. He is beginning to think that he is to old for certain things, like: laying back to eat, laying back in his car seat or bouncy seat, lying on the floor. He will do anything possible to prevent himself from getting into those babyish situations, like: thrashing his head from side to side to avoid a bottle, throwing his elbows out to keep himself from going all the way into his car seat, stiffening his legs so he won’t have to lie down. Ammon is sleeping through the night and taking two good naps in his crib during the day. He is also putting himself to sleep – even for naps. Ammon is quite the traveller in his crib and he loves to sleep on his side, and will usually roll over to his stomach and love on his blanket. He sleeps like his mom, so I am told. Ammon loves to eat – and has developed quite a taste for solid food. He eats with a lot of gusto – a “Mmm” with every bite. He can put his bink back in his mouth himself, but he would much rather do it in a way that will exert the least amount of effort (i.e.: rolling on top of his bink so that he only has to open his mouth, moving his head toward his bink rather than his hands, etc.). Ammon rolls over both ways and sits up unassisted – with perfect posture, I might add. He is trying to scoot, and will a little bit; however, he is still trying to figure out how to really move. Ammon mimics most faces and sounds. He has a different facial expression for every minute of the day. He has cause and effect down to a science – he knows what he wants and how to get it. Ammon still loves to read books – he cannot get enough. We have to put a limit to the number of books we read at bedtime – otherwise, we would be reading books all night (this is a fabulous thing, though... don't get me wrong). He puts everything in his mouth, of course. Ammon is officially teething; however no chompers yet. Ammon is not afraid of anything – a boy thing, no doubt – and something that I'm sure we will come to fear by the time he is two.

Ammon’s six-month appointment went well, even the shots, which didn’t even seem to phase him this time:

Stats: 14 pounds 7 ounces, 25 inches
Dr. Brown continues to be impressed at how well Ammon is developing – particularly his desire to do things “ahead” of schedule. Even though he is still on the smaller side, his growth and development are normal. Size-wise, there is nothing at all to worry about considering how strong he is. Actually, he will probably be much more agile than most when he does start to crawl and walk… we had better get in shape prior to that so we can keep up.

I’m quite sure that there are a mountain of things that I left out. How could there not be. But, short of posting a video of every second of every day, there is nothing that I can do to demonstrate his special spirit. All that I can do is say that he is special. Just that – special. And sweet. And darling. And I gush. Ammon has an enormous personality – something we are very grateful for. He still never ceases to amaze us. We cannot wait to see what tomorrow will bring, what adorable thing he will do, what lovely sound he will make. He is a complete charmer. Like always, the most important thing is that he is happy and healthy – growing and learning more each day.

be grateful always

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace,

may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made

and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust.”

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

***

How thankful we are to live in this great nation. We are ever thankful for those who fought in that revolution which gave independence to these United States – those who, in gratitude to God and in the love of freedom – penned the Declaration of Independence. How thankful we are to those who continue to serve our country – who more than self their country love. We thank our Heavenly Father for preserving this promised land for us.

Let freedom ring --- May we be grateful this season, and always.

a late wish...

How blessed we are to have a man like Brian in our lives. How honored I am to have him as my companion – how fortunate Ammon is to have him as his father. We thank Heavenly Father everyday for such a treasured blessing.

Brian : From me to you…

Their journey led them to love –
which led them to marriage –
which led them to parenthood –
which led her to wonder
if one lifetime was long enough
to share with this man
she loved to love.

Love you, sweetheart. So grateful to know that I have longer than a lifetime. We all love you – let every day be Father’s Day.

lateness

I know. There is a good reason. There are several good reasons.

For those of you who care, for those of you who cannot live a second longer without knowing what has been going on in our lives, for those of you who are desperately desiring to know about our vacation, I have just three words: Please be patient. Please, please, please be patient. If I can do it – everyone can do it.

To elaborate further: Computer on fritz. Camera on boycott. Three personages adjusting to new climate, altitude and time zone. One small personage trying to sprout teeth. One maternal personage trying to get her offspring to nap in his crib. Job interviews, formatting résumés, unpacking, laundry, laundry, laundry… more laundry.

Stay tuned for more details. Stay tuned for more updates. They will come. Promise. I will say this: Our vacation was a dream. You’ll have to hold your horses for all the nitty gritty of our escapade. I know you’re clinging to the edge of your seat. Trust me – it’s all worth the wait.