Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Little Babe Gone?

I haven't really felt the desire to share all my thoughts and worries about Caleb up until this point. But I've been thinking lately that maybe it will help a little if I just get it all out there and maybe ask for you to pray for him (and the rest of us, for that matter).

A couple weeks before we moved to Florida, Caleb began to show signs of separation anxiety. Honestly, I was hoping we had passed right by that stage because he was already 10 months old. For those of you that remember, Laura Anne developed separation anxiety when she was very young. Four months old, I think. So yes, I was hoping Caleb skipped it completely. But no. He only wanted Mommy or Daddy to hold him.

I'm not sure when this happened, but some time in the past couple months or so he also lost his interest in playing. On the floor, in his exersaucer, pretty much anywhere. He just doesn't act like he has the energy or desire to play. He's not crawling. He's not pulling himself up. He doesn't like it when I make him stand up. This little boy has been missing for a while:

The photo above was taken in August. I was looking through all of our pictures from the past year to try to figure out when he started acting this way. I came to the conclusion that it was sometime in January. For most of the pictures taken since January, I can remember him being fussy and that's why he wasn't in some pictures, or I just happened to catch a little smile on camera, but he was being fussy that day. Anyway, I say all that to say that since January, he has become a different kid.

As I'm writing this, I think about all that has gone on since the beginning of this year. Right after New Year's was when Chris and I first started discussing the possibility of moving back to Florida. Obviously, things moved a little bit quicker than we anticipated. So part of Caleb's change in attitude could be from all the stresses of moving. But really, let's be honest. Could moving cause a baby to lose interest in food, drinking, playing, etc...?? Could it cause a baby to lose weight? Could it cause a baby to become so clingy to his parents that he will let no one else hold him? Could it cause him to become anemic? Cause constipation? Cause ear infections? I don't think so.

Therefore, I am concerned for my son. I am concerned about his development and his health. It bothers me that he didn't smile once at his birthday party Saturday and that in most of the pictures, he's laying his head on my shoulder. I just want someone to tell me how to help him, because frankly, I don't know what else to do.

What about his allergies? Well, he has an appointment at Duke in less than two weeks to be tested again. We are hoping and praying that we'll find some answers then.

God has plans for our sweet boy. We know that God is aware of our situation and He will not leave us to handle it on our own. But it is frustrating to struggle with one issue or another for the past year and still not have any answers. So I would ask that if you have a spare minute, can you please say a prayer for Caleb? Pray that we can find some answers and get help for our little guy before anything gets worse.

Thanks, and obviously I'll keep you all informed.

ONE!!!!

One year ago today

I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy.

Today he turns one!
What a sweet boy he is.We love you Caleb!!

And now, a message from big sister, Laura Anne:

Gosh, I Love These Two

Sneak Peek

We FINALLY got around to having Laura Anne's third birthday portraits done. I know, I know. Her birthday was three months ago. But just keep in mind we just moved and our lives have been hectic for the past 2 months or so. Anyway, here's a little peek at the theme of her pictures. She did awesome!!!! These were, by far, her best pictures ever!

Caleb's First Haircut!

Caleb couldn't have been more thrilled about getting his first haircut. Click here to view his official certificate!

Laura Anne and Daddy had a good time too!

Ta-da! My handsome little buster!

There's Always Next Year

So, if you remember, back in December I started training to run the Gate River Run with my mom. The race was yesterday. Unfortunately, I was really not feeling well. My body aches had gotten worse and everytime I stood up, I felt really weak. So I was not able to run in the race. I can't tell you how disappointed I was! I have been working so hard and I knew it would be a great accomplishment for me to do it. But I couldn't help it. I watched the race on the news, looking for my mom. I didn't see her, but I spoke with her after the race. She was able to run the whole 9.3 miles!! I am so proud of her! That's the farthest she's ever run without stopping. I am extremely disappointed I couldn't at least be there to cheer her on or give her a big hug, but next year, barring any sickness, I will be there next to her!

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Laura Anne: "Dear God, thank you for this day. Please help Mommy feel much better. Thank you for Caleb. Please help Mommy get better. In Jesus' name, Amen."

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The other majorly disappointing thing about the rotten timing of this sickness was that I missed my sister-in-law's baby shower. I'm really sad, but I hope she had a great time. Alana, I have a really cool gift for Anna that I can't wait to give to you!!

To The Zoo! To The Zoo!

We went to the Jacksonville zoo with Grandma, James, Sunny and the kids this past Friday. We had a great time.

Trying to take a normal picture of these two was a challenge! :o) But they're so cute.
I was not feeling well Friday. Among my symptoms was whole body achiness, sore throat and an earache. But I didn't want to pass up the trip to the zoo with family. So I put on a happy face!

We had a breakthrough with Caleb! Sunny insisted that she hold Caleb for us while Chris and I went to get something to eat. She said he cried for a few minutes and then he was fine. When we caught up with the rest of the gang, this is what we saw: Caleb was sitting in Sunny's lap munching on some turkey and chips. He didn't even cry when he saw us!

Chris and Alana

Caleb found the rhinos very interesting! I love how he is leaning forward to see through the fence: What a good cousin! Laura Anne was such a big helper pushing Alana's stroller the whole day, even if Alana wasn't sitting in it!

First Beach Trip in 09!

Chris' brother, James and his family are currently visiting the great state of Florida from chilly Alaska. We went to the beach in St. Augustine with them last weekend. This is about as excited as Caleb got:

Laura Anne and Lucas had fun driving monster trucks through the sand:

Then Daddy and Aunt Sunny made a tunnel:

Here's Chris, Caleb and Grandma just visiting:

A sleepy Caleb and Alana:

Falling Behind

Man, I have some catching up to do. We'll start with one of the cutest babies around:
This, of course, is my new niece, Anna. She just turned one month old yesterday. What a little darling! The first Saturday that we were back in Florida, we all gathered at my parent's house to celebrate my brother's birthday.

Caleb and I played the piano some:

We finally passed out our Christmas gifts to the kids. We've been hanging on to them for a while!

And I spent a little time cuddling on Anna:

Music To My Ears

Laura Anne has recently showed interest in praying by herself. Today at lunch, it was just me and her (Caleb was sleeping). I asked her who she wanted to pray, and she said she did. This is what she prayed:

"Dear God, thank you for our food. Please help us to grow big and strong. In Jesus' name, amen."

She is such a sweetheart.

Days Gone By

I missed Caleb's 11 month birthday for obvious reasons, and we only just got our computer all set up so here's Caleb's 11 month update!

• Caleb weighs 17 pounds 9 ounces. He hasn't lost any more weight in the past couple weeks, but he's not gaining yet, either. Hopefully this won't become an issue.
• He has 6 teeth. Number 6 started popping through the week before we moved.
• He's still a little anemic, therefore he still takes iron drops in his bottles.
• He has decided that he doesn't like fruit, except for bananas. He can still tolerate bananas, but the other day I put a spoonful of applesauce in his mouth and he gagged and spit it out.
• On the other hand, he loves his vegetables. He has tried stewed tomatoes and likes them. He enjoys baked beans just like his big sister did. He likes corn, too.
• But his all-time favorite food: bread.
• He is still not crawling or making any effort to walk. Obviously, being only 11 months old, this probably isn't a problem yet, although I really wish he would become mobile!!
• He has recently developed separation anxiety and will not be held (without putting up a fight) by anyone except Mommy or Daddy.
• Let's not talk about sleep.
• And his rash is trying to come back all over his body. It's not really bad but he's speckly and I don't like it. He's also been more itchy than usual the past couple days.
• Last, but not least, he loves his big sister and lights up when he sees her.