the fine art of censoring

Karissa and John have been having a lot of fun talking to Caleb. A couple of days ago Karissa wanted John to tell Caleb about Star Wars. John started to tell Caleb the plot when Karissa quickly interrupts and tells John he can't tell him about the bad robots, or the bad ships, or the bad people, or the ..... because he would get scared. So sweet, already looking after her little brother!

life in the world of breech

Having a baby that is breech is definitely different. Mostly the movements feel more evident in my pelvic region because of course us pregos feel the arm and leg movement more than the head movements. Finding out he was breech explained a lot before I thought we were going to have a head banging rock star on our hands. Also this explains why I feel so uncomfortable. Apperaantly women carrying their babies breech have shorter breath and a harder time bending over. I just thought I was having a harder time tolerating this pregnancy sooner than with Karissa. There are a couple of non-evasive things I can do to encourage turning. One includes John and Karissa talking to him at my pelvic region with hopes that Caleb will follow the sound. I can also play music. Another is swimming because the boyancy is supposed to make it easier for him to turn. Thankfully I have free access to a pool due to a very gracious friend. Karissa has taken her "job" seriously to turn Caleb. Of course, she finds the swimming no inconvenience at all!

Caleb Whitaker Haley

Last Friday, we found out we are having a boy! One boy and one girl! Wow! John and I found it quite funny that we plus Karissa were all excited to go look for that little part that gives the gender away. We thought it strange that not only were we searching for it, but that it would be displayed on a big screen as well as have pictures taken of it. Then later we would be showing it to other people. I can guarantee that this will be the only time that this phenomenon will be happening. Thanks to God's blessing we also found that Caleb is healthy! The only slight concern is that he is breech. Only 4% of babies are born breech so there is a huge possibility he will turn. So we left the doctor's office with exciting news and two souvenirs - pictures and a black eye. That is right a black eye! Karissa decided to do some acrobats on the waiting room chairs and hit her eye the edge of the wooden arm of one of them. She did it so fast! One moment she was being the picture of patient calmness and the next she did this massive, quick move that ended in looking like she got in a fight. Thankfully we were already at a doctor's office and had plenty of help.

the cutiest ballerina

Sunday, June 14th, I received an absolutely precious birthday gift - watching Karissa perform her graduation performance for ballet. She was beyond cute in her pink tutu and curly, curly hair. She did very, very well. She did all her steps along with that little attitude that makes Karissa who she is. I thought I was being a little biased, but even her ballet teacher said she and her class did the best out of their age group. Karissa absolutely loved it. Nothing like being on a big stage! She had the hugest grin on her face the entire time.

A busy summer

Our summer is already planned away. Wow! This week has and will be full of play dates. This Sunday, Karissa has her ballet recital with the rehearsal Saturday. Next week is VBS each morning with Friday being the ultrasound that will reveal the gender of our little one. The following two weeks are swimming lesson each morning. Then another week of play dates. The middle two weeks of July will be busy with Grandma and Aunt Melanie visiting. Then most likely on August 9th or there abouts we will be headed to Georgia for a week. Karissa then starts school August 26th. Whew!

Karissa, the teacher cont'd.

Karissa will also be more than happy to teach the new little one how to tell a joke. And I quote: "Mommy and Daddy I have a joke for you. A squirrel was in the street and a truck came and squished it and I took a picture of it." What?! Where does she get this stuff? John and I were definitely taken off guard and laughed till we cried.

Training Ground

I have not been felling well with a sinus infection or would have posted this sooner. Well, here we go...

A little over a week ago Karissa and I returned from Augusta, Georgia after spending two weeks taking care my 2 month old nephew and Karissa's cousin, Paul. His mommy and daddy are in dental school and they needed someone to watch Paul till Grandma could come and take over. He is a very sweet, happy little guy. He hardly cried and instead was quick to smile and make the cutest little grunting, gurly noises. His mommy and daddy are doing a wonderful job. He is a very blessed little man to have such great parents.

As for Karissa, this time in Georgia proved to be a great training ground for getting ready to take on the role of being a big sister. Several things were proven by the training ground:

1) She made a great big cousin (hopefully this will also prove true for sisterhood). She was very helpful and willing to go get whatever was needed. She was also very willing to entertain Paul and sing to him if he ever got fussy.
2) She does not like the baby to cry. She gets very agitated and anxious to help and calm the baby.
3) She will not sacrifice what she feels is her right to be the center of attention. If Paul was getting more attention, she would quickly ask to hold him so now she was part of the attention.
4) Her previous bad habit of saying "I don't want to" returned. She was so willing to help with Paul and that was where the willingness ended.
5) She was very curious about how everything worked. How to give Paul a bath. How to change Paul. How to feed Paul. How to dress Paul. She walked around with a stool so she could get the best view possible.
6) If the baby poops or toots while she is holding it, she is no longer willing to hold it.
7) She is very concerned about what a baby wears - the clothes have to match.

Hanging out with Paul!

Giving her new cousin a kiss!

TV at work!