Caleb turned 2 on Thanksgiving Day! We are definitely thankful for him!
Thanks to all of you who prayed for our little man and his fever. It never progressed into anything else (we're thankful!) and stuck around until Wednesday night. He was fever-free on his birthday and had an enjoyable day. He wasn't completely his normal self but we were definitely praising God that morning when he woke up with a normal temperature. We think we made his day an enjoyable one and were so glad to have both of our families here to help.
We started off the day with a birthday doughnut. Did I mention that he didn't wake up until 10 o'clock that morning? Nothing better than sleeping in on your birthday! Doughnuts are definitely a special treat. He licked all of the frosting off, gave it to Ben, and then asked for another. Funny kid!
After breakfast we got him dressed for the day in his new John Deere shirt (thanks Timmermans!) Then we had him sit in Ben's big chair for a special surprise.
He loves to watch a movie called "Birthday Balloons." It's an adorable 20 minute Little Einstein show. He's in love with the little girl on it named Annie. In the movie, it's Annie's birthday and all of her friends come and give her balloons, one at a time. Then they blow away and they go on a mission to get them back. We got enough balloons for everyone to give him one. There were 8 of us, including Elliott. Caleb sat in the chair and we marched in from the other room, one at a time, each carrying a balloon. We sang the balloon song that they sing on the show and told him happy birthday.
I have never seen him make the face that he made. It was a mix of awe, delight, extreme happiness and joy. It almost made me cry I was so excited.
After we were finished, he pretended he was the "Little Einsteins" and that his balloons got stuck in the vines (just like on the show!) It was adorable.
After that, we finished getting Thanksgiving lunch ready. He didn't eat anything (a combination of still having no appetite after being sick & just having had a huge doughnut.) He did, however, manage to reach up to the table and swipe his fingers through his "Grandma Great Charlotte's" cool whip on her pumpkin pie. She didn't mind!
Even though he woke up at 10, he was more than ready for a nap at 1:30. He went to bed and took a couple hour nap. When he woke up we opened presents. He was thrilled with all of his loot: a police car that he can assemble and disassemble, a farm set (complete with another John Deere combine), the Little People Nativity set, some play food, and Little Einstein's fruit snacks.
Next it was time for cake. He requested a "Boo Tactor Cake!!!!" I did my best and this is what I came up with. He was excited! Can I just add that I'll do anything for my little man but blue and black frosting are definitely not among my favorites--they make your teeth so disgusting!
The face he made for the balloon parade was similar to the one he made when we were all singing happy birthday to him. I love it! He's so stinking cute! (
These pictures are a little blurry because I was taking pictures with the camera with my left hand and video taping with my right hand! We'll have to get some better ones from the grandparents who were snapping pictures like crazy!) 
His first birthday was a blast but I loved his 2nd birthday too! He was really into it and responsive, making it just a little more fun.
Now for some birthday boy stats:35.4 pounds
38 inches tall
Favorites:- food--fruit snacks
- game--tackle
- book--"If You Take a Mouse to the Movies" or "If You Give a Pig a Pancake" or really any from that series
- craft--cutting with scissors
- drink--milk
- friend--he talks about his girl friends the most--Tali & Lulu but loves Baby OwNo (Owen) and Baby Hannah too! Secretly he has a crush on Tali's mom and Lulu's mom but don't tell him I told you....
- song--any song, this boy LOVES songs but he especially likes the songs we make up about combines
- toy--combines (and now his fake food!)
- movie--Madame Blueberry
He can say most of the ABC's but his favorite and always correct part is "H-I-J-K" which he yells with much enthusiasm.
He can count to 10 but prefers to count like this "1, 6, 9, 10" with the same enthusiasm as above.
He knows most of the letter names and a word or two that starts with each. (i.e. G...God!, D...Daddy!)
He sings and talks to his monkeys in his bed when he's going to sleep. He usually tells them something about combines. Go figure!
He likes to find new and exciting ways to disobey his Mommy and I am blown away with what he comes up with. It's hard not to laugh sometimes! One example is a couple of months ago he decided to start saying "OK, Bob!" to me when given a command instead of "Ok, Mom."
Overall this boy has such a sweet, sensitive heart combined with some pretty masculine traits. For example, he will come up and give me a big hug and say "I wub oooh, Mommy!" and then in the next breath throw himself on the couch and roll off! He's always trying to conquer something!
He gives us hugs after diaper changes and after he's been disciplined and says thank you!
He doesn't forget ANYTHING you tell him and will bring it up 4 months later without any warning.
We are so blessed to be his parents. We can't believe he is already 2! We thank God for this delightful little man everyday!
"Where did it go?"
He's showing you his muscles in his new rocket underwear, that's why his arms are like that. Grandma bought them for him and he loves to wear them (over his diaper). They glow in the dark!
Grandpa & Grandma were so proud of him that they sent this red combine for him to play with. He LOVED it! It looks like the one he rode in. Thanks, Grandpa & Grandma!
The gang's all here (just none of them are looking)
Caleb & Lulu--being cheesy
Caleb picking out his pumpkin. He could have gotten a big one but insisted on a little guy!
They look guilty don't they? They loved running through this maze.
My little pumpkins! 
Caleb was worried because the tractor was leaving and he wanted to watch its every move.
Goofy kids!
Huge tree. Big tractor. Little boy.
