Baby Blue Eyes

Caleb will be 3 months old on Thursday, June 25th. He is getting so big and making all kinds of new noises, both happy and sad. He's slightly 13 pounds now and very close to rolling over. He's got the strength in his legs, but he needs to get his arms in on the action. We love him so much!

Here's a video of Baby Blue Eyes playing on his play mat...so adorable!!

Caleb's Baby Dedication

Sunday, June 21st we dedicated our little boy back to the God who gave him to us. It was a beautiful day and a wonderful day. After restating our faith in God and making our vows the Mr. and I tearfully gave Caleb our blessing:

Caleb,

From both of us: When you were born your first cry was the most beautiful sound we had ever heard. We then thought holy cow our life has been changed forever by this beautiful baby boy. We could hardly believe you were here. We were also very nervous about being good parents. Were we going to say the right things, do the right things, and make mistakes and so much more? In that moment we were so thankful to God for giving you to us and knowing that He was going to be there to help us raise you.

When we chose your name for you, we chose it because we liked how it sounded with the rest of your name, but we liked it even more since we have learned more about who Caleb was: One of two spies of the 12 who believed God’s promise about entering the Promised Land, and one of only two of the first generation of Israelites who were allowed to enter. God describes Caleb as His servant who “has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly.” This is our desire for you, that you be a faithful follower of God, always trusting in His promises. But for you to be this way you need to be raised by parents who are this way. Parents who keep his commands upon their hearts, who impress them on their child. Parents who talk about God’s commands when they are at home and away, in the morning and in the evening. All of this to say that the most important thing we would like to pass onto you is our combined family’s multi-generational faith in Christ.

From your Mom: I hope you grow up to be as amazing as your father: loving, caring, patient slow to speak, quick to listen, a gentleman, smart, and funny, and most importantly a man of God. I hope you develop an amazing relationship with God. I hope you accept the loving gift of His son Jesus. If you do I know that God will do amazing things for you and through you.

I would like to pass onto you the openness and generosity that my parents gave to me. I could always talk openly with my parents and I feel that was something important and special. My parents were also very generous not only financially, but also with their time.

From both of us: We will try to keep these promises to you and God as best as we can, and we ask our friends and family to help us keep these promises.

Then my dad (Papa Van) said this beautiful prayer:

Gracious God, Giver of life, we pray for Caleb Stephen Shepherd.
Bless and strengthen him daily with the gift of your Holy Spirit.
Unfold him the riches of your love.
Deepen his faith.
Keep him from the power of evil.
Enable him to live his life according to your calling until your kingdom comes.
Look with kindness on Stephen and Andrea.
Let them always rejoice in the gift you have given them.
Grant them the presence of your Holy Spirit,
That they ma bring up Caleb to know you, love you, and serve you.
Let your peace and joy dwell in their home,
That their family life may be instructed by faith,
Sustained by prayer, and governed by love.
Today we come as parents, family, and friends to dedicate Caleb to you dear Lord.
That through the working of your Holy Spirit,
We may all love him, pray for him, and encourage him,
That someday he will stand before us and confess Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
So God our heavenly Father it is in the blessed assurance of your covenant of grace,
Through your Son Jesus Christ we lay these request before you.
Amen.

After the service we went back to our house to celebrate the dedication and Father's Day. We ate yummy food, opened presents, enjoyed the outdoors, and then cleaned up with the wonderful help of my mom, grandma, and sister-in-law. It was such a nice day...the only way it could have been better would have been to have the Mr.'s family there too. You all were very missed.

Caleb Learns He Can Hold & Shake Things

Here is a short little video clip of Caleb playing with his toy rings. We were also listening to his new Sesame Street CD.

Caleb's First Boat Ride

Caleb took his first boat ride last weekend. He found it so nice and relaxing...he slept the whole time and then some.



Caleb has started giggling every now and then. Right now they are few and far between, but we still try to get him to do it. We tried all day so my parent's could see and hear it...that's what they're doing in this picture...unfortunately he chose to just smile...boo hoo! Later that day as we were cleaning up to go home, Caleb got to est with his Papa Van.

More Moments in the Life of Caleb

Mommy and Caleb having a chat. I can't remember what was talked about, but it looks like I was saying something he liked!



Playing on the floor with mommy and Samus.



Looking cute in one of the outfits from Aunt Laura, sound a sleep, napping on daddy.



I was trying to catch a smile, but I captured Caleb looking like his dad instead. Everyone, including myself, thinks Caleb looks like me, but every once in a while I see the Mr. in him. It's most often when he is sleeping or when he's making a serious face...how about that?! :)

He's Getting So Big!

In these pictures Caleb is 2 months old and according to the doctor at his 2 month appointment, right on target for weight and length! I remember he weighed 11 pounds and 9 ounces, but I can't remember his new length. Everything check out good at his appointment and then the hard part came...watching him get his vaccines. It was awful, he was fine one moment then came the biggest saddest cries in the world. This of course made me cry, even though I told myself I wasn't going to. The nurse assured Caleb that I was doing this because it was what was best for him. I think she was also reminding me that I was doing this because it's best for him. Nonetheless, it was difficult for both of us.



This video is the best video yet. Caleb has become quite the smiley little guy and he's been doing some "talking" too! Oh, and he's discovered he has a tongue, so he does this silly tongue thing. Check it out for yourself!

Videos of Caleb at the Cottage

Playing in his bouncy seat that we borrowed from his cousin Peter...

Big yawn, little baby...

Getting ready to go and wondering why daddy is taking video when I'm ready for nap during the car ride home...

Memorial Day Weekend Up at the Cottage

This was Caleb's first time up at the cottage. He got to hang out with his grandparent's, parent's, and his barky dog. I think he enjoyed the new sights and new sounds.



While we were there we had the privilege of seeing a Bald Eagle and her babies in the wild. It was so cool! They live in a huge nest a few miles from my parent's cottage with swamp front property.



You can see one of the babies in the picture on the left and you can see the mom in the picture on the right.

The Trim In the Dinning Room Is Up!

The trim around the window is up in the dinning room and wow does it look nice!! Thanks to a program called "The Common" at our church we got hooked up with a guy who came and helped the Mr. crank the trim out. He brought a saw, a nail gun, the know how, and focus. It was pretty amazing how quickly they worked. The Mr. finished things up on his own and is now working on the floor trim. Someday real soon our kitchen and dinning room project, started so long ago, will be complete!

Bath Time Baby

Caleb really enjoys his bath time. He is even playfully kicking in the water. It is so fun to watch him. I can't wait until he can sit up and play with the fun bath toys people got for him.



This is Caleb's first real smile caught on our camera. Doesn't it make you want to melt?! His smiles are so sweet and even better in person!

He's just so cute when he's sleeping...but he's also so cute when he's awake...

The sleep and stretch...



The sleep after a good meal and a clean diaper...



Now, awake and playing with his daddy...

Samus After the Baby...

Samus has been pretty good about sharing our attention with the baby. She has also been good about carefully checking out the baby with little sniffs and little licks on the toes. We have encouraged her to check out the baby using praise and treats whenever she does in hopes that she will realize the baby means good things, he's here to stay, and he's a big part of our family. We have tried to still give Samus some good play time and cuddle time with each of us and so far there have only been a few jealous barks and maybe even some protective barks. Hopefully some day Caleb and Samus will be great pals.

Sleepy Baby, Cute Baby, Fresh Air Baby

Yes, he is sleeping and making all this noise at the same time. We think it the strangest thing and oh so cute! Sleepy little boy. Both of these blankets are from Caleb's Aunt Emily. Aunt Emily knitted the all green one. It was so nice of her and it's really pretty. Doesn't he look adorable in this little outfit? Nana Van got him this from a second hand shop, but it looks brand new, barely touched. Here we are hanging in the back yard getting some fresh air. Dad's grilling, doggie's barking, and Caleb's just chilling.

Moments in the Life of Caleb

Here is Caleb in his daddy's clothes. This was the outfit that the Mr. came home in from the hospital. It was too cold for Caleb to come home in this outfit, but we did put it on him so we could have these special pictures.



Bath time...This is Caleb's first real bath and we found that he enjoys getting a bath. We absolutely love these two pictures.



Silly pictures of Caleb: I caught a little smile and the Mr. caught him with his pacifier hanging out.



Mommy and baby Caleb, Caleb and his Uncle Daniel at Nana and Papa's house, Caleb, his daddy, and his first bottle.

Lifeline Baby Shower

The Mr. and I are small group leaders for the youth group (Lifeline) at our church. We enjoy our students and the all the friends we have made. The lady small group leaders decided to throw me a baby shower for Caleb. It was so nice and everyone was so generous. They gathered enough money for us to get our high chair and even had some left over and put it into a gift card. Thank you so much!

Meeting the Shepherd Family

Three weeks after Caleb was born he got to meet his Grammy and Pa Shepherd. He also got to meet his Aunt Emily, Uncle Naren, and cousin Peter.



We had a good visit and Grammy and Pa were in love with our little boy...they couldn't get enough of him.

The Cradle That Pa Built

Shep Sr. a.k.a Pa (Grandpa) made this cradle for Caleb and any future Shep Jr. baby's. It is absolutely beautiful and so special. It will be a Shepherd family heirloom. Thanks Dad...Papa Shep...Pa!

Sweet New Born Baby

Listen to our boy...



Adorable in yellow...



"Mario Cart, Animal Crossing, Zelda, bring it on! I'll be your Wii boy!" says the boy holding the Wii motes. (Don't worry he was only posing with the Wii motes, he won't get to play it until he is much older).

Warm and cozy...