Happy Third Birthday!!!!

We celebrate Calla's 3rd birthday this weekend and I can't help but reflect on how she started out her life. Calla was born 10 weeks before her due date at 6:08 pm on April 15, 2008, weighing in at a whole 3lbs 2oz (birthday). She was so small but a fighter from the beginning. She spent 5 weeks in the NICU in Eugene, OR and came home weighing in at a whopping 4lbs 11oz and 5 weeks before her actually due date. Scott and I will never forget the many people that touched our lives during that time, it was amazing, and still is. Calla has filled our lives with endless joy since that first moment three years ago (and a few moments of frustration). Here are a few pictures of her on her first few birthdays.

This was taken when Calla was three days old.

This was taken on Calla's 1st Birthday.

Taking a walk before her 2nd birthday.

And last weekend sitting in a tree. She has become quite the little adventurer. What a BLAST! I can't wait to see what the next year holds. More adventures with little sister in tow, lots of fun (a few moments of frustration) and lots of love! Thanks for the ride Calla, we love you soo much!

Impromptu Spring Photo Shoot

Scott ended up being home for the day on Saturday after he was ordered home Friday night from the field in case the government shut down. We too advantage the the nice day and took some family photos. Enjoy!

Trip to the Coast

Well I played hooky today and Calla, Hannah, and I headed to the Oregon Coast Aquarium. We were planning on going with some friends, but a sick kid changed their plans and we headed out alone. The day was beautiful and it felt so good to be outside after all of the rain we have had. I took lots of pictures of Calla, but it was hard to get them both in a picture at once. The day was filled with many highlights, here are just a few. 1) Calla running up to Hannah after each exciting thing she saw (fish, sea lions, sea otters) and telling her about it and asking her if she saw it also. 2) Calla telling me on the drive home that Hannah was her best friend and that she had a great time today. 3) Over dinner Calla telling me that I was her best friend and that she had lots of fun today. Hannah trying to see all the stuff Calla was pointing out. One of the few pictures of the two of them together. The other picture of the girls exploring the Swamp Exhibit.

Calla exploring the Swamp Exhibit.

Going through a tunnel of garbage.

Hannah did you see that bird dive, it was really cool!

WOW, those sea lions are really big!

After running around the aquarium we had a quick bite of lunch and then headed to the beach. It was a short visit because Hannah had reached her limit and was not a happy camper. Calla however had a great time running around in the sand.

Spring is Here

We have had a few nice days of weather in between the rain and cold and have gotten to enjoy our nice backyard just a little bit. We also went to Portland last weekend to cheer on Daddy as he ran a 1/2 marathon! He did great, but I think his proudest moment was that evening over dinner when Calla looked up at him and said she wanted to run just like daddy when she grows up. Way to be a GREAT example Scott!

While in Portland last weekend we also got to meet our friend Christine and Paul's new baby Dwight. He slept through our entire visit, but it was great to see our friends!

Christine, Hannah, Scott, Dwight, and Calla.

Scott, Dwight, and Christine

Hannah is 9 months

Better late than never right. Well Hannah had her 9 month check-up on Tuesday and she is doing well. Hannah weighed in at 17lbs 14oz and 28.5 inches long. She is in the 30% for weight and 85% for length. Even the Dr said WOW! She continues to be happy to sit and watch Calla run around. Hannah is however a talker, some mornings I actually feel like we are having a conversation. She loves her toys and is about to get her two top teath. Hannah is also a great eater. She is down to only 4 feedings of milk a day and the rest is food. She loves to feed herself, bannans, peas, avacado, orzo pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots, and lentils. Here are some pictures of our Happy Hannah.

Visiting Great Grandpa

The Shaff family went on a special adventure last weekend to Sacramento, CA. My Grandfather, who lives in Iowa, is visiting my Aunt Tami in Sacramento for three weeks, we we all went down to visit. The drive was an adventure in itself, lots of snow and rain, but we made it in one piece.



Here are the pictures from our trip. They are priceless! My grandfather is an amazing person. At 94 he still lives alone, just traveled half-way across the country, and has officially been retired longer then her worked in his life. I am so glad my children have gotten to meet him, he is someone I will always admire.

Grandpa Culpepper watching some basketball.

Grandpa and Teddy keeping each other warm, the weather in Sacramento was anything but CA warm.

Calla, Hannah, and Great Grandpa. The girls took right to grandpa. It might have been the cookies he made, or just his wonderful smile!

Hannah loved her Great Grandpa, she smiled every time we was in view.

I think Great Grandpa loved Hannah as much as she loved him. They both were smitten.

I even got in a picture.

Hannah loved to touch Great Grandpa's face. That is truly a face worth touching, it has seen more hard work then most of us reading this blog will ever experience in our life times.

Aunt Tami even got some time with Hannah. Hannah was her usual happy self and loved all of the attention.

Calla had a blast at Tami's house. There was lots of space to explore and Teddy, Tami's dog was great entertainment.

Calla loved playing on Great Papa's bed. It was the perfect size to climb on, jump on, and pose for pictures on.