In early November, Caleb and I spent four days in Seattle on a babysitting business trip. It was wonderful to bring Buddy back together with his Takano side of the family after missing them for nearly four months! He recognized his Grandma & Grandpa (whom he calls Papa) with glee and quickly warmed up to everyone else – though none quite as much as his beloved Jolie. When we moved to California in the summer, Caleb was around 15 months old and not the most social with other kids in terms of playing together. My, how a few months have grown his social development! He ADORES his big cousin Jolie (to him, DeeDee) and absolutely lit up whenever we were in her presence. Even six weeks later, he’ll still pretend to talk to her on any cell phone he can find, and squeals his version of her name with delight whenever we’re around a picture of her. Too cute!
In later November, we all went to Pajaro Dunes for our annual Thanksgiving bash. Caleb was a cute, squishy blob of 8 months last year, so it was fun for him to be “all grown up” now, running and talking and eating real food and interacting with dozens of adoring cousins, aunts, uncles, and so on. One of the greatest joys of parenthood so far in my life was seeing Caleb’s first experience of the ocean. His version of the word water is “wawa” and I think he shouted it at the top of his lungs about 400 times while pointing to the ocean. Nobody in all of history has ever been so in awe of anything as my tiny guy yelling “WAWA!!! WAWAAAA!!!” at the crashing waves. Chris and I loved running into the freezing water with a tight grip on our laughing, soaked boy. That was joy at its most adorable.
Alright, now pictures! I know you skipped to these anyway! 
My parents gave us an early Christmas gift: membership to Gilroy Gardens. Our first visit was super fun on a chilly evening in early December. Caleb’s first stop: the carousel.
Next we rode the train as a family. Buddy was just as excited for the “toot toot!” as he was for the many trees, stars, the moon, and some waterfalls that the train passes on its track. He pointed to and named just about everything he saw.
We brought the stroller since this was an evening trip. I asked Caleb for a smile when I took this picture. Behold.
And speaking of cold weather, Vannie made sure that Caleb’s head and hands would be warm in the chilly winter ahead. Thanks for the hat and mittens, Vannie!
In keeping with winter health and wellness (though he did catch a brief, brutal flu bug) Caleb is a champion nose-blower. Well, not really. But he loves wiping his face with kleenex.
Perhaps the most wonderful part of this season is the arrival of Ben, Jess, and Maddie Jane. Caleb and Maddie are 3 months apart in age and almost exactly the same size and weight. (Her tummy is a little bigger, his head is WAY bigger.) It has been such a joy already to have them nearby, and watching these cousins play side-by-side or together is a delight. Caleb’s love for big cousin DeeDee is equally matched in his adoration for little cousin Mammee. How great to have little family around our little guy! Here’s a montage of those two kiddos over the last few days.
Same height, weight, toy preference, and DNA.
Maddie and Special Uncle Chris warmed up to each other REAL quick. The three of these kids really enjoy hanging out together.
Chasing each other around only resulted in about 17 head bonks.
Cracking up at Chris, who kept popping up from behind the couch.
Looking for Dada/Uncle Chris.
I usually post pictures of Caleb smiling or at least giving a serious stare (something he does often) but my son does indeed have his more difficult moments. Here he is being savagely attacked in a vicious session of face-licking.
His usual love and exclamation of "PUPPY! PUPPY" fades away when he's tired.
Not responding happily to the corgi love.
Well, that’s about all for tonight! I hope this massive post makes up for a 2-month absence. After all this blogging, I’m pooped. Though not as exhausted as these three men…
Seriously, I found them this way and grabbed the camera. This was NOT for the purpose of taking a picture. I'm not sure how it happened.
Merry Christmas to you and yours! May Jesus fill your hearts with joy as He has filled ours.
