Week Three

Two complete weeks have gone by so fast! Caleb is now over 8.5 pounds (based on my rough estimates by getting on the scale, getting off, then holding him on the scale. Next Wednesday, we go to the pediatrician for his check up so we will know for sure. We can see growth already, which is a little crazy! Tara says he is growing up too fast :)

We think he has his Grandpa Mize's hands/fingers. This shot shows Grandpa Durne, Uncle Colin, and Caleb's hands. See a resemblance? I still think he has Tara's eyes, my nose, and the Houston mouth. More and more people are saying he looks like me, but I don't quite see that yet. He is too cute! As for the hands, he has REALLY long fingers. I keep telling him that someday, uncle Bryan will have to give him piano lessons with those hands!

New pics have been uploaded to the photo album on the left. I will try to upload at least once a week, as well as give weekly updates on Caleb and all of us as we progress.

He is sleeping well...two nights ago he fed at midnight and 6 a.m. Last night he fed at 12, 2:30, 4:30, 7:30. So it is back and forth. Pretty much though he is on a three hour schedule. It makes the days go by SUPER fast! We are getting out though. Last night, we went out one last time with Tara's student staff for desert. Today, Tara and I went to Malibu and walked around the shops for an hour or so. Tara is doing great. It is going to be hard for her to 'rest' for 4-6 weeks! We see her doctor on Tuesday so maybe she is progressing better than the curve. No pain, plenty of energy, but so far she is being really good. We will have to see, though, now that we have one full week to ourselves before the Houston's arrive, next Thursday.

A Step in the Right Direction

Maybe this will catch on. This story from across the pond (the Pacific not Atlantic), "Aussie cheerleaders told to cover up midriffs", reports that Australian authorities are banning cheerleading uniforms that show the midriff. They claim that cheerleaders are creating an unhealthy influence on young girls possibly leading to the increase in eating disorders. HERE HERE! Finally the veritable pendulum has swung all the way to one side.

For years, I have been wondering how little clothing people will be able to wear in public, and living in Malibu, on the beach, we see less and less every month! It has been rainy out here lately, but on Tuesday last week, the sun came out and it was in the 70's again. I said to Tara, "Today is miniskirt day on campus." The media, in particular, portrays so many unhealthy images of the female body, that I'm glad we had a boy! I can't imagine trying to raise a girl in today's society with all the images out there that are closer to the playboy mansion than the beach!

Cheerleaders play into this, specifically professional ones. All the pro sports leagues talk about their sports needing to draw more families, and they adjust ticket prices, have family friendly seating, etc. As a new parent, I say the pro sports aren't family friendly with all the alcohol advertisements, fans and players spewing obscenities, and cheerleaders not only dressing like garden tools, but dancing like strippers. It is refreshing to see a country try to put a stop to this.

Now, I know that the chance of this happening in our country is about as likely as the Royals winning the pennant this year, but we can hope. Some day it has to swing back closer to the middle. As with all trends, someday turtle necks and long sleeves may come back in style. Then all we have to worry about are the brown dickies under white sweaters...

Week Two

After today, Caleb has been home for a week. We are beginning to settle in nicely! He is feeding very well, yet we are getting sleep. Typically, he wants to eat every 3 hours which gives us a good amount of rest at night. His jaundice is going away which is a blessing as well. No more billy lights! He is so alert. It is fun watching him make silly faces and expressions :)!

Tara is doing very well. We are walking now every day. She has no pain, in fact she didn't even take a pain pill yesterday. She enjoyed getting to do "grown up stuff" yesterday, when she paid the bills! (Hey, she likes doing it, and it gave her a diversion from feeding, so I'm not getting in the way!)

It has been amazing how supportive or friends and family have been. Our freezer is STOCKED with food and it is so nice to have grandma Mize around to cook and do whatever else comes up. Tara, Caleb and I want to thank everyone for all the support and prayers you have provided. They haven't gone unnoticed.

As always, keep checking the photo album on the left. I try to update it often, at least 2-3 times a week.

Caleb Marvin Houston

On Thursday, April 6, 2006 at 7:09 a.m., Caleb Marvin Houston came into the world. This is a quick note to let you know that you can see more pics on the left by clicking on the 'flickr' link. I will upload more to there once we get home on Monday afternoon. Thanks for ALL your prayers. He is healthy and beautiful!