Kaleb turned 4 yrs old:)

Kaleb had a FUN birthday:) As you can see by the pics below, he is VERY into anything from Cars the movie. He was thrilled to get so much Cars stuff and plays with his new toys/cars just about every waking second of every day!!! Kassidy started off the day by making some chocolate chip pancakes for her brother. Unfortunately, Kaleb was not feeling well in the morning. He came down with a bad case of pink eye the day before and could barely open his eyes! And...the camera battery was dead so no pictures of the morning. (Probably better to spare you the sight of his nasty eyes!) Later that day we opened presents. He actually opened every present by himself! A first for Kaleb. Then we headed to Pizza Inn for dinner (the ONLY restaurant where he will actually eat something). Then back to the house for some dessert.
Special birthday cupcakes made and frosted by big sis:) YUMMY!!! Kaleb even blew out the candle!

Most of his new cars
For his birthday party we went to a park downtown where they have a miniature golf course. This was a big hit for the kids:) The typical Kaleb look for the Birthday song...Sara and Jaden helped blow out the candle.

More Cars stuff

It was a great birthday. Except for Kaleb not feeling well, he had a really fun time with his friends and family. Thank you SO much to everyone who remembered his special day, sent cards, or gifts, or came to his party. He's very excited to be 4 and already talks about being 5 on his next birthday. Let's not rush it, Kaleb!!!

I don't have exact stats since Kaleb's 4 yr well visit is next week, but I do want to give you a quick update on the whole feeding thing. He is gaining weight, but more so growing taller!!! I've noticed that the 3T pants are just the right length, but if he grows any more taller they'll be short. Such a great thing to see:) He is definitely getting stronger, too and able to hold himself more against big sis. (even pushing back!)

It's been 3 or 4 weeks since his tube was changed and we're FINALLY able to hook it up for his feeding without him screaming, crying, and kicking and having to hold him down. PRAISE GOD! Truly a prayer answered. It is very tough to hold your child down every time you hook him up and then unhook him every night. It just breaks your heart. So, such a great thing that that part is over. He will now sit up, pull up his shirt, and just let us do it...amazing!!! We were even able to switch from night time feedings to bolus feedings during the day. He still can eat at meals/snacks, but if he doesn't drink his 'milk' (which he doesn't do right now) we hook him up and push in 5 oz in just a few minutes. We do this 4 times/day and he gets all the calories he needs. We go back to see the nutritionist the first of the year to see if anything needs to be adjusted. The hope is that his body will learn to be hungry/full and he will eat more, and with therapy become less sensitive to textures in his mouth. Keep praying for him please!!!! We still have a long way to go.

Kaleb is a very smart little guy. We've always known this but it's really showing now that Kassidy's in Kindergarten. He's picking up on everything she learns. He will even correct her if she says the wrong answer when we're doing homework or school related things. I wrote the number 12 and asked Kassidy what it was. She kept saying 21, which Kaleb overheard, and said, "No Kassidy, that's twelve!" He can even spell and read some words. The other day we were running errands and he said, "Look mom, Big Lots! There's Pizza Inn! Now I see Hobby Lobby!" And yes, he was right every time:) It's incredible how quickly he picks up on things. I'm so glad that part comes easy to him since eating takes so much out of him.

Kaleb is still my sweet little boy and loves his mommy:) He's very gentle and caring with Karson and becoming more and more helpful around the house. We're just working on the whining right now...he's so good at that! He has a super imagination, too! It's fun to listen to him talk with his cars or trains. He has really changed and grown-up in the past year, that's for sure. Amazing what only a year can do!

We thank God that we have you Kaleb, each and every day, and we love you so much:):):) You always have a way of making us smile!