Jamie Jamie Laela and Leo

New Website

2009-03-21T07:03:00.000-07:00

We are ditching this blog and moving on to a new family website. Please come and visit us at:

jamiefam.shutterfly.com

You will need a password, so please email me if you haven't heard what it is...

The Elles

2009-02-04T17:42:00.000-08:00

Leo is 6 months now and a BIG boy. He is sitting up like a pro, although he keeps trying to stand up everytime I put him down. He isn't crawling yet, but he is sooo close. He gets up on his hands and toes or hands and knees and rocks and propels himself forward, but he hasn't figured out that he has to move his arms. He likes to feed himself the solid food I try to give him, so I give him a spoon and slip food in his mouth with my spoon.
Laela is crazy about her brother and sometimes acts like a crazy person around him. As you can see above, they get along pretty well when Laela isn't trying to push him over, take his toys, or pull his bottle out of his mouth. Ahh, big sisters.
No teeth yet, just lots of smiles.

The Latest

2009-02-04T17:29:00.000-08:00

Snow in South Carolina!

Leo at 6 Months

Leo up late

2009-01-18T18:22:00.000-08:00

Welcome Home, Papa

2008-11-10T17:02:00.000-08:00

This post is out of order, but these pictures are from Jamie's return home from the desert. He arrived in the middle of the night and Laela didn't want to miss a second with her Papa, but she finally fell asleep at the table after a late breakfast.

Birthday Celebration

2008-11-10T16:59:00.001-08:00

Oma and Opa Caplinger are visiting. It was Opa's birthday on Saturday, so we celebrated with some curry and cake.
Check out more pictures on our new Facebook account.

Halloween

2008-11-10T16:54:00.001-08:00

A little late,
but here are some of our Halloween pictures. Harry Potter and Ron Weasley stopped by for some trick-or-treating.
Leo update:
He weighs 16 lbs and is super smiley. He cooes, he rolls over, and he has a mohawk.

Pics from this morning

2008-10-01T09:23:00.000-07:00

Well, we made it back home after a 4 day driving trip (it only took us two to get there.) We are starting to settle in here and are anxiously awaiting Jamie's return this month. Thanks to the numerous family and friends who have helped us this summer. It's been really amazing.
Leo is doing great. The Dr. tells us he is healthy and tall. He's been smiling and cooing, he's a sweetie. Laela has started a pre-preschool and is doing great. Thanks for checking in.

End of September

2008-10-01T09:17:00.000-07:00

A great visit with "Auntie" Abby

That's just the way she rolls...fast

Leo in the swing. We all love the swing!

September Pics

2008-10-01T09:12:00.000-07:00

Leo in his Papa's old outfit...He's a bit too long already

One of Leo's first smiles

Laela's first day of school

Hair and attitude

Getting Bigger....

2008-08-19T13:59:00.000-07:00

Leo Everett Caplinger

2008-08-04T13:20:00.000-07:00

Born July 28th at 5:36 pm
8# 12oz 22 inches
Blue eyes and lots of light brown hair
Big Sister Laela is thrilled!

Changing Everyday

2008-08-04T13:16:00.000-07:00

He loves the swing...yeay!

Leo's first bath at home, he did not like it.

Great Grandma and Grandpa Everetts came by for a visit. Leo's middle name, Everett, was given in honor of their great influence on our lives.

"Let's get outta here, Mom, I don't like the hospital food!"

Hospital Pics

2008-08-04T13:11:00.000-07:00

Jamie was there the whole time...

Ready to go home

Your big sister loves you, Leo

At the Hospital

2008-08-04T13:04:00.000-07:00

Could that possibly be an F-16 on his shirt?

After his first bath, the nurses brought Leo back with a mohawk...

Leo in the warmer

Opa Peterson meets Leo

Oma Peterson, Laela, and Leo, ready to leave the hospital

Leo Arrives!

2008-08-04T12:53:00.000-07:00

Well, July 28th was induction day. I went in very nervous but came out very happy and relieved. Start to stop time was only 9 hours this time! Quite an improvement from the "Laela experience". What they say is true...your body does remember what it is supposed to do. Jamie was right by my side for the whole thing...well, his face and voice were, anyways. My Mom and sister Beth were great coaches and kept me calm throughout. Thanks to all of my family for taking such good care of us this summer.
We are back at my parents now and working on some assemblance of a routine. Both Leo and Laela are doing great (mom too). Thanks for checking in and I'll do my best to keep posting regularly.

First Looks

Laela adores her brother

All aboard for the ride to our postpartum room

Laela jumped ship to run down the hallway instead.

Jamie and Laela Lately

2008-07-20T07:23:00.000-07:00

Well, it's my due date and no baby. Surprise! I'm hanging in there, trying to will myself into labor. I'm starting to really swell now, so hopefully it won't be too much longer. Laela continues to run the house and I think even she is getting impatient waiting to play with her little brother. Thanks for checking in...hopefully we'll have some good news soon.

In Oma's Harley Boots

Playing outside

Helping Jack with a bottle

Grumpy face

4th of July Parade

2008-07-09T06:11:00.000-07:00

Laela and Jack had lots of fun at the parade. They especially liked the airplane flybys and the marching bands...oh, and the candy of course!

Visit to Great Gram and Gramp Everetts

2008-07-04T07:16:00.000-07:00

Laela Around the House

2008-07-04T06:50:00.000-07:00

It's July!!! Finally. A baby will cometh!
Laela is very excited about having a baby brother to play with.
She asked me yesterday if he was moving in my belly.

Here is Auntie Beth with Laela. They always have lots of fun together.

Laela insisted on a picture with her Oma's Russian dolls. It's one of her favorite "toys", although she must be supervised with these..

Laela Gets her Star on Peterson Boulevard

2008-07-04T06:46:00.000-07:00

Lions and Giraffes

2008-06-29T07:37:00.000-07:00

The 8 month belly (3 weeks until due)

Laela Lately

2008-06-29T07:32:00.000-07:00

The princess and her yogurt

This turkey and her 4 babies were on our porch just before I grabbed the camera

Just smelling the flowers and resisting picking them

Our Little Gymnast

2008-06-27T19:04:00.000-07:00

Laela is really enjoying her gymnastics classes. It is the most organized chaos I've ever seen and I'm always more tired than she is after class. But she loves it! Lately, she also enjoys "scaring" people. She will roar like a lion at you and if you pretend like she scared you, she will laugh and then roar again. It's pretty funny, I'll try to catch it on tape. Funnier than that is if she can't get you with a roar, she will say "Giraffe" really loud and throw her arm up in the air. She thinks she is making a giraffe noise, of course.

Tuesday Morning

2008-06-24T06:32:00.000-07:00

Laela got herself all situated in the chair with the teddy bear and the dog and wanted me to take her picture. She then wanted a picture with each animal separately. She gives a very enthusiastic "cheese" when she knows you are taking her picture.

Laela Sings and Plays

2008-06-23T06:33:00.000-07:00

Below is Laela's latest song, "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." I didn't know she knew it until she started singing it at breakfast this morning.
Just below, Laela was having fun getting on Oma's shoulders and playing the "Where's Laela? game"

June Adventures

2008-06-22T07:37:00.000-07:00

We're back...we've been having a busy, but fun time in Minnesota. We miss Jamie a ton, of course, but we're able to talk to him every few days, so that keeps us going. One more month and you should start seeing pictures of the new little guy on our blog.
Laela remains a chatty little girl who barely slows down for a picture. She's excited about having a new baby in the house. We HAVE to read one of her big sister or new baby books everyday. Thanks for checking in, more to come...

By the Pool

2008-06-22T07:22:00.000-07:00

Jack and Laela love everything to do with outside and water. We load up on the bug spray because this is their country!

Jack and Laela Play a Game in the Pool

2008-06-22T07:12:00.000-07:00

We're not sure how this game evolved, but the kids just started stopping together and waiting for the "Ready, Set, Go."

Jack and Laela Lounge on the Porch

2008-06-22T07:09:00.000-07:00

After dinner and a tiring game of Duck, Duck, Goose, Laela and Jack take a very short break on the lounger before dragging Opa outside for some fun in the pool (see video above) and a walk around the neighborhood.

Random Laela

2008-06-22T07:07:00.000-07:00

Before the Trip

2008-06-22T07:05:00.000-07:00

Playing

2008-06-22T06:52:00.000-07:00

Just Minutes After Our Arrival at the Grandparents

2008-06-22T06:40:00.000-07:00

November Pictures

2008-02-22T17:28:00.000-08:00

These next couple posts are out of order, but I thought you might enjoy them...

Laela and her Caplinger Relatives

2008-02-22T17:15:00.000-08:00

Below are pictures from our trip to Salt Lake City for cousin Britta and Mike's wedding.

We've Finally Updated Our Blog!

2008-02-22T17:08:00.000-08:00

Hello and thanks for checking in with us. I know it's been a while and these aren't even our most recent photos, but I'll try and update again in a couple weeks. As you can see in the pics, Laela just keeps getting bigger and getting into more trouble! Her latest accomplishments include catching a ball, singing portions of songs, and counting to 10...I take no credit in that last one, she just whipped it out one day. She is still a sweet and happy girl who continues to amaze us every day.

Below Laela rips off Papa's old Captain rank at his pin-on ceremony in Dec.

Random Photos from this Fall

2008-02-22T17:05:00.000-08:00

Jack and Laela

2008-02-22T17:03:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Visitor

2008-02-22T16:52:00.000-08:00

Jackson and Laela are great buds!

Wedding Fun

2008-02-22T16:50:00.000-08:00

Laela at Goat and Brenda's wedding in Tennessee

TLF Living -- June and July 2007

2008-02-22T16:46:00.000-08:00

Laela Slides!

2008-01-24T13:42:00.000-08:00

Laela visited Leapin' Lizards with her cousin Anna and had a great time playing on all of the inflatable toys.

Great Grandparent Time

2007-07-16T19:28:00.000-07:00

After Washington we headed to Minnesota for some, well, Minnesota time. We got to spend some time with Laela's Great Grandparents and as you can see, she had lots of fun doing so:

4 generations of Petersons: Laela with Great Grandpa P:

We also visited Great Grandma and Grandpa Everetts at their house. Laela used that time to catch up on her rock-on-the-birdbath pounding,

her mowing,
and of course, some piano playing. Is that piano in tune?

There's only one way to find out:

But most of all, Laela had a great time just hanging with GGpa and GGma E:

Laela's 2nd First Birthday

2007-07-16T19:24:00.000-07:00

Because of constantly changing circumstances, we ended up celebrating Laela's birthday 3 times this year. When I find the pics from the other two, I'll post some. Here are a few pics from her actual birthdate. We kept it low key with some flowers and of course...cake!

Pre-cake pictures:
Post-cake pictures:

Laela's trying to have her cake and drink her milk too

Family Time

2007-07-16T19:09:00.000-07:00

John and Jen so graciously let us crash their spring plans and took us in for most of April and May. We had so much fun, we almost didn't leave. Laela had lots of fun with her cousin Anna. They were kind of like magnets, they just followed each other around everywhere. Every once in a while they would bounce off of each other too.
Laela's first black eye (not from Anna)
She played with Anna's toys
Anna showed her the proper way to drink from a plastic cup... ...and they both kept us entertained (and busy), those girls can MOVE!

Visiting Oma and Opa

2007-07-16T19:03:00.000-07:00

Somehow, Laela knew to put that old-fashioned handle thingy to her ear and talk to it....kids these days are so technically advanced. Now she's just showing off.

We had some fun visits from Nana Scott

And BillyBob the toothfairy.

Papa even stopped by for a visit.

Laela's First Easter

2007-07-16T19:00:00.001-07:00

Aw, such a delicate flower she is
Laela even wore a dress for a few minutes on Easter morning
She LOVED the plastic eggs!

Laela and her Opa discussing their next Ride

2007-07-16T18:19:00.000-07:00

Phoenix Fun

2007-07-16T18:13:00.000-07:00

As some of you may know, Phoenix didn't exactly treat us well this time around. Jamie picked up what is commonly known as "Valley Fever". He is feeling great now, but still on the meds and not flying because of it. We hope to get him in the jet soon though. We did have some fun while we were in Phoenix, despite the illness. Uncle Ron, Jamie, and Laela hanging at the Phoenix Zoo.

I was there too...
Would somebody help that girl...there's a ginormous snake of some kind wrapped around her abnormally long body and four arms!

2007-07-16T18:03:00.000-07:00

Laela in the tub (obviously) . I couldn't resist a little mohawk action.

Back in March, Laela had full reign of the spoon for the first time with some delicious yogurt.
Who can resist baby and Papa-in-flightsuit pics?
We had fun hanging with Oma and Opa...they helped us skedaddle out of Phoenix when all of our health was in question.

Fun in Phoenix

2007-07-16T17:59:00.000-07:00

Laela hangin in the hot February sun...with lots of sunscreen on!

We stayed in a lovely TLF....

A Night at Uncle Ron's

2007-07-16T16:20:00.000-07:00

Uncle Ron let us crash at his place on our first night in Phoenix...

On the Road to Phoenix

2007-07-16T16:19:00.000-07:00

2007-07-16T16:16:00.000-07:00

Grandpa flew down to help us drive the truck and two bikes to Phoenix from Pensacola...We had a blast

Our Trip to Phoenix

2007-07-16T16:12:00.000-07:00

Laela's First Christmas

2007-01-12T07:26:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful Christmas this year and we are very thankful to both our families for helping make it a special holiday for Laela...not that she'll remember, but we will.
Laela is now crawling pretty well. She doesn't tend to go more than 5 feet at a time, so that's pretty nice when you're trying to fix her a bottle. She can pull herself up to standing on just about anything but a flat wall. She's fairly cautious about it and doesn't have too many bruises. She is still working out how to get back down to sitting the best way and uses multiple methods. She ends up in the splits sometimes, future gymnast? Laela continues to be very chatty, no real words yet, of course. She loves to look at people and try to get there attention with a silent smile. Strangers love to tell me what a happy baby she is.

Homecoming

2007-01-12T07:23:00.000-08:00

We had a few presents waiting for us at home on New Year's. Laela needed a little help opening her gifts, but she had lots of fun with the crinkly paper as well as her gifts.

Window Fun

2007-01-12T07:21:00.000-08:00

Laela did some entertaining while at Uncle John and Auntie Jen's house Christmas week.

2007-01-12T07:18:00.000-08:00

Laela met Anna's cousin Caleb at Christmas. They had fun staring each other down. I wouldn't touch that pacifier, if I was you.

Christmas Day

2007-01-11T14:00:00.000-08:00

Laela just loved being with her cousin Anna. Santa and his little helper. The pink duck was the toy of the week.

Christmas morning at Oma and Opa's

2007-01-11T13:57:00.000-08:00

Laela looks in her stocking Laela is all dressed up to go and see Santa Claus.
Cousin Anna tries to educate Laela on the finer skills of present opening.
She's still much more interested in the wrapping paper than what's inside.

2007-01-11T13:49:00.000-08:00

Laela hangs out with her Papa, in his hat, on a break from yardwork.
At this point, in November, Laela could get up on her hands and knees and rock back and forth. Then she'd sit herself up and be very proud of herself for doing so.

Laela Eats

2007-01-11T13:43:00.000-08:00

It wasn't easy, but we finally got a picture of those 2 bottom teeth. Laela gets a little upset when the food is gone.
Mmmm...potatoes are good!

Late November

2007-01-11T13:25:00.000-08:00

Laela can hold herself up standing pretty well now. She's just chillin in her crib, here. Some pre-crawl floor dancing:
Oma and Opa babysat Laela while we went to the British Virgin Islands....thank you!
I couldn't resist this picture...

Laela just before 7 Months Old

2006-12-05T17:00:00.000-08:00

Well, Laela is almost 7 months old now. She has learned to sit up by herself and she can stand fairly well when propped up against something. Unless there is a couple toys near by, then she grabs toys in both hands and has nothing to hold on with. She gets up on her hands and knees and rocks, but doesn't go anywhere yet. She has a high pitched scream this week which she uses to signify happiness or displeasure, the latter being quite painful to your ear if you are too close. When she smiles, her whole face smiles and you can't help but smile yourself. She likes anything that she can fit part of in her mouth, as you can see below. Her frog ring/stacker thing is her favorite toy right now. She'll carry a ring to bed for most naps. Laela holds her own bottle now. Her hearing is also quite good, she whips her head around whenever she hears the cat or a new person enters the room (especially when her Papa comes home from work.) Thanks for checking in. Sorry I missed last month's update... Here's Laela on the couch with her beautiful new quilt from Aunt Carolyn.

Ooh, that's soft!

Laela Eats

2006-12-05T16:53:00.000-08:00

Laela loves to eat anything. Green beans, squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, & potatoes. Well, I guess I can only say she loves to eat vegetables, even though she makes funny faces when she tries something new. It's tough work keeping those cheeks fully chubbed. We will continue to explore more veggies for a while and try to keep her from getting a sweet tooth like her mom.

Laela and Oma

2006-12-05T16:49:00.000-08:00

For a couple days in November, Laela made what we lovingly refer to as the "Anna face." Observe...

Pictures from Steve

2006-12-05T15:35:00.000-08:00

3 Generations

Laela with Auntie Mandi, the Bride
The flower girl drools

The flower girl screams.........all the way down the aisle

1st Halloween

2006-12-05T14:39:00.000-08:00

Laela and her cousin, Jack had a great Halloween. Laela trick-or-treated to one house across the street. Thanks for the costume, Anna!

October in Minnesota

2006-12-05T13:59:00.000-08:00

Laela at 5 Months old

2006-10-09T09:11:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone and thanks for checking up on us. Laela continues to be a very happy baby. She usually sleeps 11 hours at night and takes about 3 naps a day. She can roll every which way and takes great pride in doing so. She has big smiles for strangers but prefers not to be fed by them. She has to be looking at her Daddy if he is anywhere within earshot and she follows Kaese's movements as best she can. She's gotten a couple fists full of fur, but Kaese hasn't retaliated (she is closely supervised). Laela talks more and more and is starting to make sounds that resemble some alien language. She loves to play pat-a-cake and ends the game with your finger in her mouth. She also holds onto her feet whenever she is on her back. It's only a matter of time before they are in her mouth.

Even Post-Bathtime is fun for Laela

2006-10-09T09:07:00.000-07:00

Wud Up G?

2006-10-09T09:04:00.000-07:00

Laela and Kaese

2006-10-09T08:35:00.000-07:00

Mama's Little Metalhead

2006-10-09T08:28:00.000-07:00

Laela at 4 Months

2006-10-09T08:22:00.000-07:00

The Latest Fashions

2006-09-04T14:30:00.000-07:00

Laela loves her Harley Davidson gear from Grandpa!
Here's Laela in a sweet little outfit from GG Ann.

3 1/2 Months!

2006-08-23T20:29:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for checking in... Laela is growing like a weed. She can roll from her back to her tummy now and loves to roll onto her belly as soon as she hits the crib, but she usually leaves one arm under her, silly girl. She's back on a great sleeping schedule at night and we're working on some consistent naps during the day. She loves to play in her Happy Hippo Gym and she loves the sound of her voice. She coos and gurgles and has a happy squeal. As you can tell, we are just crazy about her.

Laela in Pink

2006-08-23T17:54:00.000-07:00

Laela's Social Happenings

2006-08-23T17:43:00.000-07:00

Laela in her new Mickey Mouse shades...thanks Callan!
Jake and Laela hanging out on the couch at Callan's Birthday
We had a great visit with Auntie Beth and "Uncle" Ryan...

Laela's 1st Ferry Ride with Cousin Anna and Auntie Jen

2006-08-23T17:31:00.000-07:00

Laela in the Wind

2006-08-23T17:27:00.000-07:00

Family Reunion in Washington

2006-08-23T17:18:00.000-07:00

4 Generations of Caplingers

Laela meets some Great Grandparents

2006-08-23T17:15:00.000-07:00

Laela's 1st Trip

2006-08-23T17:12:00.000-07:00

Laela had a great time meeting all of her relatives in Minnesota. She is also a savvy traveler and earned her wings on AirTran

Laela at 2 months

2006-08-23T17:09:00.000-07:00

The many faces of Laela

2006-07-06T10:19:00.000-07:00

Laela has really been interacting a lot more with those around her. She loves to stand on your legs and look around. She only cries now when she is hungry, gassy, tired, or bored....haha. She still spits up quite a bit, so we go through laundry pretty quickly. She is a lot of fun and quite a sweetheart. Thanks for checking in on us!

Happy 4th of July!

2006-07-06T10:18:00.000-07:00

Look who is starting to enjoy her baths

2006-07-06T10:05:00.000-07:00

The Swing

2006-07-06T10:02:00.000-07:00

Laela wasn't so sure about her swing at first, but now we ALL love it!

Family Visit

2006-07-06T09:44:00.000-07:00

We had a great time introducing Laela to her cousin Anna and her Aunt and Uncle, Jen and John.

First Father's Day

2006-07-06T09:28:00.000-07:00

Laela took her Daddy out for breakfast and got dressed up for the occasion.

Special Visitors

2006-06-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

Laela had a great time meeting her "Aunties" Sara and Abby, who took her shopping and out to eat, she was an angel! She owns the town now...

2006-06-13T11:09:00.000-07:00

Enjoying the shade with Daddy
Discussing the stock market and college funds

2006-06-13T10:57:00.000-07:00

She's definitely a Daddy's girlNapping in her crib

Chics make great pilots

Tummy Time

2006-06-13T10:13:00.000-07:00

Jamie Jamie and Laela

2006-06-13T10:12:00.000-07:00

Jamie Jamie and Laela

Refreshed after a great night sleep.

2006-06-03T16:59:00.000-07:00

2nd and 3rd Weeks.

2006-06-03T16:19:00.000-07:00

Kase is checking out what all the fuss is about.

Laela is still not quite embracing the bath yet.
Laela is putting Grandpa to sleep.
Kase is back to check on things.