We went to visit our great friends Grace and Steve in the US and do some shopping. They were so kind to us, letting us drag them all over for shopping pretty much the entire visit. Calvin did well with the traveling, but we discovered that a 10 hour drive for adults, is a much longer drive with many breaks for a baby. I can't even remember how long the drive down there ended up taking us. Regardless, Calvin did so good! He was pretty patient sitting strapped into his car seat for the long trip. We have such a lovely well mannered baby boy.
Once there, Grace took us to the outlet mall in Atlantic City. But as we discovered it's not actually a mall, instead it is like a mini city within a few blocks, with each store roughly anywhere within 10 minutes walking distance of the next. Maybe less - I was walking pretty slow. The children's stores there had so many choices for boy clothes I felt I'd gone to baby clothing heaven. We got a couple 12 month pieces, but for the most part Calvin is now in 18 month size clothing. At 10 months old. It is still slightly big for him in general, but the 12 month stuff just fits him perfectly and will not stay large enough for long enough to warrant spending on it I think. I am so happy to finally have more than three shirts that he can wear! Rotating three shirts with a messy new eater can be a challenge on your washing machine.
Hard to believe that in eight weeks, our little baby will be one year old. Not a baby then. A toddler. (Insert weeping momma here). We are super excited for Christmas though with all this going on. A new baby to enjoy the holiday with, and his birthday all at once. Until he can make up his own mind about what he prefers to do for birthdays, we are (for now) planning on having a little quiet birthday on the 24th for him with us, then a nice big family and friends party the second Saturday of January. Less stress after all the holidays and the New Year is over, plus it keeps the family in touch and seeing each other. We can't wait. Save the date everyone - you'll see your invitations sooner than you know it.