Teething Troubles

I'm not sure if teething is an ordeal at everyones house but it is at mine! My poor guy does not feel well and he wants me, all the time! He spent 90% of our day in my arms, on my lap or on my hip. But, I love the cuddling and time with him! Chores can wait!

Yesterday I realized it had been awhile since we had gone anywhere. I may be strange but I don't like getting him out of the house when it rains. I don't like driving in the rain if I don't have to so I realized that it had been almost a week since we had gone anywhere. So off to Wal-mart we went! I think he was excited to get out in the sunlight because he played and squealed the whole way to Palestine. We did our usual grocery shopping and then headed home to cook dinner for daddy. And he took 2 good naps for me!!

We are looking forward to another 4 day weekend and lots of playing and cuddling. I just love being a mommy!!

Merry Christmas

It was such a special weekend. Christmas is always special but spending it with my little guy made is so much more meaningful. I fell more in love with him every single day.

I watched the excitement in his eyes when he plays with his cousins. Aubrey was the best little baby-sitter and Caden loved the undivided attention he got.
We celebrated Christmas with my family on Christmas Eve day so that morning I was hard at work in the kitchen while Matt slept from working the night before. I needed help with Caden so Pop came to the rescue. And I put him to work! He fed Caden breakfast! Pop hasn't fed a baby in about 28 years but he did a pretty good job!

We ate a late lunch with my parents, brother and his family and then we opened presents. Caden didn't really care about his new toys but absolutely loved ripping the paper, and then eating it!

Matt and I went home with every intention to go to our Christmas Eve service at church. But Caden laid down to take a nap, and if you have read previously he isn't a very good napper, so I did not want to wake him up, plus it was raining and I did not want to get him out in the rain, so we ended up staying in and hanging out. Those times are few and far between right now with Matt's work schedule and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Christmas morning we woke up and opened presents and gave Caden his stocking. And Caden honestly seemed excited. When I sat him on the couch he was eying the Christmas tree and his toys in front of it!

He played pretty hard and took a 2 hour nap for me that morning! Once he woke up we went and had a late breakfast at my parents house and then got extremely busy. We went to Matt's grandparents house for a few hours and then went to Matt's parents. Caden got so many toys and clothes. He is a very loved little boy!

Unfortunately, in all the busyness and running around I forgot to take my camera both places. So, I haven't got those pictures from my mother-in-law yet but hopefully I will soon.


Caden had a wonderful first Christmas and I don't want to forget a single moment. I tried to savor every minute and take in every expression and smile he had. I sure love the 2 guys in my life. I am a lucky lady!

6 months

I know I say this every month but I cannot believe Caden is 6 months old already! It has gone by so incredibly fast. He has started developing such a cute little personality over the past month. He is usually very vocal and we "talk" throughout the day. He even lets me know when he isn't happy with me or is trying to get my attention and I can't help but laugh at the serious look on his face.

We started him on baby food and has been eating 1 "meal" a day, usually around lunch. Over the past week we have also started giving him cereal in the evening. The boy loves to eat! When I finish feeding him or he see's that his bowl is empty he starts wailing! His heart is absolutely broken. We are going to start feeding him more at each feeding and see if that will help.

Over the past month he is typically getting up 2 times a night. And I have no idea why. I am lucky and he will usually go back to sleep pretty quick. I know it could be much worse. But I had started getting used to sleeping through the night or at least only getting up once so this has been a big adjustment for me.

Caden has also turned into a very busy boy. I feel much more tired at the end of a day now and he isn't even crawling yet! But I love seeing how curious he is becoming.

Caden at 6 months you are:

• Wearing mostly 6-9 month clothes but some 12 month
  
• Size 3 shoes
• Size 3 diapers
• Rolling from your tummy to your back (this was a huge accomplishment this month)
• Cut your first 2 teeth, at the same time (bottom center)
  
• Eating baby food and loving it- haven't found anything you don't like yet!
• Nursing every 2-3 hours
• Drinking a 6 oz bottle when Nana & your daddy keep you (you just bumped up to 6 oz this week)
• Weigh about 19lbs (going to the dr in a week and a half and will know for sure then)
• Starting to get separation anxiety from me on the days I work. Part of me hates knowing you are sad but it also makes me feel so loved and adored by you!
• Your fingers are always in your mouth
• You love your binky now
• Sitting by yourself for long periods of time
• Love your exersaucer
• Grabbing things with both right and left hands. Neither seems dominant at this time.
  
• Becoming very interested in cell phones and TV remote
• Not a consistent napper, some days longer then others, some days not at all
• I try to get you to take a nap around 9:30, 12:30, & 4:30
  
• Go to bed by 8:30 every night
• Still sleeping in our room with mommy and daddy at night but napping in your room
• Your favorite toys are your rattle, keys, soft book that crinkles, & books that play music
• You love to sit in Pop's lap and make faces and noises back at each other

Caden Andrew, I fall more in love with you every single day. You have become such a happy baby. You laugh and giggle and your smile can light up a room. I often have people stop to look at you when we are out and comment on how cute you are and it makes my heart so happy. You love to be in public and go places. Your Nana and I joke that you don't want to take naps because you may miss something while you're asleep! You give big, wet sloppy kisses and I love each and every one! You grab mine and daddy's face and pull us close to you often. We love being close to you, and holding you, and cuddling with you. You are truly a joy. God has blessed us in so many ways. I look forward to watching you continue to grow and learn new things but I cherish this season in your life as well. I love you sweet boy. Always and forever, XOXO- Mommy

Mommy Monday

Matt usually keeps Caden on Monday while I go to work, but he had class today so I stayed home with my little man. The day started out pretty good. We went grocery shopping and ran some errands in Palestine but Caden got really fussy on the way home. I knew he was probably tired, so the plan was to come home and put him down for a nap. Caden had a different idea though.
Caden has decided, and has told me in no certain words, that he no longer takes naps. Which makes for a very cranky baby and a very tired mama. (Disclaimer... I really do put clothes on my baby, but after a diaper blow-out and a crying baby, I didn't have the energy to put clothes on him just yet)

We are also having eating issues to add to the crankiness today. Since we started feeding him baby food I have noticed that his cheeks get very red and warm to the touch. They look very blotchy. So I have wondered if it has something to do with the weather changes or a food allergy. So we did rice cereal instead. And when he finishes his last bite of food he is not a happy baby! I am almost positive he would eat as much as I will feed him.

Also, I have been wondering lately if I am making enough milk to fill Caden up, and am beginning to think I am not. So, I ended up having to give him a bottle of formula and I was devastated. It was definitely more traumatic on me then on Caden. I know this may sound silly but in a way I felt like I wasn't able to provide for him like he needs. Yes, I know, that is being a little dramatic, but it was how I felt in the moment.

I finally gave in and swaddled him and he took a short nap, for about 45 minutes, but that was better then no nap at all I guess. But I still had a very fussy baby on my hands the remainder of the day. And it didn't help that I accidentally bonked his head on the doorway walking in to a dark room. I am pretty sure the neighbors heard him wailing! (He may have gotten his dramatic side from his mom... possibly!)

Needless to say, we were both so happy when daddy walked through the door this evening! So, this was a disastrous day in the life of me, but we will all make it and tomorrow is a new day!

Blessed

I know I already posted tonight but I have so much on my mind and since Matt isn't here I thought I'd just get my thoughts down. I feel like I say all the time how extremely lucky I feel. I have a handsome, supportive, Godly husband and a son who absolutely lights up my life. And sometimes when I sit and really think about my life and everyone in it I feel like it is so surreal.

Tonight when I was getting Caden ready for bed I needed to throw a diaper away and put his clothes in his dirty clothes hamper I had him on my hip as I was walking around getting that done and looked down and thought "I can't believe I am so lucky to have all of this". Sure, I have days when I get frustrated and am cranky and tired. But I wouldn't trade those days for anything. It is part of life. And I love that little boy and feel so extremely blessed to call him mine. He looks at me with total adoration and I feel the same way about him. I fall in love with him more and more every day.

On the days I work things can get really stressful and exhausting, especially after being on my feet all day but when I walk through that door and love on my sweet boys and hear him giggle then everything is suddenly worth it. People told me having a child would bring a love I've never known but I never understood the depth of that statement until I laid eyes on him. I have never felt so protective over anything in my life. And to think, my amazing God feels the same way about me.

When he rolled over today I was so excited, partly because I was beginning to worry that it was taking him so long, and also because it is an exciting step to healthy growth and development. But there was that small part of me that felt sad for an instant because he is growing so fast!

Slow down, my precious lovebug, I want to savor every single moment of you!

OCD much??

If anyone knew me when I was in high school you would know I wasn't the cleanest person ever. Not that I was dirty but I didn't care if my room was a mess or if I had clothes all over. I only made my bed because my mom made me. Then when I moved out and went to college I started keeping things a little neater, I guess mainly because there wasn't anyone to pick up after me. But now I am almost positive I have a little OCD. I want things in place at all times. I cannot function knowing my bed is not made, and I feel like there are toys every where!! Since having Caden I am definitely having to try to loosen up a little! But I can promise you at the end of every day once Caden is asleep I have all toys put up in his toy basket, his play mat folded and in it's place and his exersaucer put up against the wall. At least I can sleep knowing my house is clean!

Caden and I had so much fun today! He hasn't been taking good naps lately but he made up for it today. He slept until 10!! And this mama even got to sleep until 9:30. Once he woke up we played and I decided to attempt a photo session! I am not a good photographer though, but I try my best!As soon as he realized the tree was behind him he wanted to grab and pull at everything in reach! But the little stinker will not smile for a camera!
He will be all giggles and smiles but once the camera is up he is such a serious little guy.
And ladies and gentlemen... Caden is offically a roller!! He finally rolled from him tummy to his back after his nap! I was so excited and he looked at me like I was crazy when I got so excited! He rolled 3 times for me today but I am sure it is only a matter of time before he is rolling all over! It's tough work getting that chubby body around!

Matt has been out of town this week but is coming back tomorrow. We can't wait to show him Caden's new trick! Plus it will be nice having daddy home!

Teething and giggles

The title may sound a little strange, because we certainly did not have many giggles when Caden was trying to break his first 2 teeth... but we did it! And we all survived! And now my little guy has 2 teeth, bottom center. And man are they sharp!!!


He is also doing very well with solid foods. We have tried sweet potatoes, carrots, and now on to squash. And the boy cannot get enough! He gets so excited when he see's his bowl coming towards him! He doesn't have all those rolls for nothing!! I feel very blessed to have such a good little eater.

And he loves bath time more and more! I could just eat him up when I see that sweet little chubby body!

Caden has also started doing so well sitting up! I am not brave enough to leave him sitting by himself away from me but he sits all by himself a lot lately. Then he'll turn his head back toward me and smile so big! I fall more in love with that smile every single day. And he has started laughing and giggling. I love it! Sometimes it is hard to believe he was such a fussy baby when he was just a month or two old.We had family pictures taken with Matt's family over Thanksgiving so I wanted to add a few of my favorites. It was such a cold day so we had to hurry. I guess I'm that over protective mom who doesn't want her baby out in the cold for very long!! The longer we go without an ear infection, the better!

Happy Thanksgiving

I could tell from the moment Caden woke up this morning that he was not feeling good. Poor guy has had a rough time between his cold and his tooth coming through. He took a really good nap this morning and then headed to my parents house for lunch. We also tried baby food for the first time and he loved it!I'm new to all this so I have no idea how much I am supposed to feed him and someone said let him eat and he'll let you know when he is full, but this person obviously doesn't know my son. Evidently he loves to eat, or at least loves sweet potatoes!!
After lunch we headed home for another nap and then went to Matt's parents house for dinner. Matt had to work tonight but he came by on his way to work to get some goodies to get him through the night! We sure do miss him the nights he works!! Matt's grandma was also there so it was nice to get to spend some time with her.We have had a viral infection/cold going through our household for the past 2 weeks and unfortunately Hunie caught it too so she wasn't feeling too great tonight and didn't get to hug and love on Caden like she wanted. Hopefully she'll feel better soon so she can get her Caden fix!
And once Caden and I got home tonight we went back to my parents for some hot chocolate and I took some of the cutest pictures of my dad and Caden. I know I've said this before, but, I love watching the 2 of them interact!This little guy melts my heart!

5 months

These last 5 months have been the best and most trying months of my life. I have fallen in love in a way I never knew was possible. Caden is no longer a "newborn" but definitely all baby! His smile can light up a room and definitely melts my heart every single time I see it. I heard some lyrics in a song a few days ago that brought tears to my eyes, it said "minutes turn to days and I wish that I could slow it down." That is exactly how I feel. I want to cherish every single memory and moment! Caden is my "chunk of love" and absolutely the light of my life!Caden Andrew, at 5 months you are:

• In size 3 diapers (you just went up a size this week)
• Wearing some 3-6 month clothes but mainly 6-9 month
  
• Size 2-3 shoes
• about 19lbs- which is why you are my chunk of love!
  
• Taking naps in your crip & sleeping on your tummy!
• usually take 3 naps a day anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours
  
• Still sleeping in your bouncer at night
  
• No longer hating tummy time
• Almost rolling over but can't quite make it all the way on your own yet
• Breastfeeding and eating every 3 hours
• Still only drinking 4.5oz bottles when given
  
• Waking up once during the night
  
• Go to bed at 8:30 every night
  
• Just started baby food today, you ate sweet potatoes and loved it!
• Getting more and more interested in your exersaucer but your little legs barely touch the floor
• Have discovered your toys on your car seat and play with them wherever we go
• Still love music
  
• Very vocal, you talk and squeal to me all day long
• Your fingers are in your mouth all day long and you drool a lot!
  
• Cutting your first tooth & it has almost broke through!
• Give big wet open mouth kisses all the time!

My sweet Caden, When I rock you at night I watch you sleep and thank God for giving me you. I feel like the luckiest mommy ever to have such a sweet little boy. You give me the sweetest smiles at night when you wake up and it makes it impossible to not smile and want to scoop you up and hold you the rest of the night. We have survived your first cold and it broke my heart to know you weren't feeling good. But we cuddled and rocked more then ever. You are growing up so fast and I want to soak every single moment. I love you Caden Andrew. Thank you for bringing such joy to my life and for the big wet kisses and smiles that melt my heart every single day. I love you, XOXO, Mommy

Happy Anniversary

Matt and I celebrated our first anniversary on Sunday. It has been an amazing year and I am so thankful to have such an amazing husband. My mom offered to keep Caden all night so we could go out and not worry about needing to get home at any certain time. Matt and I went to Tyler to eat and do some shopping and Caden had a blast hanging out with Nana and Pop! I sure did miss him though! I almost called my mom at 3am to check on him because I couldn't sleep. But I am sure she is very thankful I decided to skip that phone call and go back to sleep!

We have also survived Caden's first cold... well almost. He seems to be feeling better today. But it has been a rough week around the Kerr household. I came down with a cold about a week and a half ago, then Matt got sick a few days later and then Caden. The poor thing was so stuffy. It's a miserable feeling. But we are all starting to get better. Now if only I can better at taking pictures on a regular basis!

Play date & bath tubs

Thursday evening my friend Cassie and her daughter came over to play with Caden and I. Caden hasn't been around too many kids so he didn't seem too impressed with his friend at first but I really think he did enjoy her being here. Paislee was so sweet to him and brought him his own Christmas sock monkey! We also decided to be creative and make Thanksgiving crafts.
We started out puttling gold paint on their hands and pressed their hands around a green Christmas ornament and made a "turkey". I can honestly say it is was easier said then done. By the time we got Caden's done both of his hands were covered in paint. It was on his face, arms, legs and in his hair! And it was all over me too!
Unfortunately I don't have a picture of the finished product yet but I will post that soon!
Caden has so much fun playing and being entertained the whole time that he passed out face first into his toys and thankfully his sock monkey was there to catch his fall. And he has NEVER fallen asleep playing before! Miss Paislee needs to come over to play more often!

Also, since Caden was born we have swaddled him (which if I have another baby I am not sure I will do that again) and Caden wouldn't sleep any other way. He had to be swaddled or be held. That was it. But over the past few days he has slowly started taking longer and longer naps on his tummy. Praise Jesus!! I was really beginning to think he was going to be swaddled until he was 10!

He has also fallen in love... with his pacifier. And it is bittersweet for me. It is nice to have to calm him down and help him go to sleep but I don't like being dependent on it, which is happening very fast!I just love his overalls in the above pictures so I thought I'd throw them in! The day we found out I was having a boy my dad bought Caden 2 outfits and this was one of them. Pop was actually the first to buy Caden clothes!
And finally... we got Caden a new bath tub and he loves it!! He splashed and squealed the whole time! Who wouldn't love to take a bath in a big inflatable duck?!?!

Tongue & Toes!

I love all the new things Caden has started doing. He recently discovered his tongue. And I can promise you that it is out of his mouth 75% of our day. And every time I try to get a picture of him sticking it out he puts it right back in and smiles! That little stinker! He has also discovered his feet and if he is laying on his back then he is holding on to his feet. I am just waiting for the day that his feet will be in his mouth but as of now I think his belly is a little too big to let that happen!

We have also decreased the amount of time we sleep. By a lot! Caden and I have regular conversations about the importance of 8-10 hours a sleep at night plus 2 good naps during the day but Caden just doesn't seen this as a priority like I do!

I feel so blessed to be able to only work part time and stay home with Caden some during the week. I love my days at home with him. I love having him by my side throughout the day whether I am cooking or folding laundry or cleaning. We just bring his play mat from room to room and we talk and giggle all day! And he is the best shopping buddy at wal-mart! He has been fussier then normal lately but I think he may have a tooth trying to come through. Poor little guy! He drools so much and all the time. When we got to wal-mart yesterday he had fallen asleep on the way and had drool coming out of his mouth onto his shirt onto the car seat strap. That is some goooood sleep!

I took a lot of pictures yesterday but I don't have my camera with me to upload them but hopefully I will make the time this weekend to update on our latest adventures!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!!

It was an interesting weekend. For some reason, Caden woke up every 3 hours during the night 4 nights in a row, and would not take good naps during the day. Needless to say, I had a very fussy and cranky boy on my hands. And to be completely honest, this mama was pretty cranky also. I was exhausted and feeling completely overwhelmed because Matt was working so it was just me 24 hours a day trying to maintain my household and my sanity. And while I am being honest, I will admit to a minor little break down Monday evening once Matt got home. Poor Matt. But he was a trooper and let me cry and helped me out as much as he could.But with that being said, I did not work on Monday so that gave Caden and I some extra time together. We got up that morning and went grocery shopping. I got freaked out by a man (probably in his late 50's) that came up to us while we were picking out apples and started talking to Caden. Then he asked me if he could kiss him. Hello? Umm... no. I practically ran to check out so I could get the heck out of there!

After my meltdown we headed to FBC Elkhart for the Great Pumpkin Party, and how fitting it was to take my sweet little pumpkin, oh and Caden came too! Matt and I had so much fun getting him dressed for his 1st Halloween outing. I am not a big fan of Halloween, I never really dressed up as a child, but we thought it would be fun to take Caden and show him off. Pop gave red wagon rides to the kids but Caden wasn't quite big enough so he got a front seat ride in Pop's lap! He really enjoyed the first 10 seconds... then that face of complete horror came and he started wailing! It was actually pretty funny and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to cuddle with him while he calmed down!

Today has been a great day. I don't know about other mom's but there are days when I feel like I am a frazzled mess and other days I feel like super mom & wife. Today is one of those days. Caden slept all night and after feeding him at 6am went back to sleep until 9:30. I even got to sleep until 9 and then Matt made breakfast for us before he went to sleep for the day. I have gotten 4 loads of laundry done, folded and put up, ran some errands and went to visit Pop at work, came home and made chicken spaghetti and have it cooking in the crock pot and Caden is sleeping. Whew. And amazingly enough, I still have some energy!I love days like this when I feel accomplished! Caden and I have also been working on tummy time and he is doing better! He is so close to rolling over! We'll keep practicing! And he is the biggest helper with laundry! All the fresh and clean laundry goes straight to his mouth and is covered in drool! I hope Matt doesn't mind those drool stains all over his clothes!