So many firsts...

This year has started off with Caden learning and doing lots of new things. It seems like every day has been something new.
He started eating in his high chair and it was a bittersweet moment for me. I realized he really is growing up. He didn't seem as much of a baby to me as a little boy. And he still loves his food! So far sweet peas are the only thing he didn't seem to like very much but he kept eating... he just made an awful face every single bite!


After conversations with Shelly & Valerie I realized it was time to increase the amount of "food" Caden was eating. So we started rice cereal in the morning and evening and he is eating a whole container of stage 1 baby food in the afternoon. He has been doing really well with out new schedule and has seemed a lot happier having his belly full! We have also started him snacking on the puffs and mum-mums, especially to keep him occupied while Matt and I are trying to eat. He hasn't quite mastered the art of picking up a puff and putting it in his mouth but he sure does try!We also decided to try out our shopping cart cover on our weekly trip to Wal-mart and he loved it! He is so curious so he loved being able to see everything around him! He was definitely a happy boy! (And at the time I wasn't sure how to put on the cover correctly so I do realize now it was on upside down! Ha! I'll know better next time!)We went to the doctor today for Caden's 6 month well-check and shots. Have I mentioned that I HATE SHOTS!!! And it is just so sad when he is so happy and laughing and playing and in an instant that changes. But I do love the cuddle time with him after. He did pretty well afterward but by tonight was running a low fever. I am hoping my little man will feel better when he wakes up in the morning, or this may be a long night for this mama. But either way, I have a healthy little boy and that is all that matters!

Dr. Ricard said he looks great and is weighing in at 20lbs and is 27 inches tall. She said that is around the 84th percentile. She has also taken him off of one of his reflux medications so it seems that is getting better too! I am so thankful for my sweet baby every day but some days I am just so in love with being a mommy to that little boy and today was one of those days. I am reminded how lucky I am.

When we got home today we were having tummy time and Caden got his little hiney up in the air and was trying so hard to scoot forward to grab my phone that was on the floor in front of him. I have a feeling crawling is in our near future so I am going to try and get as much rest as I can now! I have a feeling once he starting getting mobile I will be one tired mama!

And finally, Matt's mom, "Hunie" came over to play with Caden one day last week and I finally remembered to take a picture and I thought it was just too cute so I wanted to post it! Now if only I could get him to smile for a camera!

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!