4 months

I am a little late in posting this but I was having some issues getting pictures and still didn't have quite the photo session I was hoping for. So... that is on the to do list for the weekend! Caden is growing like crazy! He is not the little baby he once was. He is so much fun and doing more and more fun things every day. He makes me smile and laugh a little more every day!


Caden, at 4 months you are:

• Weighing 18lbs 11oz
• 24 and 1/2 inches tall
• Wearing some 3-6 months clothes but mostly 6-9 months
• Size 2 shoes
• Size 2 diapers
  
• Still nursing but when with Nana or your daddy take a bottle of breastmilk, 4.5 ounces per bottle
• Eating every 3-4 hours
• Eating rice cereal before bedtime- you love it!
• On 2 medications for acid reflux and seem to be feeling much better
  
• Going to bed between 8:30 - 9:00
• Inconsistent with sleep- some nights you sleep all night and other times you wake up once or twice. There doesn't seem to be any pattern as to why you wake up.
• Taking several "power naps" a day but do not normally sleep more then an hour at a time.
• Still sleeping in your bouncer in our room
  
• Your fingers are constantly in your mouth and you are drooling a lot!
  
• Still hate tummy time!
• Starting to squeal when you are excited
• Love to pull mommy & daddy's face close to your face and give big wet kisses
• Smiling & talking a lot, you are a happy baby most of the time!
• Have stolen mommy's heart more then ever

Caden, These past 4 months have flown by. When I have a chance to sit and be still, I am in awe of you and my love for you. I feel like the luckiest mommy in the world. Your smile can brighten any day and your laugh brings me such joy. We are often stopped by complete strangers in public remarking about how absolutely adorable you are and it makes me smile so big. I look forward to the coming month and am excited about the new things you will start doing, but I am also enjoying every single day we are on. Don't grow too fast sweet boy, I want to savor every moment! I love you, XOXO, Mommy

Shop Shop Shop

Caden slept so good last night! I put him down at 9 and he did not wake up until 7 this morning and even then, I woke him up! Some may ask why I would wake up a sleeping baby, but, he has been so hard to get on a regular schedule so I make sure to start every day at the same time. And I am so thankful he slept so good because we had a busy busy day planned.

We went to Tyler to go Christmas shopping with Matt's mom and Caden did so good! And we did some serious shopping! I got stopped frequently by random people telling me how cute Caden is. I love that! People look amazed when they find out he is only 4 months old! I guess those chubby little cheeks and legs can be deceiving! Phylesa and I shopped til we dropped at the mall and then it was off to Academy. Since having Caden I definitely have to pace myself. The days are gone where I spent my entire day in Tyler but he did extremely well the time we were there.

As soon as we got home I fed him and we got to see Matt for about 15 minutes and then he was off to work. Caden and I played on his play mat for a little while and then got a phone call reminding me about a surprise birthday party for a friend so we were off again. It was good to see Holly and some other friends I haven't seen in awhile. And so glad they got to love on my sweet boy! The funniest moment was when Cody looked at me so serious and said he was worried that little Caden wasn't getting enough to eat! What a funny guy?!?

Once we got home from the party my parents were home from their mini-vacation in Winnie so we went straight to their house so they could love on their little buddy. Boy did Caden and I miss them while they were gone?!?! And I think the feeling was pretty mutual!

So, we finally got home to stay just in time to feed Caden and get him to bed. He was asleep in 10 minutes flat. He was one tired little boy!

And, wouldn't you know, with all of our excitement and busyness today, I didn't get one single picture?!?

Ouch

I am almost positive my baby is going through a growth spurt. The sweet little guy can't seem to eat enough and he has also been very fussy the last few days, which, for the most part had gotten much much better over the past month. But the fussiness comes and goes throughout the day. He has also started going to bed earlier the past few days. It is so true when they say as soon as you get used to something and a routine down then everything changes. I am having to learn to be much more flexible.

Caden and I went on an adventure to the vet with my parents yesterday. I try not to stay home all day long too much. Caden likes to get out and see things! So off we went. And had so much fun! He did great! He doesn't seem to notice my parents dogs yet but I'm sure one day in the near future they are going to wish he didn't notice them! I have a feeling by this time next year he will be chasing them around all over!

I also had my last wisdom tooth pulled yesterday and this one didn't go quite as smoothly as the last. I have been hurting ever since it was done with a massive headache. Thank goodness for my parents and mother-in-law who helped me out with Caden last night.

Phases

What a week?!? It has been a bittersweet week. Monday morning before I went to work, my neighbor and "grandma" passed away at her home. She has lived across the street from my parents since my mom was pregnant with me. She has literally watched me grow up every day and has been such a sweet person in my life. I am so thankful she got to meet and love on Caden and she will surely be missed. The walk to my parents house just isn't the same.Because of her funeral I was able to stay home with Caden an extra day this week. And since my parents and I were at the funeral, I had to find someone to watch Caden for that hour. My friends Donna and Doni gladly accepted and when I went to pick him up he was all smiles and it was obvious he had been spoiled rotten for the time I was away. And I love it! I love when my friends love on my little man and I am so glad he has great people in his life!

We also went back to the doctor this week because Caden is still spitting up a lot and having some stomach issues so they added another medicine and I really hope it will start working. It makes me so sad to know my baby doesn't feel good.

And we started giving him a little cereal at night so he will have something thicker in his tummy before bedtime. He seemed to really like it! And it was all over him! I know I say this all the time but I am so in love with this little boy!

Caden has also recently fell in love with his lovie! He gets so excited and squeals when I give it to him and he hugs it and puts the bears ear in his mouth. He is a happy happy boy! I had to wash it today while he was napping and thank goodness it was dry right at the time he woke up so he wasn't without it for long! We are currently trying to think of a catchy name for it, it is his first favorite thing and that is pretty special!This morning Caden was in the nursery but halfway through church one of the workers came to get me and said "your baby hates the world and everyone in it right now!" I got there as fast as I could. I think he just missed his mommy because as soon as I got him and started rocking him, he was all cuddles and smiles. So we will try again next week!

Tonight I am cooking Matt's favorite meal, lasagna, and we are spending some much needed time together as a family. I love Sunday nights with my 2 boys!!

Smile for the camera

We had a busy and eventful day yesterday! From the moment we woke up we hit the ground running without much time to rest. We had errands to run and then a friend of mine from church is starting her photography business out of her home and was doing fall/Halloween pictures as a fundraiser for her upcoming trip to Haiti, so we jumped at the chance.
I am not the best photographer but want to get pictures of Caden, especially since he changes so fast. But I don't want to pay a lot of money for that very same reason. So this was a win/win situation. We got a cd with over 80 pictures on it and I can't pick a favorite, they are all so good!! He has been such a happy baby lately and all giggles and smiles but when someone is standing in front of him with a camera he becomes the most serious baby! We did manage to get a few grins though!

This morning we left Caden in the nursery for the first time. It was a bittersweet moment. He did wonderful and I am so so glad my friend Valerie was working in there today to take good care of him. And it was so nice to be able to worship and focus on the service but I did miss my little man!As soon as we got home from church Matt went to sleep and as soon as he wakes up we are going to grill! I can't wait! I cherish my Sunday nights at home with my favorite guys!!

Love...

I love when Caden begins to wake up in the mornings and I look down at him and he looks up at me and then gives me a big smile. I love that when I am carrying him around he holds on tight to my neck and when he is getting tired he nuzzles his face into the curve of my neck. I love that he watches me wherever I go, whether he is on my bed playing, on his play mat, or in his swing, he will strain his neck to watch me.

I love how when he is getting hungry or extremely tired he cries and it sounds just like "mama mama mama" Maybe he isn't really saying mama and associating it as me being his mom but it sounds just like he is saying it! I love the way he looks deep into my eyes when I am rocking him and will stare for a long time. It's a bond like no other I have ever had. And I love when I am rocking him at bedtime that he stares at me and then grins so big like he is the happiest baby ever! I love watching him sleep and smile in his sleep. I wonder if he is dreaming and if so what do babies dream about? I love watching him sleep. It makes me want to hold him all night.


Most of all, I love being a mommy to this little boy. I am so glad God chose me.

Like father like son

I feel like I say this all the time, but this has been a busy week! I love that Caden gets to stay home with Matt on Monday's and they get that time together. They come see me at work every Monday and Tuesday during lunch so Caden can eat and I think Matt enjoys getting out of the house. I will admit though, I always wonder what Caden is going to be wearing. But on Monday I was pleasantly surprised!My brother is a huge sports person, especially basketball. And since he had all girls he let Caden borrow his "baby j's" and I have been looking forward to Caden growing into them! I sent Daniel this picture as soon as I saw him! He is one proud Uncle D!Since Caden has been born all I hear is how much Caden looks like Matt, and I will admit this is a true statement. But this week people finally started saying they are starting to see me in him! Whew... I loved hearing that! Don't get me wrong, I think his daddy is pretty handsome but I love hearing "there is no denying he is your son" I just love that little boy!Lately at night after we read his story and I am rocking him I just stare at him and fall more in love. He is the sweetest little thing and his smile can light up a room! Now if only I can get him to start smiling for the camera!!