1 year!!

Caden turned 1 year old on Saturday. This has been the most challenging yet most incredible year of my life. This little boy has brought so much joy and I have fallen in love in a way I never knew was possible.

I love sitting back and watching him play and interact. I love the way he gets so excited when his daddy gets home from work and he just hangs all over him while he is taking off all of his stuff. I love that as soon as Caden hears his bath water running he takes off and stands by the bathtub and squeals until we put him in the water. I love that he is so affectionate and gives big open mouth kisses all day long!!

Caden has never met a stranger. He will go to anyone, and I'm not sure that is always a good thing. He has such a sweet disposition and is still very sensitive. I am hoping he will toughen up a little with age! And he loves other kids! He plays a little rough, he likes to grab little girls pigtails and ponytails, but he does it to be affectionate! We are working on teaching him to play sweet!

Caden, at 1 year you are:

• weighing 25.5lbs
• 29 inches tall
• Wearing Size 4 diapers (pampers are our favorite)
• Wearing mostly 18-24 month clothes but still wear a few 12 month stuff
• Size 5 shoes
• Have 7 teeth and currently cutting 2 more
• walking EVERYWHERE!! and starting to run!

• completely weaned from nursing 2 weeks ago
• Drinking 2 6oz bottles a day. One before your nap and one at bedtime. We will start switching from a bottle to a sippy cup this week 
• Have tried switching over to whole milk and even 2% but it upsets your tummy. We are in the process of working with Dr. Ricard on what to try next.
• Still love your binky. It is reserved only for nap time and bedtime
• Normally taking 1 nap a day around 12:30 lasting anywhere from 2-3 hours
• Go to bed around 8:30 and wake up anywhere from 7:30-8:30 the next morning. You very rarely wake up during the night.
• Saying dad, dada, mama, and Nana

• Are becoming all boy! You like to bang on things with anything you can find!
• You favorite toys right now are toy cars with the race track, your ball,telephone, and anything that play music!! You love to dance!
• You take Elmo with you anytime you ride in the car
• If we go on a car ride for longer then 20 minutes you normally fall asleep

• The absolute joy of my life and have stolen this mama's heart!

My sweet Caden, I couldn't imagined how the first year of your life would be. You have stolen my heart every single day, multiple times a day. The moment I heard you cry I became a different person. My life and my choices are no longer about me, but about you and what is best for you. You have such a captivating smile and your laugh melts my heart every day. Your daddy and I love you more then you will ever know. This first year has been amazing and we cannot wait to watch you grow and learn more in the coming months and years. My prayer is that you keep your sweet spirit and grow to love Jesus. Daddy and I love you sweet boy. XOXO- Mommy

Super mommy

Today has been very productive. And lately I have felt those days are very few and far between. I'm not sure if everyone feels like this at times, but there are days when I feel like an absolute terrible mommy to that precious little boy God gave me. Then I have days like today and feel, at least, a little better about myself.

With Caden's birthday quickly approaching, I have been very busy trying to get everything perfect, um, I mean ready. (He does only turns 1 once!!) I have also had to work more lately due to being extra busy and being short handed. This hasn't left me with any spare time. And to add to the busyness and stress I have been feeling, Caden is sick. Again. This time though, we aren't sure what is wrong yet.

We spent yesterday afternoon at the doctor and she had to run some cultures so we'll have a diagnosis soon, but in the meantime I am trying to help my little guy feel better. His poor tummy has been hurting him so bad and within 10-15 minutes of eating it is coming straight out, if you know what I mean. And this mommy has a pretty weak stomach. I can handle needles in eyes all day long but when it comes to poop, I am almost a goner. Especially chunky, with his food partially whole!! I have changed many diapers lately gagging my way through! And you can only imagine what it was like trying to scoop some into a cup to take to his doctor!! Needless to say, this mommy didn't eat dinner last night!

But I absolutely love Caden's doctor and nurses. They are so so so good with him. She explains things so well and even gave me her cell phone number if I have any questions. She very patiently explained to me yesterday that most likely, due to all of the antibiotics he has been on since January for RSV and then multiple ear infections, that it just wiped out all of the good bacteria in his tummy so now everything upsets his tummy. Praise Jesus he loves Pedialyte! Once we get culture results back we will be on the road to recovery but until then I can only treat symptoms. But thank goodness he isn't contagious!!

Also, Caden has been sleeping through the night consistently for 6 weeks but last night I had to wake him up during the night to change his diaper due to a nasty diaper rash. I couldn't believe I was waking my sleeping baby!!! I am praying he doesn't get back into that routine! This morning my poor guy felt absolutely rotten. And I had a looooooong list of things to get done. But we spent the morning cuddling and rocking and playing for a few minutes every now and then. Once I got him down for his nap I took off. I have successfully washed and changed 3 sets of sheets, done 5 loads of laundry, cleaned bathrooms, kitchen, organized our guest room, and dusted the entire house. I feel like super mom for sure!! And since he's still sleeping I found the time to update my blog.

Finally, last night Caden found one of his birthday presents and decided he'd play with it!! He doesn't care if it is still in the box or not! I sure am in love with this little boy and his chubby little rolls!

More and more fun

We have been busy little bee's lately but I have thankfully remembered to grab the camera and get some pictures of my sweet little guy. It seems like every single month I find myself saying "this has been my favorite month with Caden so far" and now we are only 1 week away from his 1st birthday. This is definitely a bittersweet occasion for me. I find myself rocking Caden a little longer then normal at night and holding and cuddling with him a little longer every morning, simply because I know he will not always want me rocking him to sleep. I cherish this time and am trying to savor every single minute. But enough of that, I'm already starting to tear up just thinking about it!!

Caden has suddenly become very interested in Elmo! He has a big elmo pillow that he hugs really tight and shrieks whenever he see's it. I was at walmart a couple of weeks ago and saw a mini elmo on clearance so I had to get it!. He loves it and takes it with him whenever he is riding in the car! One morning this week Matt knew Caden was awake when he heard elmo saying "Give Elmo a great big hug!!" and then Caden started laughing!!

I also found a very good distraction for Caden when I am getting ready in the morning!! Daddy mowing! Caden would run back and forth between the front door and back window!! He was entertained and squealing every time his dad would drive by!

I also have a water baby on my hands!! This child loves loves loves water and loves playing in it!! And I'll admit I love his little swimsuits and his belly hanging over it!!

 

 I couldn't capture the next picture at the perfect moment but Caden now tries to drink the water from the water faucet while taking a bath!! One thing is certain, he is not scared of the water coming down at all!!

This next picture is a little blurry but my little boy has a head full of curls!! We get compliments everywhere we go!! I know his daddy won't let me keep them forever so we are enjoying them right now!!

And finally just showing some love with mom and dad. We sure are crazy about this little boy!!

Memorial Day

Memorial Day was a busy day but the entire day spent with family! Matt and I were both off work as well as my parents so we decided to venture out and go to Tyler for some shopping and good food!

It is rare that all five of us get together at the same time with my dad and Matt's work schedules so we thoroughly enjoyed the company. And Caden seemed pretty happy about it as well.

 We took Caden to Toy's R Us and let him pick out some things for his upcoming birthday & he seemed really excited! Almost like he knew exactly what we were doing!

Once we got home we stayed home about 30 minutes then were off to Matt's parents house where his grandparents were also, and we had a cook out and Caden got to swim for a little while!

 Caden absolutely loves water and swimming! We had fun toys for him to play with but his favorite was a spoon! Silly boy!

Needless to say, we were all so tired when we got home and Caden was asleep within 5 minutes!! Have I mentioned that I love my little family??

11 months

I'm a few days late but finally sitting down to post about Caden turning 11 months!! Wow! I cannot believe in just 4 short weeks we will be celebrating his 1st birthday. This is definitely a bittersweet time. I love watching Caden grow and learn new things but I am a little sad that my "baby" is growing up. I haven't had a chance to take and edit 11 month pictures but I did grab the camera for some fun stuff over the last few days.

He is daddy's biggest fan and biggest helper!!

Caden has the sweetest little personality, and it is coming out more and more every day. He is also very sensitive, and he gets his feelings hurt easily. He is always on the go and doesn't like to sit still for long! And he loves being outside!!

Caden at 11 months you are:

Approximately 26lbs

Wearing some 12 month clothes but mostly 18-24 month

Size 4 shoes but quickly approaching size 5

Size 4 diapers

Only nursing morning and night and in the process of weaning from that

1 6oz bottle of formula around mid-afternoon before your nap

For the most part only taking 1 nap a day anywhere from 2-3 hours

Sleeping through the night most nights!! Bedtime is usually 8:30 and you normally wake up around 7:45 to 8

Sleeping and napping with your binky (hoping to break this soon!)

You love to cuddle in the mornings

Eating 3 meals a day. Some breakfast favorites are oatmeal and yogurt, & waffles. Lunch times favorites are mac and cheese with vegetables and cheese ravoli. You also love love love string cheese! You eat whatever mommy and daddy and having for dinner.

You love your sippy cup and juice. Which is still 1/4 juice and 3/4 water

You have 7 teeth with 1 more trying to come through

You have a language all your own but consistent words are dada and dog. You will only say mama if you are upset

You shake your head no all the time!

Pucker your lips to everyone you see! Even the water in the bathtub!

Giving high fives

Your hair is getting curly and mama loves it!

Have started walking!! You have a walk around toy you go everywhere with all day long, but have made it across the room a few times! You get so excited that you usually fall over and start crawling but when I am not looking I see you venture further and further!

You are absolutely the light of my life!

My sweet Caden, My love grows for you more and more every day. I think I cannot possibly love you more and then I fall more in love the next morning when you wake up and reach out for me to pick you up. I have found myself rocking you longer for naps and at bedtime simply because I love the way you fit in my arms and I love watching you sleep. I know you will not always want me to rock you so I cherish every single opportunity I have. You sweet smile and laugh bring so much joy to your daddy and I. You, sweet boy, are the best gift I have ever received. I love you. XOXO~ Mommy

Mother's Day and other excitement

I have really slacked on my blogging lately. I have also not taken very many pictures over the past 2 weeks. It seems the older Caden is getting the busier we get. I am making a promise to myself to get better about both!

Last Sunday was my first Mother's Day having my baby in my arms and not my tummy! What a special day it was!! Matt got me such a sweet card from him and then a separate one from Caden. He also got me a sweet Willow Tree figurine of a mommy with a baby. He knows the way to my heart! We enjoyed the day as a family!

Last week seemed to be fast and furious! Matt had an incredibly busy week at work as did I. For the first time since Matt and I have been together I was very fearful for his job and his life. I honestly had a day of praying without ceasing. Matt had a very big drug bust and I knew all the details of what this was going to entail, and I prayed like crazy. God was so faithful to answer my prayers and keep everyone involved safe.

Friday morning Caden has a follow up appointment from his surgery and everything looks great!! He did so well with his surgery and has seemed so happy since! And he sleeps through the night 90% of the time! This makes for a happy mommy and baby! He still occasionally wakes up needing some snuggle time but I don't mind too much :)

Then Caden and I set off for a day of shopping with my friend Heather and had a blast! Caden loves getting out of the house and also loves the attention he gets whenever we go shopping!

Caden seems to be changing and doing something more every single day. I know I say this often but I fall in love with my little guy more and more every day. He now puckers his lips and makes a kissy face, and he does this all the time! It's adorable! But still gives wide open mouth wet kisses! He is a very sensitive little guy. If he falls down, he cries and cries. It hurts his feelings when I sternly tell him "no" so he cries and cries some more. He still does not say many words but he has a language all his own! And he is starting to walk! He took 10 steps last night but then got excited and sat down!! When I look out of the corner of my eye I see him taking steps to get to things but when I watch and coax him he just gets too excited to walk! So he sits down and claps instead!

I knew being a mom would be the hardest job of my life but also the most rewarding. I never imagined the little ways my life would change. I love every single minute of it. I cannot believe that I am starting to plan his 1st birthday party and I'll admit, it brings some tears to my eyes!

2nd Chance Prom

Our church hosted a "Second Chance Prom" last night for a fundraiser to help send some people from our church to Haiti for a mission trip. Matt and I had an absolute blast!! But, before we left, we dressed Caden up in his best t-shirt and tie for a picture!!

It was so fun to get dressed up and go out for a few hours. We had dinner served to us and even got a "prom" picture taken! 

And then a couple of hours of dancing. Don't be fooled by the pictures... we have some serious moves!!

Some of our closest friends were there and we had such a ball! 

These 3 guys are all on the same shift together at the PD. When the 3 of them get together then we can guarantee some laughs!

I was exhausted when we got home. I didn't realize how out of shape I was until a couple of hours of dancing and wearing heels!! Needless to say I am one sore girl today! But it was well worth it! A night dancing with my sweet man is worth a little pain! Now if I can go beg for a foot massage....