Pumpkin Patch

We made our annual trip to a local pumpkin patch, but this time we found a silly ol' bear hanging out in the pumpkins!

Stay tuned for more Halloween fun with our little goblin!

First Trip to the Beach

I think this is it...you have survived my numerous posts about our trip to FL!

Another first for Caden was a trip to the beach to put his tiny toes in the sand and the ocean. My parents live about 15 min. away from a small beach. It was a little windy and cool, but we still had fun introducing him to sand and water. As with all new things, he didn't smile, didn't cry, just studied it all and took it all in.

No one can beach-it on an empty stomach!

Toes in the sand

Checking out the seagulls

Toes in the Gulf of Mexico

Here is a video of Caden in the ocean for the first time. He is performing his new trick, jump, jump, jumping!

We had such a wonderful time in Florida! Vacations are different when you have a little one, but they are still such fun - this one was made even more special because we were able to watch Caden experience so many firsts. Just a few of many more new experiences for this little guy - good or bad, we're determined to let him experience everything he can!

First Swim

I warned you that this was going to be a lengthy update! Aren't you glad I divided it into several posts?!?

Caden also went swimming for the first time in Grammy and Papa's pool. Since I'm pretty sure I'm part mermaid, I couldn't wait to get Cades into the pool. He also loves his baths and I was hoping he would love the pool too. Success!

Here are some pictures of us swimming

He is actually kicking and moving towards me in his float. JZ is not moving him at all, he is just making sure he doesn't topple over



When it got a little chilly, we were able to get into the hot tub and warm up

After swimming, nothing feels better then getting that wet bathing suit off and hanging out. Literally. I have lots of other pictures that actually show his cute little bum, but I think there are rules about that now. I am holding onto them until his prom or wedding. :)

After all that exercise one must take a nap! Can you spot Caden? He's hiding in the crook of my arm.

Meeting the "Greats"

One of our main reasons for the trip to Florida (besides the sun and fun) was to introduce Caden to his "Greats" - Great Grandma, Great Auntie Beth, and Great Uncle Kerry (he had already met Great Aunt Mia and Great Uncle Doug in July). We didn't get to spend nearly enough time with them, but we had fun while we were there!

Caden checkin' out pretty Great Grandma Brazil

Is there a better way to get acquainted with Beth and Kerry than to grab noses?!?

"Check this out Kerry, isn't it cool?"

And finally, here is the picture I have been waiting for. We have gotten lots of 4 generation pictures with JZ's family, and I have been dying for one on my side too. Yeah!!!

We had a great time visiting the "Greats" and can't wait until we go back in February to spend a little more time with them. I've suggested they start baby proofing now. Guess who will be crawling by then - trust me, he's already pulling his knees up underneath him. He can't get mobile fast enough!

A Week of Firsts

I know it has been a long time since I blogged, but I have a good reason - we have been on vacation! JZ, Caden, and I went to Florida to visit my mom, dad, grandma, aunts, and uncles. We had a fantastic time and Caden experienced lots of firsts.

In an effort to not bore you to death with what would undoubtedly be the longest post in history, I am going to divide my recap of our trip into several posts - full of lots of stories and pictures. So here is part one...

First Airplane Ride

Here is Caden getting ready for his first airplane ride. Can you see his onesie? It says, "Going to Grandmas." It was too big, but I put him in it anyway - it was just too appropriate!

Cades was an excellent traveler! He ate during take off and then went to sleep right away. He woke up in the middle of the flight and it required just a little walking of the aisle to put him back to sleep. He woke up right as we began descending and ate again. Perfect! Now, the trip home was another story. He didn't just cry, he SCREAMED for a good hour and a half of the flight. Was he tired? Hungry? Did his ears hurt? Were Mars and Jupiter lined up? Who knows, but he was mad! We walked, we bounced, we swaddled, we fed. Nothing worked. By the end of the flight we were getting lots of sympathetic looks and one of the flight attendants offered to buy me a glass of wine. Were we ever glad to get home!

Anyway, back to the fun stuff...

Papa meeting us at the airport

When we got to Grammy and Papa's house, Caden realized that Grammy had rented a exersaucer just like the one he has at home. He was so excited because he knew how everything worked!

Grammy also got an inflatable bathtub for C. He loved this one as much as the one at home. His favorite part was the bill that quacked when you squeezed it.

We also enjoyed the beautiful, sunny FL sunshine. Here are Caden and Grammy getting ready for a walk around the block

The three of us definitely got spoiled while we were there. Grammy and Papa took lots of Caden duty, and JZ and I were able to catch up on LOTS of sleep. Grammy even took the 5 am wake up call (that's his new trick these days. Wake up at 5 to see if it is time to wake up yet, get a snuggle, and then go back to bed for a few hours. Not a game I enjoy, but Grammy loved every minute of it). With four of us taking care of one little guy, he very rarely cried or fussed with out being held, fed, or entertained immediately. The schedule went out the window and we just had fun. That's what vacations are for!

JZ still had to work, but he got to do it sitting by the pool. Here, coffee breaks turn into swim breaks!

My favorite part of the trip was seeing how close Caden and my parents became. It had been about 3 weeks since they had seen him, and will be another 6 before they see him again, and they soaked up every minute of their time with him. He is really getting fun and will laugh and interact with us now.

Here is Papa and his "side kick."

I think that's it for now. Stay tuned for more of Caden's firsts...

My Favorite Time of Day

My favorite time of the day is bathtime. Caden LOVES his bath - the water and the naked time! He would spend hours kicking and splashing in the tub if we would let him.

Here he is playing on the bathroom floor while I am getting his bath ready

Here he is in the tub

Wanna come in Dad?

Afterwards, one must check out the handsome kiddo in the mirror

Now he's explaining to his new friend that it is time for a bedtime snack and night-night

And now that Caden is asleep, it's time for me to go night-night too!

Guess Who's Five Months Old

Yep, this cute, smiley little guy!

Now that Caden is 5 months, he can:

* roll from his back to his tummy. He actually started doing this last month, but he is getting GOOD at it now. Here is a video of him doing it - notice how he is wearing his Rockies gear. It is ROCKTOBER after all!

Now, I'm looking forward to him rolling from back to tummy to back again. He hasn't quite gotten the hang of that yet, and he still doesn't love to be on his tummy. That means that he will roll to his tummy and then get mad. One night, between 4:30 and 6:30 am (can that really be considered night?!?) I rolled him back over 7 times. Fun!

* grab his feet and put them in mouth

* sleep through the night (mostly. When can you officially say that they REALLY never get up?!?). That is 11 hours - hallelujah!

* eat solid foods. He loves oatmeal, carrots, and green beans. He does not enjoy rice cereal or peas. I think we'll try squash next.

* splash in the tub. He still LOVES baths and likes to kick and play in the water. He also really enjoys being naked (he gets that from his daddy, not me!) so bath time is big fun around here. I can't wait to take him swimming in my parent's pool when we go to Florida next week.

* giggle, giggle, giggle. Add in smiles and a little flirting - we have a charmer on our hands!

* make vowel sounds. I's, o's and a's are his favorite. Sometimes we swear he says "hi," and once when the lights on his play gym turned off he said, "uh oh." Ok, it SOUNDS like that.

* make everyone he meets fall in love with him. This kiddo is a sweet, smiley, snugly love bug!

Harley

Last week Caden's Nana and Grandpa K went to Wisconsin to visit family. While they were there they went to the Harley Davidson Museum (Grandpa K is an avid Harley rider and has a beautiful bike that he can't wait to get Caden on!). They brought back Caden's first Harley gear. Now all we need is a teeny-tiny helmet and he's ready to ride!

Hmm...might need some chaps on that little bum!

Gap Baby

I have entered Caden is the annual Gap Baby search for the newest (and cutest) face - that, and a lot of really cool prizes.

If you have a few extra minutes, click on this link

http://family.go.com/gapcastingcall/entries/lzahrte/#vote/699666170

and vote for Caden Z.

You do have to register in order to vote and you only get to vote once every 24 hours. I think C would make an excellent Gap Baby, but the other prizes are even better!

Jammin'

Caden's newest hobby is listening to his Daddy and Papa jam ("Slappin' the bass" they call it). One night we strapped him into his highchair and then rolled him out to the living room so he could listen to the big boys play. I think we may have a future guitar player on our hands!