Here's Me!

I'm here, I'm here!

I know it has been a ridiculously long time since I have updated the blog - but I have a good reason! See, we have been working on finishing our basement! And, although I did not do much of the work myself, I was only able to do anything at all while Caden was sleeping. And since that's when I usually update the blog, nothing got posted ya see.

But, don't you worry, because I'm back! Why? Because our basement is (mostly) D-O-N-E!! I'll spare you the gorey details, but just know that it took a lot of work, time, and help from our friends and family.

Pretty much, our basement went from looking like this...

to this...

and then...

and finally, this...

We LOVE the new basement! We added on a family room, bedroom, bathroom, and office for JZ. The carpet was installed today (drama there, don't ask!), and although there is no furniture anywhere yet, Caden P doesn't seem to mind...

We turned JZ's old office into a playroom.

Yeah, the toys have a new home!!

See why I've been so busy?!? Caden is still doing so well. He is growing up so fast, right before our eyes. He definately is more of a toddler than a baby now (sniff, sniff). He is still our same old boy though...

"Helpful"
Into EVERYTHING

Smart

And oh so handsome!

I keep telling people that I'd like to freeze time right now. He is at such a fun stage! He is able to interact and play with us, communicate more, but still naps. Love it! At 17 months, Caden...

• has over a dozen words that we consistently recognize. His favorites are, "dis!" which means "this" and is used to tell me what he wants ("This!" Thanks, that is so helpful when you're just standing there pointing) and "oughts" which means out. And in. And on. And off. Pretty much he uses it to go through a door (out and in is tricky!) and to turn a light switch off and on. He also knows the signs for "more", "all done", "please", "milk", and "water". He's even beginning to put two words or signs together to form short sentences.
• still loves his yellow blanket and all things Barney.
• thinks all dogs are named Belle and all animals make the same sound - "Roar!" Lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes - you name it, it roars!
• pushes his cars around the house yelling, "Vroom, vroom!" and now Daddy has taught him to make a squealing sound too (like tires). So now he says, "Vroom, vroom, screech!"
• claps everytime he sees football or baseball on TV and loves to watch Dancing with the Stars with me (lots of music and clapping).
• sleeps 11.5-12 hours a night and takes one 2.5-3 hour nap a day.
• is doing better with his stranger anxiety. He no longer cries when I take him to the nursery at church or at MOPS. Ok, he cries when I drop him off, but he stops before I've even left the hallway!
• likes to cheers his sippy cup a million times every meal.
• hates the highchair and vegetables. He loves meat, cheese, and fruit.

Seriously, this kiddo is so stinkin' cute and fun! He's getting so big, so fast, and we're having the best time with him!!

Whew, that was quite an update! I promise to do better from here on out!