Ketchup

A little game of "ketchup" today....
(if you were in 1st grade, you would think that was FUNNY!)

What have we been up to?

We'll call this one "helping"

Having playdates - these are Caden's friends Sophia and Ayden Sidwell. They just turned a year in Jan. Everyone is still in their jammies because we had a breakfast playdate.

Exploring the world and getting into everything. I don't have pictures of that because he's too fast these days.

And just for fun - here is what happens when Daddy is in charge...

I think they're both supposed to be napping, but it looks like only Daddy is catching some ZZZ's. Daddy's arms sure are comfortable though!

We've also been doing some traveling, more on that to come...

How Do You Spell Cute?

C...

...A...

...D...

...E...

...N!

What's that spell?

Caden, Caden, Caden!

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Yesterday, Caden turned 9 months old - on the same day that I turned 32 (years, that is)! I tried to find a sticker for me to wear, but they don't go up that high. So instead you'll just have to settle for Caden by himself.

Today I took him for his 9 month check up. Here are the results of our visit - the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The Good

Caden is growing! He is now:

19.9 pounds (30% - seriously?!?)

28.5 inches (55%)

Head circumference - 18 in (60%)

She also noticed that that his bottom gums are very swollen and she expects a tooth to pop through the bottom anytime now. She thinks the top ones are still a ways out, but the bottoms one(s) should be here anytime.

The Bad

While is Caden is growing like a weed, and his motor skills are doing well, the doctor is a little concerned about some of his other development. She seems a little worried about some of the things he's not doing in the areas of communication, problem solving, and something else I can't think of right now - things like knowing I'm "mama", waving bye-bye, handing me a toy when I ask for it, and trying to get a Cheerio that's inside of a bottle. She thinks he's fine, but just to be on the safe side, she's referring him to Early Intervention Colorado. Eventually, if necessary, we may take him in for a more in-depth evaluation. They'll check his hearing, eyesight, and determine whether he really has some developmental delays or whether he just didn't like performing the tasks I was asking him to do or if we were too hard on him when we were filling out the evaluation. Maybe I marked "sometimes" when I should have marked "yes?" Maybe his problem-solving abilities are fine, he just doesn't try to get the Cheerio out of the bottle because he is distracted by trying to eat the bottle?

She also recommended that we take him to an eye doctor to check out his eyes. He has a rather large bridge (that's from me!) and it's hard to tell if both of his eyes are tracking the same because his bridge gets in the way!

We also have to go back in in a month for a growth check. The size of Caden's head has grown significantly since 6 months (it increased by 30%) and she wants to make sure that it doesn't continue to grow that rapidly. So...the plan is that in a month we'll go back in, check his head size, discuss his development, and then (hopefully!) laugh that we even thought he was delayed!

The Ugly

Well, that's what I looked like on my way home. I was doing, as Oprah calls it, the "ugly cry."

I know he's going to be fine. Even the doctor said she's sure he's fine. He's happy, smiley, and social. She said that the kiddo described on the questionnaire I filled out and the one she saw crawling around her office were not the same. In my heart, I know he's perfect, but still...no one wants to hear that their baby isn't perfect.

One day he'll be graduating from Harvard and I'll be laughing about this!

Slow Down!

I knew the milestones were coming fast and furiously, but this is a little much for a new mommy! Yesterday, when I went to get Caden up from his afternoon nap, this is how he greeted me:


Yup, that's Mr. Caden STANDING up in his crib. It won't be long before he is running all over this place. It makes me want to yell, "Slow down!!" What happened to my baby?!?

What a Difference a Week Makes!

Wow, what a week! I'm sure you are all wondering why I haven't updated the blog lately (riiiight!). It's because my little guy is now doing this...

...and this...

...and this

(see him heading for the plant?!? Stinker!)

I'm pretty sure that it was just a little over a week ago that he began crawling. Now, he is into everything and going everywhere. He spends his day chasing Belle...

...and playing with his new favorite toy, the door stop!

When we get tired of chasing him around, we lock him up - sometimes in the doorway jumper, sometimes in the exersaucer, and sometimes in the laundry basket.

Caden's tricks and milestones are coming fast and furiously now. He babbles incessantly, and last week even said, "Dada!" JZ had just walked in the door and he said, "Hi Cade!" Caden looked at him and yelled, "Dada!" Where is the love for Mama?!?

C has also learned to clap. It's pretty cute (if you ask me!), so here is a video of said trick

Caden has always thought his Daddy was the best, but it was confirmed this week when Daddy shared his popsicle.

He didn't particularly love the popsicle, but the cold sleeve felt great on his sore little gums!

Whew, I'm exhausted! Not only am I chasing Caden everywhere, but the computer can't be left out. He loves to push and buttons, pull on the cord, and heads straight for the socket. I'm flashing back to a time that he would just lay still on the floor, and I used to say, "I can't wait for him to be able to move!" What was I thinking?!? Who wants us to come visit? We'll bring our own baby gates!

**UPDATE** 'member how I told you that Caden is getting into EVERYTHING these days? Well, here's what happened a mere minutes ago. JZ and I were cleaning up lunch and C was rolling around on the floor (God forbid we stay in our highchair once lunch is finished, nope we've got things to do!). We had turned our backs for a second and turned back around to see this...

Yup, that's a soaking wet Caden next to Belle's water dish. He thought that looked like big fun. JZ immediately grabbed a towel and I immediately grabbed my camera. You're welcome!

Watch Out World...

...he's mobile!

In Memory

What a week this has been! On Saturday morning we learned that Jeremy's beloved grandpa had been admitted into a local hospice. He had been receiving home hospice care as he waged a ten year war against cancer. The cancer had taken over his body and he was in excruciating pain. Once the staff was able to finally make him comfortable, he quietly slipped into an unresponsive state and never regained conciseness. That evening (less than 12 hours after he walked himself into the hospice!) he peacefully went to Heaven. Over the last few weeks he told us he was ready. He wanted God to take him home. That evening he got his wish and went on his terms, his way. Just like he lived his life.

Most of Jeremy's extended family was able to come for the funeral on Wednesday. We were able to give him the beautiful, classy, and meaningful sendoff that he deserved. His lifelong friends, co-workers, grandchildren, daughters, and wife were able to share their favorite memories of Gramps. There were lots of tears, but also lots of laughs and smiles.

Gramps was a wonderful man. Ornery as anything, but also hard working, devoted, loyal, and honest. I'm sad that he will not be here to watch Caden grow up and that he'll never remember Gramps, but I'm grateful for the 8 months that Caden had with him. I'm thankful that just 3 weeks ago, Gramps was able to participate in Caden's dedication at church. He was in a lot of pain that day, but he was determined to be there.

I'm grateful for the 16 years that I knew him (that's 50% of my life!) and that the family allowed me to be a part of his celebration. When I said goodbye to him in the hospice I promised him that I would love his oldest grandson as much as he had loved Gram (I always knew they had quite a love story, but I have learned WAY more over the last few days!) and I would raise his newest great grandson to be as hardworking, loyal, and kind as he was.

We miss you Gramps! Here are a few of my favorite pictures of Gramps and Caden.