LOL & other fun sounds

I thought this was a guaranteed laugh...but...all you need is an empty paper towel roll and someone's head; your own head works well. Then just take the roll and bop the head. Most of the time, it'll get a laugh!

Caden has also recently started just laughing out loud at nothing really. The other day he was sitting in his highchair and just laughed. Then yesterday while eating dinner with my family, he just started laughing - his G Pap would sometimes be the cause of that. The funniest time was last night in the middle of nursing. He must have been thinking of something funny? Maybe when I bopped Daddy on the head with a paper towel roll.

After mastering "da-da", Caden has been working on "ma-ma" - music to my ears! He doesn't relate it with us yet, but it's a start! He also likes to make clicking sounds with his tongue. He was having a "conversation" with his Grandma yesterday. They both got a kick out of it!

Wishbone

Jason and I just made wishes on the wishbone and pulled. At first it bent and didn't snap until I really pulled. I got the bigger piece...will my wish will come true? :)

Thanksgiving - Part 2

Today was my first Thanksgiving...well at least the first one I cooked. I was up at 5, and the 13.5 lb. turkey was in the oven by 6:45 and out around 11. My mom, sister, grandma, and pappy all came over for the day. Here's what the day looked like:

Caden's Grandma made it just in time for cereal while Aunt Erin watched. Look at that face!
He now knows that there's usually a flash with a picture...so I think that is the reason for the face? He really does like cereal!

After getting dressed, Caden's GG read his Snowman book to him. I wonder what song they're singing :)

While Caden was eating, Daddy was carving the first turkey I ever did on my own. It turned out really well, if you ask me!

Sitting down, enjoying dinner.

We ate while Caden watched.

Caden loves his G Pap (who turned 88 on Nov. 10th)! During dinner, if Caden would fuss, all Pappy had to do was look at him and Caden would laugh. My grandma said that Pappy was one of my favorite people when I was a baby too.

Caden with G Pap and GG.

Thanksgiving - Part 1

Our actual Thanksgiving Day was spent at Nana and Papa's where we had chicken for dinner. (Caden had turkey :)
Caden and his Aunt Missy (in from MI). It didn't take him long to warm up to her.

"Umm...Mom...I don't think a snowman should be bigger than me!"
I hope this doesn't mean he'll cry with Santa!

Caden gracefully sliding off his toy while playing with Papa. As you can see...they're all ready for Christmas!

It's a Girl!

Welcome to the world Annalise Oliva!

This beautiful little girl was born 11/22/08 (her due date!) at 11:49pm to a friend of mine from school, Marisa.

She is 9 lbs. 3 oz. and 21.5 inches long!

Congratulations Marisa and Stan!

Flashback to...

Labor Day (the actual day). We were just hanging out on the deck having dinner on our card table...no patio furniture at the time!

Flashback to...

Labor Day (actually the day before). We decided to take a trip to Nay Aug Park to see the treehouse. It was such a beautiful day!

SIDS Update

Another thanks to Parent's magazine and my mom who saw this on the news. I just read where having a fan on in your baby's room to circulate air may significantly reduce the risk of SIDS. A ceiling fan, a desk fan, forced-air heating, or even an open window can help.

Laundry Day

Laundry Day is a lot more fun when you have an 8 month old "helping" you! One of his new favorite things to do is grab and toss towels, his clothes, diapers, etc.

Talents

I guess talents run in the family...Caden can read upside down...Jason can paint (see below)...I can...um...I'm going to have to think about this one! :)

Upside Down

Caden can read upside down! Who knew?

Book Club

I first mentioned the GBMC last month (click on the letters to go back). The newest additions to this book club are:

Jingle Bells illustrated by Veronica Vasylenko (from Grandma)

The Story of Christmas by Patricia A. Pingry (from Aunt Erin)

Thanks Grandma and Aunt Erin! The books are great, but I LOVE this red envelope they came in! Mom says it's never too early to start celebrating Christmas! - Love Caden

8 Months Old

8 simple words to describe our complex little boy:

Adorable

Curious

Determined

Energetic

Happy

Loving

Playful

Sweet

We love you Caden! - Mom and Dad

Cheap Toys

I mentioned before how much Caden loves his plastic lids/containers, spatula, dish towels, etc. Now we can add cardboard box lid to the "Cheap Toys" list. So to answer your question, Mom, yes, I think Caden would be very happy with a cardboard box for Christmas!

Cheeks and Teeth

Too bad his eyes are closed, but it's still a cute one of his chubby cheeks and front teeth. Whenever we go out, people are always saying, "He's a big boy!" Yes, he is!

Standing Tall

Here are a few shots of my little guy standing tall (Happy now Mrs. Splane? :). It is now his favorite thing to do. He will try to pull himself up on anything. It really makes nap time fun because he'd rather be standing than sleeping. Diaper changes are so much easier though...it's much easier to do on a standing baby than a crawling away baby. He learns new tricks...so does his mommy!

He loves his little activity table that was given to us from a teacher at Bloomsburg, thanks Jason. He'd rather lean across the table though and play with the things on the other side, rather that what's in front of him. Does that mean he'll be one of those "The grass is always greener on the other side" people?

We took our little trip to the library yesterday. I thought I'd try to teach him early not to bite, but that's not working very well (poor coffee table). Reviews coming soon.

Kids Say

Yesterday, at the end of our little walk around the development (one of our favorite things to do together), I stopped at our mailbox to pick up the mail. I had Caden attached to me in the carrier and a little neighbor boy, I'd say around 3 or 4 said, "Look! The mailman has a new baby!" I can't wait to hear the cute things Caden is going to say some day!

Update - Caden is now pulling himself up on anything and standing! He uses the crib, coffee table, toy box, basket, me...whatever is around. I'll be hopefully posting pictures soon of that.

Thanks Grandma and Aunt Erin for the Halloween card that sings - I love it! I just hold it open and stare at it. It's even fun to shake! - Love, Caden

Flashback to...

August 23 at Nikki and Chad's House. Every year in August, a good friend of mine from college, Nikki, has a little Bloom U reunion. This year there was a pretty good turn out! It was great getting together and seeing everyone again. Our numbers went up due to all the babies there this year :)

Caden enjoying the shade

Caden & Kari

Side note: Kari is due to have her little baby on Dec. 5th.

Renee & son, Callen

Ali & daughter, Alexandra

The gang + kids - Ali, Alex, Sawyer, Kari, Callen, Renee, Mary Lou, Lindsey, Melissa, Jenny

Adelyn, Nikki, Eli, Caden, and me

(I hope I spelled everyone's name correctly)

Caden's 1st Halloween

Caden's first Halloween began with a trip to Daddy's school so that he could walk in the parade with Daddy. Caden was actually part of the costume...Daddy was a Lion Rescuer. Then while playing, I was able to get a tail and feet shot. The fun-filled day ended with some quality time with his very own pumpkin. Caden's Nana came over for the evening to see the approximately 50 Halloweeners that stopped by, not bad.

Jason and I carved the pumpkins on Wed. evening. We figured it has been around 20 years since he's done that, but who knew I had to guide him every step of the way! I thought he knew to cut the hole around the stem big enough to get his hand in...