Flower

My first non-dandelion flower from Caden.

Conversation with Caden

Caden and I were looking through a "Learn to Draw" book today that my mom had given him for his birthday.  I found a page where he scribbled a little on a flower.  He's been pretty good lately with not scribbling.  This is the conversation that took place:

Me:  Caden, what happened here?

Caden:  Oh, I think I did that when I was three.

Me:  You got the book for your 4th birthday.

Caden:  I think I turned into a 3 year old when I was doing that.

He has an explanation for everything!

Almost 4 Years

Well, we almost made it 4 whole years without Caden getting a stomach bug and actually getting sicker than a cold. Luckily this seems to just be a one day thing. He's just three weeks shy of turning 4. We consider ourselves very lucky!

100 Bowls + Potato Soup Recipe

We learned last night that Caden understands exaggeration. We were having soup and salad for supper, so of course everyone had two bowls each. After putting all the bowls on the table, Caden said, "Mom, why do we have a hundred bowls on the table?" Jason and I just had to laugh. He's a quick one!

On another note...here's the recipe for the potato soup we were having. Abby ate it all, but Caden just picked at it. My mom found it in a recent Guideposts issue, but you can also find it online:

http://www.guideposts.org/recipes/recipes-ednas-scalloped-potato-soup

Long Lashes

Caden told me the other day that a girl at preschool asked him if he was wearing stuff on his eyelashes to make them look long. I asked him what he said to her, and he said he just laughed.

Caden-made Jewelry

This is my first piece of Caden-made jewelry. He made it in church last Sunday for me. I thought I'd better take a picture of it before it breaks...for the 3rd time.

Caden Update

It's been a while since I've mentioned what Caden's been up to...so here we go:
- He's taking naps every once in a great while now, but he still has a "rest" time in his room where he has to stay there until his CD stops playing (about 40 min.). It works really well...if he stays in his room. In the picture above, he came down stairs after the music was off, joined his dad for football, and you can see the end result. Football puts me to sleep too :)
- Last month, when we had the hurricane winds, he said, "Wow, it's really winding out there!"
- Today he was singing I've Been Working on the Railroad and at the end he sang, "strumming on the old man Joe" rather than "strumming on the old banjo". I got a good laugh out of that one.
- He has trouble with some prefixes...in his mind lots of words begin with "a". So if you ask him where something is, he'll say "ahind" rather than "behind" or "apposed" instead of "supposed". He also has trouble with will + not = won't. He often says, "willn't".
- His favorite past time is still either tearing or cutting paper. He will still sit for a long time doing this...it's so nice! He does enjoy coloring a lot too.
- He had a rough period of about 2 weeks where he was crying/screaming before preschool, and then stopping about 2 min. after I'd leave. It was rough for all of us. Friday was good though...hopefully next we will be good too!
- He's still good at making us all laugh...the things he comes up with sometimes!
Again, there is so much more, so I'll have to think about it...

Dry Underwear Day #1

We are very happy and excited to say that Caden had his first dry underwear in the morning this morning. He has been potty trained during the day for awhile but overnight has been tough. Then all of a sudden he was waking up with dry Pull-Ups for 6 days in a row. Yea! Something finally clicked :) We will be celebrating with Dry Underwear Day #1 muffins (not to be confused with Dry Trainer Day #3 - different flavor).

On Cue

Yesterday Abby was "talking" while in her high chair waiting for me to get her food around. She had a few toys tucked down next to her, under her tray. Caden was also sitting at the table and said, "She (actually he said "her" - we need to still work on that) needs a toy." Then, on cue, she reached down, picked up a block and held it above her head! These two really keep me laughing.

Tricycle

Caden is finally tall enough to reach the pedals on his tricycle and strong enough to push himself! I knew he grew this summer, but I didn't realize how much until he fit his bike perfectly. Sorry I don't have pictures; I didn't think to take my camera along (shocker - I know!) He's so proud of himself.

The Letter B

Caden officially has a favorite letter, the letter "B".  We're not sure why it's his favorite or how it came to be, but he will tell you when asked, "The letter B is my favorite letter in the alphabet."  I'm thinking it's because it's his last initial, but I'm not positive.  The other day he walked into the kitchen and said he lost his letter B.  I took the magnet off the fridge with the letter B on it, and he said, "Oh, thanks" and walked away with it.  He's funny.

"Hand" Made Art

Caden noticed our new art as soon as he came down from his nap.

This is what he has been working on this summer with his finger paints.  He did a great job!

 

Potty Training Update

Today was Caden's first full day with "Big Boy Underwear". I don't want to jinx it, but he did very well today (only 1 accident). Fingers crossed for many more good days!

Potty Training

It's been about a month that we've been doing some serious potty training wearing only "trainers" during the day. Surprisingly it's going well (I really hope I didn't just jinx us by saying that). This morning was the second dry overnight diaper - still using those just in case. It's been quite amusing to say the least. When he says, "I have to go to the potty!" Jason and I drop what we are doing and we all run for the bathroom which is a little tight for 3 people. I've been enjoying watching Jason move so quickly, especially in the morning when Caden first wakes up :) We keep telling Caden that everyone is so proud of him, so now he says the Quaker Oats guy is, "so proud of me" along with the frogs on my pj's and some of his toys. He says the funniest things sometimes too. I hope it continues to go well.

Toy Story 3

Yesterday, Caden went to see his first movie at the theaters, Toy Story 3, with his Nana and Papa. I wasn't sure that he would sit through the whole thing, but they said he was perfect. We've been watching Toy Story and Toy Story 2 since they've been on lately, and he really enjoys them too. I'm glad he had such a good time! The only thing he really said about the movie was that it was loud.

Big Boy Bed Update

Today was Caden's 4th morning in his big boy bed. I'm happy/shocked to say that when we get him up in the morning, he's still in bed! The same goes for his nap. It's like he thinks he can't get out until we come in...like it was in his crib. It's OK with us that he thinks this way :) I'm sure it won't last.

My Mother's Day

I had a nice, relaxing Mother's Day this past Sunday. We got Subway for dinner since I hadn't really eaten cold meat in about 9 months. It was soooo good!

Caden colored his card from him and Abby for me. Here he is actually coloring cards for Mammy, GG, and Nana (which they have yet to receive - oops!)

Me and my girl.

An attempt at getting a picture of the 3 of us.

Another try...

OK...good enough.

Caden and Abby posing with my card.

I think I heard, "Happy Mother's Day, Mom" at least 50 times that day...so sweet! He said, "love you" right after Jason turned the camera off.

"Really Cool Car"

Our very generous neighbors gave Caden yet another toy their son has outgrown...a battery powered Hummer. Caden loves just sitting in it and playing. They had also given us a helmet that's a little big, but we still use it for when he's in his "really cool car."

Jason had it charged, but he ended up pushing since Caden didn't quite get the hang of stepping on the pedal.

Cousins

Aunt Ju-Ju, Chris, Matt, Cori, and Katie came to meet Abigail this past Saturday. The girls are thrilled that we had a girl, and Matt is happy her name doesn't start with a "C" or "K" like his siblings and other cousins :)

I love the look on Caden's face whenever his cousins are here playing with everything. He just takes it all in.

Cori, Chris, and Abby

Matt and Abby

Katie and Abby

Cori and Abby

Boy...being passed around to everyone while asleep is just exhausting work! She literally slept the whole time they were here.

Caden passed out after they left.

Bryce's Visit

My Aunt April, cousin, Amy, and her son, Bryce, came to visit us this past Thursday. Bryce is about 5 weeks older than Abby is. It was really nice having them over. It was fun comparing the size of the babies. Caden kept calling him "Logan" which was the name we had picked out for a boy (and I didn't think we talked about it that much!).

Bryce has the best hair...a natural Mohawk! It was hard getting a clear picture without the flash.

Of course Caden had to hold Bryce.

What a cutie.

At first Abby was amused...

then she had enough! The only time Bryce cried was when he was hungry...which was when we were taking the picture.

Hanging out.

More size comparisons.

Caden got in on the picture taking too...and got bopped on the nose :)

Now they are all smiles.