Meltdown Monday

Don't ask me what made me think to capture your latest meltdown on camera tonight. I promise that I didn't try to upset you just so I could catch it on film, but a part of me thought- well, it is important to capture all sides of you on this blog so that one day you can have a good laugh. Tonight Dad was at work and we had the night to ourselves. After dinner we watched your first Christmas movies- The Mickey Mouse Christmas Carol, and Frosty the Snowman. I am pretty sure I enjoyed it more than you did, but as usual you loved the music. After the movies, we went upstairs to put your laundry away and that is when it happened. You LOVE to throw around newly folded laundry. Tonight I tried to teach you how to help put it into your drawer. Needless to say, you weren't having it. The camera happened to be in your room at the time, so lucky you- here's your first tantrum on camera. You are usually sweet, happy, funny, and charming, but once in awhile you get what your dad and I affectionately call "demon baby syndrome." After you cried and threw everything you could find on the floor, it was over and you were off to the pots and pans. Although we miss dad while he's working and would much rather prefer to spend every night together, there is something that I love about our nights alone. You are quite entertaining and it's only getting better. I love you.

Trick or Treat '09

Halloween night '09 was one to remember. Dad and I were geared up to bring you trick or treating for your very first time. We weren't sure what to expect, but you must have had it in your mind that you were going to enjoy yourself. It was a beautiful night- a little cold, but no rain, which is good because kangaroo's don't like rain :) At 6:00 you helped hand out candy. When the kids came to the door you got really excited. Before they could ring the door bell you were jumping up and down waving to them. A few minutes into it, I bent down and asked you if you wanted to go get some candy and without any hesitation you said "yeah". So we bundled up and put you into your costume. We thought you'd fight us because you still hate having your diaper and clothes changed. To our surprise you seemed to love getting dressed up and never once tried to remove your hood. You were the cutest kangaroo on the planet. Nana and Papa came over to watch you head out on your first Halloween and the cameras were flashing. We lasted about a block and a half and about 30 minutes. You LOVED running around and seeing all of the kids passing by on the sidewalks in their costumes. I joked with dad that it seemed like you "enjoyed the social aspect of trick or treating." You waved and said "hi" to everyone we saw. To no surprise you also checked out all the cars parked on the streets as we walked since cars and "gucks" seem to be your #1 interest. You were a little nervous when it was time to get candy at the doors so Dad and I took turns carrying you. When we returned home Dad and I agreed that it wouldn't be right to send you to bed without a taste of candy from your bucket. I looked inside and decided to see if you truly are your mother's son and share my love of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Well, you took one little bite and said "yuuuuuummmmm." The rest was history. Thanks for a great first experience trick or treating as a parent!

Summer 09

16 Months old and Lovin' Life- well, you sure seem to be. Running is your new way of getting around. Never a dull moment at our house. This summer has truly been a lot of fun with you! You love water, but definitely prefer a sprinkler to a pool. Dad and I took you to the kiddie pool the other day and you loved the fountain-hated the deep end. Today you had two major events take place- your first time sitting in your pool and your first time chasing down the ice cream truck (with my help of course :). What was your first treat? Bugs Bunny ice cream and let me tell you- you loved it. I barely even saw the thing. After that, it was bath time without a doubt. Here are some or your favorite things at 16 months;

• Favorite Ride: red wagon, cozy coup car, and your green four wheeler, even though you're afraid to turn it on.
• You're happiest when.....you're outside doing anything! The first thing you do every morning is walk over to the patio door and cry until let out .
• Latest words: "Bubbles" Bye, Bye" "no, no" "All Done"
• Activities this summer: Minnesota zoo, the Aquarium at MOA, Lifetime pool, Maple Grove Days parade, Lake Mille Lacs, Lifetime pool, family bike rides, Sophie's 2nd Birthday party with the moon bounce.
• Favorite things to do with Dad: ride on the lawn mower or "trucka." Sit and play in Daddy's big truck!
• Favorite things to do with Mommy: Roller blade/stroller rides, anything with water.
• Favorite foods at 16 mos: spaghetti, peaches, oatmeal, hamburgers.

You continue to show your independance everyday, but Dad and I have to admit that a few times this past month we've called eachother on our way to work after one of us had dropped you off and felt good that you sometimes lately seem to miss us and get sad before we leave you for the day. That sounds pretty funny, but you do such a great job adapting to people and places that we sometimes wonder if you'd miss us (hahaha). We love you, Cade. This has proved to be a great summer so far.

First Book

Cade, I am so excited. I had to add this quick update to your blog. Tonight for the very first time you let me ready you a story book. What I mean is that you didn't try to squirm off my lap and down my legs, you actually let me read to you. Our first book: "I will always love you." Now, the reason this is such a big event is that we have been trying to read to you since we first brought you home from the hospital and have had no luck. You have all of these great books that I have only read the first few pages of each of them leaving me to wonder how any of them end :). We made it through all ten pages and you pointed at the bears in the pictures. After we finished I turned your light off and put you to bed without a bottle for the first time ever. You are sleeping peacefully and have given me the perfect ending to a great day! Love you and please remember not to grow up too quick!

You took your first steps at daycare on April 14th. It was only three steps, but Daddy and I were sorry that we missed them. Therefore the next day we tried nonstop to get you to walk for us. Around 3:00pm I was sitting on the floor with you at Nana and Papa's house and you walked for us for the first time. How exciting. We scared you with our cheers, but I think you were proud. Today you took about 13 steps. You like to carry your big truck with you for balance. You are so much fun. Now at 13 months you are starting to practice your independence and we are starting to see a stubborn side or a temper at times (where on Earth did you get this from? :) Despite that, you are still a very happy baby overall and I really think that you are the favorite at daycare (hehehe). Love you!

My 1st Birthday and More

Dear Cade,
I feel really bad that I have fallen behind in your blog lately. I think it is due to my new job and the fact that nowadays keeping up with you makes me pretty tired by your 8:00 bedtime.....however, Dad and I are loving your latest achievements- more about that later.
About two weeks ago, we celebrated your first birthday. We had a party at our house. Grandma and Grandpa Reimer, Grandpa and Grandma Cox, Auntie Jamie, Uncle Mark, Sophie, Uncle Mike, Great-Grandpa Reimer, Doris, Bonnie and Bill Nelson all came to watch you tear open your birthday presents and more importantly your first cake! We ordered a Sesame Street cake for your guests from the Cake Box (mom's fave) and had your very own baby chocolate cake loaded with chocolate frosting! When we sang "happy birthday" to you, you didn't know quite what to think. After a few odd stares our way, you started to clap and laugh along. Surprisingly, you went easy on the cake at first. Then I stepped in and cut up some small pieces for you......the rest was history. You loved your first taste of sweets and probably wondered why mom and dad didn't take it away and let you enjoy. You had a great day and by 7:30 pm, the "birthday boy" had had enough and went to bed. The entire day, Dad and I kept saying how we couldn't believe you are already a year old, but at the same time can't imagine what we every did without you around because it feels like you've always been here. You certainly have brought many great things to our lives.....we love you to pieces, Cade. Included with your birthday pictures, I also added a pic of you and I before my first day at my new store (Monticello). I felt it was appropriate since I have a picture of you and me (well, you weren't here yet) on the morning of my interview to get this job. I was 8 months pregnant with you when I passed and was promoted. You were my good luck charm that day, so I figured we'd carry on the tradition with an early morning photo shoot. Someday I will tell you the story about how I dropped $300 two days before my interviews on maternity business shirts, just to make sure one would fit on the big day (don't worry- I returned all, but one).

Our First Family Vacation

Today we returned from our first family vacation. We spent 8 days in the beautiful, sunny, Ft. Myers, Florida. We went to visit Nana and Papa who are staying there for the month of February. We had a rough start when we took you to the doctor on the first day and found out that you indeed had an ear infection. The doctor was very nice and gave us some medicine. Amazingly enough you felt much better within 24 hours. From that point on we had a lot of fun! You weren't sure what to think of the sand on the beach, but after a few tries you stopped yelling and learned to enjoy it! On our second day there Papa took us on a walk on the beach and we saw someone catch a sand shark- Mom and Dad knew there would be no swimming in the ocean after that! You can thank us later for our careful watch and the fact that you made it back home to Minnesota with 10 fingers and 10 toes. The pool at the condo was very warm and you loved swimming with us! Nana bought you a perfect little baby floaty so you could be in the pool and stay out of the sun at the same time. I was surprised that you adjusted well to new surroundings and the warm weather. You did have some wakeful nights, but that was okay. You sure did get a lot of attention from the people in town. Every time we brought you out to eat countless people would stop to say hi and tell us how cute you are- well, we already knew that of course :) Last weekend I drove to Orlando to see my college friends for a bachelorette party and a trip to the Magic Kingdom. I caught myself daydreaming more than once about the first time Daddy and I will take you to Walt Disney World. I sure missed you a lot, but brought you back lots of presents including your first pair of ears- and of course they have your name on them. You were so good throughout the trip. We had so much fun and are so thankful to Nana and Papa for inviting us to Florida! I can tell that you miss them already! This is the first of many vacations to come, Cader.

Leggos

You sure do love your new leggos. Bonnie at daycare told me that you are fascinated with her leggos and it turns out she was right. Tonight we took a picture of you in action! We have had a fun weekend. It was just the two of us while Daddy had to work during the day. We were going to go up to Duluth to see Grandma and Grandpa Cox, but I was worried that the trip might make your cold worse. So yesterday we went to visit Daddy at the Knollwood Super Target. Everyone there was happy to see you again. You haven't been there to visit since you were about 5 days old. After that we met Auntie Jamie at the mall for some shopping. I bought you a a pair of soccer shorts for Florida, so you are just about ready to go! Today we took it easy since you are still trying to get over your cold. You took two nice long naps today and I used the time to clean the house. It was 40 degrees today so I played with Jake outside during your second nap. Tonight Dad and I took some video of you playing leggos. We like to build a little farm with your leggos, whereas you would much rather take it apart and throw them around. It is quite entertaining to watch!

One New Tooth!

Poor Cade- You have had a very tough few days After a sleepless night on Monday I dropped you off at daycare and came back at noon to take you to see Dr. Kuperman. I was very worried that maybe you were getting an ear infection because when we were up with you the night before you were very upset and tugged at both of your ears. We have a plane trip next Tuesday so we wanted to make sure you were okay. You are very healthy! We also found out that you now weigh 20 pounds! I brought you back to daycare and when I picked you up after work you had a top tooth. No wonder you were so upset! Today was much better for you. You play so hard that its no londer difficult to get you to nap during the day. Dad and I bought you some legos to play with and that kept you busy most of the afternoon. You are just about ready to walk.....I think it will be before your 1st birthday :)

SOOOOOO Big!

Just the other night when Dad and I were playing with you we tried playing "sooo big" and for the first time you got it! Dad and I would ask "how big is Cade?" and without any hesitation you would raise both arms up high. I took a video on my cell phone and tried to send it to Nana and Papa for entertainment on their long drive to Florida. You are getting to be so much fun. Your favorite toy monkey has a button that you press and it makes a high pitched squeaky monkey noise that you love. Now when we show you the monkey you make the noise without us even pressing the button. The other night we wore you out by asking "how big is Cade?" and "what does the monkey say?" You probably got bored with it, but I swear we could have kept going for hours :) This morning you are hanging out with Mom because Dad is working. We took a morning bath and then mom involved you in a "photo shoot." If you could talk you would tell Nana and Papa that you miss them already and can't wait to see them on February 10th!

I thought it would be fun to make a list of Cade's firsts and favorites thus far in his ten and half months of life....

My first solid food: sweet potatoes
My favorite solid at 10 mos. sweet potatoes, pears, and graham crackers
My favorite hobby: crawl everywhere and open any drawer I can get my hands on!
My First favorite toy: My Johnny Jump-Up (who could forget?)
My favorite toy at 10 mos: my monkey, rocking horse, and playschool car.
My first friends: Julia, Hailey, and Morgan from daycare and of course Jake!
What makes me laugh: Anything Jake does, playing airplane, peek-a-boo.
What makes me cry: having my clothes changed.
My favorite song: itsy-bitsy spider
What does Mom think my favorite song is: Cecelia by Simon and Garfunkel since she's been singing it to me almost everyday so far and I always calm down when I hear it- even in the car.
Favorite Game: hide and seek with mom and dad
Most fascinating objects: doors, cords, and mirrors.

More Favorites to come.......

10 Months and Counting.....

Dear Cade,
It has been awhile since we have updated your blog. I guess it's true what they say.....when little ones start crawling and climbing there is little time to do anything else! You sure have had a lot of fun these past few months. You had your very first Christmas and to no surprise Santa was good to you! Your first Christmas presents included a bouncing rocking horse from Grandma and Grandpa Cox. Nana and Papa Reimer gave you your first sled, a new favorite friend the monkey, and a truck for you to ride (pictured). Auntie Jamie, Uncle Mark, and Sophie got you your first ball popper while Uncle Mike gave you playschool little people toys for you to play with and a big dog blanket to keep you warm. Santa came to our house and brought you a music and learning table and nerf golf clubs so you can start practicing. What fun! Since Christmas you have been busy crawling and climbing on everything in the house. Poor Jake now has to maneuver around steel baby gates on every level often getting locked out. Your favorite game to play with mom and dad is hide and seek. We crawl behind the couch or chair and ask you "where's mommy, where's daddy" and you always find us on the first try! You have been a little upset for the past week due to your top teeth trying to poke through....any day now. You are still loving your friends at daycare; Hayley, Julia, and Morgan. It is a lot more fun nowadays because you can crawl so quickly and keep up. My friend Kelly and her daughter Keegan came over the other night and you two played so nicely together. I am posting a picture of you two. We are looking forward to our first family vacation together in a few weeks when we go and visit Nana and Papa in Florida.....your first plane ride. Mom is of course nervous, but am sure you will be fine.