Kara is going through a growth spurt and has gone from sleeping through the night to being up 3-4 times a night for a week!
Caden is sick... just a head cold but very congested and scary sounding. We haven't been letting him sleep alone.
As you can guess I am very, very tired. So imagine my surprise when my little boy (who fights sleep both at nap time and bedtime) looked at me this afternoon and said:
Caden: Let's have a nap together Mommy
Me: Are you tired sweat pea?
Caden: Only for you Mommy
Perfect.. let's go buddy. And nap we did.
At her appointment Kara was 15 lbs (75%) and 25.5 inches (80-90%)
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Sunday, November 08, 2009
4 Months
My daughter is 4 months old. How exactly is that possible. Time is flying by.
Her 4 month appointment is this week so I don't have her height and weight yet but I think it is safe to say she is ginormous. Caden was so consistently in the 50th percentile or under and at 2 months she was in the 90% for height and 75% for weight and I feel confident she is still there.
Because this will also be my journal, I have not got around to doing a baby book for Caden yet, let alone Kara, I am going to record some facts:
Kara slept through the night, at least from 10:00 until 5:00 for the first time at 7 weeks. She has regularly done it since and in fact, often goes from 7:15 to 6:00 or later. She has very short daytime naps however.
Although she was colicky for the first 4-6 weeks of her life and there were times in those 6 weeks that I wasn't sure I could make it through a year if she continued to be colicky. She smiled for the first time at 5.5 weeks and she is now such a happy baby. She almost never cries and is ready and willing to smile at anyone who talks to her. She is such a flirt!
She started to "talk" coo and babble at 7-8 weeks and she has continued to do so. It is hilarious, she even pauses so that you can have a turn to talk back to her. This is not something Caden did (although he spoke real words really early, he never really babbled, he was always a happy but serious baby)
She laughed/giggled for the first time at 3.5 months and although she has not really started to laugh consistently yet, when she does it, it is the cutest sound.
She has not yet rolled over. About a month ago she was so close I thought she would get it any minute. In fact every time I put her down on her back, I watched closely, sure that it would be the time. She gets over to her side immediately, then almost all the way to her belly but could not figure out how to get her arm out from underneath her. However, she got really, REALLY frustrated and one day screamed (not cried or fussed) but screamed in frustration and then stopped trying. Literally she has not tried once since then! Boy I think I am in trouble, I am sure this child is going to have a temper!
She loves her big brother. If Caden is around, I do not need to entertain her at all. I put her in her exersaucer and she just will watch him for hours. Now when she is on her play mat, he picks up toy after toy and gives her. Unfortunately this has two problems 1) she will never roll over if he keeps handing her the toys and 2) he takes the one he has just given her and gives her a new one so quickly that she gets frustrated and the quick switch!
She loves the outdoors, a great thing because we spend a lot of time out there. And she rarely fusses if she is in the stroller and able to see things. Recently I tried her in the baby swing in our play set and she LOVED it. Caden loved it too, he loves to push her and also he loves that I can give her a push and then go play with him for 5 minutes without her in my arms!
She is losing all her hair. She was born with so much and it grew quite a bit and then all of a sudden in the last couple of weeks it is disappearing. I would think she was rubbing it off because it started in the back but it has happened most on the top of the back of her head. She does love to dig her heels in when she is on her back and push herself along but I doubt she puts that much pressure on the top part of her head. Any ideas about this, is it normal? She looks quite funny as the only part that hasn't come out is a triangle of long thick hair in the front so she looks like she has a comb over!
Breast feeding is fantastic however she absolutely refuses to take a bottle. Normally I wouldn't care but I already rescheduled my MRI (originally supposed to be Sept 28) because I would prefer not to feed her for 24 hours after the contrast dye. It is currently scheduled for Dec 1 but I have had no luck getting her to take any bottle. I have tried, Avent, Playtex, Nuby (the new breast like one) and Adiri (which I was sure would work it looks so much like a breast) and different flow nipples for each one but she just spits it all out. I have tried letting her get hungry and offering it to her before she gets really hungry. I have tried giving it to her myself and getting someone else to give it to her. I have tried formula, frozen breast milk and freshly squeezed stuff. She refuses, gags and urges if you keep trying. Interestingly, I have noticed that she gags easily now that she is gumming toys. I have tried giving her freshly pumped milk from a spoon but it was not that successful. Although she was very interested, she didn't really get the concept of swallowing and most of the milk drizzled out again. It would take forever to get much milk into her that way.
If anyone has any ideas on getting her through a 24 hour period without the breast please pass it along. And I do know that new research suggests that I could feed her after the contrast dye. My hospital recommends pumping and dumping for 48 hours, mother risk says you don't have to at all. I have done the research and read the science journals. Based on the levels of dye in the breast milk in 4 hour intervals after the injection, I would be more comfortable discarding for 24 hours. On the other hand, it has been 1.5 years since my last MRI (supposed to have them yearly) and I really don't want to reschedule again.
Here are some pictures of my beautiful 4 month old daughter:
4 months old today! well... not today.. on the 3rd, when this picture was taken
Her 4 month appointment is this week so I don't have her height and weight yet but I think it is safe to say she is ginormous. Caden was so consistently in the 50th percentile or under and at 2 months she was in the 90% for height and 75% for weight and I feel confident she is still there.
Because this will also be my journal, I have not got around to doing a baby book for Caden yet, let alone Kara, I am going to record some facts:
Kara slept through the night, at least from 10:00 until 5:00 for the first time at 7 weeks. She has regularly done it since and in fact, often goes from 7:15 to 6:00 or later. She has very short daytime naps however.
Although she was colicky for the first 4-6 weeks of her life and there were times in those 6 weeks that I wasn't sure I could make it through a year if she continued to be colicky. She smiled for the first time at 5.5 weeks and she is now such a happy baby. She almost never cries and is ready and willing to smile at anyone who talks to her. She is such a flirt!
She started to "talk" coo and babble at 7-8 weeks and she has continued to do so. It is hilarious, she even pauses so that you can have a turn to talk back to her. This is not something Caden did (although he spoke real words really early, he never really babbled, he was always a happy but serious baby)
She laughed/giggled for the first time at 3.5 months and although she has not really started to laugh consistently yet, when she does it, it is the cutest sound.
She has not yet rolled over. About a month ago she was so close I thought she would get it any minute. In fact every time I put her down on her back, I watched closely, sure that it would be the time. She gets over to her side immediately, then almost all the way to her belly but could not figure out how to get her arm out from underneath her. However, she got really, REALLY frustrated and one day screamed (not cried or fussed) but screamed in frustration and then stopped trying. Literally she has not tried once since then! Boy I think I am in trouble, I am sure this child is going to have a temper!
She loves her big brother. If Caden is around, I do not need to entertain her at all. I put her in her exersaucer and she just will watch him for hours. Now when she is on her play mat, he picks up toy after toy and gives her. Unfortunately this has two problems 1) she will never roll over if he keeps handing her the toys and 2) he takes the one he has just given her and gives her a new one so quickly that she gets frustrated and the quick switch!
She loves the outdoors, a great thing because we spend a lot of time out there. And she rarely fusses if she is in the stroller and able to see things. Recently I tried her in the baby swing in our play set and she LOVED it. Caden loved it too, he loves to push her and also he loves that I can give her a push and then go play with him for 5 minutes without her in my arms!
She is losing all her hair. She was born with so much and it grew quite a bit and then all of a sudden in the last couple of weeks it is disappearing. I would think she was rubbing it off because it started in the back but it has happened most on the top of the back of her head. She does love to dig her heels in when she is on her back and push herself along but I doubt she puts that much pressure on the top part of her head. Any ideas about this, is it normal? She looks quite funny as the only part that hasn't come out is a triangle of long thick hair in the front so she looks like she has a comb over!
Breast feeding is fantastic however she absolutely refuses to take a bottle. Normally I wouldn't care but I already rescheduled my MRI (originally supposed to be Sept 28) because I would prefer not to feed her for 24 hours after the contrast dye. It is currently scheduled for Dec 1 but I have had no luck getting her to take any bottle. I have tried, Avent, Playtex, Nuby (the new breast like one) and Adiri (which I was sure would work it looks so much like a breast) and different flow nipples for each one but she just spits it all out. I have tried letting her get hungry and offering it to her before she gets really hungry. I have tried giving it to her myself and getting someone else to give it to her. I have tried formula, frozen breast milk and freshly squeezed stuff. She refuses, gags and urges if you keep trying. Interestingly, I have noticed that she gags easily now that she is gumming toys. I have tried giving her freshly pumped milk from a spoon but it was not that successful. Although she was very interested, she didn't really get the concept of swallowing and most of the milk drizzled out again. It would take forever to get much milk into her that way.
If anyone has any ideas on getting her through a 24 hour period without the breast please pass it along. And I do know that new research suggests that I could feed her after the contrast dye. My hospital recommends pumping and dumping for 48 hours, mother risk says you don't have to at all. I have done the research and read the science journals. Based on the levels of dye in the breast milk in 4 hour intervals after the injection, I would be more comfortable discarding for 24 hours. On the other hand, it has been 1.5 years since my last MRI (supposed to have them yearly) and I really don't want to reschedule again.
Here are some pictures of my beautiful 4 month old daughter:
4 months old today! well... not today.. on the 3rd, when this picture was taken
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Happy Halloween
Maybe next year halloween will be exciting for Caden. He is not a kid that likes to dress up. He likes to play doctor but will not put on the doctor jacket. And the idea of wearing costumes is a no go. We finally convinced him to put one on by pretending it was doggie blankie (his most beloved stuffed animal a dalmation doggie).
However after one house, trick or treating was done. He didn't like to go up to other people's houses, even though it was houses of people we knew... And there are other kids in costumes.... And they are SCARY... And we have all that candy at home! Let's go get it Momma!! I want to go back to my house to trick or treat.
So here are a few pictures that I was able to get. The first three are from playing in the leaves last weekend.
I think Kara will be much more adventurous. She loved the leaves and watching all the kids in costumes!
However after one house, trick or treating was done. He didn't like to go up to other people's houses, even though it was houses of people we knew... And there are other kids in costumes.... And they are SCARY... And we have all that candy at home! Let's go get it Momma!! I want to go back to my house to trick or treat.
So here are a few pictures that I was able to get. The first three are from playing in the leaves last weekend.
I think Kara will be much more adventurous. She loved the leaves and watching all the kids in costumes!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Cadenism's
Here are some conversations and words I want to remember in future years!
At the swimming pool change room after a particular rambunctious swim for Caden
Caden: looks around at the other children getting dressed "that was a fun swimming lesson, don't ya think?
At the grocery store when we pass an area that someone has recently passed gas in
Caden: I smell something
Me: What do you smell Caden?
Caden: I don't know.... smells like you Mommy.
One night as he popped out of his room at 11:30 and Rick and I were still up watching TV
Caden: What you doing guys? Something fun?
Me: Caden don't stretch Kara's barrette like that you are going to break it
Caden: Continues to stretch the springs until it falls apart "Uh-Oh it broke"
Me: Caden, Mommy asked you not to do that and now it's broken and I can't fix it
Caden: Ummm... I think baby Kara needs a new barrette Mommy
Me: That's a good idea Caden, maybe we should buy her one with some of the money from your piggy bank
Caden: Not MY piggy bank Mommy, it's Baby Kara's barrette!
This kid cracks me up! And there are still some words that he mispronounces that I want to remember
Umbrella -- um-ber-ella
Einsteins - oun-steins
Yellow -- Lellow - although I am not sure why... he makes the Y sound just fine for words like Yak and Yankie Doodle
Oh and my new personal favorite from last night.
Caden: Mommy... Baby Kara is asleep
Me: Yes, she has finished drinking her milk and fell asleep didn't she. Should I put her in her bed.
Caden: Yes, and how about you cuddle me to sleep too.
Me: Ok
So we put Kara to bed and go cuddle in the spare room bed (Caden's bed is a toddler and I can't lie in it) We are in his favorite cuddle position, him with his back to my chest, my arms tightly around his belly and his head tilted back and uncomfortably pushed against my nose, when he suddenly flips over, puts a hand on each of my cheeks and says "I am glad you are so here Momma". I say "I'm so glad you are here too baby" I really, really am.... he has no idea!
****Flicka*** please email me if you read this post. My old computer crashed and my email addresses died with it.. I can't email you to ask for an invite to the new blog... but I would like one :-)
At the swimming pool change room after a particular rambunctious swim for Caden
Caden: looks around at the other children getting dressed "that was a fun swimming lesson, don't ya think?
At the grocery store when we pass an area that someone has recently passed gas in
Caden: I smell something
Me: What do you smell Caden?
Caden: I don't know.... smells like you Mommy.
One night as he popped out of his room at 11:30 and Rick and I were still up watching TV
Caden: What you doing guys? Something fun?
Me: Caden don't stretch Kara's barrette like that you are going to break it
Caden: Continues to stretch the springs until it falls apart "Uh-Oh it broke"
Me: Caden, Mommy asked you not to do that and now it's broken and I can't fix it
Caden: Ummm... I think baby Kara needs a new barrette Mommy
Me: That's a good idea Caden, maybe we should buy her one with some of the money from your piggy bank
Caden: Not MY piggy bank Mommy, it's Baby Kara's barrette!
This kid cracks me up! And there are still some words that he mispronounces that I want to remember
Umbrella -- um-ber-ella
Einsteins - oun-steins
Yellow -- Lellow - although I am not sure why... he makes the Y sound just fine for words like Yak and Yankie Doodle
Oh and my new personal favorite from last night.
Caden: Mommy... Baby Kara is asleep
Me: Yes, she has finished drinking her milk and fell asleep didn't she. Should I put her in her bed.
Caden: Yes, and how about you cuddle me to sleep too.
Me: Ok
So we put Kara to bed and go cuddle in the spare room bed (Caden's bed is a toddler and I can't lie in it) We are in his favorite cuddle position, him with his back to my chest, my arms tightly around his belly and his head tilted back and uncomfortably pushed against my nose, when he suddenly flips over, puts a hand on each of my cheeks and says "I am glad you are so here Momma". I say "I'm so glad you are here too baby" I really, really am.... he has no idea!
****Flicka*** please email me if you read this post. My old computer crashed and my email addresses died with it.. I can't email you to ask for an invite to the new blog... but I would like one :-)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Transformation
It's 5:30 in the morning and I awake with painfully full breasts. I listen to the monitor but there are only the sounds of deeply sleeping breaths. I go to the washroom... maybe if I pee I will be able to go back to sleep. Nope... I need to feed her.
I walk into her room. She wakes as soon as her door creaks. She smiles up at me.. she always smiles up at me... it melts my heart, just as it always does.
She latches on and it's sweet relief. I love nursing my baby. I love to watch her nurse and listen to all the little contented sounds she makes. I love the way her eyes rarely leave mine until they are so heavy she can't keep them open anymore. I love how when her belly is full she let's go and snuggles her cheek into my breast. I love the fact that often at night we both fall asleep that way and I wake up some time later and put her back in her bed and go to mine.
Tonight I am very alert. I should be, she has been asleep since 7:15.... I have been asleep since 9:30. I drink in the way she smells. I watch her and my heart melts more. Who could imagine I could feel this kind of love twice. I was unsure that I would be able to love her the same as my son, turns out your world can revolve around two kids in the same way.
As she's drinking she smiles up at me. She's so happy I think. And I start talking to God. Thank you for blessing me with two such wonderful children. Thank you for allowing me to experience motherhood. I am a good Mommy but more importantly for me I love having the opportunity to stay home with my children.
When she's finished, she's wide awake. After all, she's slept for just over 10 hours. In hushed voices we talk and sing and smile at each other. And while I am staring at her, my heart bursting with love, I realize that I feel differently than I have in a long time. It's not happiness... I have been happy lots and it's not contentedness... although I am truly content. It's more than that... it's something that's been missing.
Peace. I feel peaceful. I haven't felt peaceful since Karen's accident. All those years I prayed for a baby. All those years I was angry that those prayers weren't answered. Turns out, I needed these children to come exactly when they did. They were sent now for a reason. Turns out my prayers were answered... the answer was yes, but when you need them most.
I miss my sister like crazy. I talk to her all the time. But I believe I have an eternity to spend with her after this life. So I want to make the most of this life while I can. It's why I have decided not to have more children. I would love to have another.. in an ideal world I would have at least one more.... but I have two healthy children. Two beautiful precious children who need their mommy. With the brain tumour, it is simply to risky now to get pregnant again. I have too much to lose. They have too much to lose. Suddenly I realize that this too is a decision I am at peace with. When did that happen?
I put the baby back in her bed where she's sighs contentedly (she loves her bed). I go to my bed where my son has been sleeping with us. I move him back to the middle and lay next to him and cuddle him tight. I lean forward and kiss his little blond head and wonder when he got so big. Why time seems to be on turbo speed when you are finally at the point where you would like it to drag on and on. I drink in his smell and I think... I am so lucky. I cuddle him tight and go back to sleep.
I have two children. Even as I type that it amazes me. I never thought I would get here. And after Karen's accident, I never thought I would feel this contented and peaceful. I am awed by the miraculous transformation of my life.
I am ready to be a Mommy blogger. In the next little while I will change the look of things around here and have it reflect my chaotic, crazy beloved life. And then I will start posting regularly again. Because I can. Because my children make me laugh and cry on a daily basis. Because this is what I have always wanted and so it is time to celebrate it. Because this kind of love and joy deserves to be shared.
I walk into her room. She wakes as soon as her door creaks. She smiles up at me.. she always smiles up at me... it melts my heart, just as it always does.
She latches on and it's sweet relief. I love nursing my baby. I love to watch her nurse and listen to all the little contented sounds she makes. I love the way her eyes rarely leave mine until they are so heavy she can't keep them open anymore. I love how when her belly is full she let's go and snuggles her cheek into my breast. I love the fact that often at night we both fall asleep that way and I wake up some time later and put her back in her bed and go to mine.
Tonight I am very alert. I should be, she has been asleep since 7:15.... I have been asleep since 9:30. I drink in the way she smells. I watch her and my heart melts more. Who could imagine I could feel this kind of love twice. I was unsure that I would be able to love her the same as my son, turns out your world can revolve around two kids in the same way.
As she's drinking she smiles up at me. She's so happy I think. And I start talking to God. Thank you for blessing me with two such wonderful children. Thank you for allowing me to experience motherhood. I am a good Mommy but more importantly for me I love having the opportunity to stay home with my children.
When she's finished, she's wide awake. After all, she's slept for just over 10 hours. In hushed voices we talk and sing and smile at each other. And while I am staring at her, my heart bursting with love, I realize that I feel differently than I have in a long time. It's not happiness... I have been happy lots and it's not contentedness... although I am truly content. It's more than that... it's something that's been missing.
Peace. I feel peaceful. I haven't felt peaceful since Karen's accident. All those years I prayed for a baby. All those years I was angry that those prayers weren't answered. Turns out, I needed these children to come exactly when they did. They were sent now for a reason. Turns out my prayers were answered... the answer was yes, but when you need them most.
I miss my sister like crazy. I talk to her all the time. But I believe I have an eternity to spend with her after this life. So I want to make the most of this life while I can. It's why I have decided not to have more children. I would love to have another.. in an ideal world I would have at least one more.... but I have two healthy children. Two beautiful precious children who need their mommy. With the brain tumour, it is simply to risky now to get pregnant again. I have too much to lose. They have too much to lose. Suddenly I realize that this too is a decision I am at peace with. When did that happen?
I put the baby back in her bed where she's sighs contentedly (she loves her bed). I go to my bed where my son has been sleeping with us. I move him back to the middle and lay next to him and cuddle him tight. I lean forward and kiss his little blond head and wonder when he got so big. Why time seems to be on turbo speed when you are finally at the point where you would like it to drag on and on. I drink in his smell and I think... I am so lucky. I cuddle him tight and go back to sleep.
I have two children. Even as I type that it amazes me. I never thought I would get here. And after Karen's accident, I never thought I would feel this contented and peaceful. I am awed by the miraculous transformation of my life.
I am ready to be a Mommy blogger. In the next little while I will change the look of things around here and have it reflect my chaotic, crazy beloved life. And then I will start posting regularly again. Because I can. Because my children make me laugh and cry on a daily basis. Because this is what I have always wanted and so it is time to celebrate it. Because this kind of love and joy deserves to be shared.
Monday, August 17, 2009
My son the wonder kid
I think my son is the most amazing barely 2 year old I know. Of course I do... what kind of mother would I be if I didn't. It's been a while since I updated you all on his development.
At his 2 year check up he was 34 inches and 28 lbs. If I remember correctly that translated into 75th percentile for his height and 50th for his weight.
He is soooo... shy. It takes him 10-15 minutes to warm up to an adult that comes into our house (longer if we meet them outside his "turf") and even longer for a child. And he is a quiet, mild mannered little boy and doesn't like loud, boisterous children. Which has just now gotten embarrasing and he learns to talk so well and can voice his dislike. One of my best friends has a sweet little boy C's age. However, although he is a kind, sensitive little boy, he is loud and in your face with enthusiasm. C has decided he doesn't like him and will say No No No as we walk up to his door. Last visit, when his Mom answered the door, C said quite politely to her "I no come in, I no like son's name"
He is very polite. He almost always remembers to say please when asking for something (and only needs to be reminded if he forgets) and thank you when he receives something. He says excuse me when he burps, or passes gas, or sneezes (which by the way he thinks is hilarious) and bless you when someone else sneezes. When you do something he likes it is adorable to hear over and over in this cute little toddler boy voice "Again please"
He is one incredibly active child. He loves to climb and will climb almost anything if you will let him or if you are not looking. He took all of about 1 day to master the rock wall on his new playset that stated an age of 5. He will climb on the furniture, into and out of the van, up "ramps" and he tries to climb trees but really just ends up hugging them for a long time.
He also loves to jump. His favorite place to jump of course is on the bed but has been known to jump on the couch and my recliner chairs despite being told that he is not allowed to do so.
He loves to go for walks although much prefers to walk these days than go in his stroller much to my chagrin. While I enjoy walking with him sometimes, I really like using our walks as exercise and he cannot and will not (too busy exploring) walk fast enough for me to get a work out. While walking, he really likes to 1) walk on the "balance beam" which is really the curb 2) go on the curb on the inside of parked cars while I go on the outside of the cars and he asks "Where did Caden go Momma?"
He loves to go in his swing and you cannot push him high enough in his opinion. When the swing bounces because it has gone so high the straps have slackened he says excitedly "Good job Mamma, push me bigger again!"
He loves sports. Golf and soccer seem to be his favorite but he also loves to hit the baseball on his little T-ball and throw the foot ball. He used to adore basket ball but seems to be off that for now.
More than anything else he loves to throw rocks and sticks into the water and a walk to the neighbourhood park with a little stream is a real delight.
He has just started playing independantly (thank Goodness) and loves to play with his trains and his cars. He also loves to put together puzzles and is quite good at doing them on his own.
His favorite thing to do on his own or with me is still to read books. Now, while I am nursing baby K, we often sit in the recliner chair in her nursery and he climbs on the foot stool part and we read loads of stories. The simpler stories which had been put aside for the last while are now making a comeback as he loves to "read" them to me. He will climb into the chair in his room and read books for 30 minutes or more on his own (of course then, there are a dozen books on his floor because he is not so good at putting them back on the book shelf).
And his speech. It is incredible. He has been talking in complicated sentences and carrying on conversations since before his 2nd birthday. There are so many words that he used to mispronounce that I just loved, and now that he is saying them correctly, I forget how adorably he used to say them. The only one I can remember off hand is pic cooter for computer.
Here are a few of my favorite recent Cadenism's
1. Wake up in the morning and smile and say "hello Momma, what we going to do today" Or wake up from a nap and say "I had a good sleep Momma, what we going to do next"
2. If I look grumpy he says "What's wrong Momma, why you not laughing?"
3. He hides his spoon in the pocket of his bib and then asks where his spoon is. When you say you don't know he proceeds to ask you if it is in various locations.
4. Rick and toddler C were in the drive through line up for Swiss C to get take out for dinner. When they arrived in the line up toddler C asked what they were doing and Rick told him they were picking up supper. After waiting a few minutes C asked "Are we stuck Dadda?"
5. After a visit to the zoo in which we got to watch elephants parade to a lake to swim, C said to me one day on his changing table "How do the elephants get to the swimming pool Momma," I replied, I don't know, and he said "they hold tails and trunks and that was sooo... funny" and then cracked up laughing.
6. One Saturday morning, Rick said to C "Daddy has to go to work to pick up something he forgot, how about you go with me and we will go to Tim Hortons for breakfast" to which C replied, "Oh yes, that sounds like fun, and what will we do next" Rick laughed and said I don't know, to which C replied "that's ok Dadda, you'll think of something"
If he likes something we have proposed to do he will say "that's a great idea" or "yes, that sounds like fun" If he doesn't like it, he will simply say "No, I no like that" and he is 2 after all, so usually he promptly has a temper tantrum when you tell him he has to do it anyway.
A couple of weeks ago I took him to see T the tank engine, live and in person. We got to go for a ride and get our pictures taken and he saw Sir Topham H. He was very excited and on the way home in the van he said "You know what Momma" I said "what" and he said "that was a very fun day, I love you Momma" Melts my heart every time I think about.
I thought I didn't want him to grow up and yet every time he leaves one stage and I am about to mourn I find that I simply adore the new stage.
He is my saviour. The funny things he says and does cracks me up on a daily basis and it is true that laughter is the best medicine. He is my beautiful amazing C and I love him so much. Here are some of my favorite summer pictures.
At his 2 year check up he was 34 inches and 28 lbs. If I remember correctly that translated into 75th percentile for his height and 50th for his weight.
He is soooo... shy. It takes him 10-15 minutes to warm up to an adult that comes into our house (longer if we meet them outside his "turf") and even longer for a child. And he is a quiet, mild mannered little boy and doesn't like loud, boisterous children. Which has just now gotten embarrasing and he learns to talk so well and can voice his dislike. One of my best friends has a sweet little boy C's age. However, although he is a kind, sensitive little boy, he is loud and in your face with enthusiasm. C has decided he doesn't like him and will say No No No as we walk up to his door. Last visit, when his Mom answered the door, C said quite politely to her "I no come in, I no like son's name"
He is very polite. He almost always remembers to say please when asking for something (and only needs to be reminded if he forgets) and thank you when he receives something. He says excuse me when he burps, or passes gas, or sneezes (which by the way he thinks is hilarious) and bless you when someone else sneezes. When you do something he likes it is adorable to hear over and over in this cute little toddler boy voice "Again please"
He is one incredibly active child. He loves to climb and will climb almost anything if you will let him or if you are not looking. He took all of about 1 day to master the rock wall on his new playset that stated an age of 5. He will climb on the furniture, into and out of the van, up "ramps" and he tries to climb trees but really just ends up hugging them for a long time.
He also loves to jump. His favorite place to jump of course is on the bed but has been known to jump on the couch and my recliner chairs despite being told that he is not allowed to do so.
He loves to go for walks although much prefers to walk these days than go in his stroller much to my chagrin. While I enjoy walking with him sometimes, I really like using our walks as exercise and he cannot and will not (too busy exploring) walk fast enough for me to get a work out. While walking, he really likes to 1) walk on the "balance beam" which is really the curb 2) go on the curb on the inside of parked cars while I go on the outside of the cars and he asks "Where did Caden go Momma?"
He loves to go in his swing and you cannot push him high enough in his opinion. When the swing bounces because it has gone so high the straps have slackened he says excitedly "Good job Mamma, push me bigger again!"
He loves sports. Golf and soccer seem to be his favorite but he also loves to hit the baseball on his little T-ball and throw the foot ball. He used to adore basket ball but seems to be off that for now.
More than anything else he loves to throw rocks and sticks into the water and a walk to the neighbourhood park with a little stream is a real delight.
He has just started playing independantly (thank Goodness) and loves to play with his trains and his cars. He also loves to put together puzzles and is quite good at doing them on his own.
His favorite thing to do on his own or with me is still to read books. Now, while I am nursing baby K, we often sit in the recliner chair in her nursery and he climbs on the foot stool part and we read loads of stories. The simpler stories which had been put aside for the last while are now making a comeback as he loves to "read" them to me. He will climb into the chair in his room and read books for 30 minutes or more on his own (of course then, there are a dozen books on his floor because he is not so good at putting them back on the book shelf).
And his speech. It is incredible. He has been talking in complicated sentences and carrying on conversations since before his 2nd birthday. There are so many words that he used to mispronounce that I just loved, and now that he is saying them correctly, I forget how adorably he used to say them. The only one I can remember off hand is pic cooter for computer.
Here are a few of my favorite recent Cadenism's
1. Wake up in the morning and smile and say "hello Momma, what we going to do today" Or wake up from a nap and say "I had a good sleep Momma, what we going to do next"
2. If I look grumpy he says "What's wrong Momma, why you not laughing?"
3. He hides his spoon in the pocket of his bib and then asks where his spoon is. When you say you don't know he proceeds to ask you if it is in various locations.
4. Rick and toddler C were in the drive through line up for Swiss C to get take out for dinner. When they arrived in the line up toddler C asked what they were doing and Rick told him they were picking up supper. After waiting a few minutes C asked "Are we stuck Dadda?"
5. After a visit to the zoo in which we got to watch elephants parade to a lake to swim, C said to me one day on his changing table "How do the elephants get to the swimming pool Momma," I replied, I don't know, and he said "they hold tails and trunks and that was sooo... funny" and then cracked up laughing.
6. One Saturday morning, Rick said to C "Daddy has to go to work to pick up something he forgot, how about you go with me and we will go to Tim Hortons for breakfast" to which C replied, "Oh yes, that sounds like fun, and what will we do next" Rick laughed and said I don't know, to which C replied "that's ok Dadda, you'll think of something"
If he likes something we have proposed to do he will say "that's a great idea" or "yes, that sounds like fun" If he doesn't like it, he will simply say "No, I no like that" and he is 2 after all, so usually he promptly has a temper tantrum when you tell him he has to do it anyway.
A couple of weeks ago I took him to see T the tank engine, live and in person. We got to go for a ride and get our pictures taken and he saw Sir Topham H. He was very excited and on the way home in the van he said "You know what Momma" I said "what" and he said "that was a very fun day, I love you Momma" Melts my heart every time I think about.
I thought I didn't want him to grow up and yet every time he leaves one stage and I am about to mourn I find that I simply adore the new stage.
He is my saviour. The funny things he says and does cracks me up on a daily basis and it is true that laughter is the best medicine. He is my beautiful amazing C and I love him so much. Here are some of my favorite summer pictures.
A new sling
I am looking for suggestions for a new sling.
I bought a hot-sling while I was still pregnant and it worked fabulous for the first 4 weeks. I probably should not have bought it while I was pregnant because it meant I could not try it on (the big ass belly was temporary after all). I think I bought it too small, although I followed their sizing guide. In the first few weeks baby K fit in the cradle hold lovely and fell right to sleep every time I wore her. No small feat since this girl rarely sleeps during the day. However, now she doesn't fit in the sling. I know she has gotten bigger but my guess is that I bought the sling too small and didn't account for my new nursing breast size.
So... I am going to have to buy a new sling since the only way this kid sleeps more than 20 minutes at a time during the day is if I don't put her down. I have a Snuggl..y, which she is asleep in right now but the sling was more comfortable for me and if I am going to wear her the majority of the day I would like it to be comfortable.
So tell me.. did you have a sling and if so did you love it and at what age did it seem to work best for you? I hope you are all very opinionated on slings because I will want to buy a new one fairly quickly and I don't want to buy blind again.
Want gratuitous children photo's...? Of course you do, if you are still reading this blog you are clearly reading it for the babes!
I bought a hot-sling while I was still pregnant and it worked fabulous for the first 4 weeks. I probably should not have bought it while I was pregnant because it meant I could not try it on (the big ass belly was temporary after all). I think I bought it too small, although I followed their sizing guide. In the first few weeks baby K fit in the cradle hold lovely and fell right to sleep every time I wore her. No small feat since this girl rarely sleeps during the day. However, now she doesn't fit in the sling. I know she has gotten bigger but my guess is that I bought the sling too small and didn't account for my new nursing breast size.
So... I am going to have to buy a new sling since the only way this kid sleeps more than 20 minutes at a time during the day is if I don't put her down. I have a Snuggl..y, which she is asleep in right now but the sling was more comfortable for me and if I am going to wear her the majority of the day I would like it to be comfortable.
So tell me.. did you have a sling and if so did you love it and at what age did it seem to work best for you? I hope you are all very opinionated on slings because I will want to buy a new one fairly quickly and I don't want to buy blind again.
Want gratuitous children photo's...? Of course you do, if you are still reading this blog you are clearly reading it for the babes!
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