Caden's First Birthday

The Saturday before last we had a little family party for Caden's first birthday. We had most of the immediate family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins) over for pizza and cake.

Ready for something... not sure what!

Taking in the sight of cake...

This picture suggests Caden loved the cake... this is not true. He actually didn't like it at all. Or at least the icing - I don't know if he even tasted the cake part because he made such faces and spit out the icing.

Finally fed up with everyone trying to get him to eat it, he just put his fingers in his mouth and called it a day.

Since we just had Christmas, and he really doesn't need anything, I suggested books as a present for those who insisted on giving him something :). So, he got a lot of great new books, as well as a couple other toys, clothes, and a popping lawnmower. He hasn't been able to make full use of the mower yet since he refuses to walk on his own, but I'm sure he'll be out pushing it behind Wade in the yard this spring & summer!

At his one-year check-up this week, Caden weighed 23 lbs, 7 oz, and was 32 inches tall. Back into the 50-75th percentile for weight, and still off the chart for height. His pediatrician is very pleased with his growth and development. We can really see him learning and discovering new things these days. He figured out how to go down the stairs backwards all by himself (still not 100% reliable, but he's getting pretty good at it). He slam dunks the mini basketball in the hoop that we put down low for him. He is figuring out putting certain toys inside others and taking them out, turning on the music of his elephant popper toy and dancing to it, and banging on things as drums. He loves to pat Paisley (or beat on her), go after any and every electronic device he ever sees, and pull the Tupperware out of the cabinet. He is on the move at all times, except when sleeping, which he does a lot of.

In fact, I need to go wake him up from the 4-hour-and-counting nap he is taking at the moment!

SURPRISE!

A picture post from Caden's birthday will be coming soon, but I should probably post something for anyone who reads this and isn't on Facebook... that we are expecting BABY #2 in early August! Big surprise for all involved!

About 2 weeks ago, there were a couple things that made me keep thinking "I could be pregnant," but none of them were convincing in and of themselves, so I joked with several people about it but really didn't think it would be true. One day I thought maybe I'll take a test just to make sure, and whoa, that second line starting showing up in about 0.2 seconds. That was in the morning when I got up, and I waited ALL day until about 10:00 at night to tell Wade when he finally got home, after school, a basketball game and a meeting. I was still pretty overwhelmed, but he was thrilled :).

I got an appointment with the midwife (the same one who I saw first when I was pregnant with Caden, and who delivered him!) about a week later (this past Wednesday), and they did an ultrasound since I had NO idea how far along I was. Well, apparently I was almost 12 weeks! Crazy. I have had no sickness or any noticeable symptoms whatsoever, and I'm almost through the first trimester!

August 4th is the due date they gave me. Caden will be just over 18 months then, which is not what I would have planned (clearly), but I know it is doable, and plenty of people have encouraged me that they love that spacing (although it is hard at first). I'm hoping this baby could come "on time" (if that date is accurate) instead of a week late like Caden, since Wade will still have a week left of summer break & then a low-key week of in-service before school starts. It would be awesome to have him home for that time!

Anyway, surprise! :)

Almost one!

This weekend we had a gorgeous day of almost 70 degrees, so Wade and I, along with his dad & their dog Duke, took Caden to the playground for a bit. It was great to be out in the weather, although the elementary school playground equipment didn't offer much for an 11.5-month-old. But I got to get some great pictures of our happy boy - about to be ONE in two weeks!

Light of my life!

As you can see, he is miserable and depressed most of the time ;). Actually, I discovered the current secret to getting him to smile big for pictures is to click your tongue. He thinks that is the funniest thing (and can do it himself now too!).

Caden's First Christmas

We had a fun and family-filled Christmas this year for Caden's first Christmas! Friday night we got together with Wade's older sister, Angie, and her family for the Tapp-only Christmas. We had THE most delicious dinner of a turkey Wade's dad cooked in the deep fryer, homemade macaroni & cheese, mashed potatoes, corn & green beans. I ate way way too much!

Here is Caden riding his new toy (it can be a stand-up push toy or this riding toy) with his big cousin Dylan (in 4th grade).

Christmas Eve, we had a low-key day and then went to church with my dad, and my aunt/uncle/cousins (the Steele crew), along with David's fiancee Rebeca & her family.

On Christmas morning, the Tapps came over to our house for present opening. We enjoyed a great breakfast of sausage & egg casserole & fruit that Joli brought.

Getting ready to open some gifts

Caden opening a book from Nana & Grandpa

Caden with Aunt Whitney, who wore a special tacky Christmas sweater with bells glued all over it just for his enjoyment :)

My little cutie

Later in the afternoon we all went to the Steeles' house for Christmas dinner. We had more or less a repeat of Thanksgiving dinner (attendance-wise) with about 21 people! It was a little chaotic, but again had great food with flank steak, twice baked potatoes, mandarin orange salad, some awesome green beans, and a delicious ice cream dessert.

Have you ever seen a face cuter than this? I dare say, you have not :).

Here is Caden taking a spin on his new rocking horse from Aunt Laurie. The happy, open-mouth grin in full effect :).

Today, we celebrated Christmas with the Harts (dad's sister & family) & Uncle Jeff at Hillary's house. I failed to get any pictures of that, but just repeat fun, family, gifts & good food :).

Fall Days

We spent a little time out in the yard today as a family... Wade was raking leaves, I had just gotten back from the store, and Caden had just woken up from a nap. It was beautiful weather - wish it could've lasted longer, but Wade had to get ready to coach his first basketball game of the season, and Caden quickly needed lunch :).

Ho hum, what's a boy to do?

Climb a tree with dad, perhaps?

Get thrown in the air? Most definitely.

Jump in the leaves? Yes please.

Ah, what a great day!

Old things

Ok, so 5 isn't very old, but I can't believe my first "baby" Paisley turned FIVE on Saturday. Poor thing doesn't get quite as much attention with the second baby around, but we still love her! For her birthday she got lots of dog treats, bequeathed to her by her cousin Ally who went on to doggie heaven last week :(.

Caden has gotten to play with Lego-ish toys that Hillary & I had when we were little, and it's just so fun to see him explore different things. He really likes the cars & trains and will drive them around on the floor. So cute!

Aw Shucks Farms

On Saturday, we went on our first real family "outing" to Aw Shucks Farms in Monroe, NC. I had bought a Groupon for it, so admission was half-price, and it was a perfect day for fall activities! I'm sure it would have been more fun for Caden if he was 3 or 4 years old instead of 8 months, but I loved at least giving him a new experience (and taking pictures).

Cutie(s)

They had continuously running hayrides around the corn maze, so we each took him on one (didn't want to leave our stroller & stuff by itself for us all to go together).

Love my family!

They had a (small) pumpkin patch, so I got to live out my dream of taking fall pictures of my kid with a bunch of pumpkins (haha). Caden stood & inspected this pumpkin for a bit, but we decided not to buy one there.

Daddy tickling the Cadester - I love his giggles so much!

They also had a corn maze, which was a little disappointing because the corn was not as tall as Wade, so he could see over it :). There were also some goats, chickens & turkeys, and a random little pony you could buy food to feed, but we didn't get in on that because there were a bunch of little kids in the way. Probably better not to get Caden's hand bitten off this early anyway ;-).