Race to 2
We are playing a little bit of catch up here as I am a bit over a week late which in this household might as well be considered on time!
We have entered the final month leading up to Caden’s 2nd birthday which means I owe you one final update before he is a true two year old. After the month we have had it is hard to reflect and think about any changes or new things because this month was just so bad for the whole family.
I can say that between all of the sicknesses and patheticness going on around here Caden did seem to pick up a little of the jealousy bug when it comes to his brother. Thankfully, he doesn’t take it out on his brother but us, the parents. By jealousy I mean he wants to be held when brother is being held, he hates it when I feed Everett because he can’t have attention and every now and then he just flat out shows you where he wants you to put Everett down so he can get 
attention. He does like to swat at me when he is mad or frustrated making him a bit more familiar with time out this month. So, nothing too terrible but enough to let you know he would rather not share you at that exact moment or that he has an opinion.
At other times in our day when he is frustrated, he will just do whatever he can to convince you to take him outside. This usually involves appearing dressed in some sort of outside aparrel while trying to put his shoes on. Then again every member of the Kazmann family has needed a little extra love this past month so that might not be a permanent change on his part!
In big brother news, Caden’s new favorite job is throwing away diapers. All I have to say to that is, “I’ll take it!” Anytime there is a diaper change for his baby brother he waits to take the diaper to the trash. At 
bathtime he comes in to check to see when brother is in his birthday suit because that means there will be a diaper to take to the trash and a dirty outfit to go in the hamper. What can I say? My boy likes to clean.
He likes to clean so much that at Gymboree his favorite activity is anything involves putting the toys back in the basket and handing them to the instructor. He likes to clean so much that he will get out his wipes just so he can pull them out to wipe down a table, floor, cabinet etc. I could go on…and on…and on. So I’ll stop.
His vocabulary grows by the day and he hides even more words in that noggin’ of his that he busts out of nowhere. “Bulldozer” for example he brought out last night at bathtime because there was one on his shirt. He has now decided to call it a “dozer”. However, if you came to see Caden you would never know he could talk. 
Not only does his vocabulary grow by the day, so does his shyness. He won’t say a A WORD in front of anyone. Just last week he finally told Nonna and Pa Pa “Hi!” along with his wave. Our shy guy. (though he is happy to tell the dogs what to do and share with Thrasher as long as Thrasher doesn’t snatch from him)
At home, we hear from him – “apple, agua, Bo, bear, box, ball, book, baby, cat, cook, car, color, doggy, down, daddy/dada, did, ear, eye, go, go get it, Hi, hot, honk, hey, more,
Mama, No, Nonna, Oh, Uh-Oh, Open, Out, Pop, Two, Woah, Water…oh, and bulldozer. There are probably some more random ones, and he likes to say things once and then never again – potty for example. It is very obvious that he knows more words than he will say to us, especially regularly but as with the rest of his “milestones” he is going to do it when he feels like it. Strong willed this one is. He jibber jabbers all day long so once he makes the decision to talk all the time I have a feeling he isn’t going to stop.
Pretend play is in full swing as you saw with our ‘Rainy Day Fun” when we made a cardboard house. That box house is now a piece of furniture in our living room that he visits regularly and takes treasures into. If it’s missing, check his house. That 
same day I made him a “stove” because I was trying to cook and he wanted to help. So, he got his own stove and he won’t ever turn down getting the utensils.
His toy stove his also a part of his toy collection now that has pots, pans, bowls and tupperware on it daily so he can cook. He stirs, adds to his stew cotton balls, crayons and other miscellaneous items he deems soup-worthy. Then he will even offer you a taste and has finally become pleased with you taking a fake taste and not a real one…thank goodness.
The first thing he does is tell us it is “hot”. He exclaims “hot, hot!” while flailing his “hot” hand over the stove and pot so you are sure to be careful.
I should have more pictures of him whining, crying or throwing himself on the floor to accurately portray his current age but who wants to see that? I took a couple of my phone and sent them to Norma who just didn’t believe that he could be a cryface. Oh but he can. 
Especially at meal time…what a pain in the behind!
He does keep us quite entertained and his humourous ways make up for his frustrating ones. No more monkeys jumping on the bed anyone?
So, a lot of the same and a lot of new all as he approaches two! We are hoping that the “twos” aren’t much more terrible than some of the phases he has been going through lately. We like to think that brotherhood pushed him into the terrible twos a little early and we have gotten some of those battles underway. Talking, potty training and discipline understanding have been our big changes/goals around here lately and there has been progress in all three. I think the pictures are more of the update now as it is harder to think of things that are “milestones” or
big changes for him these days. At least he still gets pictures taken of him to you can watch him grow right along with us.
Mark it on your calendars…T-Minus 21 Days until our baby boy is two. Amazing.
Rainy Day Fun
Last week we had a few rainy days.
Rainy days used to be days where you could snuggle up and be lazy. Now rainy days mean you are going to be trapped in with a stir crazy child so you better get on your game.
So, to entertain sweet boy #1 who was battling his ear infections we had to get creative.
Thankful for spare boxes!
His house was a hit. A big hit. Poor Thrasher was even held hostage in it for awhile and Mommy had to make regular visits. Daddt’s long legs couldn’t quite curl up in his house causing him to already want a mansion. In just a few years son, just a few long years.
Never Ending
Because Everett being sick & in the hospital wasn’t enough…
Because me having a massive sinus infection making my face feel broken isn’t enough…
Because not getting any rest from all the sicknesses isn’t enough…
Caden is cutting his two year molars.
That whole “you don’t get more than you can handle” thing is really being tested over here.
You have never heard so much crying in one household.
I share so you can share in our misery. Sometimes misery does need company.
Trouble
This is What An Almost Two Year Old Looks Like
Trouble.
Attitude.
Then a Sweet Smooch & Hug to Make Up for his Michevious Ways.
Sounds a Lot Like the Teenage Years.
Double 2
At 22 months I am ready to just tell people that my son is two! I pretty much do now
because when you say 22 months it makes people do the math which is a pain for all involved. However you then have your very specific people who like to point out that he isn’t quite there. I agree, not quite but isn’t it easier?
Easier to say maybe…but hard to believe!
I think this past month for Caden has been full of learning – and frustration. It is an interesting stage of being very needy & clingy (wanting up all the time or snuggles) yet wanting to be completely independent even when he isn’t capable of it. We are all ready for his communication skills to start filling in the gaps to take away some of his frustration. Speaking of, the child speaks! He has been so 
efficient with his hands and noises that despite our always asking him to say things and telling him what something his that he is pointing at before giving it to him he hadn’t been very interested in or motivated to truly talk. Sure he has said things like “daddy”, “yum-yum”, “uh-oh” etc. for awhile but this month we added quite a bit to his vocabulary. His favorite you ask? “NO!” He knew the word before but now he uses it – All. The. Time. I told Colter we have to be careful about what we ask him now because if we ask it we are giving him the option to answer. For example…
“Caden, are you ready to go upstairs and take a rest (nap) now?”
Answer: “Mmmm, No.”
You asked! He answered.
Sometimes it is quite adorable though because he will quite simply and softly reply
“No” to your question and move on. The boy knows what he wants!
They aren’t all crystal clear and it is hit or miss as to whether or not he is going to use them on his own or be prompted but his list is steadily growing.(It is About Time) Let me think…
No, Up, Down, Hi, Doggy, Bo (dog’s name), Daddy, Mama (only when he is whining and really wants me), Brother, (comes out Braduh), Pop, Nonna (Grandma’s name), more, ball, Out (outside), Go, Go Get It, Water (only sometimes)
He is still a dancing fool but it seems to entertain him and crack up whoever he is
around. He loved all of the Christmas music that played anywhere we went and started to ask for me to play it in the mornings while he ate breakfast. If music can keep him happy then music he will hear!
Speaking of Christmas, the child was a bit overwhelmed. I think there where too many people asking him to do too many things at once (open this, look at that, play over here, take this, etc) that he was beyond overstimulated and over it. He cried a lot over those couple of days and mainly because he didn’t seem to know what to do when. He was especially frustrated that no one wanted him to play with a gift he had opened but to put it aside and open another. So, we saved quite a few gifts for him to open on his own time and even stashed some we had got him for Christmas to save for his birthday. A little overloaded to say the least.
He is such a busy boy that we have found some new fun to occupy him. Wednesday mornings we go to Metroplext gymnastics with Lindsay and Becca for open gym time. There the boys can run, jump (trampolines, bounce houses, padded floors), dance and laugh it up in a large gym with ample space. He gets very excited when we arrive and wears himself out enough to walk over to his shoes when time is up on his own because he is ready to go. It is nice because it is enough time for Caden to observe and warm up to what he wants to do and who with before jumping in.
Did you notice I said “warm up”? Yes, it seems our sweet boy has caught a bit of the shy bug. He has always been a little but of an observer but this month it went into overload. Caden started to hide by our legs, grab onto them or want up when other kids or people came around. Instead of socializing he would just ignore others or become sad. Now, this doesn’t happen so much at home -if visitors come to the house he is usually thrilled and shows off. Out in public? Not so much. I am very aware of him being home with me vs. the socialization benefits of schools etc. So, I am hoping our increased activities like gymnastics, Gymboree (started it back up), playdates and storytimes (continuing on) will help with this before he starts Mother’s Day out in the fall.
As I even say Mother’s Day Out I can’t believe how fast he is growing! I wanted him to be talking before we started him in school and since most programs don’t offer a Spring entry we had to wait (but already register) for the fall. So he has quite a few months to continue mastering his full time big brother skills before leaving us a
couple of days a week.
At 22 months Caden loves his Dad, brother, bed (somersaults in bed anyone?), music, Mickey, trains, animal crackers, legos, big boy cups, Nonna & Pa Pa, and all things boy (sports, dirt, wrestling) Another month down and still in love. I’d say that is a success!
Firsts
You thought from the title this was about Everett didn’t you? Nope! It only took us 22 months, but Caden finally needed his first haircut. Sure, I had trimmed it myself a couple times, but his mop was getting a bit unruly.
Getting all set up in his red race car & trying to figure out exactly what is about to be done to him.
Notice the finger pointing as he kept repeating “down” wondering why I would only come and hold his hand but not listen to him and take him down.
Excuse me ma’am, that is my head and hair you are messing with…oh wait, is that music on that TV? Okay, I’ll stay.
Check me out.
“Yaaaaayyyyy! I did it!”
Someone tell me how that baby with the unruly mop above turned into a teenager with just a
I said I wasn’t attached to hair & didn’t really get that ” I can’t cut it.” mentality. Then I watched them cutting off the hair that took FOREVER for our sweet boy to get and I felt the tugs on my heart.
So handsome, and so grown up.
And still so blonde.
December Action
We have a VERY busy boy around here in the form of an almost two year old boy named Caden. I thought you might like seeing some of the things he has been up to. Turn up the volume and enjoy!
An excessive amount of morning energy to greet you with!
I like to think of this as my dancing handyman. He just can’t help himself.
Child labor…I mean good observation skills.
At least he is making good use of the baby wipes he stole!
Take Him to the Bars!
Quick, somebody take Caden out to the bars for a belated celebration of his 21
month “birthday”. Oh wait…that is 21 years. Oopsy.
On November 27th, Caden became a whopping 21 months old. So close to two! Last month for Caden was obviously dominated by his new role as a big brother. He is doing so well and is a wonderful helper! So far, Caden has nothing but love for his little brother. He seems to have taken to his new title very seriously and will search the house for blankets and/or burpcloths to bring us so we can “cover brother up”. In the mornings when Caden wakes up he truly bounces into our bedroom to peek and point at brother in his bassinet (he also usually insists we get him up and out to go to breakfast with us which we are trying to break) before heading to the kitchen. Likewise, at night he wants to give brother a snuggle and goodnight wave 
before he does us as he heads upstairs. In love.
There were a few rough days when we first came home that surely had to do with the new baby but not directly. Caden wanted nothing to do with me but wasn’t jealous that I was with Everett. He just wanted Colter all the time and some extra snuggles. I’m talking wouldn’t look at me, play with me, let me feed him, put him to bed etc. Fortunately the night before Colter went back to work he asked me to put him to bed and did so with hugs and kisses. Phew!
There have been many sweet, precious moments on his part as a big brother that I will have to grasp onto when Everett starts reaching for his toys and Caden changes his opinion. Until that day comes I will relish in the sweetness.
In non big brother news, Caden went through a HUGE growth spurt last month. I kid you not when I say he spent the entire day in and out of his chair eating. It made me nervous for teenage boys because at toddler age he almost ate us out of house and home. I am happy to say he is back to his normal eating which is still about as much as I eat. Porker.
He has two new obsessions. School buses and Mickey. (notice the Mickey book he brought Uncle Drew to read to him when they were at the house) School buses came along with his truck and airplane infatuation (which is still going strong along with “the farm”) but we got him a school bus toy that he 
could probably play with all day. He still points out the trucks and airplanes with excited “Ohhhhh”s but when he sees a school bus now he practically shreaks with joy and bounces excitedly. Mickey isn’t so much of an obsession as an instant happy maker. Caden doesn’t pay attention to the TV much, but really likes to see Mickey at the beginning and end of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. It is a helpful distraction if I need a few minutes with Everett because he will laugh and point to Mickey for a few minutes. There is also a Mickey Mouse on one of his Crocs that he loves to show off too. I can totally handle Mickey. Colter can’t stand all of their voices but I told him that Mickey is the best of the cartoon voices so to just take it.
I think the fact that he realized his life is run by his parents caused him to enjoy controlling the dogs this month. He will tease them, and push them out of his way just because he can. While once best friends, he and Thrasher have been having their territory battles lately. One minute they hate the sight of each other the next
they are snuggling. True best friends I suppose? Caden has a new fondness for Bo which to be seems because of their sizes now. He loves to lay down with him, get in his dog bed and give him pets, although they occasionally turn into smacks which lands him in timeout.
Ooooo, timeout! Yes, we started timeout last month but just for the big things. Unfortunately, Caden kind of likes it. Well, it is strange. He knows he is in trouble, and he doesn’t like that but if you tell him now “No hitting.” which is 
something that lands him in timeout after a warning, he will take himself straight to timeout and sit down because he knows that is what happens. So, even if you weren’t planning on that being a timeout he will take himself to timeout. He is really good about giving a hug to whoever he was in timeout for (mom, dad, dogs) to say he is sorry when he gets out though and then he doesn’t repeat the behavior. Progress!
All in all life for our baby boy (which I am not allowed to call him anymore) is still swell and full of love, food, and playtime. Who could ask for anything more?
Me and My “Boo”
Last week we took the easy way out on Halloween. He started his Halloween Eve and Halloween morning in his skeleton pajamas just like last year. It is funny to see him in something so similar one year later and mark the differences. Seeing as how we thought that Everett might arrive prior to Halloween we didn’t get a big old “get-up” for Caden and knew we probably wouldn’t be taking him trick or treating. Seeing as how he doesn’t know what candy is, we are holding off on that one as long as we can.
So, Caden sported his ghost look all day – My “Boo”.
He rocked his pumpkin hat while we ran errands and spent the afternoon more than content to not be confined in a costume. Maybe next year son…maybe next year.
He ended up enjoying the trick or treaters that came by. At first, he was so sad that they weren’t staying to play! “Who are these kids taking thigs from my parents and not entertaining me?” Then he realized he could wave to them and interact and all was right in his little world again.
All in all it worked out great and we enjoyed a very nice evening together before labor ended up starting the next morning. Our little ghost had a very Happy Halloween!
“Punkin”
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Mommy’s Little “Punkin” Head
(I’m sorry, I had to say it. Punkin, Punkin, Punkin. There it is out of my system and I will return to “Pumpkin” )
One Year Later…
Last year I made Caden his pumpkin hat and believe it or not, while it is a bit smaller, it is still going strong.