Just Like
At two years old,
he already wants to be just like his Daddy.
“Go, go go! Yay Baseball! Yay Daddy! Goooo!”
So sweet.
Little Bunny Foo Foo
Seeing as how this weekend will have been one month since Easter I decided now is better than waiting even longer to share some Easter pictures with you starting with the week before! We had a 
great time this year as this was the first time Caden was an active participant in the egg hunting celebrations. We weren’t sure if he would be overwhelmed by the large church/city/sponsored egg hunts, but when our city hosted a egg the weekend before Easter we decided we didn’t have much to lose.
1. It didn’t interfere with actual Easter plans/festivities.
2. It was free.
3. It would be a great test run to see what he thought.
4. It was three minutes from our house.
5. It was free.
6. If it was a total bust or Caden hated it we only wasted the three minute drive of 
our time.
So, we let Caden pick out his attire, to which he chose a “boat” shirt as he kept pointing “boat…boat…boat” grabbed his egg gathering bucket, threw the stroller in the car and headed out. He had a GREAT time! The thing is, we, unlike a lot of parents at these things it seems, could care less how many eggs he actually picks up. We just want him to experience it and have fun until he is done and doesn’t care much. A big reason we thought this city hunt would go well is because it was split in age groups and his was 0-3 so I knew he wouldn’t be completely trampled by older kids and might actually have a chance to observe as he likes to and then get a couple eggs when he figured it out. As we waited at the edge Caden pointed to the eggs repeating “egg” while holding his bucket, raring to go. We told him that “Yes those were eggs, and yes, in a moment he could pick them up and put them in his bucket.”
Colter got the joy of walking him around and hunting with 
him as I took pictures (the role he chose) and maintained Everett in the stroller or in my arms. Honestly, I think Caden loved bouncing to the 
music they had playing inbetween picking up each egg more than the discovery of the actual eggs. It was pretty precious though. After he had collected a decent amount of eggs it was time to head to the bounce house with Dad (which I knew he wouldn’t actually like once he realized we couldn’t go in with him) and then to walk around the festivities.
Highlights? Meeting the Chick-Fil-A cows which I think haunted him as much as they excited him. It was like the whole “I can’t watch but I can’t look away” fascination as he watched these supposed cows stand, walk and his favorite…dance. He waved, high-fived, and almost hugged the cows before he got scared. He then proceeded to stalk them.
We also got a preview of Disney reaction because they had a “Mickey and Minnie” there (by far the worst imitation costumes I have seen) and he was mesmerized. Happy to give them high-fives, too excited to look at the camera at first when Daddy took him up there because oh my goodness, he was standing next to Mickey Mouse!
We left happy that he had a good time and that his first real experience egg-hunting was a success. Nothing like feeling like you didn’t torture your kid to take part in a silly holiday tradition! Ha! It was nice to know that on actual Easter weekend he would enjoy the egg hunt Nonna was going to set up for him over there and that he got to experience one last “only child” Easter hunt where he didn’t have to share since Everett wasn’t much of a participant!
Caden-Isms
We are definitely into the “kids say/do” the dardnest things age with Caden which often makes life quite humorous with him as he learns to navigate this world.
Caden the seal? Half the fun is him knowing he is being silly and giggling the whole time. Such a silly age.
I am pretty sure that Caden has already forgotten what life without his brother was like. He loves him and we love them so it all works out.
Little boy breakfast bed head? Add it to the list of cutest things ever.
Love his sweet PB & J face.
Don’t love figuring out that his finger is a perfect fit for his nose.
Still a big time helper, and wanting to do all things “big boy”.
Oh chuckles.
Yes, he is still OCD about things being in their place and cleaning. He even says goodnight to the vacuum each night. Yes, I blame myself.
Big boy right??!! Loving Nonna and his swing which has to be the perfect childhood combination.
New haircut (compliments of Mom) and cleaning up his toys. Yes…cleaning again. He wouldn’t want his play space to get too messy. That would just be a horror.
Watch out PGA, our one handed golfing toddler is on your heels.
It is truly impressive how much food this kid can put away. For example, yesterday at lunch he ate 1 1/2 bananas, a whole PB & J sandwich, a pear, a handful of Popchips, cheese and some hummus. This was two hours after he had two scrambled eggs, two pieces of toast and strawberries for breakfast. Hungry boy.
Caden-isms
- “like” He always says “like…like…like” which we realized was his version of hungry, or eat. Why? Turns out we have always said, “Would you LIKE somethin/g to eat? Would you like some strawberries? Would you like a sandwich?” Therefore he has decided that he would prefer to say ‘like” when he is hungry and wants to eat.
- doooouuuughhhh-zer/dozer. Obsessed with bulldozers. So much that when he sees one he gets so excited he has to growl out the first sound and hold it.
- “can-cake” Don’t ask me why, but this is pancake. We don’t encourage it, we have never said it like this but he loves him some pancakes. He even recognizes the few brunch places we visit from the car so if we pass them at any time during the day he
will scream out “CAN-CAKES!”
- “Hiya Meh-e Moouuussseee” – Hi Mickey Mouse! Mickey is his new best friend, amigo, pal, partner in crime. He has loved Mickey for awhile but now he LOVES Mickey. Colter and I crack up because he can’t just say “Mickey” he has to say Mickey Mouse every time and he drags out the mouse with his pitch getting higher and higher. He talks to Mickey during the show, answers his questions, sings the “hot dog” song, and full on pays attention. Thanks Mickey!
- “Toast? Jeggy” When in doubt get out the toaster. Bread and a machine that he can push the buttons on with a surprising “I don’t know when it is going to jump out at me end?” – perfect. It is like breakfast’s version of the Jack in the Box. This leads him to regularly ask for toast and as soon as he starts it, he then asks for “jeggy” which you and I call jelly.
“Ah wooo, wooo wooo”. Any vehicle (fire engine, helicopter) or machine (fan) goes woo-wooo-wooo. it is like his version of “vroom” which he will do also. (with a corresponding arm circle motion of course) I have no idea.
“Danka” – Thank you. We’re trying. At least the thought is there. The pronunciation? Eh.
I could go on and on as usual, but I think I will stop with promises of a future post of all the pictures I am going to blackmail him with as he gets older. 
Goosebumps
Sometimes the smallest things can make the hairs on your arms stand up, and goosebumps to creep across your body as a memory triggers your body’s response to a stimuli. Sometimes your body knows before your brain does.
As I got Everett out of his crib during the night last night, for the hundredth third time, I pulled him to me and sat down trying to register the difference that was waking my foggy, sleepy brain.
Goosebumps.
He smelled like mom’s perfume.
I put him to bed smelling like baby lotion from his nightly bath.
Goosebumps.
Nostalgia
Every now and then I get hit with a whopping dose of deja vu. That whole I have been right here doing exactly this and I can feel it all kind of deja vu. Having both kiddos has had it occur more frequently as I watch Everett do something and then 
realize it is because I do have a memory of a VERY similar looking Caden doing that same thing. I am drifting a little but I bring up deja vu because occasionally it is a childhood recollection that brings those “I know this” emotions to surface. When that happens it is the bittersweet nostalgia that sets in.
A month ago during another rainy day at home after another sleepless night with Everett I needed to find a new, fun “project” to do with Caden to keep his mind and hands busy without going outside or around town. The pots came out along with the flour, salt, water, cream of tartar and food coloring. Voila! Homemade 
playdough. His first taste experience altogether as a kid and mine as a mom.
As I stirred the concoction together watching it begin to stick a sure sign that it is almost ready to excitement from Caden and familiar smell sent me flying back to Bexley, Ohio circa the early 90s to my grandmother’s kitchen. If there was one treat that my grandma made for us and made well and often, it was homemade playdough.
I can see her apron, her standing over the counter strewn with snacks for us ever so patiently waiting for the perfect time to remove it only to tell us that it was too hot and we would have to wait for it to cool. The warm dough we would squish all over her wood, corner kitchen table in our special stools taking its salty smell and endless possibilities.
If there was one thing Grandma wouldn’t turn down making us,
it was homemade playdough. (and playing cards…and board games…and taking us to the dollar store…and letting us put rollers in her hair…shall I continue?)
Handing Caden his first batch and watching his amazement as we picked colors to mix in and cookie cutters to play with made a part of me want to be right back in my Grandma’s kitchen at that very moment. The kitchen where she tirelessly stirred turkey gravy for Thanksgiving dinner. The kitchen where she rinsed the green beans we had just picked in the backyard to serve with sausage patties and cornbread. The 
kitchen where hours of cards were played, thousands of pennies were counted and countless memories were made next to the radio so carefully balanced with its long antennae so we could turn the dial and tune in to our favorite oldies station.
Nostalgia.
While I couldn’t go back to that kitchen that day I could call my now 90 year old grandmother to reminisce. While I couldn’t go back to being a kid I did have the joy of experiencing it again through my son. While I couldn’t recreate that memory I could create new ones with him.
Whether it be deja vu or nostalgia or peaceful reminders of your past sometimes they do help you make the most of your present!
Bubblies
My son loves bubbles, or as he calls them, bubblies.
In the air, in the bath, on his hands.
He loves them.
So, a belated birthday gift from his Auntie and Uncle in the form of a bubble machine was just what this sick kid needed. Not to mention it saves his parents (your truly) from passing out via too much bubble blowing. Amen.
Got to love bubbles…and dogs that wrestle in the yard.
Paper Boy
There once was a time when the hubs and I used to sit outside on our balcony (that over looks our neighbors) or our back patio (that overlooks our neighbors) while drinking coffee and reading the Sunday paper. (not enjoying the view)
There are many mornings that I miss it.
The feel and smell of the pages, trading sections back and forth and oh yeah – the news. But then I am reminded of what would happen if we still received the Sunday paper.
Our Paper Boy Would Deliver It
(And From What I Hear, Paperboys Don’t Have the Best Aim)
He was so excited to hand Pa Pa the paper and “help”.
Hi- Ho {Updated}
{updated from the earlier post because the end had been cut off}
Friday the 13th Indeed
Earlier this week we sang – “Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It’s Back to the Doc We Go”
Wednesday went a little something like this -
102 Fever & Rising, Hadn’t Eaten Since 8:00 p.m. the day prior. Vomiting, Can’t Keep Tylenol Down, Lethargic, Up ALL Night with Tummy Woes Mess. Crying, Sad, The Works
It felt oddly familiar to what led us to the hospital back in January when he had RSV.
One look in his throat and a “Woah!” from his doctor told us it wasn’t in conjunction with his tummy (good news?) but a big old throat infection. Concerned that his fever was so high still at his age and him being sick again we were armed with Tylenol and Pedialyte to keep him comfortable and hydrated if he allowed it.
Seriously…we rarely leave the house so where this little guy keeps getting sick is beyone me. Apparently its our house.
Not that he sleeps more than a couple hours usually, but the past few days have been back to none at all with a lot of rocking, ssshhiing, crying, patting, and trying to comfort our hurting little boy. My arms and legs are actually sore from carrying and walking him 24/7. Really long days and even longer nights.
Then this morning Caden didn’t eat his breakfast and after playing for a bit kept asking to be held. When asked if he was okay, he said “No.” That’s usually his default answer so when asked if something hurt he said “Yes” and opened his mouth. As soon as he got near me I could tell he was on fire. En fuego if you will.
103.2
Awesome.
You know when your two year old crawls up into your bed and doesn’t play, talk or try to escape he definitely doesn’t feel well. Not well at all. Poor guy.
So Friday the 13th got us, doubling our sick load.
What a year…I mean week.
If anyone wants to send health or sleep our way, we will gladly accept.
{5}
Another one bites the dust.
Another month that is.
As of April 2nd, our littlest man is 5 months old! Everett is, well…a hot mess. However, we are finally getting some answers (that we already suspected but thought had been negated) and are making some changed to help the little man. Luckily for Everett, his chubby, rosey cheeks are ridiculously kissable. Ridiculously so. The poor thing must get his cheeks smooched 200 times daily. Fortunately for me he grins and coos when he smooch him so he must not mind too much.
He is completely and totally in love with his brother. If Caden is in the room his eyes are locked on him and he will immediately light up, smile and bounce in excitement. I think the favorite part of both of their days is when we get Caden up in the morning and he asks for us to put Everett in bed with him. Everett 
immediately starts to giggle and reach for Caden causing both of them to grin ear to ear. I have a feeling that one day they might ask us for bunk beds.
Several months ago we had a successful belly to back roller on our hands, and early on this month he finally mastered the reverse – back to belly. He seems much happier about this develoment which allows for more tummy time. Caden however, thinks that Everett is in need of help when he rolls and declares “Oh No!!!!” as he sees him roll and tries to roll him back because surely he isn’t supposed to roll onto his belly. We taught him that this was okay and to clap when he does it so he wouldn’t always roll him back. The result? Caden now says “again” every time Everett
rolls so he can celebrate for him. Poor little guy gets a workout!
Just like his brother, Everett became a drool monster around 4 months. I didn’t actually think he would be teething because Caden didn’t until later and it is usually the same time frame but his two bottom teeth are on their way. He keeps psyching us out because you can see the corners of where they will come through but then they wouldn’t actually cut. A couple weeks went by and it feels as though one of them has started to cut but is taking its sweet time. I can see it starting to poke through but that is it and the fact that he has always wanted to chew on well – everything doesn’t give us a lot of information either.
In general Everett is a “mover”. He is rarely still, always kicking his legs and moving 
his hands in and out of his mouth. If you need him to be still, sing to him. When I sing he immediately stills his body turns his head to me and smiles. It is almost the encouragement I need to go for a record deal. What I do fine interesting though is that when he is upset, or fussing during the night if I begin to sing “Rock-A-Bye” to him his whole body relaxes, he quiets and goes back to sleep almost at once. (Trouble is then you have to keep singing.) Why do I find this interesting? Other songs entertain him and he enjoys but this one soothes him. Why? Perhaps it is because while I was pregnant, I sang this to Caden every single night as I put him to bed. Interesting right? Maybe he recognizes it and is comforted by a familiar tune he heard in the womb. Maybe!
In other fun playtime news, Everett found his feet! He loves to grab them, pull them and well, try to eat them. Yummy!
He still “talks” all the time to us and loves to laugh. He is a ticklish fella so that will get him going as will watching his brother do just about anything. Sweet baby giggles can make anyone chuckle.
He motorboats quite regularly, probably because you have to do something with all of that drool besides soak onesies with it.
Last but not least, he is growing like a weed although I swear most of it is in his thighs. Unlike his brother he is also getting more and more hair as the days go by. Looks like this one won’t still be bald on his first birthday!
A lengthier update I know, but I wanted to give you more than what we usually say – he doesn’t sleep, he fusses, etc. Watching him and Caden interact more and more is a true joy and as we are starting to finally get some answers on his tummy troubles he will become a whole new baby in how he feels!
