Cousin visit

Last weekend, Mark's sister Sylvia, husband Dave, nephew Jakob and brand-new nephew Erik came down for a visit. Syliva was due 3 weeks after me, but ended up having Erik early as well. He's 8 days younger than Caden, but he is a CHUNK! And so very, very cute!

Mamma went back to work this week. And it's OK, not as bad as I thought. Grammy is looking after Caden during the day, and since she's so close, I can go down and feed him during lunch.

Here's what Mark likes to call 'working from home'

3 Months

Caden turned 3 months old on Tuesday. Coincidentally we all got together that day for a family photo. The first is my favorite - it was the first picture taken of the group (isn't that always the case?) but Parker just wasn't into it yet.
The second photo is probably the final version.

And this last one was just too cute not to post!

12 weeks & pictures galore

Caden is 12 weeks old this week. He's growing, and is a very happy baby. He's also a very good baby. We've recently discovered the miracle of the double-swaddle, so now he sleeps 6-7 hours in a row at night - what a difference that makes for mom & dad! He smiles and responds to you, which is so rewarding. He also enjoys the bath and diaper changes now - which makes them much easier on both parent & baby.

Anyway, without further ado - pictures galore. Including a comparison shot from when he was newly home. I think he's about doubled his size since then.

Caden is also happy to report that Daddy has almost finished the floor in Mommy's sewing/craft room, so Mommy is pretty happy. [Did you think there wouldn't be any house stuff here?]

2 month appointment

Caden continues to grow. He's started to grow out of his very first outfits, which is both good and bad news. He now weighs 10lbs 11.5 oz, which means he gained 50 ounces in 38 days (good growth is an ounce a day). Because he was small when he was born, he was at the low end of the percentiles, but he's catching up. This is also reassuring for me because when you're breastfeeding, you're never quite sure how much he's getting, but obviously, it's enough.

Caden is starting to interact a bit, he'll watch your face, and he'll smile and do that goofy open mouth baby laugh that babies do (see below). He makes tons of noises, mostly squeeks, but he hasn't yet started on the gurgling & cooing. I've been trying to get the assortment of noises on video tape, which is a challenge. He's 9 weeks old as of yesterday, but I also have to balance that with the fact that he came 3 weeks early, so developmentally, they also consider him to only be 6 weeks old. A big deal when you're only 9 weeks old, but it'll balance out soon enough.

At his appointment yesterday, he had to get 5 immunization shots. He was a champ, mainly because the nurse was fantastic - I don't think I've ever seen someone move that fast. She lined up the 5 syringes (a little intimidating), and we got him positioned, and she was done before he even had a chance to finish the breath that'd he drawn in to cry with. She was literally flinging the needles away into the corner when she was done with each one. Because it went so fast, he recovered pretty quickly. There were a few tears (not all his) but it was over quickly.

So he's doing good. I'm managing to keep somewhat busy, but I'm also very happy to have visitors, or come for a visit. He's very portable right now.

And pretty darn cute!

A White Christmas & Happy New Year

Caden has his first Christmas, and a white one it was. We hosted and it started to snow early in the day. It was perfect, the trees got covered, but the ground wasn't warm enough for it stick. If you've been to our house, you know that snow and our driveway don't mix, so it was the perfect situation.

We hosted my folks, my sister's family, Mark's mum & her husband, Mark's Aunt Heddy, and my Uncle's family. We asked Heddy to be Caden's Godmother and she accepted. We had a full house of 13 adults and 4 kids, it's great to have the kid generation around, they so excited by all of it.

I'm also pleased to report that Caden has decided that he doesn't hate the bathtub so much anymore. Diaper changes, however, continue to be a source of intense dislike. Sometimes to the point of one of his new skills - tears. We hope he enjoys it someday.



Happy 2008!

Growth!

Caden had his 1 month appointment. He now weighs 7 lbs 9 oz. He'd gained 14 oz in 10 days, so that is really good growth - they look for approx. 1 oz a day. He's also now 21 inches, up from 20. Grow, baby, grow!

Pictures, pictures, pictures!!!

Yes, you asked for it, and here they are, pictures, pictures, pictures. [I apologize for the late delivery, I was starting to feel good enough to do this last week, but then my incision got infected and my recovery went backwards. I'm feeling a bit better now.]









Thanksgiving

Caden in his 'outing' outfit

First bath.














Hanging out









































Home from the hospital

Going home outfit.

Arriving home for the first time.

Asleep in the vintage crib that mom, Aunt Carlee and Grammy (and multiple other family members) have slept in.

With cousins Garrett & Parker on Thanksgiving. The first time they met him, they were literally jumping up & down with excitement.

Yawn!

Jean meeting Caden for the first time.

At home, during Hilde's visit.