Man, Oh Man!

This week is FULL of emotion for me. I am so excited for Christmas, but it is bittersweet because my sweet boy is turning (gulp) one! People say it happens fast, but good grief not this fast, it cannot possibly be almost a year ago that Caden came into this world and changed our lives forever. I get a little sad thinking about putting him to bed on Christmas Eve knowing that the next time I see him he will be a whole year old. People say "oh, well you have another one coming" but not another Caden. Maybe, just maybe I will have to keep him up late the night before his birthday and and spend a few extra sweet minutes just loving on him before he turns one! Here is a picture from his birth day.

10-0

I have been a true blue fan...well, forever. and I can say that once again I can wear my blue with pride (I actually always have;) Kentucky basketball is back and not only are they winning, the are winning with style as one of the announcers said today the way they are playing basketball is "poetry in motion." I know we may not go undefeated but I have to say being a UK fan in a beautiful thing these days!

It's Cold Outside!

This time last year on a morning like this morning I would have started my car 20 minutes before I left so it was really warm when I got in, I would have been bundled up in my boots, scarf, hat and gloves. I would (no joke) have had my coat zipped up to my eyeballs and anything else I could find to keep me warm. This morning was oh so different. I ran out to start my car about thirty seconds before me and Caden had to leave. I bundled him up in his socks, coat, oong sleeve shirt, boots and tobaggon and when we got to the car and were pulling out of the driveway I realized I had on a tshirt and a lightweight jacket. At least one of us was warm right?!

It's Christmastime:)

I have been MIA in the world of blogging and for no particular reason. Between trying to wrap up Christmas shopping and birthday present shopping and babysitting and working and being pregnant and keeping up with Caden blogging has not been at the top of my priority list:) Other than the cold I absolutely LOVE this time of year. I love the lights and decorations and giving people presents. I love that this is Caden's first Christmas (well kind of;) and I love that next year at Christmas we will have a two year old and a 6 month old. I love that Kentucky basketball is on and that Shelby County basketball is in full swing....I could go on and on and on about all the things I love about the season and sometimes I tend to get so wrapped up in cleaning and planning and preparing that I forget to stop and breathe and remember all the things there are to love:)

**here are some pictures that made the Christmas card this year and also just Caden helping us decorate the house!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year....

This really is the best time of the year. I love the Christmas music and decorations, and knowing what Christmas is really all about. I love the start of basketball season and extra time with family, but most of all I LOVE that my baby's birthday is right at the heart of the Christmas season. I have not even come close to finishing my Christmas shopping, but I have long been thinking about Caden's birthday party. With his birthday being on the 25th, we are going to have a party on the 26th. Just family, plain and simple...BUT I could not deprive everyone of his cute invitations:) SO, it's not ever December yet, but here are Caden's first birthday invitations (Oh my goodness, did the words "Caden's first birthday" just come out of my 'mouth'?!)

**I dont know why the quality is so bad but the poem at the top says:

"The whistles blown, the time has come, For our baby Caden to turn age one. It's been a year and we would love for y'all to come on over and have a ball."

A little cheesy I know but he only turns one once, right?!

WANTED!

This is a cry for help! Caden has become attached to a lovey:) He has actually been attached to it for quite some time now, but here is the problem--they dont make them anymore (or at least I can't find them). They make bear ones and bunny ones but I cannot find any puppy loveys. He had two but we lost one at the zoo today so we are down to one stinky lovey (we definately need more than one for back up). If anyone knows where to find one please let me know!! They are on Ebay but for $25.00:( Here is a picture of what we are looking for so please help us find a new lovey!

Proud...or concerned?

Okay so Caden does not know where his nose is, he is not walking yet and all he can say is "mamma" and "bye bye" well today at Target he was being such a good boy that I just had to buy him a basketball. Now, he has LOTS of basketballs little ones, medium sized ones, stuffed ones, etc., but I bought him a real NBA style ball...and he LOVES it. He played with it for an hour today. He used it to stand up with then would crouch down and pick it up and throw it. Should I be concerned that my sweey baby cant sing his ABCs or tell me what sound a dog makes, or should I be proud that he can dribble before he can walk? (not only that but what does the fact that I am even posting this say about our families priorites?!)

2 Weeks Later....

I know Halloween was a couple weeks ago but I figure better late then never...right? and these pictures were just too cute not to post.

New York, New York!

This has definately been a very tough week--probably my toughest so far as a mommy...mostly having to do with a sick baby and no sleep SO with a week like this what better than to think of the things we have to look forward to. www.southwest.com has got some amazingly insane deals going on right now (but hurry they end today!) and you can get air fares for next to nothing. I have been wanting to go to New York since my friends Joel and Melissa moved there five years ago. We have made multiple attempts to go, but it has just never worked out...until now. With a deal this great we were just going to have to make it work. On Tuesday I talked to Chris about it (the plan was to go in January and he would have to stay home because that is when basketball really starts to heat up)...his response..."sure, yeah, go ahead." (it took very little convincing him that this would be the best Christmas present EVER) YES!! One catch though, I was already getting really anxious about flying by myself with Caden. hmmm, I'll just ask a friend. On Wednesday, I sent her a message that went just like this, "random, I know but would you want to go to New York with me in January? There is a great deal on airfare and lodging would be free." In my mind I am thinking no way she will go I don't even know why I sent that. Her response "yes! that sounds amazing, let me work our childcare and talk to my husband." unbelievable. SOOOO about five minutes ago I booked our flight to NEW YORK CITY!!!!

Smile!

Try to look at this picture without cracking a smile...or just laughing out loud:) Go ahead....

Oh, Baby!

I have thought of a million ways to write this post...and even as I am typing now I am not 100% sure what the next word will be. Currently there are hundreds of thoughts flooding my mind, mostly about Caden and how sweet he is. I am so in love with him:) Sometimes I think "what did we ever do without him?" and I am sure that is how we will feel about the next one...thats right

Caden is going to be a big brother:)

that sentence seems like somewhat of an oximoron to me though, probably because the majority of people (including me) call Caden, "baby Caden." BUT baby Caden is going to be a big brother in about 7 months! SOOOO right now (though admittedly overwhelmed sometime at the thought of having 2 babies so close together) I am enjoying my time with only Caden, preparing for a new baby, cutting back on or busy schedule, beginning a new pregnancy and counting down the days until number 2:)

**I though it was only appropriate to show Caden's newborn picture...I may be having a little bit of Deja Vu!

were playin' BASKETBALL:)

To say basketball is a big part of our family would be an understatement. I have always (thanks to my grandparents) been an AVID UK fan, Chris has played basketball all of his life and played through college, and he now coaches the Shelby County Rockets High School Basketball team:) We LOVE basketball. Although at times it is a little tough...between freshman, JV and Varsity games Chris will have six games every week until mid-March-which makes for some early mornings and some late late nights, but we really would not change a thing. It is such a blessing to have a husband that does something he LOVES and we are able to attend a LOT of the games:)

That said, Caden has a few basketball goals already as well as countless basketballs. and I kid you not, he can shoot:) (well maybe not shoot but he can def. get the ball in the basket!) Maybe he has a future in the game?!?!

**the top picture is at a SCHS football game and represents all the "mommy and me" time Caden will be getting over the next 6 months:)

Deep Breath

In less than 24 hours I will be leaving my baby for FOUR AND A HALF DAYS! I know I know, it will be good for me, Chris and I need to get away, you have NOTHING to worry about and although I strongly believe all those things and am leaving him, in what are sometimes, even better hands than mine (if there is such a thing:) I am having some issues:) SOO if you think of me in the next four days, please say a little (or big) prayer!

So, where are we going? Wednesday through Friday we will be here:
http://www.catalystconference.com/index2.php
with over 12,000 people and some of our dear friends...I would link the video but I dont know how so go to the page and check it out!

Give Me Summer ALL Year Long

I like fall and the weather it brings. I love watching my CATS and COWBOYS play football every weekend, I LOVE that it means college basketball is just on the horizon...I really like fall and everything that comes with BUT I LOVE summer!!! Kentucky's summer has officially succumbed to fall today. Goodbye summer:( I know we will probably have a few more hot days but with everyones post of fall and eating chili and having their windows open--I feel like it is here. I guess I am one of those weird people that LOVE hot weather! I love the sun being hot and shining all day long, I love going on vacation and my husband being off work. I also think that I despise cold weather so much (and I am ALWAYS cold) that the sooner summer leaves the sooner winter comes ( I am shivering even thinking of it.) Goodbye Summer!

Nine is SO fine!!!

9 months. really? Caden and I had a long talk today about how he is going to stay this little for a long time...just until I am ready for him to grow up:) and all he could say was "mmmammmaaa." Seriously though I cannot believe he has been here for a whole 9 months. My 9 month old sweet baby is all boy. He is rough and tumble, into everythig and goes non stop...and I really would not have it any other way. He is definately not as cuddly as he used to be so the times that he is I soak it up. He babbles a lot but the only word he can say is "mamma" and it never fails to melt my heart. He only has one lonely tooth on the bottom but I am sure more will be coming very soon. He is pulling up, standing up and is about 2 seconds away from walking and I am SO not ready for that!

Just a Small Town Girl...

Just a small town girl...is a phrase that I thought would never describe me. BUT after being in Shelbyville for a little over a year now it is finally sinking in. I grew up in Louisville and I am well aware that Shelbyville is "right next to Louisville," but to me I am living in a small town. I am not to the point where I know everybody (although my husband is well on his way) but we have completely immersed ourselves in Shelby County Life (although I go to Louisville everyday to play with my kiddos:)...going to church out here, Chris teaching and coaching out here (which high school sports are a BIG deal!) and trying to plant some roots. I have to admit I love it. I love being 5 minutes away from everything, I love attending all the Shelby County sports (baseball, basketball- freshman, JV and Varsity, football...), I love how nice everyone is, I love Main Street, I love looking at all the antique shops and finding all the "hole in the wall places to eat." I feel like Shelbyville will be a great place to raise a family and settle down. I looked forward to being here for a while and hopefully developing lasting friendships:)

Now Presenting...

I have to brag a little. For those of you who dont know my husband is an AMAZINGLY talented photographer/graphic designer. The past couple of years he has focused on action photography with sports but the past few months he has loved doing portrait photography as well. He has done 3 students' Senior Pictures as well as Family Portraits. Chris also has a website up and running! Check it out...

www.g3studio.com

Babies Change Everything...right?

I have always been a big believer in "you don't change your lifestyle for the baby, the baby adapts their lifestyle to fit yours." (of course, this was before I had kids). Naive as that may sound it is what I thought. and honestly the past 8 1/2 months that is what has happened...Caden has adapted to this world beautifully. He has been to 17 Shelby County High School basketball games (starting from when he was 10 days old), he has been to Murray, St. Louis, Florida, Nashville, Boyle County and Grayson County. My little man goes to Parents Day Out twice a week (where I work) and babysitting with me 5 days a week--needless to say although our life has changed we are still going going going (probably too much sometimes)...my lovey has done beautifully! This weekend we were planning on going to St. Louis. My best friends from college and their husbands are getting together to celebrate Charity getting married. This was shower/bachelorette party weekend and the husbands were going to have some "man time" with the babies, that is until my baby Caden woke up with a 101 temperature on Friday morning. I tend to underreact when Caden is sick ( I dont want to be that neurotic mom that makes everyone at the doctors office cringe when they see Gaither ont he caller ID). I figured his first tooth is breaking through and I am SURE that is what it is from...until tylenol didnt touch it and it just kept going up...101.5...102.4...and finally settling on 103.5:( My little man was more lethargic and lovey than he has been since he was about 6 weeks old. I got a little nervous because even when your doctor tells you that you dont need to worry until it hits 106 (106?!?!) i was still a little worried. Anyway to end this really long post (and I am not even sure if it makes any sense) I have to say that part of me thinks Caden's body was trying to tell me something....STOP!!! I need a break I want to sleep in my own bed for all my naps and at night and I want to play with my toys and be lovey and be home. I guess sometimes babies really do know best!

**the picture has nothing to do with the post but pictures make everything more exciting:)

Mom or Celebrity?

I came across this in Parenting magazine this month...cheesy I know, but hey sometime "pick-me-ups" come in all different forms:)

Top Ten Ways Motherhood Makes You a Celebrity

1. Someone is always hounding you for your autograph. Even if it's just on a permission slip for the class trip to the recycling center.

2. You travel with an entourage. Even though two of them are still fighting over the bag of Doritos and one has a crusty nose.

3. You spend your days club hopping. How else would they get to brownies, swim lessons, etc.

4. You are front and center at every awards show.

5. You change clothes 3 times a day. And it's much more fun to pretend it's because you are being stalked by the paparazzi, not a messy toddler.

6. You are on a spa diet. Your kids only leave brocolli on their plates for you.

7. You've "exposed" yourself in public. It's hard to juggle a baby and figure out your nursing bra.

8. People beg to sleep with you. Well, only because there is a monster under their bed.

9. You are covered in tattoos. That your kid got at a birthday party.

10. Hassled as you feel right now, in 20 years you will miss all the chaos.

• **note: i do not/have not ever wanted to be a celebrity.
• At this point in life, I can only personally relate to a couple of these, but I know there are moms out there everywhere who can not only relate to all 10 but can add their own.
• I am considering not even posting this because it is so irrelevant to life and there are so many more meaningful things on my mind right now I should be posting about.
• ...those things will come at a later date

Baby (un) Wise

How did you transition from baby food to table food?
At what age did your baby __________ (fill in the blank)?
Should my baby be doing ____________????
At what age should he be ______________????
Should I give my baby a bath every night?
Am I too much of a germaphobe of a mom?
Should I be more of a germaphobe?
Am I a neurotic mom?

This is what I unleashed from my brain in a matter of about 10 seconds. Sometimes I feel so "baby (un) wise." Like I don't have a clue about some things. It seems as if the older Caden gets the more I am guessing about what to do with him. For now I figure if he is chunky, which he is:) and happy its all good...right?

Two Years

Two years today.

The Ugly Truth

I have avoided making this post. Maybe I am in denial, or maybe I don't want to scare new mommies or soon to be new mommies, or maybe I think it will make my ratings plummet for the "mom of the year," but here it is the ugly truth about last week.

One of my dearest friends from college, Tiffany, gave birth to a BEAUTIFUL baby boy about a month and a half ago. We had been wanting to go visit and I wanted Caden to see his new friend Elijah Bradley. So, here was the plan: Chris, Caden and I were going to go visit our in-laws (and go to our nieces birthday party) on Monday. They live in Leitchfield, which is half way to Murray (where Tiff and her family live). We were going to stay with our in-laws Monday night and Tuesday Chris would go home and Caden and I would continue on to Murray. I should have changed my plans Monday night. Caden slept 3 hours Monday night. But, what did we do? Went on to Murray. Caden and I. By ourselves. If y'all know Caden, he honestly is so happy that if he cries it is almost always out of tiredness or hunger. I mean he just goes with the flow. almost always.

I kid you not, he started crying from the time we got to Tiffany's (at 1 in the afternoon), did not nap at all, slept 2 and a half hours that night, and was just a crank box. I could not believe it. I called Chris at 2 in the morning crying...did I mention we had planned to stay until Saturday?!? Long story short Wednesday at 4 in the afternoon we called it quits packed up and drove the 4 and a half hours home (which he cried for the last 2 and a half of). and of course we got home, he slept like he always does that night and was happy as a lark the next day. It was the most unpleasant 2 days we have had since Caden. There, I said it. There is the Ugly Truth.

The pictures are from before the melt down:)

Man on the Move!

Caden is up, down, over, under, across, between...you name it he is there. He is pulling up, falling down, tipping over, moving from one piece of furniture to the other, hitting his head at least five times a day, and into absolutely everything. Today I had to keep him from eating a dime, a piece of bright orange cardboard, a string, a puzzle piece, a rock and some grass....and that is just off the top of my head. I LOVE this stage. He is so interactive and happy. He is playful and it is just so fun...we are trying to soak up every minute. These are some recent pictures we have taken of him.

Caught in the act!

This story is so funny that I know this post will not even be able to do it justice in any way but I have to share it. Caden is on a great (knock on wood) schedule for the moment. We put him down at about 8:00 every night sometimes he goes right to sleep, sometimes he talks to himself for a while then goes to sleep and sometimes he feels the need to stand up in his crib and look around the room until he wears himself out and crashes. Most of you know but right now we are living with 7 other people (my mom and dad and 3 younger siblings and then Chris, Caden and I). Everyone has been very great and respectful about letting Caden do his thing and not picking him up and all that...until tonight:) On one side of Caden's room there is a set of double doors that are glass so you just have to peek in as you pass by. Well I was walking up the stairs and noticed that one of the doors was opened a little bit, "I must not have closed it all the way," I thought...but I was so wrong. I went in to close the door and notice there is no baby Caden in the crib and in the left corner of the room (with the lights still off) is my mom holding Caden "hiding" with him and covering his face with her hands. But thats not all...I hear another giggle coming from the opposite corner of the room and it is my 11- year old brother! There excuse? "We walked by and he was standing up in his crib just looking at us like aren't you going to come in and get me?" but I mean can you blame them?

"You are such a mom!"

A couple weeks ago my two younger sisters (15 and 19) were graciously telling me how I look like a mom. I have "mom" hair, I was wearing "mom" shorts, I had the "mom" make-up going on (meaning none:)...all to say that my priorities have somewhat changed since baby Caden came along. I have to admit this conversation did give me somewhat of a complex though. (you have to keep in mind where they are in life, they are 15 and 19) and I am still a big believer in ya know making myself presentable to the public and to my husband and all that. Well yesterday my family went to Holiday World and Caden and I went as well. It turned out to be a great day but the morning was a little rough because it was raining and cold. Caden, Mollie, my mom and I found an ampitheatre to hang out in to wait out the rain. We were in luck because there was about to be a show! woohoo! I dont know how many of you have ever seen an amusement park show but if you have keep it in mind as you continue reading. Before the show began Caden was getting a little restless from being in his stroller and they started playing music about 20 minutes before the show started. I mean this was good "lets have a dance party" type of music. So what else am I going to do but start breakin it down for Caden. (and definately not discreetly.) He LOVES to dance, so I am dancin he's shakin it in his carseat, my mom joins in and Mollie (15) I know just wants to crawl in a hole and die. after about 10 minutes of this people start turning around and looking at us, but do we stop? no way. I start thinking "Gosh, I would never have done this if I was single or really any other time for that matter." And Mollie just looks and me, shakes her head and says "Gosh, you are such a mom." and all I could do was smiling and keep dancing and think how much I love being a mom, especially in that moment!

Sail Away

My great uncles live in PCB and we are lucky enough that they always take us sailing. This is a shot of Caden and his cousin Campbell (who was born November 1). They really look like they are getting ready to go out for a sail...Caden's chest puffed up and all;)

Family Pictures

New Again

The past three weeks I have gotten to spend some of the most precious time with my boys. It has been so much fun, both with Chris and Caden. I'm sure it has been the combination of Chris being off work, Caden growing so much everyday and the beach but this has just been a vacation that I know will always have such a special place in my heart. I also always find that the beach provides such a sweet time of reflection for me. I have just been shown over and over again how unworthy I am of Christ's love and yet how he continues to pour it out on me. I saw this video a while ago and forgot about it then it came up last night and let me just tell you it's a heart-wrenching, beautiful video and it has taken on a whole new meaning since I am now a mommy. Please take 5 minutes to watch it (but not with your kids:).

I would love to hear your thoughts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj-3gQdBpxM

More Pictures:)

I think the picture on the far left is my favorite...my boys are precious;)

Caden got himself wedged under the fireplace at my grandparents

Here are more pics from the beach...did I mention how much my baby LOVES the sand?!

My Happy Place

Day 3 of vacation and it really could not be any better. We are here for three weeks...this week we are staying with my grandparents and the next two weeks we will be staying at another one of their houses that they have for friends/family. The weather has been amazing and I cannot believe how much Caden LOVES the pool, and the sand. I mean I cannot believe how much the baby loves the sand. Here are some pictures from our vacation.

bliss.

After the wedding yesterday Chris and I had planned to spend the night at his parents and leave for Florida early this morning. We arrived at my in-laws around 9:30 and at about 11:30 last night decided to leave for the beach. We safely made it to Panama City Beach around 9:00 this morning:) Here are some pictures of our first day at the beach! in other words...complete bliss.

Now presenting Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Basham

Yesterday Chris and I had the privelege of standing up next to our childhood best friends as they said their "i-do's" and began their life of marital bliss! I cannot imagine a couple better suited than they are...completely perfect for eachother:) More pictures to come soon!

Battle Wounds

It happened. Caden received his first injury. I'm not talking about the tip over and hit your head on the floor kinda thing--he done that more times than I can count. I am talking about a "serious, that really probably hurt maybe we should put some ice on it" kind of injury. Chris was feeding Caden and his phone rang he answers the phone and is holding it between his ear and shoulder when (gulp) he drops it on our baby's precious little face:( It did leave a little bruise and Chris felt terrible but I couldnt help playing a little joke on him (see picture of Caden's bandaid face:)

Splish Splash!

baby Caden playing in his new pool:) does life get any better?!