~FiRsT ChRiStMaS~

Kayden enjoyed his first Christmas experience! Unfortunately, mommy was sick and daddy had to work so we had to miss out on Christmas Eve. However, there was so much going on Christmas day for him to watch and explore (and so many new toys to play with!). Daddy helped him open all of his fabulous new clothes, toys and books - he has many new things to play with now and new stylin' clothes to wear! Thank you to everyone - he LOVES everything!!

8 months OLD!

Kayden turns 8 months old today and I can't believe how fast he is growing! This past month has been filled with so many 'new' discoveries and milestones. A few times, he has said 'MAMA' but mostly all day, every day EVERYTHING is DADA, DADA, DADA! (I think daddy has been practicing with him when mommy is not around!) :) He is rolling himself all around as well as crawling backwards but he hasn't quite gotten the hang of going forwards yet. When he gets on his hands and knees, he starts to rock so one of these days, he is just going to take off. I'm content with him being a little less mobile right now because I know any free time I have left will be gone when he figures out how to get himself around faster! He is still a great sleeper - about 12-13 hours at night and generally two naps during the day - each lasting between 1-2 hours (enough time for Mommy to get some work done!). He has also started some 'people' food - he loves bananas and Cheerios and "Aunt" Kelly's bran muffins!! OH - and Grandpa gave him a Tootsie Roll and a cookie and of course he LOVED those! (But no more sweets Grandpa - he's sweet enough the way he is!) :) He is not a big fan of the dinnertime baby food (but who can blame him, the stuff does NOT taste good!). But he still likes his oatmeal and baby food fruit so we'll stick with that for a while. He still just has his bottom two teeth but his top 4 all look like they are close to coming in so hopefully he'll have some new teeth soon! And he is growing so rapidly - he's already in to some 12 month clothes and can squeeze into some of the 9 month things still! Everyone always comments about his big eyes and his chubby cheeks - they get pinched quite a bit!! ~ I just love the little boy that he is growing into - he is so happy most of the time and when he gets tired, he still loves to cuddle!! We are looking forward to his first Christmas this week - so much to do and so many people to watch at Grandma and Grandpa Johnson's house!

Here Comes Santa Claus

We went to a Christmas party last night at Bob & Donna's house and Santa Claus came to visit!! Kayden was not so sure about him......but Santa gave him a gift and told him that he had been a very good boy this year!

Charlie turns 1!

Kayden's buddy Charlie turned 1 this week - I can't believe how fast these boys are growing up! We had a little surprise party for him at our playgroup and he loved it! Doesn't he look so handsome in his party hat?? Kayden has his party hat on and is ready to party! Too bad no one else could sit still long enough for the photo - he was the 'last man standing' this time. Charlie decided that he wanted to give Kayden a little loving for the day - some day they won't allow us to show these kinds of pictures so we have to enjoy them now while we can! Happy Birthday Charlie - we can't wait to watch you grow another year older!!

Some Christmas Cheer

A Visit to "Aunt" April's

Kayden and his buddy Cael got to go to "Aunt" April's house today and hang out - they loved watching the train go around and playing with the dogs! Cael, Jenny (and baby Blaudow!), Mommy, Kayden and April Kayden and April

Santa's Little Helper

Kayden decided to 'help' wrap some christmas presents - he is such a great helper!

Read my shirt....

I love you Daddy!! (I noticed this picture shows off his two teeth well too!)

December in Illinois

Seriously, this is what we woke up to this morning....welcome to winter in Illinois!

Happy Turkey Day!

Kayden celebrated his first Thanksgiving and had so much fun! He got to try some mashed potatoes (daddy's favorite!) and played with all of his cousins on mommy's side of the family. It was such an exausting day entertaining everyone!Kayden was so happy that Uncle Brian came back to visit again - it's been such a long time since he saw him last! And Grandma Mary was here too. Kayden with all of his cousins - Amy, Anne, Jenna, Tanner and Jordan.

Kayden is already looking forward to Christmas and seeing all of daddy's family! Until then, he's going to take a little nap - entertaining is hard work!! :) And he's got a few more talents he is working on - he's starting to push himself backwards when trying to crawl - he really wants to master that crawling technique so he can get himself around Grandma and Grandpa's house!

Give me more

Grandpa, I want some of your beer - tip that bottle this way... A little more please - I can't quite get a good angle!

*7 months old*

Kayden turned 7 months old today and it's been such an exciting month! He has finally mastered rolling both ways and is getting himself around now. And his two bottom teeth came in within the last couple weeks - as soon as I can get a good picture of them, I'll post it! He is enjoying sitting and playing and watching his dogs go crazy - and they love giving him kisses (and he loves their kisses!) :) He went to the doctor yesterday and weighed in at 19 lbs, 3.8 oz -he's a big boy but surprisingly that only puts him in the 70th percentile for weight so he's slimming down (daddy says he needs to start eating steak and beef jerky!) and he is 29 and 1/4 inches tall! We tried giving him one of the Gerber puffs yesterday but he had no interest in eating it - just playing with it as you can see!

Mommy what is on my chin? I'm supposed to EAT this??

We are looking forward to the upcoming holidays and all the time he will get to spend with family (and he will get to meet Cousins Amy and Anne that he hasn't met yet!)

Daddy's Mini-Me

Hi Daddy! I'm ready to help you work!

First Tooth!!

Kayden got his first tooth this week!!! It's been a rough and painful week for him but it's finally in! As soon as I can get a good picture of it, I'll post it up here. I'm sure we'll have more to follow soon.....

Playtime

Kayden had fun today playing with his dogs. Unfortunately, Wrigley wouldn't sit still long enough for a picture but Cabo was happy to oblige! (Don't mind the glowing eyes!)

Trick or Treat

Kayden and Cousin Landry getting ready to go trick-or-treating Kayden can't wait for Cousin Hunter to get bigger so they can play!

Kayden and Aunt Marisa

Kayden and Daddy

Happy Halloween!

Kayden celebrated his first Halloween today - and he had so much fun! He got to go to mommy's office for a halloween party....

and he got to wear his costume - he made a great dragon!

His buddy Cael also came over to hang out - a lion and a dragon...who would have thought?

Pumpkin Farm

We went to the pumpkin farm today and Kayden couldn't pick just one pumpkin - he wanted them all! He's already over the 2' mark - and still growing! Kayden HAD to test out the outhouse - just for Grandpa Johnson!

Happy Half Birthday!!

6 months old already - wow - what a big boy!! I know I've said it a million times but I can't believe how fast time is flying by - it doesn't seem like Kayden is already halfway to his first birthday! We went to the dr yesterday for his 6 month checkup and he is doing well - he weighs 18 lbs 0.6 oz (75th percentile) and is 27.5 inches tall (90th percentile) - I think I definitely have a tall boy on my hands - I'm sure he'll pass me up in no time! Kayden also got his first vaccination yesterday and wanted to show off his bandaid to everyone! :) He did well taking the shot - I think I took it a lot worse than he did. We also started some new foods this week! We are officially eating baby foods now (eating might be a generous term...more like gagging and spitting most times!). We tried peas for the first time this week and he is definitely daddy's little boy! He shuddered and gagged and spit them all out but of course once I got the camera out, he was all smiles. This was the best look of disgust I could get from him - next time I'll have to videotape it. Here are a few more pics from our photo shoot this past weekend - Kayden is sitting up on his own (and getting better at it everyday!). One of these days he is going to figure out crawling and then we're really going to have our hands full. Until then, we are just enjoying watching him grow and discover everything for the first time!

Fall is Here!

Our friend Colleen was nice enough to take some FABULOUS family pictures for us out at Leroy Oakes Forest Preserve this weekend - the weather was beautiful and she did an excellent job- thanks again Colleen!!