Growing So Fast...

These past few weeks have brought many changes and firsts for our sweet boy. Just recently I noticed that Caden had started making eye contact and holding it with Dave and I. I LOVE that! I know that he recognizes us as Daddy and Mommy. It is the sweetest thing to hold him in my arms, whether nursing or just relaxing, and to have him just stare up at me...it warms my heart.

He has also taken to his activity mat that he lays in and practices tummy time. He will just stare at the animals on the sides of the mat and the best part...he switches his head from left to right, like he is really interested in what is on the other side of the mat! (He lifts his head like a big boy as he switches back and forth) I love to watch him grow!

 Last night, we played our first game. I was holding him in my arms and he put his hand up toward my face. I pretended to eat it, making those silly eating noises. He would bring his hand back down to his chest, then raise it back up toward my face again! We played for about 15 minutes! This was the first time that he really interacted with one of us. I was such a proud mommy!

I have also noticed within the past week or two that he has started to grab and hang onto David and I.  He does this a lot while nursing-he will hold up my shirt! but also while holding him. He will wrap his arms around the side of you and often grab onto David or my shirt and hang on-usually falling asleep. Sometimes it is hard to put him down while sleeping because he has such a tight hold!

Today we needed to eat lunch before we headed out to see a friend that just recently gave birth. We set him in his bouncy chair and put the toys on for him to "look" at. Well, another first! He started grabbing at the toys! He was fascinated by the sounds of the "jungle" and just loved to grab onto the parrot and the monkey! I had more fun watching him than eating my lunch!

I can't believe how fast this special time has gone. It seems like yesterday that David and I were heading into the hospital to meet this little one. Caden is almost 6 weeks old and we have so enjoyed watching him discover the the world around him. He is such a blessing to our lives and we are so excited to see what the future has in store for this little angel of ours!

Caden chatting with his animal friends while practicing "Tummy Time"

Discoveringg the toys on his bouncy chair

Tired after a long day of discovery! Holding onto Daddy as he takes a well deserved snooze!

Happy Easter!

Caden just celebrated his first Easter. We were able to spend time with both sides of the family, which was awesome! He met lots of new faces and even met the Easter Bunny!

Happy First Easter, Caden!

Caden celebrates Easter with Amanda's side of the family.

Caden's first Easter basket

Uncle Scot, Uncle Joe and Alex

Uncle Joe, Brady and Alex

Hi Auntie Amy

Auntie Danielle, Auntie Amy, Caden,  Brady and Amanda

Amanda's family

Caden meets the Easter Bunny for the first time...well...sort of!

Our sweet family

He found his first egg!

Aunt Lola

Cousin Madelyn LOVES baby Caden...she even learned how to say his name!

A very proud Grandpa...somehow an egg ended up in Caden's sleeper. Grandpa, do you know how that happened?

Headed home after a fun Easter...

Cousins, Cousins, and Second Cousins!

Last Saturday my cousin Adam, his wife Amber and their beautiful daughter Bailey came over from Spokane  for a visit. It was such a beautiful day and a perfect day to get everyone together. They had a chance to meet and spend time with Caden and we were able to spend time with Bailey. It was so nice to see them!

Adam and Caden

Amber, Bailey, Brady, Adam and Caden

Just hanging out with Grandma

Bailey is the next big star!

It was too loud for Alex!

Cousins, cousins and second cousins! So much fun!

Friends Are The Flowers In The Garden Of Life

Today Caden and I took a big adventure over the water just the two of us. We decided to visit a dear friend and her adorable children. We feel so blessed to have so many friends having babies so close to us. This is a new chapter of life for us and we are surrounded by special people at the same stage. Caden is so lucky!

Caden and I drove over to see my friend Amy and her daughter Bridget and her 5 month old son Braxton. They live a fair bit away, so we don't get to see them as much as we would like. It was a beautiful day outside and a perfect day to visit friends. Braxton and Bridget are getting so big! It was fun to watch the two boys play together. I am so excited for the future play dates! Bridget was a hoot too. She is so sweet and just loves her Braxti Boy. It was fun to watch her play too! We had such a great day!

Caden (5 weeks) and Braxton (5 months)

They had fun playing and exploring each other's face!

They are buddies already!

Bridget enjoyed playing with her babies too!

So Cute!!

What a good big sister! She loved to dance with Braxton.

Time to go! See you next time!

Caden's First Day of School

So...I couldn't take it any longer! I have been waiting to see my students for 4 weeks now and Dave and I decided that today would be a good day to introduce Caden to his 23 siblings! I had been sending pictures and my replacement, Tiffany has been faithfully sharing them with the kids, but I knew that nothing could replace an actual visit.

When I arrived (today was a half day for them) they were all packed up and ready to go. I slowly opened the door (mostly because I had to get my giant stroller through!) and all of a sudden there was an eruption of excitement! "Mrs. Bailey!!!" It warmed my heart and soul! The kids were so excited to see us! I decided that it was way too early to allow them to touch or hold Caden, so they stayed at there desk and oogled over him from a short distance. He was quite the performer, too! He stuck his tongue out, moved his hands, made funny faces, etc. They loved it all! They filled me in on all that they were doing and especially camp! They had a blast at camp. I wish that I could have made it for a visit, but I felt that it was more important that they had bonding time with Tiffany.

I truly do miss my students. They came on this journey with us and really do feel like Caden is a sibling to them. I loved how much they loved him. It was so sweet. I am excited to bring him back in several weeks!

They were so excited to see us! It was so sweet!

Meet Caden!

They had lots of questions

I love how excited they were! They just loved Caden!

A trip to the Spa

Caden had his first real bath today now that he is all healed up.  It went pretty well.  He certainly prefers this method.

First we must mentally prepare with a rejuvenating yoga session.

"You're really going to do this aren't you?"

And of course... Sophie has to Supervise.

Caden Loves His Cousins!

Today my sister, brother in law and two nephews came over for a visit. My nephews Brady and Alex just love Caden. Brady wanted to hold Caden non-stop. He loved to kiss him on the head when he held him too! It was just adorable. Alex liked to look at Caden and play in his activity yard! We are so lucky to have such great family all around us. Caden is going to have a blast playing with all of his cousins!

Relaxing outside with Auntie Danielle

Spending time with family

Auntie and Alex

Hanging out with cousin Brady

Alex being silly

Alex checking out his new cousin

Alex loved Caden's play yard

Hangin with Uncle Joe

Lovin on Auntie Danielle