July 14th - Part One

I've been avoiding this blog. Not because the passing of my son's first birthday has left a small void in my heart. Nah. It's really because I am waiting for some birthday photos to come back! I could post the one or two I took, but I'm sure that they are sub-par compared to the others.

It just so happened that Cayden's first birthday party was on his actual birthday! So, I'm going to wait to talk about it, and for now talk about his milestones!

12 Month Stats:

* He officially walks. He started walking more than crawling about two weeks before his birthday. And as of today, he hardly ever crawls!

* We think he is around 26 pounds. We don't have our doctor's appt. until the 31st! UGH...there are TONS of questions I want to ask!

* Still in size 4 diapers during the day, and 5's at night

* Clothes are hit and miss. Gap he generally wears 12-18 months, but I have been buying 18-24 just so he can wear them longer. Carter's are 18 months

* His eating habits are as varied and quirky as ever. Case-in-point: He will eat massive quantities of the spaghetti I make. He WILL NOT eat "baby food" spaghetti. weirdo. He is trying lots of new things, and I'm not quite so strict about what I will or will not let him eat. I draw the line at fast food, and anything with caffeine or lots of sugar.

*  He is "talking" quite a bit. He can definitely say Cat. Most of the time he just points at stuff as says, "Dat? Dat!"

Likes:

* Spaghetti (see story above)

* His new birthday toys

* Playing with Millie

* Going outside...all the time.

* His new quilt

* Turning the water on and off in the tub

* Searching for the cat in the closet

* Balloons

Dislikes:

* Being told No

* Baby food being disguised as real food

Aunt Julie and Uncle Wes sent Cayden books for his birthday! He loved the books (of course) but really enjoyed the box they came in! He is holding up the Number One because he is ONE!

His birthday Jammies.

We asked him how old he was....Genius!

He got a Cozy Truck from us for his birthday.

He likes to hang out the window and pick up chicks

 For months I have been working on Cayden's quilt. It hasn't been a continuous process because I have taken breaks along the way, but my goal was to finish by July 14th. I finished the night of the 15th...Good Enough!

Finished Product!

 Heath still thinks it's ugly, but he does commend me on my technique. I actually LOVE this quilt. It's funky and quirky, and has that wrinkled look that makes me think of a quilt and not a comforter.

 It has it's flaws, don't get me wrong. I can pick them out quickly, but I think most people won't notice. Now that it is over, I think I have found a hobby I love and that I'm pretty good at. Not to brag. I am now working on a new quilt, and have two more in the hopper.

Cayden's electric ride. My brother has been DYING to get him a motorized vehicle since birth. Cayden loves it! He can go by himself, but he can't steer.

The Cozy Truck: Chick Magnet

Dear Cayden,

A year ago you were this little baby that we loved so much we could barely contain ourselves. We were nervous, excited, and anxious. You were small and sweet, and not a good sleeper, but we didn't care. You were ours and we couldn't be happier. Now you are one. You walk, babble, and point at things. You are curious, social, persistent, sweet, funny, happy, proud, and ambitious. You always have a smile ready for everyone. We have taken thousands of pictures, hundreds of videos, gone through tons of clothes, and probably maxed out a landfill somewhere with diapers. You have laughed, cried, smiled, slept, ate, tummy-timed, scooted, crawled, and walked a permanent ring into our hearts. How our world has changed? You have made your Dad and I better people, and given us hope that we will be good parents. Thank you for being the best gift, the best fit, the best addition that has made our family complete. We love you, Cayden Rhys! We can't wait for all the adventures you have in store for us!

We love you!
Mom and Dad