This way Evil Lurks...

Evil can take the form of many things. Clowns. Laundry. A Bump in the night...
Tonight was the first time that Cayden was 100%, truly terrified of something. I know that at this age "stranger danger" can be a problem. Not for my little social butterfly. Only once or twice has he ever not wanted someone to hold him, or be near him.

Tonight Cayden's fear came in the form of an inflatable duck bathtub.

Ominous looking, I know. It's as if the eye follows you around the room....

The crazy part is that earlier in the evening I had brought the tub into the living room to blow up, and he acted like it was no big deal. Apparently once I filled the duck with water, and tried to set him in it, did the real horror begin. Screaming, Crying, and I think actual trembling occurred...bless his heart. For now it's back to the ol' bathtub on the counter routine. Once he saw "Old Faithful" he practically clawed his way into it...poor kid.

As You Can See...

It's been quite some time since I have updated the blog. It seems that every time I got ready to take Cayden's 7 month photo, something always came up! Between the Polar Plunge, a Masquerade Ball, and just general busy-ness I never found a moment to take his picture!
Even now I am just hoping that I don't leave anything out! I really need to be better about updating this weekly!





Here he is at 7 months old! So proper, so well behaved. Look, he's even holding on to Frank as if to say, "Smile Frank, Momma's takin' our picture!"

Cayden Rhys is growing up soo fast! I'm disappointed to not have a doctor's visit to report, just for the mere fact that he gets measured and weighed. I can tell you by the muscles in my arms that he probably weights 21+ pounds. In the last few weeks he has become quite the jabberbox. I took a video that I will post in a few days. He is definitely mastering the "mamamama" sound, and has been working with his vocal coach/caregiver (Jennifer) on the "baba" sound. I try on the way to and from school to work on "dada." But even today, he started in with what sounded like a "gaga" noise. It's insanity! Everyday something changes!

We are still working on crawling. Which is really to say that we are not crawling. I started putting his chest/belly up on the Boppy, so maybe he can figure out that his legs will bend underneath him. I really think he would prefer to walk. Or turn in circles. Or Bounce. Or be carried. Any of the above will work for Mr. Cayden.

He is still wearing 6-12 month in Gap clothes. It's such a wide time span that I'm sure he will be in these for a bit...unless he gets taller, and then we may need to adjust. He is still wearing size 3 diapers. He is really enjoying baby food. Except for peas. He really, really doesn't like them. I can't really blame him, I don't like them myself. They smell like dirt.

Cayden was getting pretty tired in this picture. Please excuse our outfit..we don't normally hangout in just a onesie and socks. Something really cute he does. If you sing the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse song, he will look at the TV and smile. Am I horrible for letting my child watch TV? I don't think so. It's not like he sits in front of it, while I'm off painting my toenails. Disney Jr. is a great distractor in the morning when Heath and I are trying to get ready! Today we were in his bedroom and he looked up and saw Mickey on his shelf and was grinning, so we brought him down for a visit.

The big news....(dramatic pause).....We have our first TOOTH!!!

If you look to the right of the slobber bubble, you can see the white breaking through the surface! We have been noticing a little white speck for about two weeks, and then this morning we saw this! I will talk more about this tooth in a minute!

Cayden and the gang lounging in his "crib"

Cayden decided to wrestle with Tigger the Pillow Pet. He had two Tiggers, so I have to notate the difference. This Tigger was violently dragged from the Cayden Chair to his current position. It's pretty much a toy explosion in our living room. There is a toy bin....it holds the castaways. The misfit pile if you wish.

This picture is a little blurry, but I still love it. Me and my little man. Last night Heath and I went to a Masquerade Ball at the Walton Arts Center. A little background info: I haven't had my hair cut by a professional in 5 years. I hate my hair most days. I wish I had Jennifer Aniston's hair. I have no idea how to fix hair, unless it is a ponytail or pulled back in a clip. On Saturday I took the plunge and had someone fix it. I think she did a good job. This picture doesn't really do my hair justice. It's a messy bun with some twists and such. Anyway, the ball was really fun, and there was a great band called Lagnappe from Little Rock!

My mom came up to watch Cayden. Little did we know that this was the night that his tooth would make its appearance! We knew from some text messages that night that Cayden wasn't his usual self. I wasn't sure if it was because we weren't there, or what? We walked in the door at 11:15, and guess who's awake!? Apparently he wasn't in the mood for sleep! He was a little fussy, and not hungry, and then would be hungry. Just generally moody. Well, now we know who was the real culprit.

Heath is crazy sometimes. He and several of his co-workers decided to particpate in the Polar Plunge. Even though it always takes place in February, it has never really been SUPER cold. Well on this day the wind chill was THREE. I seriously almost froze just standing there watching, and I wasn't even getting near the water! They did announce that the water temperature was 51, so I guess it would be like a hot tub compared the to air temp! Heath was great! He went all the way in!

I hope to update more this week! School is getting nearer to Spring Break and nearer to testing. I can't wait to spend a whole week with the little monster!

Dear Cayden Rhys~

My, oh, my how you are changing. No longer are you our toothless little man! You are growing up so quickly! We love listening to you jabber and blow bubbles and make jet noises. You love to stand and have people help you walk around. You still like your jumperoo, and are really good at playing on your playmat by yourself, although you really like to have us around. You are full of smiles for everyone! It is crazy to believe that in just a few short months you will be crawling, or walking, and then off you are, and turning a year old! I want time to slow down just a little bit! Thank you for being the joy in our lives; the reason we love coming home; and the reason we don't care to wake at 6:30 on Saturday mornings! We can't wait to see what you have in store for us next!

We love you more each day!

Mom and Dad

I need Professional Help

Really, this could apply to several different areas of my life....
House Cleaner? YES, please!
Personal Assistant? Definitely!
Paper Grader? I WISH...

In this case, however; it happens to be a professional photographer. When I found out that the photographer that did Cayden's baby pictures was running a special, I said "Sign me up!" Heath was willing to let me have this splurge. I have heard from family and others that my pictures of Cayden are great, and that I don't need professional help. I really appreciate their confidence, but I'm always behind the camera. I really wanted some great photos of Cayden, that also included me. I really wish Heath could have been there, but it is busy season, I can't wait to take family pictures this summer! Here are a few of the ones she captured. Calotype in Missouri gave me exactly what I wanted. I now have some great pictures of Cayden and I, that I will cherish forever!

I LOVE this one! This look says, "I'm up to NO good!"

He's was pretty enamored with my necklace....and hair. Really, anything. He grabs at everything! Doesn't he look light as a feather in this picture? You really can't tell from my bulging biceps that he weighs 20 pounds....

Here is what makes it all worth it. He is the cutest thing. No matter how little sleep I get, or how fussy he can be, or how hard he pulls my hair...That look wins me over every. single. time.

I know I've mentioned it before, but I love our neighborhood. I also love the fact that a good friend of mine lives just down the street. It's so easy to meet up at the playground, for a quick play date!

Cayden wasn't quite sure what to make of the swing. I think he was probably a little perturbed to be wearing his hat, and then to be in a new contraption...he had to think about it for a minute.

But eventually he cracked a smile. I can't wait to take him down the slide! By the way, I am loving my new camera lens!

We definitely have a sitter on our hands, although I still put the pillow behind him...just in case. He is usually pretty good at playing on his own for a bit. Ten or 15 minutes, sometimes longer. We have been trying to increase his tummy time. I am bound and determined for this kid to crawl. "Don't rush it!" you say? Nah, I'm ready. I'm ready for him to be just a bit more mobile so that when he does tip over, or fall on his back, and he starts getting mad and fussy, and whining for me to come and pick him up....a crawler can save himself. Not every time, but more than now, which is zero.

We've upgrade to giant hooded towels. This one is a shark. Bath time is getting interesting. He's been splashing quite a bit lately, but tonight he figured out how to splash with his feet AND hands. Needless to say, our kitchen was soaked. I guess we are going to have to move to the big tub in our bathroom. I'm just glad he likes getting a bath!

Can you see it? The slobber. The drool. The chewing. If this kid isn't teething...I don't know what is going on. Today Cayden was extra drooly, and extra chewy. I keep looking in his mouth, and so far, I haven't seen any changes. I'm expecting a tooth anytime.

Sleeping is still somewhat of a struggle. I feel like I can't complain too much because he doesn't "keep" me up at night. He gets up 2-3 times a night. Every time he wants to eat. Luckily, he will go back to sleep once he's done, or if he is not quite asleep, he talks to himself until he goes back to sleep. I'm not really sure what to do. We've talked to the doctor about it, and she seems to think that we are doing what we can. Who knows? Maybe he will grow out of it. Until then, I will sleep in 2-3 hour increments.

Cayden will be 7 months on Valentine's Day. Maybe I can figure out a theme inspired photo shoot, because obviously he hasn't had enough of those lately!