Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Candy Cane Hunt and a few others

On Saturday I took Kaden to a Candy Cane Hunt that Raleigh's Parks & Rec dept. had. Matt was in Chicago for his interview with Northwestern, so it was just Kaden & I. We had fun. For his age group (1-2yr) they just had a bunch of candy scattered on an open field. Kaden figured out exactly what to do right away! He would gather 5-6 pieces and then put them in his sack. He did so well! Then we went inside for cookies and juice and to play a few games. They even had a fake snow machine/blower, but Kaden was a bit scared and when I'd put him close and step back to take a picture, he turned around and ran to me saying "Mommy! Mommy!"

Not sure about the penguin at the doorway
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Temptation got the best of him!!

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He liked the tall candy cane

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I asked him if he was ready to inside for cookies and juice and he took off -- not even scared that I wasn't right with him! He's such an independent boy!

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Kaden's Great Grandma and Grandpa Kleckner sent a few early Christmas gifts and a couple times the other day he was bored and it was too cold outside with his cold, so I let him open them. He LOVED opening them. After opening one, he went back to where he saw the other presents and showed me one finger saying "One more...ONE more" He is too cute!!! As you can see, he had fun. He's going to be a blast this year at Christmas!

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Last year Kaden really liked these singing snowmen. I was curious what he'd do this year -- he instantly figured out how to turn them on and he'd clap and get all excited!

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Monday, December 8, 2008

End of Year

When I was designing our Christmas card this year, I made this for the back of the card. For some reason I couldn't find the right format on the website I used to buy the cards so I didn't get to use it. So, I thought I'd share it here!!

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Advent Calendar

Kaden's Grandma Sherri and Grandpa Bruce sent him an Advent Calendar for the month. He LOVES it! Here are some pictures of his first introduction to the calendar:

Hmm...what's in here?
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What? There's candy? Yum! I want some!

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Mmm........ SO GOOD!
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This is what he looks like everyday when he gets his piece of candy!

Monday, November 24, 2008

Finally cured!

Kaden is feeling so much better! He was still a bit quiet on Saturday and didn't play much, but by Sunday he was back to his normal self. He woke up hungry and played a lot. It's so great having my healthy boy back! Here are some pictures from when he wasn't feeling well and then from when he was feeling better.

Picking out the DVD he wanted to watch
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Trying to smile
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Worn out boy
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With Marie
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Watercolor painting
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We have this large piece of paper and Kaden & Marie had fun coloring on it.
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Today when I was getting lunch ready Kaden walked into the kitchen with his paci, blankie, and stocking hat!! He loves this hat and apparently found it, put it on, and just walked around the house with it on!! haha

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I went to go get him for lunch and found him under the play table, with his blankee. You would think he was tired, huh!! (except fast forward to naptime when he didn't ever fall asleep!!)

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Kaden & Marie have so much fun "setting" this table and "eating"!!

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Tonight when I was making supper Kaden was carrying around a bowl, baking sheet, spoon, and measuring cup. I put a little water in the cup and he had fun pouring it into the bowl, then onto the baking sheet, and stirring it!

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Friday, November 21, 2008

Update on Kaden

Just wanted to update everyone on Kaden since the last post. He's still sick. I took him back to the doctor on Thursday morning. He's been diagnosed with Rotavirus -- no fun! Dr. Hewett told us the diarrhea could last another week. We were out of the Zofran for the vomiting, and since it had been almost 48 hours w/out him being sick (he'd been on the Zofran during that time), I thought we were over it. But, last night Kaden proved me wrong. About 11pm he woke up because he'd had a diaper blow out and vomited all over the place. So I cleaned him up, re-bathed him, and got him into clean jammies. He hung out in my bed watching Baby Einstein while I cleaned/disinfected the crib and the bathtub and took out the trash. He's now on more Zofran today. He's not eating much, which is understandable, and I'm trying to push fluids. All he's really interested in is watching TV and sitting on my lap. His bottom is getting a bit better, so that's good. Hopefully he recovers this weekend!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Busy at our House

I've been a bit busy and haven't had a chance to update the blog in the last week and a half -- here is just a glimpse at my last 2 weeks -- my parents visited, the group of teachers I taught with at Brentwood had a get together at my house, I've been working and doing the single-parent thing, showing/selling our house (keep your fingers crossed), and Kaden's been sick. Yep, Kaden's sick. And not just your runny, snotty nose sick. He's really sick. It started last weekend with a few disgusting diapers that caused a bit of a diaper rash. By Monday his rash was SO bad that I called the doctor and made him an appointment for Tuesday morning. I got him out of his crib Tuesday to find he'd vomited a few times during the night and it was everywhere. Ugh... I hate vomit. So, I cleaned him up, cleaned up the mess, just in time to go to the doctor. I got a prescription for Zofran (to help with the vomiting since Dr. Hewett said it would get worse) and for Magic Butt Cream. On Tuesday Kaden threw up a few more times. I have found these are the parenting moments I don't enjoy! I've cleaned and cleaned and cleaned because of course he's doing it in the worse places. Last night after reading bedtime books he was a bit fidgety and grunting -- I had a feeling it was coming. I carried him to the bathroom and as soon as I got there he major projectile vomited. Everywhere. We were both soaked. So, I cleaned us both up, got him into new jammies, new blankies, read new books,got him asleep and then went to clean up the mess. He hasn't eaten in the last couple days, and when he does it all comes up. The nasty diapers have continued and his rash is even worse today. I'm hoping the Magic Butt Cream helps because he is in SO much pain (enough he can barely sit). I've taken a sick day today to focus on Kaden and have 2 less kids to worry about when cleaning up vomit. Please pray that he heals soon! Oh yeah, I also have a cough to add to things!


I realized when I transferred pictures last night that I hadn't done so in awhile on one of the cameras -- there were still pictures from making cookies before Matt left for St. Louis. So, some of these take place before the pictures in the last post.

We made some Halloween cookies on Halloween. Kaden helped press the cookie cutters down and then helped put the sprinkles on the cookies. We all three had a lot of fun.

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WOW!
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Drinking the leftover sprinkles!
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Taster
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While I was cleaning up and while we were waiting for the cookies to bake, Kaden helped. First he put all the Halloween candy carefully in the toaster over, then closed the door. It just reminds me how observant he really is!

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Then I got him off the counter and he went to "his" drawer in the kitchen and started "cooking", too.

Proof:
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We were building with blocks the other day and I'd made a large rectangle...Kaden thought it was a perfect sitting place!

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My parents were here last week for a week. The leaves were gorgeous everywhere and had just started to fall. We borrowed a friend's rake and raked them all up. I thought Kaden and Marie would really enjoy it, which they did, but not to the extent I had pictured in my head! I guess they were a bit too prickly.

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Before going outside, Kaden had been watching my mom through the window as she raked all the leaves. After playing in them for a bit, he went to the front door saying "sweep, sweep"... we let him inside and he instantly got his broom and started imitating what he saw her doing!

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Kaden is always intrigued when watching people fix things and wants to help. We have a kid drill that doesn't work anymore and my dad was trying to see if he could get it to work.

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Happy Birthday, Mommy. Marie brought me a cake for my birthday. After dinner that night we all enjoyed it. Kaden even blew the candle out for me! His favorite part were the sprinkles on top (of course!).

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Little climber at it again!!

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Of COURSE I know what I'm doing, Grandma!

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Mischief maker -- my parents have these little doggie bag holders on their leashes. Kaden got ahold of one and pulled them ALL out!! So, we figured it made a great jump rope!!

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Starting to not feel well...
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Farm on a String
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New trucks for outside

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This is how we have lunch everyday.
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Little Gym day -- Kaden goes to the Little Gym every Sunday. He really loves it and does well.

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Pullen Park -- when my parents were here we went to Pullen Park one afternoon and enjoyed the rides.

On the carousel

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Paddle boats

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Little boats

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And on the train -- I promise they were having more fun than it looks by their faces!

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A little Wii fun during naptime! My parents had never played the Wii before, and enjoyed a little racing, golfing, boxing, and bowling during naptime.

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BFFs again
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Helping Mommy vacuum

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Really not feeling well -- I was getting lunch ready and Kaden had found his paci and blankie (both of which he's been attached to for the month) and went to lay by Talbot. It was so sweet. I took this one without him knowing.

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Then when I got closer he looked at me and said "Cheese!"
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Getting ready for Grandma and Grandpa to leave -- Kaden was quite sad and whimpered as they drove away.

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