Our Lil' Kangaroo Baby

four-months-old

 beginning to "talk"*says "ga," "gee," and "ah-goo"

getting used to mommy going back to work*becoming buddies with daddy

still adores "brudder"

likes his jumper*prefers to be held all of the time 

happy (as long as he is fed and is being held. . .and not tired)

practicing sitting up and scooting*beginning to suck his thumb

learning to use his hands*grabbing toys

best.smile.ever

and. . .there is just something about his eyes

Caden Quotes

On the way to church. . .

Caden:  "Mom, can you help me make some peanut butter cups for my girl?"

Daddy:  "You have a 'girl'? Who's your 'girl'?"

Caden:  "I'm not talkin' about this right now!" 

At school. . .

Teacher:  "Caden, what are you thankful for?"

Caden:  "For when I go poop!"

At bedtime. . .

Caden:  "Mom, I don't want to be a policeman anymore."

Mommy:  "You don't? What do you want to be?"

Caden:  "A rock star!"

Thanksgiving Day after "winning" a game of Candy Land. . .

Nana:  "Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose."

Caden:  "Ya, but you lose and Uncle Ryan lose and I won because I have a winner's shirt on! I'm a winner!" (While tugging at his "winner's" shirt.)

"My Best Friend"

My favorite thing about having two kids is watching them interact.  Caden does not even have to say or do anything and Carter smiles and giggles every time he sees him.  Caden absolutely loves Carter and feels it is his job to show him the world.  Carter just turned three-months-old and Caden already calls him "my best friend." Here are some of the things they enjoy doing together:

Carter likes to listen to stories, especially when they are read by Caden.  (Caden  loves to memorize books.)

Caden is teaching Carter how to use scissors.  Carter listens to everything Caden has to say.

Caden is teaching Carter how to use a laptop.  Carter is extremely interested.

Carter prefers to spend his "tummy time" watching Caden play.  Caden has been teaching him how to play trains and build with Legos.

Caden and Carter have gone through the Toys R Us toy catalog several times together.

Carter is learning so many new things; Caden is also teaching him how to write the alphabet.

Carter is learning the benefits of having an older brother.   Caden was excited to tell me, "Mom, Carter  loves my Tootsie Pop!"

Carter is also learning how to play Angry Birds.

Caden prefers to play his Fishing Game with Carter because Carter can't win yet.

Carter loves to snuggle with Caden while Caden watches his morning cartoons.

Caden loves it when Carter helps tuck him in at night; Carter is learning to love it : ).

I am so proud of Caden.  Carter needs a lot most of our attention right now, but Caden adores him and wants him to always be happy.  It is so much fun watching our boys become best friends.

Christmas Cards 2011

Every year, on the Monday after Thanksgiving, before I have even given a thought about our Christmas cards, we receive a Christmas card from one of our family friends.  I am always impressed.  This year, I owe Jill from Barnes Yard and Nicole from Between Babies a huge thank you.  I won 25 Shutterfly cards from both of these bloggers.  So not only will our Christmas cards be sent out before December 23rd this year, they will be FREE!


Shutterfly has so many cards to choose from.  It was hard to decide, but this is the card we chose: 

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

They are already being shipped! Thank you again, Jill and Nicole!

Our Lil' Bumblebees

Caden wanted to be Bumblebee from Transformers for Halloween.  Carter adores his older "brudder" and wanted to match him, so he chose to be a baby bumblebee.

Carter (three-months-old) & Caden (3)

Caden's First Jack O'Lantern

The other night, Caden waited very patiently for Daddy to come home so they could carve his pumpkin together.  This is the first year that Caden helped carve his pumpkin.  He was taking the pumpkin seeds out of the pumpkin one at a time.  After taking a few of the seeds out, he told Daddy, "You do it!" Despite getting his hands dirty, I think he enjoyed his first pumpkin carving experience.

Our Little Pumpkins

Last Saturday, we took the boys to the pumpkin patch to pick out a pumpkin.  It was taking Caden a long time to find a pumpkin.  When I asked him what was wrong, he looked at me concerned, "They're all dirty!" He does not like to get his hands dirty; he definitely takes after his Daddy!

Carter doesn't even know he went to the pumpkin patch--he slept the entire trip!

Family Photos 2011

We just received our family photos from Jeremy Mabe.  Here are my favorite photos from the shoot:

You wouldn't believe how hard it was to get this shot!

I love how Caden is holding both of our hands.

We love our boys!

Caden's rocking chair was the perfect prop!

Our ham!

So small in Daddy's arms

I love everything about this--timeless!

Thank you again, Jeremy Mabe Photography!

The Perfect Addition

Carter 

two-months-old

13 1/2 pounds*23 inches long

smiling*cooing*beginning to giggle

interested in big brother
attached to Mommy*likes to sleep while Daddy rocks him

eats every two hours during the day
wakes only once or twice during the night

loves to be held

beginning to like his swing*coos at his mobile animals

can roll front to back and back to front

the perfect addition to our little family

Photography by Jeremy Mabe

Our Little Superhero

Daddy:  "What do you do if someone you don't know tries to talk to you?"
Caden:  "I will fight them!" *spin kick*

Photography by Colby

Through Mommy's Eyes: Letter #6 (Brotherly Love)

Dear Caden,

When I found out that you were going to have a little brother, I was so excited for you.  My brothers (your uncles) are inseparable and I want the same for you and Carter; my prayer is that you two become the best of friends.  You two are so blessed to have each other and I want you both to always remember that.

Love you to the moon and back,



Mommy

Brotherly Love

And Then There Were Four

Every summer, since Caden was born, we have had our friend and photographer, Jeremy Mabe, take our family photos.  On Sunday, Jeremy took our first family photos as a family of four.  Believe it or not, before Sunday, we did not have one photo of the four of us together.  

Jeremy posted the following photo of us on Facebook as a "sneak peek." We absolutely love it and can not wait to see the rest of our photos.  If you live in Eugene, or the surrounding area, we highly recommend Jeremy Mabe Photography.  He is always prompt, relaxed, and professional.

Thank you Jeremy for capturing such special memories that we will one day be able to share with Caden and Carter's spouses and their children.

Summer 2011 (Caden "3" & Carter 6-weeks-old)

Not a Baby Any More!

Today was a BIG day for Caden.  He has been waiting for this day for a LONG time.  We dropped our baby BIG BOY off at pre-school for the first time today.  He ran into his classroom and never looked back.  There is no question that this boy is ready for pre-school.  The question is. . .is pre-school ready for him?

I am so glad that I am on maternity leave.  It would have been VERY tempting to take today off.

First Day of Pre-school

Sneak Peek: Carter's Birth Announcements

After browsing many different websites to create birth announcements for Carter, Shutterfly definitely has the best selection to choose from.  Not only do they have the best selection to choose from, but they have excellent customer service as well.  I had created Carter's birth announcements on a day that Shutterfly was having a sale.  The next day, when I went to order the announcements, they were no longer on sale.  I contacted Shutterfly and within 24 hours received a response AND they honored the sale price. . .EXCELLENT EXCELLENT customer service!

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Growing Like a Weed

Dear Carter,

Please stay little a little longer.

Love,

Mommy

Two weeks old

Look at all that hair!

Content

Baby rolls!

Our Little Sharks

It's difficult to believe that Carter is already one-week-old.  So far, he is such a laid back baby.    Not even his first bath seemed to bother him that much.  He didn't particularly care for getting out of the warm bath, but once he was wrapped up in his shark towel, he was ready for a photo op.

First bath (at home)

Before Carter was born, Caden had to try out the shark towel.  I'm thinking we should probably buy another shark towel to prevent future "shark towel fights."

Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!

Head Over Heals

On Monday, August 8th, at 2:40 p.m., we welcomed Carter Mason Work into our family.  So far, he is an excellent baby; he is a good eater, sleeper, and hardly ever fusses.  We brought him home yesterday afternoon and are enjoying being at home and taking care him.  We are already in love.

Two days old

Sent From Above

Carter Mason Work

August 8th, 2011 (2:40 p.m.)

8 lbs. 13 oz.

20 inches

Caden meeting Carter for the first time!

Optimus Prime Is Going to Pre-school!

Our little Optimus Prime was accepted into pre-school.  (Thank goodness! I don't feel like filling out another 10+ page application or paying another non-refundable registration/supply fee.) Caden is ecstatic to begin pre-school.  When I told him he was accepted he said, "Okay, I'll leave in about an hour." He picked out a Spiderman backpack today and wore it around the house all afternoon.  He is waiting patiently for September!

If you push Caden's chest he will say, "I am Optimus Prime!" (If he's in the mood of course!)

37 Weeks. . .The Countdown Begins!

Tomorrow, I will be 37 weeks preggos. . .um, I delivered Caden at 37 weeks.  I am a "planner" and it is driving me cRaZy not knowing when Carter will arrive.  Will he arrive this week, next week, or closer to his due date?! I am measuring 39+ weeks, so this makes me think we could be meeting him VERY soon! I am just starting to feel uncomfortable and I remember delivering Caden not too long after I started feeling uncomfortable, but who knows. . .babies have minds of their own!

Yes, we are sure there is only "one". . .hopefully, anyway!

Three-Year-Old Well Check

Unfortunately, Caden had to go to his three-year-old well check on his birthday.  There was not another available appointment until September and this little man needed to get his vaccinations in order to attend pre-school this fall.  His nurse said he was the most cooperative three-year-old that she has ever seen.  

Then, Caden decided to put on quite the show for the doctor. . .

We had to find a new doctor for Caden because his doctor is on leave, so this was the first time meeting his new doctor.  When she came in the room, he decided to crawl on the floor and make animal noises.  She asked us if he "had a few words." If you know Caden, he has quite the vocabulary for a three-year-old.  We were so embarrassed! He decided to finally talk to her when she gave him a new dinosaur book.  She was surprised by how well he really does speak. 

I'm sure we'll have plenty of opportunities to embarrass him during his teenage years. . .

Stats:

39 1/4 inches tall (90th percentile)

38.8 pounds (95th percentile)

"I want to wear my hat like this!"

Lions and Tigers and Bears! Oh my!

We met Aunt Jenny, Uncle Matt, and Miss Juliet at the Portland Zoo yesterday (the last day Caden could get in for free because today he is "3"!).  Caden absolutely loved the zoo.  His favorite "real" animal seemed to be the otter--he squealed every time the otter swam by him.  If you ask him though, he will tell you that the dinosaurs were his favorite.  We're glad that we paid the extra admission for him to see the dinosaur exhibit; he can't stop talking about the dinosaurs!


Juliet seemed to enjoy her first zoo trip as well.  She is a very good baby and was so good all day.  Her favorite animal was the ocelot (top right photo); she kept leaning forward to watch him.  Unlike Caden, the dinosaurs made her a little nervous! Caden enjoyed spending time with Juliet.  She is really starting to watch him and even tried to give him a hug--it was so cute! We are sure going to miss them when they move!

Caden Turns "Free"!

Caden has been telling everyone that he will be "free" on July 20th.  We celebrated his 3rd birthday today with family and friends.  He is definitely not a baby anymore.  He didn't even need me to help him open his presents this year; he ripped through them like a pro.  We are so grateful for our family and friends who celebrated his birthday with us--Caden is sure one well loved little man!

Happy 3rd Birthday Caden Cree!

Last Fourth of July as a Family of Three

This was our last Fourth of July as a family of three.  Carter will be joining our family in six short weeks. . .or less (as of now, he's measuring two weeks ahead).  We had a fun-filled day:  we had lunch and dinner with Colby's family, set off a few of our own fireworks, and ended the day by watching PK Park and Alton Baker Park's firework displays from our favorite little park just around the corner.


Since Caden was so traumatized by fireworks last year, we didn't buy any new fireworks this year; we just set off the fireworks that we weren't able to set off last year.  If we would have known how much Caden was going to love watching fireworks this year, we would have bought him some more.  Colby said that next year, I'll probably be in the house with Carter while him and Caden are in the driveway setting off "scary (f)ireworks." He's probably right--if Carter is anything like his older brother.

July 4th, 2011