6 months

6 month stats:
18.6 LBS 75% (4 mo 16 LBS and 26in)
28.8 in 95%

I can not believe that we are already to the halfway point. Time has gone by so quickly. I look at pictures from just 2 months ago and see how my little boy has changed. He is growing.

Milestones: He says "mama" and "dada", rolling over like crazy. Likes to eat, but I think he likes the idea of it more than the actual food. He is a very messy eater. He has had sweet potatoes, pears, applesauce, and carrots. Still working on sitting up on his own. Loves to sleep, eat, play (but not to long). GG (my grandma) got him a saucer, and he REALLY likes to play in that. He spins around and sucks on every toy available. Still no teeth yet, I am just waiting for one to break through any day now.

~Trick or Treat~

Happy Halloween from Little Miss Muffet and her spider

Changes

Sorry I have been away for quite a while. A lot has happened. Cayden is almost 4 months old, Mercie started kindergarten this week, and we no longer live in Spokane! God has moved us to Sumner, Wa. We were asked to be a part of a church plant in Bonney Lake around February of this year. We had been praying, and truly wanted God's direction. We started applying to jobs continuously for 5 months. Little things here and there opened up, but just wasn't "right". I applied for a "team apartment manager" position on Monday August 24th. That evening while we were "skyping" into the church plant meeting, we received an email that the hiring manager wanted to meet us. Ben spoke with him Tuesday afternoon, and that night we drove over and interviewed Wednesday morning. Out of all the things on our resume, he liked that Ben had worked at a church as he too was a pastor. The situation was so out of our comfort zone, but God's fingerprints were all over it. On Sunday, August 30th we got the call we were hired and going to start in a week! BTW our lease ended August 31st. So here I sit, with the first service of Open Life starting tomorrow morning. I can still not believe that everything fell into place, and at the perfect time. There is so much more to share, but dinner is ready and it has been a long week. I will post some updated pictures soon of Cayden and Mercie on her first day. God is so good!! Very excited for this new adventure.

~Makeover~

So, I have been thinking lately that I am in need of a refreshing makeover! I feel as if my hair has been the same for far to long. I tried to grow it out, but this pregnancy has left my hair thinner/finer than normal. Usually pregnancy causes hair growth, but not mine. There is probably not much you can do without going to short, but with just about a week left before I go back to work I think the timing is prefect. Maybe a new outfit too? Any suggestions?

Almost 2 months

I can't believe 2 months have gone by already! My baby is growing so fast, smiling all the time (when he is not sleeping or eating). He is weighing in at 11 lbs 10 oz as of 7/17. He is sleeping better in his crib, although the last 2 nights he has been on an every 2 hour eating schedule. We will have to work on that, since I am supposed to go back to work in 2 weeks. Although it is hard, I do enjoy every minute I have with him. I was unable to breastfeed Mercie, and I forgot how special it is. I hope I can continue to as long as possible. The quiet moments between mother and son are soon gone, and I want to treasure every moment.

Here are some recent pictures of 6-8 weeks.

Summer Fun!

All smiles

On Cayden's one month birthday we went to summer camp in Seattle area to lead worship. We got into camp at about 11:00. We were all tired from the drive, and needed to set up. As I sat watching the guys and holding Cayden in my lap he looked up at me and gave me a smile. Ahhh.....I quickly called Ben over so he can catch these first moments. Nothing like it in the world when you child smiles at you for the first time! Love it!!!

3 weeks

precious moments

I am enjoying every minute with my son. I can't believe he is almost 3 weeks old already. We are working on a "schedule", and he is getting a little better. He is such a good eater, and learning to sleep in other places besides my arms. I am not complaining, I could hold him all day long (it does make it hard to go to the bathroom, or find time for a shower when he won't let me put him down however). Mercie is adjusting well, and is a very big helper to me. She loves her little brother, and when he cries she comes running to his rescue. I look forward to the weekend when the whole family is together, and we can continue creating memories.

cute as a bug

2 weeks old

One week

Update: 8 lbs 12 oz 21.5 in long (inch and 1/2 in one week!)

big brother, big sister

Cayden Jude is finally here!

May 23, 2009 at 11:31pm my baby boy finally decided to join our family. He weighed 8 lbs 9 oz and 20 in long.

The day started as normal, I had been having "braxton hicks" contractions since 35 weeks. Ben, Caleb and I went out to breakfast (Mercie was at aunt Meme's) and after went to Manito Park to fly Caleb's helicopter. When we got home, we enjoyed sitting out in the sun. Around 3:20pm I begin having contractions. They felt similar to the ones that I was used to, but I glanced at the clock just in case. 10 minutes later another one came.....then another. After about an hour of contractions 10 minutes apart I thought maybe this could be something real. I was scheduled for induction on May 28th, and after going to the doctor on the 20th he was not very encouraging I would be going to the hospital before the 28th. Just in case, I wanted to take a shower and make sure I was "prepared". I put dishes in the dishwasher, and cleaned the house. Got the camera, and other last minute items together. We got the kids to grandma's house "just in case", and headed to the park to walk around. At this point 4 hrs had passed, and I was still only 10 minutes apart on my contractions. They were getting more and more painful, but I never thought the hospital would admit me with contractions far apart. Ben parked the car by the park so we could walk around for a while. I stepped out of the car, looked at Ben and said "the only place I am walking is into the hospital!".

I walked into the labor and delivery floor still not knowing what the outcome would be. When the nurse said 6cm, I begin to cry. Partly from relief that it was finally it, and the other because I felt I wasn't ready! My son was finally going to come, and he was coming quickly! I was admitted quickly, and anesthesia was called. By this time it was about 7:30pm-8:00pm. At about 11:00pm the nurse came in and said it was time to start pushing. We did a "test" push, and she told me to stop as she needed to call the doctor. After 3 contractions, he was out (face up) and letting us all know! That was the best moment! He was worth every minute of waiting. A special little blessing from the Lord!