Connecticut School shooting

Dear Kayden,

Today was a very sad day. I am sure you will learn about when you go to school. Today there was a shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut. 20 children and 6 adults died. It breaks my heart just thinking about it. Right before Christmas too.

I am so glad you are safe. I cuddled with you extra today. 

To be honest the idea of sending you to school when shootings are happening more and more is scary for me. I am considering home schooling. 

Two days ago there was a shooting at a mall. 

I am hoping things get safer for you but I fear they will only get worse. 

I hope you know I will do everything I can to keep you safe. You mean the world to me and just the thought of losing you makes me break down. 

Your father and I will have to discuss your schooling more as you get closer to that age. I just hope things get better for you.

Love,
Mommy

 

First sleep over

Dear Kayden,

This week you had your first sleep over. It is finals week for mommy and your Auntie Caca (callista). 

You did surprisingly well. You had dinner at your Auntie Bubs(lauralee) house. 

You did roll off of your aunts bed in the middle of the night but you didn't even get a bruise. 

You supposedly helped with laundry.

You had lots of fun and your aunts loved spending time with you!

You did cry when I first gave you to your aunt to go home but you hadn't taken a nap yet. You slept on the drive home and then were happy.

Love,
mommy

First Family vacation!!

Dear Kayden,

We just got home from vacation to florida/bahamas. It was so fun. The flight into Ft. Lauderdale was interesting. You did pretty good at first. Then you fussed at the end. The first night we stayed right on the beach. You were totally afraid of the ocean. Everytime you get near it you cried.
The next day we moved to a different hotel. We went down to a different beach. You loved the sand but still not a fan of the ocean. We went shopping and just had a blast. We went to a store and you ran around and hugged every mickey mouse you saw. We ended up getting it for you. Its almost as big as you!

The next day we met Aunt Debbie. Your dads family friend. She was so sweet. She brought you a sock monkey that plays peek a boo. You really liked her and her husband. We played with them most of the day. 

The next day we had to go to a time share. It was way long but you got to run around a lot. Then we went to the cruise ship. Everyone on there got to know you. It was so much fun. The cruise director Steve loved you. You played lots with him. When we went to play bingo you found a little girl that was about a year older then you but you walked around holding hands. You both went on stage and danced. It was so cute! We kept saying she was your first girlfriend. But after that neither of you noticed each other.
We went to the Bahamas. We did a glass bottom boat tour. You feel asleep half way through. Then we went to a white sand beach. It was so fun. You actually played in the water! It was a blast. We went shopping. You got a little maraca shaker thing. You love dancing with it. 

The next day the boat docked. Then we drove to Orlando. We went to Janets house for dinner. She works with your grandma. Your grandma was so excited to spend time with you.

The next day we met up with your grandma and went to Gatorland! It was fun to see all the gators and you got to spend time alone with grandma while we went ziplining. That night we went to Medieval Times for dinner. Your Grandma spent the night with us.

The next day went to downtown disney. We saw all the shops and just explored. We flew home that night. 

It was so great to get to get away for a whole week.

2nd Halloween

Dear Kayden,

Your second Halloween was very eventful. Your nana came up to visit early in October so we went to the pumpkin patch. It was lots of fun.

You had your first pony ride. You actually seemed to really like it.

 You picked out a pumpkin.(Ask your Nana about dropping you in the pumpkin patch)

.

You played in the corn pit alot. Except you kept trying to put it in your mouth.

Later on in the month we went to our ward halloween party. You got to play some games and then go trunk or treating. We dressed up with the theme of Nightmare before Christmas. Daddy was Jack the pumpkin king, I was Sally and you were daddys little pumpkin. Since we didnt dress up like mickey mouse we got you a mickey mouse candy bucket.

We also went to Boo at the Zoo. It was alot bigger then we expected. You got lots of Candy and coupons. There was a booth with a bunch of girls all dressed up so we took your picture with them. They were loving you it was so cute!

Our last activity was your first time trick or treating! 

You got to go with 2 of your cousins. 

It was a really fun night. We got alot more candy then expected. After we sorted through what you could have you still had a ton left!!!

Overall it was a pretty successful Halloween.

Now on to Thanksgiving!!!

14 months

Dear Kayden,
Life has been so busy. You are not only walking but full on trying to run now! Emphasis on trying though. You make it about 3 steps and then fall but you laugh so hard. Its so cute.
You are 32 inches and 25.7 lbs. Growing like a weed. But a pretty darn cute one!!

I am loving watching how fast you learn. You recently figured out what keys do so when you want to go outside you take the keys to the door. Its so cute! 

You love being outdoors. Especially riding in the car nana got you for your birthday.

We just got new phones so you can video chat with nana all the time. You love it.

We have been skyping with your grandma once a week lately too.

We got to go to the zoo yesterday with some of your aunts and cousins. It was way fun.

Love you so much,

Mommy

13 months

Dear Kayden,

We finally went and had your 1 year check up and you are getting big! 24.4 lbs!!! and over 30 inches tall!!

You are going to be a tall kid.

We moved to Boise last month. It has been a new adventure but you are getting to know all your aunts and cousins. It is so nice to have them close by.
You also got your second hair cut!

Yesterday we went a took family pictures! I am so excited to get them back. We got some really cute ones of you too!

Love,

Mommy

Turning One

YOUR ONE!!!!!!!!

I can not believe you have been here for 1 whole year already!!!

We had an awesome party for you last night. 3 of your aunties surprised us with it!
Here is your cute cake

You trashed it! You ate like 2 bites. the rest you threw and smashed.

We had so much fun.

I can't believe in just one year you went from this:

To this:

Crazy I know!!

I remember couting down the days until you were born!

But to be honest today I have been thinking mostly about the day you were born. It feels so long ago but on the other hand feels like yesterday. It was such a surreal yet exciting day.

Going back through all the pictures it is so strange to see how fast you have changed. I want you to stay my lil baby forever but you are already considered a toddler now!

As long as you give me hugs, kisses, and cuddles I guess I can live with it.

I can't even begin to imagine everything that will happen in this next year.

Love,

mommy

First haircut

Dear Kayden,

I finally caved and took you in for your first haircut a couple days ago. You did really good. I had to hold you down to cut around your ears but besides that it was pretty easy!

I made sure to take before and after pictures.

Before:

After:

You look so grown up now!

Love,

mommy

8 month photos

Getting mobile.

Dear Kayden,

You are finally starting to crawl. You aren't quite up on your knees and going but you are rolling and inching your way forward. You are also going up onto your knees you just aren't able to move your knees and hands yet.

You will get there pretty soon!

Love,

Mommy



Easter

Dear Kayden,

I told you a little about your first easter already. But here are a couple pictures.

I was so worried you wouldn't do good with the picture but you smiled and kicked and got all excited!

Okay this was more for me. I couldn't resist :)

Love,

Mommy



Warm weather!

Dear Kayden,

The weather is finally warming up! So we've been having lots of fun!You love the swings so we try and go often.

You always smile pretty big!

We also went on your first trip to the zoo! Your favoritre animal was definitely the otters.

 You got confused with the penguins. You kept trying to lean closer to the glass and then hit your head. Your nana came with us. We even got a season pass so we are gonna go back alot this summer.

The second one was in the petting zoo. You weren't too  interested in that though.

I am so glad the weather is warm. Just one more month and then lots more will open! It will be so fun

Love,

mommy



Grandma Visit.

Dear Kayden,

Your grandma came to visit a couple of weeks ago! It was really great. She spoiled you of course. She bought you pants. a new rubber duck (She's the one who started your collection) and a really cool lil train! Its got lots of blocks and it talks to you. You can ride it or detatch the seat to push it. It has a bunch of cool things for you.

You love to bang the blocks together! Its so cute :)

Its definitely your new favorite toy!

You cant stay on it very long but we are working on it.

You love when we push you around.

Dont you look happy

You've learned to pull the blocks out of the holes.

 

You have so much fun with it.

 

Your grandma loved holding you.

Hopefully she will be back soon!

Love,

Mommy

Road trips

Dear Kayden,

You've been on 2 roadtrips lately! So you've been busy!!

The first was about 3 weeks ago. Your uncle Chris was getting the priesthood and I felt it was important to go.

Your daddy had to work so it was just gonna be the two of us. But last minute my friend Lindsay and her 6 weeks old daughter came with us.

It was a really easy trip. Suprisingly. Brooke and You slept pretty much the whole time both ways. While we were there you seemed to love the attention.

It was great spending time with everyone. Especially since your Uncle Chris just got deployed for 6 months. So it was nice to see him before he leaves!

The second road trip was last weekend. Your Aunt Caca is getting married and we went to help her search for wedding dresses. Again your daddy had to work so it was us with nana.

It was pretty tiring since it was a 6 hour drive each way. We only went over night. So it was exhausting. But it was great to see so many of my sisters. You even got to see your grandpa. He even gave you a super cute and soft stuffed lamb for easter. Your Aunt Caca got you a stuffed monkey with bunny ears and the best onesie ever! It said I got my good looks from my mommy. :)

Well you were doing lots better with the car but after a while you get fussy. But its progress!

Love,

Mommy

Slept through the night!

So not last night but the night before you actually slept through the whole night!!

It would have been great but we are weaning you now since you rarely nurse anyway and I was engorged all night and in pain.

You went to bed at 9:30 and slept until 6:30.

Then last night you slept from 8:30 til 5:30.

Its been so long since I slept all night and this has been amazing!

You actually slept through the night at nanas house. We were helping her move. And she put you to bed!

I am so glad you are sleeping longer!

Eating a ton! And feeding yourself!!

Dear Kayden,

You have been eating so much lately! The usual daily menu is:

Breakfast: Yogurt, oatmeal, and a jar of fruit

Snack of yogurt drops

Lunch: Jar of veggie, Jar of fruit, baby cheetos

Snack of puffs

Dinner: Oatmeal, meat stick, jar of veggie!

Plus nursing!!!

You are gonna be a big kid! Which is funny because you arent pudgy like normal babies are. You are just tall!

You are getting so good at feeding yourself finger foods!

Baby cheetos

Sucker

Videos:

You feeding yourself the sucker

You are still trying tons of new things. Pretty much anything we eat that wouldnt be a chocking hazzard for you! We went to applebees recently and got spinach artichoke dip. You seemed to like it

Love,

mommy



Falling Asleep!!(video)

Dear Kayden,

The other day you did the funniest thing in the world! I was trying to get you up from a nap and you kept falling asleep while sitting up!!!

I love this!!!

Bouncer! and TV(videos)

Dear Kayden,

You love your bouncer! Its so cute!!!

The only thing that makes it better is when music comes on tv while you are in your bouncer! You get so excited!!

Its so much fun to watch you! And it makes it easier for me to get things done!

Have I told you how much you love Mickey Mouse!! You get even more excited watching it!!

Love,

mommy

laughing and talking(videos)

Dear Kayden,

You have become very vocal lately! I love it!

You laugh....

You try to talk.....

and you make funny noises....

Love,

mommy

New foods! (Videos)

Dear Kayden,

Lately you have been trying lots of new foods. We've been recording videos and taking pictures of it.

Here is you eating icecream. You've had it before

Here is your first time trying a pickle

Your nana had the idea to let you chew on cold celery to help your teething.  You chowed down!

I fed you some cookie yesterday and today I let you feed yourself. It is chewy chips ahoy. It pretty much fell apart when you bit it.

Love,

mommy

3rd tooth!!

Dear Kayden,

Pretty much right after your first tooth came in your second one followed. That one was nice and easy with very minimal fussing. The first two were your front bottom ones. And you definitely know how to use them. It is quite painful!

Your third tooth is your first top tooth! Its been pretty painful. It hasnt broken through yet just kinda swollen. Hopefully itll happen soon.

In other news we have made the decision to move to Pocatello in August or September so your daddy can go to school there. Hopefully you like it. it is where your nana lives so that will be fun for you!

Love,

Mommy

Public School

Dear Kayden,

The amount of school shootings is very worring for me. Just this morning there was a shooting in Ohio. It is so sad. What makes it even worse is the fact that students are the ones doing the shootings! Children shouldnt have access to guns!

It makes me want to home school you but I know you need the socialization. But if we live somewhere with private schools I will come up with the money for you to go there!

Love,

mommy

My lil missionary

Dear Kayden,

So remember how your Uncle Chris came to your baby blessing? I know you can't remember that day but you might remember from the blog post. Well after that he was asking lots of question about the church!

And last night I got a text saying he was being baptized today! I am so happy for him. It all started at your baby blessing! You are already a missionary before you can even talk. It means so much to me that more of our family is coming back to the church or joining the church so we can all be together forever!

I am just so proud of you! I can't wait until you actually go on a mission and spread the gospel to the world. Actually I can wait cause I don't want my baby to grow up!

Love,

mommy

Standing up & Sleeping in crib

Dear Kayden,

Lately you have been pulling yourself up from sitting to standing! I am so excited. Hopefully you will be walking soon. Your Aunt Callista might be getting married this summer and wants you walking so you can be in it.

You have slept in your crib the last couple nights. Its been great. Now you just need to sleep through the night!

You have started saying mama!!! I love it. You say it over and over. It makes me so happy.

Also your nana is coming up this weekend! She will be here todayand is staying the night.

Love,

mommy

7 months!

Dear Kayden,

You are already 7 months old! It is crazy!

You are doing really good in your crib lately. I nurse you to sleep then your daddy puts you in your crib and rolls you onto your tummy. It works great as long as your music box is on.

You sit up great. You can stand leaning on something. You are sleeping in your crib(mostly). You are eating a ton!

We are even letting you have rice sometimes. Your nana started it. We just have continued it.

Today we even let you try a jolly rancher. I held onto it while you sucked on it. The first 3 sucks you didnt like it but after that you loved it!

Here are you 7 month photos

Needless to say you are the cutest baby ever!

Love,

mommy