If you shall wake.....

Me:  Okay buddy, if you wake up tonight, you need to find your bink and go back to sleep, okay?  No coming to get mommy.  I need to sleep tonight.  Got it?

CW:  (with a very seriously look, getting close to me & looking out of the top of his eyes....) I get my daddy.

Me:  No, you're not going to get daddy either.  We all need to sleep.  No getting up 3 times tonight.

CW:  I call my gammy!

Me:  You're going to call Grammy?

CW"  Ya, call my gammy.

Me:  No, you can't call Grammy if you wake up either.....she'll be sleeping.

CW:  I wakey her.

We've got a ways to go before this house sleeps all night again I'm afraid.  This too shall pass & I'll miss it someday, right :)??

This is the sight I came home to tonight....adorable.

Wonderful Evening with a wonderful Lady :)

I love this lady to pieces.  We first met when I worked at Three Eagles the year and a half before Caden was born.  She watched me grow (and grow and grow :)) throughout the pregnancy.  We have stayed friends ever since.  She moved from Nebraska City this fall and we couldn't be happier about it.  We plan on having lot's more Liz time in 2012 around the Meyer house.  Today was her birthday.  Caden and I made her a cake, some pizza, and we had ourselves a little party :).  Then her and mom and I went to a movie.  It was a Wonderful Evening with a wonderful Lady indeed :).  Happy Birthday, Liz, we love you!!

(And she suprised us with a present that night......on her birthday.....go figure!  More on that later :))

Shower for Sis.

It was lovely.  Her mother-in-law is a photographer and took tons of pics.  As soon as I get those from her I'll share.  I love my sis to pieces and simply cannot wait for this baby girl to arrive!  It isn't real to me yet that I'm going to have a niece.....in a few weeks there will be another member at the Sunday dinner!!  Glorious.

Caden helping wrap T's presents

Brrr.....warm sheets, Momma!!

I never thought of this before, but the only extreme temperature Caden has ever really felt is cold.  If something's really hot, we of course don't let him touch it.  Well anyhoo, he was helping me with laundry today, and I took his sheets out of the dryer, and they were so warm!!  You know, warm sheets, they're the best!!

Well anyhoo, he grabbed onto them and said, "Brr momma!!  Warm sheets!!"  He probably thinks brr works for warm or cold.  Never really thought about that :).  Anyway, it was adorable.  So we made a pile of the warm sheets and played in them until they were just boring 'ol room temp.  He melts my heart.  Brrr!!!

Rollin' with it..........

My son's Christmas tree may still be in his room, since he loves it so much and begs me to leave it up every time I mention taking it down.  What can it hurt??  I'm rollin' with it.......

My son may have ate McDonald's twice in the last 2 days, between Grammy spoiling him and Daddy spoiling him.  I'm rollin' with it........

I may have ate my supper on the floor in Caden's room tonight because he'd already eaten when I got home, and I couldn't resist his, "Mommy pay me??" (mommy play with me??).  So I ate on the floor while we 'played.'  Mommy guilt settin' in I guess.  I'm rollin' with it........

My house may be a disaster right now because life is frankly nuts right now.  I'm rollin' with it.......

My son may be getting up once in the night ever since the big boy bed transfer, and I am a bit lacking in sleep.  I'm rollin' with it...........

I may be an incredibly horrible procrastinator and have a ton to get done with weekend.  I'm rollin' with it......

My niece may arrive any day now.  Technically 26 days to be exact, til due date.  But who knows.  I still don't know her name.  And won't for a potentially 26 more days.  No idea when she'll arrive of course.  So anxious about Sis's delivery.  The waiting.  Wanting to make sure I have CW care arranged so I can be there for Allie and Bryan and wait on them hand and foot.  Not miss a second of it all.  It will be amazingly perfect no matter what.  In the mean time, I'll be panicking waiting for her :).  I'm rollin' with it............

Back to norm.

Jared got to pick Caden up from school today.  Typically he almost always does.  2 leg surgeries kept him from being able to literally pick Caden up for 3 weeks.  Then, good 'ol jury duty crept in and prevented him from being able to pick him up from school yet again. 

But today Daddy got to pick CW up.  "Daddy picky me momma?"  Yep, Daddy picks you up after school tonight, Buddy!!  So cute.

It was back to the norm.  Funny how good that can feel :).

Meet Vet Caden

CW had a sleepover at Grammy and Grandpa's last night and spent the day with Grammy today.  When I got home from work and Jared headed off to youth group, it was time to play "docca" (doctor), have a dance party, and jump in a pile of pillows and stuffed animals.  Big night.  All Caden's idea :).  "You pay me??"  His new request for you to play with him.  Who can resist it??  Love it.

Bampa picked up today.

Grandpa picked Caden up from school today, as Jared was on jury duty and I was at work.  Grammy met him there to show him the ropes.  I had told him last night that 'Bampa' would be picking him up today.  "Gammy too?"  Yep, Grammy too.  "And Gamma?" No, Grandma got to pick you up last week, remember?  "Ya, kay mom."

Well, when Mom and Dad got there to get him, Caden gasped and held onto 'Bampa' so tight.  The teachers said all they had heard all day was how "bampa picky me up."  Everyone knew Grandpa was coming today :). 

Mom asked if he wanted to show Grandpa some of his friends.  He thew his stuff back down and said, "Oh ya, kay."  Ran over to Thatcher, sat down on the floor by him, put his arms around him, and said, "Thatchy, my bampa.  See?  My bampa Thatchy!"  So cute.

Thatcher has special needs and cannot talk or walk, although he is a little older than Caden.  The teachers said he is so good with Thatcher and watches out for him.  So sweet.

He is spending the night at Grammy and Grandpa's tonight, as Grammy has the day off tommorow and they are going to hang out.  Love that boy.

All Morning Outside.

Yep.  We spent the entire morning outside today.  Like, 3.5 hours.  Caden was loving it, and so was I.  2 walks with the wagon.  2 walks with the stroller.  Playing in the backyard.  It was great.  What month is it again :)?!?!?!

Grandpa's Workshop

Buzz lost one of his feet in a 'Buzz vs. Ceramic Tile at lightning speeds' incident a few weeks back. Grandpa said he could fix it for Caden. Caden couldn't get over there fast enough to give "Bampa" Buzz's shoe and Buzz. And then the fixing began......

Subject placed on workbench.

Caden gets nervous that glue gun is a drill and is

going to be too noisy, haha.

The surgery begins

Sign we got 'bampa' for Christmas....seems appropriate!!

Adjusting the lighting

Subject placed in vice grip to assure accuracy in procedure

Caden patiently awaits surgery's completion

Happy to report Buzz made it through surgery well.  Foot attached once again.  Was able to return home with us tonight.  Is currenlty sleeping on our living room floor.  Good work, bampa!!

New game Caden invented at Grammy's.  Speghetti

noodles placed one at a time in Grammy's chicken.  Duh.

This morning this was what my sweet little sleepy

man looked like before we left for church.  Cutest litte

cuddlebug I ever did see!!

Showing me he snuck a binkie to the living room.  Nice.

Watching Toy Story.

Requirement:  Minimum of 5 Toy Story toys within reach at all times.

Caden requires a daily dose of some Toy Story.  OR ELSE!!!

53 degrees. Sunny. January 6th. Somebody pinch me.

Our bedtime talk

Caden informed me he ate snacky fooots (fruit snacks), milky, and cackers out of his lunch today at school.  Probably the truth.  In the last couple weeks, it's crazy how much I can actually rely on what he says, haha.  He is becoming more and more clear and is getting so good at telling me everything!!  I asked him who he ate lunch with and he said "Thatchy and Zizee."  (Thatcher and Lizzy).   I asked him what Lizzy had for lunch, and he said, "Milky and food."  Haha.  Sounds accurate.  Nice a general, but accurate nonetheless. 

When we got in his room, he got one of his bins off the shelf (the bin that has been deemed Woody, Buzz, and Jessie's bed), put Jessie in it grudgingly (he'd rather sleep with all of them, but that doesn't work out so well), and said, "Nigh nigh Jechie....see you mowning."  So darling.  So good at following the rules..........most of the time. 

I got a 'biggy huggy' when we laid down tonight.  He fell asleep before I left the room......maybe because I was in there a while, as I started dozing off too, haha.  Oops. 

Guess that means I need to go to bed.  Signing off, sweet dreams!!

We adopted Jessie. My niece is named.

Caden used his Christmas money to go buy "Big Jessie" at Target.  He's been asking for her for so long.  He was so excited.  Since we have all the little figurines, his big Buzz, Woody, and Jessie are called exactly that, "Big."  Jessie already had to get put on the fridge once today because Caden wasn't behaving.  I got my hair cut while T and Caden hung out in Barnes and Noble.  As of 3 am when my sis couldn't sleep, she decided on the name for sure.  But isn't telling.  I cried when she texted me.  It's all so real and coming so soon.  I can't even grasp how much I'm going to love this little girl.  Pretty sure it's the closest thing to having my own that I could even imagine.  It will be incredible.  Caden fell asleep on the way home.  He is napping now.  I will get motivated to clean.  Any minute now..........

Tuesday in Summary....according to Caden

I worked today, but I got the low-down from Caden of today's happenings.  Let me take you to our conversation in the van........

What did you do today Buddy? 
Momma, schoo!! 

You're right Buddy, I did take you to school.  Who was at school today?
Thatchy.

Thatcher's your friend isn't he??  Was Lizzy there too?
Ya.  Zizzy.  Me.

And Henry?
No Hennee.  Hennee home.

I see.  Who picked you up from school?
Gamma.

Did Grandma take you to see Great-Grandma after school?
Ya!  Fissies, me sitty, gamma.

(I had no clue what he was meaning about fishies and sitting, but I said okay).

Then you went home to see Daddy?  What did you have for supper?
Pizzie.  Me hold Jechie home.

You had pizza?  And you want to hold your Jessie (Toy Story) when we get home?
Ya.

Wellp, the kid is getting more verbal and brighter every day.  I talked to Jared this evening after Caden went to bed.  Turns out when Sherry (Grandma) took Caden to see her mom, they sat by the little pond in the entry of the retirement home and looked at fishies.  And he told Grandma to sit too :).  And, they did have pizza for supper.  And, he had left his Jessie doll right by the door so he could hold her when he got home.  For the record, I was unable to confirrm whether his friend Henry really was at home today as Caden says he was ;).

This whole having-a-kid-who-can-talk thing is working out okay.  So strange how fast he changes.  So lovely to watch him change and grow.  Off to bed now.  I'm 3 for 3 on the year if you're counting.

Monday. Go Huskers.

Caden woke at 4:30.  I went and slept with him in his bed 'til 7:15.  It was lovely.  Jared went to work.  My sister is nesting.  Big time.  I went with mom to get her the crib mattress.  Caden yelled "Go Huskers" lot's while they were on TV.  It was adorable.  Caden's whined for his binks all day.  Drives me nuts when he does that.  Wish we'd got rid of the bink long ago. Chili for supper.  Caden has school for first time in two weeks tommorow.  Hope he adjust back to the norm okay :).  Caden chewed the same piece of gum for 20 minutes today, and put in trash when done.  Big day.  Mom's proud.  Had the house all cleaned before Caden went to bed last night.  Looks like I've never cleaned as of now.

The potty seat is getting no use on Caden's part, but luckily Buzz sat on the potty today.  And got wiped.  "Pooped," according to Caden.  Sunnyside doesn't look so bad now, does it Buzz :)??  Happy Monday!

2012

A new year.  A fresh start.  Although my life today doesn't seem different from yesterday, 'last year,' for some reason the whole 'new year' thing always feels like a fresh start.  When I look forward to 2012, I am so excited with all that I know it will bring.  And, I know the Lord has much more in store for us in 2012, both the good and the bad, than I even know.  I am ready.  Bring it on, 2012.  Here we come.

I am getting really weepy about how big my boy is getting, and afraid I am going to forget this age when he's the next year older, much like I hardly remember him last year, and so on and so forth.  I don't keep a journal, so whatever I blog is the extent of what I have recorded.  So, I'm  going to try my hardiest darndiest to post something every day.  A story.  A sentence.  A picture.  Whatever.  Something.  I am not saying "I will do it", because I'm setting myself up for failure.

I know how life goes.  Life happens.  It gets busier and busier.  We have good days.  We have bad days.  I am about to start tax season so I will work much longer days the days I do go in.  My niece will be arriving.  Three friends and a cousin are having babies this spring.  Lot's happening.  BUT, I'm going to try. 

So, without more babbling, I am posting, Post #1.  January 1, 2012. 

When we started 2012

Dearest Caden,

When we started 2012, here are some of the things you are doing that come to my mind.  I will treasure every day between now & the day I have to see what you're like the last day of 2012.  Here goes :).

"Sankoowelcome." How you say thank you for everything.  You take care of your "Thank you" part, and my "You're welcome" part.  And you are so good about saying it.  So polite.

You use this high-pitched voice sometimes that is so darn cute.  For example, we went to breakfast with 'the gang' for New Years today, and Chuck asked you if you wanted to go home with them.  You smiled, looked at me & said, "Momma too??" in that voice.  Ugh.  So cute.

You love to dance.  And you are bossy about dance parties.  If I am supposed to be clapping & daddy is supposed to be jumping, or whatever, you be sure and tell us what to do.

You love to cuddle us at night.  When we put you to bed, you'll put your cute little arm around are neck and say, "I hold you".  So cute.  And you give me kisses.  And rub my cheek and talk to me while we lay there.  You are precious.

"Ya kay." Another favorite phrase of mine you use right now.  Caden, are you okay?  "Ya, kay."  Caden, we need to go to the bedroom now, you need to come with me.  "Ya, kay."

"Talking piggy."  You love Charlotte's Web and this is what you say for that movie.  It is also what you say for Ham in the Toy Story Movies.

Ah, "Toy Story."  You say it so cute.  You say it a lot.  It's all you want to watch most the time.  You play with your Toy Story characters constantly. 

"Milky".  Your favorite drink right now.

"Beebee two".  You are obsessed with your binkie.  Lord help me you won't be when we close out this year.  And you always want at least two.  One to put in your mouth and one to rub on your cheek.....and the pillow........and the wall........and your hair..........and mommy's hair.......and everywhere.  You are kinda strange like that, haha.

"Washy Deeches".  You love to 'wash' dishes right now.  You are constantly trying to pull a tall dining chair into the kitchen and up to the sink.  You stand there for so long and play with the water and dishes.  You love it.

Pretend.  You have gotten really good at playing pretend lately.  When you make stuff in your kitchen in the playroom you pretend to give mommy some, with a spoon, so carefully, and tell me it's hot.  And I have to say "mmmmm" really intensley or you are irritated :).

You are Mr. Particular.  You like things to be as they are supposed to be.  Case in point, I moved an end table & lamp in the living room today, and you walked in the living room & it was the first thing you noticed.  You pointed it out to me as if someone had broke in and I was unaware they moved things ;).  Or, like when I put you to bed tonight, and I'd changed your pillowcase to a plain tan one, because your bedding was needing to be washed, and you got really upset.  You went into your room to go to bed, and you ran over to your pillow "No piddy me, mama, trucks, no piddy!!"  You were so upset your truck pillowcase wasn't on your pillow.  Silly boy.

Anyhoo, I could go on and on but hopefully this is a pretty good picture of our little boy at the start of 2012.  We love you, little man, happy new year!!