Jared's back. And I'm getting caught up on pics.

I love this pic (except for the fact that something was on my lense).  It's on Fathers Day.  I think they look alike here.  And, Caden is actually looking at the camera.  Rarely happens.

Jared went on a trip with church as a Middle School sponsor last week.  5 days.  4 nights.  Longest departure both CW and myself have had from Jared.  We were glad to have him home :).

This is from a few weeks ago when bad storms rolled
in.  We hung out in the basement for a while, just to
be safe, and watched.......what else??  Cars.

Our dear friends Annie and Drew were sweet enough
to bring dinner for us the week before Jared left (almost
2 weeks ago already...time flies).  Ron and Megan joined too.
Here is their sweet little 2 month old Gianna.  Love her!!

It was a lovely evening and just what we needed after our
stressful week of 'blah' medical news.  Wonderful people.

Gianna smiling at Jared.  Make me think he needs a daughter someday :).

We took some pics for Daddy to know what we were up
to while he was away........here's CW and Barley.

Telling me to "come on" by waving his arm so.

Uncle B came and fixed our disposal.  And put a new faucet
in.  So thankful for all that he does for us always....replaced
lighbulbs all over the house and got us in tip-top shape!
And glad we didn't have to have food sitting in our disposal
for a week til Jared got home :)....

Sailor Man

Boys are few and far between in our family.  By that I mean, well, in my mom's entire family, there have been 2 boys in the last 60 years.  My uncle in 1953 and his son in 1990.  Other than that, my aunts, cousins, you name it, have all had girls.  Eight girl cousins on that side.  One boy. 

Well anyhoo, my Grandpa (mom's dad) was in the Navy.  He is of course very proud of that, as he should be.  Grandma would always tell us how she fell for her "Sailor Man" in the handsome uniform :).  Since the day I told Grandpa I was having a boy, he has reflected on how he always wanted to get a pic of each of the boys in a Navy suit when they were little.  My Uncle, my cousin, and now CW.  He had never got the job done with either of the previous boys in the fam. 

Well, this spring mom and I found the jackpot.  Apparently people actually dress their children in this attire for Easter, because there was lots of it at Von Maur.  While I thought it was cute, since it had a lot of meaning in our family, I simply cannot imagine making your son dress in something like this for any other reason.  But, enough about that, we got the Navy uniform and started working up a suprise for Grandpa.  When I did his 18 mos pics (Thanks, Krissy!!) we took one of him in his Navy uniform.....I still need to post those pics by the way.  Then we got a cute little picture made for him to give him for Fathers Day.

But the suprise didn't end there........mom had the Navy song on her phone so that she could play it for Grandpa.  We dressed Caden up in the uniform.  Mom went up to Grandpa's apartment and we lagged behind a bit.  Mom told him she had a suprise.  Gave him a card that said, "You finally have your Navy boy".  The music played.  In came Caden, in his uniform, like a champ.  Totally confused at what was going on, but a good sport nonetheless.  He proceeded to request mom keep playing the song and danced numerous times to the tune :).  It was perfect.  Grandpa cried.  Precious, seriously.

Growing Up. Got My Back.

I know say Caden's changing so much all the time, but the last couple of weeks have been unreal.  He suddenly looks 'different' to me......just has a different look to him, maybe a more grown-up look.  He is chattering more.  Repeating (in his own way) things we say more.  Wanting to do things on his own more.  Testing boundaries more. Not eating, but I'm trying to roll with that.  Not wanting to sit at the table, which seems to be a battle these days.  All in good time.  He seems to know when he is going to the bathroom more and more.  I bought him a Cars potty seat.  I am not pushing potty training yet, but just encourage him when he does in fact acknowledge when he is going.  One of these days when I decide it's the right time to plop him on that toilet, I will be prepared :). 

He is such a little man these days and it is so adorable.  Whenever he decides he wants to go outside, he goes and gets his shoes, "sooce", and tries to put them on.  Then he gets my shoes and brings them to me.  He's got my back.  I may have worn heels out back the other day because those are the shoes he brought me, and it was so cute I didn't have the heart to get different shoes :).  Yep, playing in the backyard in heals.  Classy.  One afternoon I was getting something off the patio and ran out without shoes on.  He came running to the door and said, "Sooce!!  Sooce!!" and brought me my flip flops.  What a doll!  He's got my back.

One day we were outside playing in the sprinklers.  I got him all lathered up in sun block.  He started playing.  I started putting sun block on myself.  I was trying to reach as much of my back as I could, but wasn't getting very far.  Caden came up and put his hands out wanting some sun block.  Assuming it would turn into a disaster, I reluctantly gave him a tiny bit on his hand.  Guess what he did?  Went behind me and started putting it on my back.  Yes, he may have slapped my back farily hard while doing so.  Yes, he may have only really got a glob of it in one spot and not spread out.  But he thought he was helping me and it was precious.  So grown up!  Such a doll.

I had some wintergreen lifesavers the other day.  I popped one in my mouth, I thought without CW seeing.  Wrong.  He saw me.  He wanted some.  I gave him an itty-bitty piece.  I told him, "Good idea, buddy, now you will have minty-fresh breath!".  A few minutes later we got out of the van, and Caden was putting his face in front of mine and "sniffing" (I love how he makes a "sniff" noise :)).  I couldn't figure out what the heck he was doing, and then I remembered I'd told him his breath would be minty-fresh.  Once I realized that, I said, "Oh, buddy, you have yummy fresh breath".......he smiled, clapped his hands, and gave me a hug.  You're welcome for the mint, Buddy......it worked...........any time........love you :).

Pics soon.....

Pics

I added pics to the Note from Grammy post :).

Thankful

I want to be sure this blog is something Caden can look back on and have wonderful memories and know how much he is loved.  I want it to be about him.  Having said that, I wanted to post a little bit of an update on what's going on with Caden's mama's health (me).  I don't need to go into all the hairy details, I don't want it to be anything he ever has to worry about.  Rather, I want him to look back and know that he is always and will always be a priority for his Daddy and I, and our decisions will be made based on what is best for CW(i.e. keeping Mommy healthy and able to chase him, care for him, dance with him, hold him, and be there for him no matter what).


Okay, so here it is......last week we found out my darn brain has 6 new lesions in the last 3 months.  A person with MS should have no more than 0 or 1 when on treatment for the disease.  I switched medicines in January after 5 new lesions were discovered on my last MRI (of which it had been a year since I'd had one).  It was then determined that the treatment I was on wasn't working, and thus the new medicine.  They are keeping me on this treatment 3 more months to see if it starts taking effect, and then we will have to decide the next step.  This is of course not the news we wanted, and while it is confusing, frustrating, and scary, we are determined to stay thankful and optimistic.

So, here are the ways I will be thankful in the midst of this storm.......

I have a wonderful husband who is here for me and has stood by me through this crazy ride.

That we had Caden when we did, without having to worry about my now very 'active' MS at the time, and being able to go off medications to have him.

That Caden was born healthy and thriving.

That I didn't have any clinical relapses during or post partum carrying Caden.

That I haven't had any clinical relapses even with all the new lesions (the doctor says I've been very 'lucky' in that so far).

That I discovered the disease when I did (4 years and 7 months ago).
I have wonderful friends and family who would do anything to help in any way they can.

That there are MRI's and medications to hopefully stay on top of the progression of the disease.

That I have learned info on a diet and plan that may be helpful as well.

That I have a Savior who's plan is perfect, regardless of my plans, and I can trust in Him that He will not give me more than I can bear.

That's that......I'm gonna go eat a cookie :).

Note from Grammy

My mom had Caden all day the other day.  She said it was the best day ever!!  Here's the email she sent me with all that they did, all before noon that day :).  She is such a wonderful Grammy.  CW adores her and I know he is always well taken care of, loved, and spoiled rotten there!  So blessed that she is willing to juggle her schedule and take care of Caden sometimes while I'm at work!!  I'll add pics once she sends them from her phone....

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011
· Cuddled and watched Nick Jr.
· Outside by 8:30 – Mowing the yard for Grandpa
· Dug in the dirt and helped Grammy plant flowers
· Swept the patio and then we went in so he could get his vacuum to finish the job
· Had Grammy sit by the pond to look at fish, then took off and came back with the net so we could try and catch some.
· Kept saying “Grandpa” when he looked at the fence and pond because he didn’t understand why part of the fence was down and why the fish that spits water into the pond wasn’t working. I tried to explain it to him and he kept turning his little hands up and saying “Grandpa?” If only Grammy could have understood that Grandpa would know what happened.
· Went inside and got his hammer to work on the fence after I told him it was broke and Grandpa needed to fix it. Thank goodness he got that thing in place before it fell!
· Watered Grammy’s flowers· Put his mouth over the hose and said “bubble, bubble, bubble”
· Kept adjusting the faucet by the patio because it wasn’t tight and was spraying water --- so he would make it spray him and then run, squealing with delight.
· Used the pressure sprayer to spray high into the trees, the fence and Grammy --- giggling the whole time.
· Walked to pond to see the ducks.
· Spit off the bridge on the way.· Took a stroller ride.
· Had croutons for a snack and visited with Grandpa D when he stopped
· Washed dishes for Grammy· Played with magnets on the refrigerator
· Played with blocks in his room
· Played in the cardboard box and fixed it with several tools

Accomplished all of this in the morning, and then took a three hour nap from 12:15 – 3:15. Anyone would be pooped after such a morning!
He brought three binkies from home and Grammy had three --- so took all six to nappy. Put everyone of them away when he got up though.
Such a good boy! Woke up from nap laughing and happy and ready to go back outside.

Grammy’s most perfect day.

I love my little Nugget!!!! xxoo

Here are the pics mom sent me from their day together :).  Love it.

95 Years

That's how many years are between Caden and his Great-Great-Great Aunt Alice.  We went and visited her last week (Wednesday).  She still lives in a house by herself and is a complete joy.  Caden thought so, too.

She has always been like my Great-Grandma to me, since none of mine were around for me to get to know.  I'd say she's my mom's very favorite person.  As mom said, she's been her unconditional love her whole life.  Aunt Alice has always been there, always loved her, always been proud of her.  No matter what. 

We love her to pieces and treasure these pictures.  They are 95 years apart.......is that unreal or what?  Did I mention that?  Love it.

Playing cards.

Laughs and hugs.  Delightful :).

Action.

Priceless.