Happy 10 Months!

Dear Caden,

Where did the last month go?!? 10 months old buddy...wow! You are growing up so fast! You had a full month of traveling and visitors this month! We went to Oklahoma and spent a few days with Gran and then all your aunts, uncles and cousins came down to our house to visit us! We had lots of fun and you loved having everyone here at your house. After everyone left you would look around each room and talk...looking for someone to play with you! Addie (Gran's dog) came and stayed with us for a week and you loved having her. She would hear you talking and playing in your room each morning or after each nap and she would go and lay by your door. If we left the door open she would run in to visit you..you didn't care about us coming to get you out of bed you wanted down to play with addie!

You had your first Valentine's party and Valentine's day with your daddy and I. You had a party at your kindermusik class and got lots of fun things...You loved pulling stuff out of the sack and playing with your toys. You must take after your dad on Valentine's day because I am not a huge Valentine's person but your daddy always gets me pretty flowers and a sweet gift. We weren't really going to do anything for Valentine's this year since you were so young, and once again I am not a huge fan, but after seeing you open your Valentine's from your class party we changed our mind. So you, daddy and I had a little Valentine's party our self and you opened a fun toy daddy got you! (I know, I hear I am suppose to get the boys gifts but let's just say Jerrick is WAY better at Valentine's then me)!

You pretty much have the same schedule these days. You wake up at 7:30-8:30 and take a morning nap and an afternoon nap. You are only taking two bottles and you could really due without them...it's usually a battle to get 4 oz down you. I would really like you to drink them until closer to a year but we will see how long we make it. You eat tons of big boy food for breakfast, lunch and Dinner and you have a snack after your second nap. You still love yogurt, I think it's your favorite thing ever! I have to hide it when we are at the grocery store or else you get upset you can't have it right then! You still eat some baby food, really just cereal and veggies (you don't like the texture of real veggies so I have to mix them in between bites while you are picking up other food). You are not all about me feeding you, you would much rather do it yourself but I am not ready for that mess just yet! Recently we have been giving you what we eat for dinner and daddy feeds you off his spoon and you just LOVE that.

You are getting lots more hair and your hair is getting long. It really needs a little cut but we aren't ready for a big boy haircut just yet! We keep saying we will trim it for your one year old pictures but we will see if that happens. It has little curls in the back and it is way over your ears on the sides! But we think it is pretty stinking cute! You have 6 teeth now, 4 one the top and 2 on bottom. You have such a fun big smile and all your teeth show now! You are still crawling like a champ and pulling up and cruising on things but have yet to take any steps. You let go and will stand on your own a little but not for too long. You do bend down to pick stuff up now, it's real cute! You love to bring your toys over to a chair and put them "up". You say a few more words, ball, yes and up. You say up for everything...if you want down out of your highchair or car seat, if you want us to hold you, if you need something...it's your all around word. You also shake your head no. I think you know what it means. I will try to give you a bite of something and if you don't want it you shake your head no or if I try to give you anything you don't want you shake your head no.

You are still your happy self and love people and animals! You love, love, love to play outside. I am pretty sure that is where we will be all summer long! You get so excited when we walk to the door and open the garage...you always think we are going to play outside, even though most of the time we are getting in the car! You love to go on Wagon rides! We had to move the wagon out of sight so every time we went to the garage you wouldn't get upset if we didn't go straight to the wagon. You love to ride, look for doggies and talk the entire time! Sometimes we pick up your friend Gracie and you both ride in there and take turns playing with each other's toys! You also love to crawl all around on the sidewalk...you go all over the place and up the sidewalk to the mailbox! You are not too sure about the grass...you go over to it and touch and feel it but haven't actually got on it to play. I don't really blame you though...I am not a grass person myself...it's too itchy!

This month you also got to have your first father/son weekend. I went to Oklahoma to help Gran with somethings and you stayed home with Daddy. I am pretty sure it was one of the highlights of your dad's life thus far! He talked about it for weeks and had so many fun "guy" things planed for you all. I am not sure what all you did with him but I know it was lots of fun and you all went out and about a lot, every time I talked to you all you were somewhere, getting something! I missed being away from my little boy for that long but I am so glad you and dad got some man time in. Your dad did such an awesome job....kept you fed, dressed, changed and happy. I don't even think he called once to ask questions! what an awesome dad you have!

You continue to bring us lots of smiles, laughter and entertainment. You are so funny to watch. You are so much like me and your dad at the same time! It's fun to watch those personalities come out! The other day your daddy reminded me how when you were in my tummy I would pray for a active, fun baby. I totally forgot about that! I was worried I would have a child that was shy, quite, timid, introverted, not very active...you know the total opposite of me! Honestly, I was afraid I would have to act crazy and keep you busy to help make you a fun baby (I know I can't believe I am admitting it but its so true) I wasn't sure how I would be with a child like that. But no worries....you are totally everything I prayed for and SO MUCH MORE. I had no clue the amount of energy you would have and the amount of energy it would take to keep up with you but I love it! Your a lot like your momma in the fact you are not a home body! It's a challenge and rewarding all at the same time. No worries about me getting bored with you, you get bored with me! I have to think of things to keep us busy and active. Our newest thing is going to the gym and open swim. You like to play with kids while I workout and you love, and I mean LOVE swimming. You are so brave, you freak me out sometimes! You like to play in the water with other kids and pretend you are just as big as them. I don't know how many times I've had to grab you so you wouldn't just nose dive into the water. Once again not much of a "sitter on the side of the pool" type of boy! Oh this summer is going to by fun, I just can't wait.

Well Caden, month 9 has come to an end and month 10 is upon us! I can't wait to see what this month brings! I am sure it will be full of fun memories. We have lots of stuff planed for this month and lots of traveling and lots of visitor's so I am pretty sure you will love it! I can't wait to see the new things you explore and learn! I love watching you grow and learn about life...I love watching you with your "Jerrick Irby" look studying things and trying to figure it out. I LOVE YOU MORE THEN I COULD EVER PUT INTO WORDS. I know every parent thinks their kid is the absolute best but you truly are perfect for us and I don't want you to change one little tiny bit! We thank God daily for the honor of being your mom and dad (and we still can't believe you are really ours)! Our prayer is that you will grow to love Jesus with your entire heart and we would just be able to cheer you on and enjoy life with you! As your Papa Bud would say, "we love doing life with you".