Saturday, October 31, 2009

1st Halloween

Halloween started with a yummy brunch at the Firehouse in Pacific Beach with Jill's brothers and their girlfriends. The view from our rooftop table was a great way to start the day. We followed brunch with a day at the beach. Just as little boys are supposed to, Tyson ran around like a wild man, played with all his beach toys, and fully covered himself in sand. Par for the course, Kaden slept through the whole event. Overall, the day was a huge success!


Kaden and his new best friend, Jill. He adored having the Maucks visit as he was an angel the entire time they were here. Since Jill has another little boy on the way, I think Kaden was reminding her just how sweet babies can be. With the hypnosis the Maucks had on Kaden, we may just ask them to move in!


Before we got dressed up to go out, Kaden donned his My First Halloween onesie


Trick or Treat was also a huge hit. Tyson dressed up as a doctor and went door to door getting all sorts of great candy. He seemed to think it was the best thing ever. After each house he would look at his mom and ask, "One more Mom, one more?" He also made sure to get his mom's favorite candy when he had the option. I hope Kaden loves me as much as Tyson loves his mama! Jill took a great photo of the two boys in their costumes.


Friday, October 30, 2009

Week Nine Portraits


Zoo with The Maucks

The San Diego Zoo



Jill, Matt, and Tyson Mauck, our friends in Denver, came to visit us this weekend. We spent today at the San Diego Zoo. Even Kevin took some time off work to join us. While it was fun taking Kaden to the zoo for the first time, the real fun was watching Tyson; he is three and was amazed by everything we saw. I haven't spent much time around kids, but if Tyson isn't one of the best kids ever then I don't know who is. He is not one bit shy around us and has all kinds of stories to tell, a very verbal little boy. He is also very strong willed - his mom and dad gave him a map of the zoo and he insisted on being the leader of the group. Also very thoughtful, he asked everyone what their favorite animals were and made sure we saw them. An unexpected favorite of the group was the polar bear who was having the time of his life with a giant ball. Jill got a great photo so hopefully she will pass it on and I can post it. We also liked the gorillas, elephants, and large flock of pink flamingos.

Kaden and Dad by the elephants.

Jill and Tyson on the aerial tram that traveled over the zoo.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Stroller Strides Halloween Party

Kaden and I attend a bi-weekly Stroller Strides class down at La Jolla Shores. Every Thursday after class there is a play date for the kiddos. Today, the play date was a Halloween Party. Both moms and kids dressed up and prizes were handed out for best costume - our friend Lucas won for dressing up as a dinosaur with his car seat decorated as a dinosaur egg! We also had snacks (which caused the seagulls to swarm) and games. A professional photographer came down and held sessions of the kids in their costumes in exchange for a canned good donation. Unfortunately, I don't have the professional photos to post, but here are some that I took.


Lucas (Dinosaur), Will (Superman) and Kaden (Peapod)


Since Kaden's costume was a little bulky, I dressed him in something lighter for the actual class. He was so cute in his baseball uniform I had to get a shot!


Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Welcome to the World Baby Teddy!

Our cousin, Theodore Patten Koshgerian (we call him Teddy), was born Tuesday 10/27/09 at 3:37 AM weighing 8 lbs 11 ounces, and 21 inches long. Mom, Dad, and Baby are all home safe, sound, and happy! We can't wait to meet the little guy - isn't he the cutest!!!



Monday, October 26, 2009

Tiny Toes

After trying to capture a photo of Kaden's tiny toes, I have a new found respect for infant photographers. How do they do it? This photo doesn't quite show how tiny he still is but, when I think about it, none of these photos capture just how adorable my man really is! I don't even think a professional photographer could do that.



Pumpkin Carving Contest

Kevin challenged me to a pumpkin carving contest. So, we spent Sunday carving pumpkins and are now ready for the great reveal! Kevin did a skull and I did a ghost...I must admit that we had the help of a pumpkin carving kit. I think it is clear who won, but the formal judge, Tyson Mauck doesn't arrive until Thursday. Stay tuned for official results.




New Friend

Kaden has found a friend, albeit an inanimate one. Our good friends Corey and Dana Burns sent this darling little puppy to Kaden. Not only is it cute, it is embroidered with his name! I put it in his chair with him the other day and, when I took a second look, this is what I saw. Kaden was giving his new buddy a big hug. I'm guessing this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Two Months Old!


Two Month/Eight Week Portraits


Yikes, is he growing up fast!

Monday, October 19, 2009

Can't Hold Me!

Kaden has got his 2:30 nap down pat - feed, change, swaddle, rock, nap. When I went in to check on him today, this is what I found...

If he's not swaddled, he'll wake himself up by jerking about. Obviously, he feels the need for a bit of freedom.



Sunday, October 18, 2009

Pumpkin Patch Outing



So, Kevin says I like to make a production out of everything. Getting a pumpkin proved no exception. Of course, they sell carving pumpkins at the local grocery stores, but I wanted to go to a "nearby" pumpkin patch so that we could pick our own. After downloading directions that told us the farm was 26 miles away, we set off. Two hours later, and after passing at least five other so-called pumpkin patches, we arrived at Bates Nut Farm. Our little man was quite the trooper, he slept the entire drive and awoke just in time to help us pick out our pumpkins.

The Farm was great! A real pumpkin patch, tractor rides, a corn maze, pony rides, a petting zoo, food stands, etc. As a three year old, Kaden would love it. As a seven week old, he didn't seem too impressed. We were though - Kevin even stated that he didn't mind the ridiculously long drive!


We opted to choose pumpkins that were already picked and set out rather than trekking down to the patch. After driving 2+ hours, I didn't want to press my luck. Maybe next year.


Our little pumpkin.


Daddy and Kaden

Kaden and Mama


Friday, October 16, 2009

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Real Nap, Real Tears, Real Smile?


Today, Kaden went down for his first real nap. Until today, he's been napping either in his bouncy seat, the bassinet we had in the living room, his stroller, his car seat...really, anywhere he fell asleep. Sometimes he slept for a few hours, sometimes for only a few minutes. I decided that today was as good a day as any to start an afternoon nap routine. So, at 2:30 pm, after his tummy was full and diaper changed, I rocked him for a few minutes, and put him down for a big boy nap in his crib. He fell asleep rather easily and he slept for two and a half hours. As he's been sleeping in a co-sleeper in our bedroom, it was the first time he's spent more than fifteen minutes in his crib. I'm happy he slept so soundly since, sooner or later, he'll be spending his nights in there. Fingers crossed that tomorrow's nap goes just as smoothly.



I also noticed, for the first time, real tears coming from Kaden's little eyes. As if the sound of his crying isn't heartbreaking enough, now he's adding tears! He sure knows how to pull his mama's heartstrings. Thank goodness for me he doesn't cry all that often. I felt like a terrible mother taking this photo of him screaming, but the flash actually startled him and he promptly quit the crying. What a face! Tell me you wouldn't give in to anything he wanted.


Kaden has smiled contentedly since the first week we brought him home. These little gems were normally seen while he was sleeping. Recently, however, we've noticed them while he is awake and looking around. We're still waiting for a smile in reaction to things we do - the pediatrician calls it a "social smile." Kevin has had some luck getting one of these smiles out of our little man, but it isn't something that we can attain on cue. While I am not so patiently waiting for this milestone, he gives me cute little faces like these to tide me over until he is ready. I just hope that, even though he's not smiling, he's happy and we are doing a good job.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Should Have Known

After gaining 45+ pounds while pregnant, I should have known that getting back into the work out routine would be difficult. Holy smokes is it difficult! This morning, Kaden and I went to a Stroller Strides class with Michelle and Andi. I'm not kidding when I say it took every ounce of strength I had to get through it! While it was great being outside getting some exercise with other moms, the exercise itself was tougher than I imagined. Just goes to show how very out of shape I am. Kaden, on the other hand, slept through the entire thing - no sweat for him!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Cardinals 1st Playoff Game


So, Kaden wasn't quite up for cheering on the Cardinals. Maybe that is why they did so poorly against the Dodgers.


Kaden and Mama

Since I'm normally the one behind the camera, the photos of Kaden and I are few and far between. My wonderful neighbor, Michelle, captured this one. My sweet little sleeping baby. I love it when he snuggles into me. I will savor these moments for when he is a teenager and wants nothing to do with me. It makes me sad just thinking about it!

Friday, October 9, 2009

Week Six Portraits

Notice the pacifier and burp cloth. At six weeks Kaden seems to be going through a growth spurt and can't seem to tell when he's had enough food. This has caused messy spit-ups after most every meal and some doozie crying spells. All the fussiness is incredibly unlike him - he's been such a calm baby ever since we brought him home. The spit-ups, fussiness, and lack of sleep led us to taking him to the doctor today. She said it may be a bit of reflux but that otherwise he's doing great - he gained 1.2 pounds since his last appointment two weeks ago! He now weighs 10.2lbs. Since we went to the doctor, the fussiness and lack of sleep have abated. I think we'll be doing loads and loads of laundry for a while though!


Meanwhile, Kevin has been sick with the flu. He was home from work for three days so I knew it was bad. I quarantined him in the guest bedroom and have been cleaning everything he's touched with rubbing alcohol. I'm loading up on Airborne and Emergen-C and praying hourly that Kaden doesn't catch it. Friends told me to quirt some breast milk up his nose to prevent germs from getting into his system. I guess it's worth a try...




Thursday, October 8, 2009

First Bottle and Other Adventures

So, at 5 and 1/2 weeks, I finally attempted to pump. I was disappointed that I only got three ounces which Kaden pounded and then begged for more. At least I tried and Kevin was able to give him a bottle. The next few attempts were more successful. Our little guy is definitely a healthy eater!



I got out Kaden's play mat this week and he appears to love it! He stares up at the toys and moves his arms like he wants to grab them. The play mat also included a mirror that he just stares into - looks like he takes after his dad there! He also loves the music. We've been doing our fifteen minutes of "tummy time" there too. Thank you so much to Pat and Colleen for this wonderful gift that I'm betting he enjoys for a long time!



Daddy and Kaden goofing around.

More from Week Five


Just some photos of Kaden chilling out. Notice his model pose in photo #1 and showing off his muscles in #2. The cute fish outfit is from my friend, Jill. Her little boy, Tyson is always stylish - a fashion icon for Kaden. We are looking forward to their visit over Halloween. Trick-or-Treating with the Maucks in Bird Rock - watch out La Jolla two little goblins will be out and about!


Our second playdate with Andi and Michelle. At least Kaden was awake for some of this one! Still not a great playmate for Andi, but I bet they are toddling around together before too long.



I found this shirt in my closet at my parent's house and remember my little brother, Uncle Paul to Kaden, wearing it when he was a baby. After he grew out of it, I dressed my baby dolls in it. I'm surprised that it is still in such great shape. If you can't tell, it is a tie-dyed mouse. I'm going to try and find a photo of Uncle Paul wearing it so I can post them side by side. I'm thinking Paul filled it out a bit more - he was a chunker!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Visit from Uncle D


My cousin Steve Koshgerian, Uncle D to Kaden, was out in Malibu for one of ten weddings he was in this year. He decided to extend his trip for a full week and came down to La Jolla to spend a few days with us. We didn't get to do too much sightseeing, but we did go to Mount Soledad and Coronado. The above photo is Kaden and Uncle D at Mount Soledad. Steve is going to be a "real" uncle soon as his older brother, Rick and wife Liz are expecting their first child - another boy - any day now! We can't wait for the Shore 2010 so the boys can play together. Thanks to Steve for making the effort and putting up with a screaming baby for a few hours.


When Steve was in town, we had dinner with JoAnn and Igor Grant - family from my father's side. They live only a few blocks from us so we are able to see them fairly often. While we are many miles away from our immediate families, JoAnn and Igor have taken us in and treated us like their own. We are so thankful for all the help they've lent since we've moved here. They too have exciting news - both of their daughters are expecting their first children later this year! Jenna, the oldest, and her partner, Thomas, are living in Cambodia working on their theses and are due in November. They've left the gender a surprise so we'll see if it one of the boys or the sole girl! Leslie and her husband Alex are living in Brooklyn and are expecting a son in early January. It is so exciting to me that all the girls in the family - Jenna, Leslie, Liz, and me - are all sharing this experience. I only wish we lived closer to one another so that the babies (and mamas) could all play together!