Monday, May 31, 2010

A Visit Home


On our trip to Kentucky, Kaden met his Ba Thuy and his Uncle Brian. He also discovered ceiling fans which, as you can tell in his photo with Brian, he was obsessed with.


Gammi hosted a lovely get together so that all of our friends could come over and visit with Kaden. Some of my friends were able to bring their children so it ended up being quite the "play date." There were a total of six children there and every single one behaved like perfect angels. I think they loved all of the attention they were getting from their adoring fans!


Gammi and Pop spent a lot of time cuddling with Kaden.


And, Kaden spent some quality time hanging out with his Kentucky friends. He had a short little play-date with Lucy Culbertson - don't they look like they could be siblings with the same red hair and blue eyes?




We also made the trip up to Louisville to visit Sadie and Everett Stuart. It was getting so hot in Kentucky that we spent a lot of time in the kiddie pool. Kaden loved splashing around.

All in all, it was a successful trip home.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Nine Months Old


It is not as easy to get our monthly photo now that Kaden is on the move. That's right...he's crawling! Kaden started crawling this past month and he could not be more proud of himself. He loves his new-found independence and is never in the same spot for too long. When he first started figuring it out, he would make a few moves and then look up at us like, "Did you see that? I can move on my own. No more being carried for me, thanks." Now, he makes laps up and down our hallway as though he is practicing for his very own crawl-a-thon.


Our not so little guy is in the 50th percentile for weight and 30th for height...maybe all this crawling will thin him out a little bit?

The second big milestone of month eight was Kaden's first word, "Da-Da." Needless to say, Kevin is over the moon about this development! I am not entirely sure Kaden knows that "Da-Da" means Daddy, but he repeats it ad nauseam. I LOVE - LOVE - LOVE all the babbling!!!

Kaden loves being read to. He is now taking an active interest in his books and even helps turn the pages. We read before each nap and before bedtime. Our book rotation isn't that diverse, but I think he likes it that way; he seems to enjoy stories he has heard before as opposed to new ones. Some of his favorites are Brown Bear Brown Bear (so long as sound effects are made for each animal), I Love You Through and Through, Where is Baby's Belly Button?, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Guess How Much I Love You, Good Night Moon, and Good Night Little Pookie. I have such fond memories of being read to as a child - from picture books when I was very small, to chapter books as I got older. I clearly remember sitting in bed as Dad read Treasure Island, then The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe series. After Dad finished a book, Mom would read one - The Secret Garden, The Little Princess - still some of my favorite stories. I am hopeful Kaden will enjoy this tradition half as much as I did.

Kevin has always been able to make Kaden break into a giggle fit. His newest way to do this is by pretending to scare me. Kevin will hold Kaden and then jump out from behind a corner. I will, in turn, feign surprise. Kaden thinks it is the best thing ever! I can only imagine where this is headed.
Kaden celebrated his nine month birthday in Lexington, KY. Kevin was in Scotland on a golf trip with Papa and Uncle Sean, so Kaden and I decided to trek to Lexington for a visit. Kaden did great on the way there - two flights and then an hour drive from Louisville to Lexington made for a long day, but he did wonderfully. The trip back was a little more challenging. Kaden squirmed all over the place and wanted nothing more than to be out of my arms and able to explore. He is so curious about everything! While we were in Lexington, we had a great visit with friends and family. Ba Noi came down for a quick visit and Kaden had the opportunity to meet his Uncle Brian (Kevin's younger brother) and Ba Thuy (Kevin's aunt). Photos coming soon!!!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Kaden + Lila = True Love

My long-time, best friend, Miriam, and her family, came to town for a visit. They came in for a wedding, but I like to think the main purpose of the trip was to see us. Kaden fell in love with Miriam and Gabriel's daughter, Lila. And who wouldn't? Look at those beautiful big eyes and sweet little smile. My favorite part of their time together was how empathetic Kaden was to Lila's cries. Kaden has been around a lot of crying babies, but none have had the effect that Lila had. Whenever Lila became saddened by something, Kaden would cry right along with her.



The day of the wedding, we packed up and drove to The Grand Del Mar for a day of sun and fun. The kids both loved the pool. Kaden even went under a few times - it didn't phase him. While he came up sputtering, he still had a big smile on his face.




The night of the wedding, the kids stayed with babysitters while the adults went out and enjoyed themselves.

Throughout the weekend, I begged and pleaded with Gabe to quit his job and move to San Diego. He didn't think it was a wise career move, especially while trying to support a wife and child. So, I have decided to make it my new mission in life to find Gabe a job in Southern California. After having a taste of what it would be like to raise my children alongside Miriam's, it is a dream I cannot let go of...especially seeing how much Kaden loves his little Lila!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Happy Mother's Day Indeed

How can Mother's Day not be a happy day when you have the privilege of being this little guy's mom? Today, I thank you, Kaden, for being the most wonderful, lovable little boy I know. Everyday you make me smile; mostly because you are always so happy and have the biggest grin on your sweet little face, but also because you are mine. I can't imagine loving you any more than I do today...but I know I will love you even more tomorrow.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

First Annual Kentucky Derby Party

On the first Saturday in May, the Flynn Family hosted what we hope to be our First Annual Kentucky Derby party. We invited ten couples and their children for an afternoon of Southern-inspired food, Mint Juleps, and NBC coverage of the 136th Run for the Roses.

Kaden cheering on his pick - Lookin at Lucky


We attempted to get a photo of all the kids with their jockey caps, but it was close to impossible. This is what we ended up with.



Kaden wasn't entirely sure about the ball pit.
One ball = fun
300 balls = a few too many



The next day we went to a friend's birthday party where there was a smaller ball pit. He enjoyed this one a lot more than the one we had set up.