Kaden Turns Four!!

In celebration of Kaden's 4th Birthday, we threw a fireman themed party at a local park.  Kaden helped design and make his fire truck cake.  

The birthday boy with his cake and blowing out his candles (with a little, unrequested, help from Brookie).

Happy Birthday to Kaden!

We had an obstacle course for the kids - jumping through a ladder created of red duck tape, jumping through hula hoops of fire made from red, yellow, and orange vinyl tablecloth strands, climbing the play structure to rescue the plush kitty cat, sliding down the slide to the fireman backpacks, and putting out a fire made of plastic cups.  It was less than organized, but the kids still had fun.

Kaden requested a pinata full of candy and toys.  We were tempted to make our own, but with a newborn in the house little gets accomplished.  Our purchased one was apparently not made to be broken - all the kids took several turns whacking it and we finally put a hole in it and dumped it out.  The kids could not have cared less!  There was a scramble for the candy and toys and everyone walked away happy.

The big surprise of the day was a visit from a fire truck and "fire man."  The kids listened to a short fire safety demonstration and then got to inspect the truck and all its bells and whistles.  They even got to go on a fifteen minute ride around town.  It was a blazing success!

The Birthday Boy!

On Kaden's real birthday he woke up to balloons, banners, and gifts.  "Mom, can you believe it?  I'm four!" was repeated several times throughout the day.  He was so very excited and proud to be such a big boy!  He chose to have his birthday dinner at Su Casa, a Mexican restaurant across the street.  All in all, I think the kid had a pretty happy celebration.  He's already asking how long till his next birthday!  

Harrison is One Month Old

Our littlest guy is growing quickly.  At his one month visit he weighed in at 10 lbs .8 oz. and measured 21.8 inches long.  His eyes are opening more and more every day as he takes in the world around him.  I have to say, he is a terrific baby - he cries only when hungry.  Much different from Kaden, but then again, I'm much more relaxed this time around.  In retrospect, it was probably me making Kaden such a mess as I fussed over him all the time!  So far, Harrison has been to two birthday parties, a sip and see in his honor hosted by wonderful friends, Amy Mischler and Natalie Willoughby, and several trips to the beach and playground.  His favorite things to do these days are snuggle with mommy and gaze at big brother.  

On the not so fun side of things, we've already been to the ophthalmologist twice for congenital ptosis in his left eye and the physical therapist once for congenital torticollis.  It seems like both stem from being a little too cramped in the womb.  The ptosis presented itself really early - Harrison never opened his left eye.  But, as time went by and his muscles grew stronger, his eye gradually began to open wider and wider.  At our last visit the doctor told us that things looked great and that we don't need to see him again until H turns one.  The toticollis is proving trickier.  Essentially, the muscles on the right side of his neck didn't get stretched as well as the ones on his left so he always holds his head tilted.  This can cause several problems, but the ones they see the most are a flattening of one side of the head and vision problems in the opposite side eye.  At physical therapy, they take measurements to test his range of motion and the degree of the head tilt.  They also measure for head flattening and give us exercises to do at home.  In the scheme of things, it's not terrible.  We'll just keep working until it's better.  Just don't be surprised if you see him in a helmet in a couple of months!

Gammi and Pop Meet Harrison

We are a spoiled bunch!  Gammi came in for an entire month to help us transition to a family of four.  During the time she was there, she was a nurse, chef, housekeeper, photographer, playmate to Kaden, and baby whisperer.  We are so lucky to have this amazing mama and gammi in our family!  

Pop came for the last week of Gammi's visit and loved every second of playing with Kaden.  Kaden was showered with attention and was thrilled with his new "super silly" playmate.  Pop is now an old pro at being a grandfather, he was much more comfortable with Harrison than he was with Kaden four short years ago.  Over and over he commented on what a handsome little man our Harrison is.  

Gammi and Pop falling in love with baby Harrison.

First Weeks

Harrison's first series of portraits

Kaden can't get enough of holding his little brother.

Kaden was unsure about his new backseat neighbor.  The first few car rides were a little noisy.

Harrison's first sponge bath.