January Fun

Tide pooling one warm January evening with Brooke down at La Jolla Shores.  The kids were amazed at a stone crab that they found.

All sorts of shenanigans with friend and neighbor, Charlie Wilkerson.  These two are classmates but have been spending more and more time with one another outside of school.  We are carpooling to and from school which has created a lot of after school play dates and the two seem to really enjoy one another's company.  Charlie is a younger brother and has introduced Kaden to all sorts of new things - the Teenage Mutant Ninga Turtles being the most prominent of them. 

Kaden's School Photo

2013-2014

He picked out his own outfit - not pictured is the neon orange rubber belt!

A couple of Kadenisms to end the post:  

1. After watching a video of my first dance recital he turned to me and said, "Mom, you did such a great job!"
2. After asking for apple chips 38 times he said, "I'm the world's most impatient person." - he gets this from the Koshgerian side of the family!
3. When he is choosing between who he wants to say goodnight to first at bedtime he does the Eeeny, Meeny, Miney, Mo rhyme, except his ends with, "if it yelps, please don't scream."

Harrison - 6 Months

Harrison reached a big milestone this past month.  On January 10th he sat for the first time (for a significant period of time) on his own.  He is quite hunched over, but I'm sure his posture will improve with a bit of strength.  Those "core" muscles are buried deep beneath some very adorable fat rolls!  Another first is his new sound.  He loves blowing strawberries or zerberts or whatever you call them.  He must be getting ready for teeth because these sounds come with lots of drool!  

Harrison still loves jumping in his bouncy seat.

But his very favorite thing in the entire world is still his big brother.  He is always looking for Kaden's attention and, luckily, Kaden is very generous with it.  Kaden likes showing Harrison how all his toys work and really enjoys "reading" to him.

While he wasn't a fan of tummy time as a baby, he's come around.  Every time he's placed on his back, he rolls right over onto his belly.  Makes diaper changes a bit of a challenge, but is perfect for photo ops like these!

We got Harrison's handprints and footprints made into a ceramic wall hanging, just like his big brother's.  H is very aware of his surroundings and what is going on around him.  He takes it all in - from the trees and birds above when we are out on a walk, to the people fawning over him at the grocery store.  

This little guy is ready for food!  At his six month appointment he weighed in at 19 pounds, 13.6 ounces (87%) and measured 26.4 inches (40%).  

This little boy is so full of love.  He truly hugs onto you when you give him a squeeze and has the most adorable giggle.  In Harrison's life, most everything is funny and/or cause for a smile.  He brightens our family and our world.  Needless to say, we are smitten!

A Visit

Both Uncle Brian and Garry came in for a quick visit to start the new year - both were here to see the NCAA National Championship football game up in Pasadena, but they made the time to stop in and see us too.  It was the first time that either of them met Harrison.  

Baptism

We had the boys baptized on December 29th at our church, La Jolla Presbyterian.  Our regular pastor was not there to conduct the ceremony, but the youth pastor, Mike Sedgewick, did a good job.  Both boys were cooperative and Kaden loved being up in front of the entire congregation.  Unfortunately, we didn't get the best photos, but Gammi and Pop were there to witness the event.  We had a nice brunch at Barbarella afterwards.

Kaden Rides a Bike

Kaden got a "big-boy" bike on Christmas morning and was riding it that afternoon.  To say I was amazed is an understatement.  He's been riding his balance bike for about a year and a half now, and everyone told me the transition to a "real bike" would be an easy one.  I was unconvinced and was sure he was going to have to use training wheels, at least for a few months.  But I was 100% wrong.  He hopped on the bike up at the High School track and took off.  He was so proud of himself, and I was so proud of him.  I could tell that he relished his first taste of independence and, as he whizzed around the track, I loved watching him taking it all in.  What a fun milestone this was!

He's been riding every day since and it has not lost its luster.  He begged us to add a kickstand and now he feels like a really big guy.

Kaden's fans and cheerleaders:

Christmas 2013

Christmas Eve was spent, once again, with the Castruita and Willoughby families. 

Kaden and Brooke exchanging gifts.  This year they were really excited about giving their gifts to one another.  They knew they had chosen just what their friend would love.

Christmas morning:

K's favorite gifts - The Planes DVD, a pretend weed-wacker, and a pretend chainsaw.

Celebrating with extended family the day after Christmas:

A Christmas sunset:

Kaden spent every morning of Gammi and Pop's visit in bed with Pop watching Curious George on Pop's phone.  It was a ritual he got excited about every morning.  Pretty sure Pop loved these moments too.

Gammi an Pop spoiled K with a trip to Legoland.

 

We ended Gammi and Pop's visit with a night out at Kaden's favorite restaurant, Corvette Diner.

Harrison - Five Months

Harrison had a lot of "firsts" this month.  The highlight was certainly his first time on a swing.  He absolutely loved it!  He smiled when I gently pushed him back and forth, but then screamed with glee when his brother took over the controls and sent him on a wilder ride.  I'm convinced this one will be my daredevil.  

The valley of the month was Harrison's first trip to the ER.  He'd had a cold during the daytime hours but as night crept on his cough turned to a bark.  In the dead of night, around 1 a.m., he started wheezing and couldn't breath.  Since Kevin was out of town on business, I bundled Harrison up, woke K, and dashed off to the closest hospital.  Kaden was terrific - very agreeable, patient, and understanding.  He was quiet as I spoke with the doctors and nurses, stayed close as the nurses whisked us off from room to room, and was quite concerned about his little brother.  He made several comments on our trip to the hospital - "mom, you're going faster than an ambulance," "mom, that was a red light,""mom, are the police going to get us?"  - but once we got there, he was as quiet as a mouse.  The diagnosis was croup and, after a steroid dose, he was back to normal.

This month Harrison found his hands and seems enthralled by them.  If they aren't in his mouth, he's just looking them over trying to figure out where they came from and how they are controlled.  He also, finally, rolled over from his back to his stomach.  I can imagine it was quite a feat as he's still a little chunk - look at those edible thighs!!!

First visit with Santa -

Naptime -

Bath time - 

"Helping" Dad and Kaden assemble his new chest of drawers -

Getting a good look at Dad -

First time in the bouncy.  The smiles totally gives away how much he loves his new toy.