Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from the Lowe's! It is a cold and rainy Halloween here in Raleigh, but it didn't stop Cade from having a great time.  He visited the pumpkin pathc, picked out a pumpkin (sort of) and got his costume.

Lots has changed since the last post, and lots hasn't. Ole Miss is still awful, that hasn't changed. But Cade, he is like a different kid. More teeth, crawling, trying so very hard to walk, all kinds of new fun things.

Since our Oxford trip, I have had to travel a ton. I hate being gone from my buddy and Jess. He changes so much so quickly that I feel like I am getting robbed of certain things. But I try to spend all my time home with him to make up for it. Jess does an amazing job with him while I am gone though and has great friends and family to hang out with to help. And we absolutely can not say enough how much we appreciate Grandma and Grandpa

watching Cade each day. It is unfathomable what we would do without them. Plus, Cade LOVES hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa.

Cade is now babbling up a storm, even more so than before. Ba-Ba and A-Ba-Wa are two favorites. We sit there sometimes thinking, "What is he trying to say?" He is so adamant in it, I know he is trying to communicate something. It is really fun to watch.

Cade loves to swing. We go down to the swings in the neighborhood and he hangs on for dear life and laughs his little self to death. It is a great way to get out of the house, we will really miss it this winter when it is too cold. But, he loves to play in his walker even more. He is a speed demon in that thing, going all over the place. One great thing is to take him to the gym at Cardinal Gibbons on a Saturday and let him tool around the gym floor. He will do it for an hour, and get worn out in the process :) We actually bought one because of how he love it in Target!

 

Teeth. Are these things never ending? I think he has been teething for months now. He now has a full grill up top and 3 on bottom. He puts them to good use though, loves to chomp on stuff. And loves big people food. Biscuits, jelly, butter beans, bananas, pancakes, oranges, yogurt, these are all favorites. Not to mention the Gerber puffs, he will hammer those things left and right.

Three words you never want to hear? Double Ear Infection. I think I need not say more. Oh yeah, except that that was the same time 3 teeth were all coming in. Solid.

We got a cage for the living room. Yep, I cage my child in the center of the floor. Don't look so surprised, it is actually a brilliant idea. I can't take credit for it though, we got it from Chad and Bonnie, but it is great. Throw the toys in there, something for him to pull himself up on, and you are golden. You have to keep a clear path to walk around his table though, heaven forbid his path is blocked, you will hear about it.

Cade was not pleased that the Rangers lost the World Series either...again.

Birds, planes, trees - all more favorites to watch and play with. Go outside and he hears the birds or a plane and looks right up in the sky. And taking a walk, he loves to play with the leaves on the trees...he will be very disappointed when winter finally claims it's last leaf! It is a good thing he loves books. Especially the pop up books, he will want you to read them over and over again. He just smiles and laughs, even if he knows what is going to pop up.

There is so much more, I could write about Cade forever, but that is all the time I have for now. We hope everyone had a great Halloween!

Love,

Tim, Jess, and Cade

Oxford

 

 
We are back from our trip to Oxford!  It was a blast.  The game didn't turn out as we had hoped, but the rest of the trip was great.  Cade was awesome on the plane for his first trip, and it was great to see family and friends.

The trip started on Thursday, after Daddy had to stay at work from 7:00 in the morning until just after midnight...so he was a bit tired.  But Cade made it easy for us.  We made it through security in a breeze and then roamed the halls of RDU to keep Cade busy.  He was a big fan of planes taking off and landing.  We held him of to eat until we boarded, and feeding him on the plane was...eventful :)  He, and I, were a bit messy when it was all said and done, but he had his food and went right to sleep for most of the rest of the trip.  When he was awake, he was entertaining the passengers with giggles and pulling on seats, armrests, basically anything in arms reach.  He was having a ball.

We landed, took the shuttle to the rental cars, loaded up the car seat and hit the road for the hour drive to God's country!  A little while later we were saying hi to Jake, Tiff and Aubrey!  A little bit later George and Steph joined us and we were off to dinner.  We were able to go over to Jason and Cathy's house the first night for dinner, and that was great.  Cade was beyond tired by the time we got back, with the time change and just a busy, busy day, but he went down and the adults watched a little football and caught up.

Day 2 was visiting the Square for good food and good shopping.  Cade also go to meet his Nana Sharon (my mom) for the first time, so that was exciting.  Cade had other ideas however :(  He was beat from the day before and just kind of off so the day was a bit bumpy.  But we had a great lunch, the BEST sushi in the world at 2 Stick that night and finally got him in bed to get ready for gameday.

Saturday = Gameday.  It has been too long, but it was finally here!  Cade was ready, sporting his Ole Miss jersey, and Aubrey was decked out in her Grove attire as well.  After running around to get all the food and drinks ready, we piled in and headed off to unload.

 

The Grove was as good or better than ever.  It is truly an amazing and one of a kind place in all of CFB.  Cade loved it, he played and played.  He got a little tired and slept right through the noise too.  We made it in the game for kickoff, and it was LOUD.  Cade loved the band and really loved watching, but the noise made him a little clingy.  No tears, just a death grip on Jess and I while we held him.  He made it through the first quarter then it was time to bounce.  He had a great day though and played hard again at the house that night before bed.

 

We headed back yesterday, and Cade was awesome on the plane again.  He actually slept for about 95% of it, then chatted it up again with anyone who would listen when he woke up.  A great night sleep back in his own bed and the Holiday weekend is coming to an end.

I was sad to see it end, but we all had a great time.  Cade and Aubrey had a blast, fast friends like their Dads.  Thank you very much to everyone who allowed us to stay at their house, share in their Grove spot, eat their food, ect.  We love you all and can't wait to see you again!

Love,

Tim, Jess, and Cade

Teeth, Back to School...time sure flies

Wow, time really does fly by!  It has been a couple months since the last update, and a LOT has happened.  Cade has a couple teeth (that was a fun week), Jess has started back to school, teaching part time, and Cade is getting bigger and bigger.  He is nearly busting out of his 9 month stuff now...and he is just over 7 months old! 

Cade is spending his days at Grandma and Grandpa's house now while Jess teaches in the mornings.  He loves his time with them and it is great to see how excited he is when we pick him up.


A few weeks ago, Cade and I went to Gymboree, it was a blast.  Between baby soccer and bubbles, it was 45 minutes of fun.  Cade really loved the soccer and bubbles.

We are just 2 weeks out from our plane ride to Oxford, we can't wait!  Spending time with Jake, Tiff, and Aubrey, and George and Steph, it is going to be a blast.  Let's hope the Rebels make Cade's first ever football game, and first Grove trip a good one!

Teeth - man oh man, that was a rough couple weeks!  But now, we are all good and he loves munching on cheerios, rice, potatoes, all kinds of stuff.  It is great to see him try new things.  Oddly enough, he loves lemons, loves them.  He will attack it for a few seconds and then his whole body shakes because it is so sour, then he goes right after it again.  Quite funny to watch.

Last night we also got to let Cade go on the brand new football field at Gibbons, with his buddy Carson.  Not that they really did the "first run"...it was ore of a "first let a basketball player carry me in a fast walk" but it was still neat.  The ceremonial shirt was only about 3 years to big, it looked like a giant sleep sack.

Cade now loves the pool and his float.  I remember taking him back at the start of the summer, and even at the beach.  Jess and I were thinking, "Oh man, he hates this and that sucks because we love it."  Well, that is not the case now.  He really loves to be in the baby pool in his float, he is so dang long that he can touch the bottom so he runs around the pool.  It is like a water version of a walker.  Speaking of walkers, he loves that too, he was speeding around Babies r Us earlier today.  Cade also likes sitting just on the edge of the beach, where the waves crash up and just roll into him.

Dear Baby Einstein, I LOVE YOU.  Those videos are a life saver, Cade will sit (and bounce) in his bouncey seat (that is also baby einstein) and watch the music, lights, colors, trains, all the great stuff that keeps him mesmorized long enough for us to eat dinner.  I should be on a commercial for it, giving 100% honest praise and recomending everyone with babies buy it.

Cade has a gaggle of toys...but you know what his favorites are?  Red solo cups, the spoon we use to feed him, and other random things around the house, none of which we bought for his entertainment.  He really loves the cups...he is a champion beer pong player in the making, like his Dad.  Speaking of, keep an eye on your beverage if it is in arm's reach.

Well folks, there is so much to tell, but that is all I have the time for now.  Cade is doing great, we all are.  I will update again after the trip to Oxford to see those sweet, sweet Rebels pound BYU!

Also, we are trying to shoot lots of videos of him, I am working on a youtube channel for them. Stay tuned.

Love,

Tim, Jess, and Cade

What a Difference a Year Makes...

Just got back from the annual Beach Week! It was awesome, and man, what a difference a year makes. Cade had his first Beach trip. He did great, although, like his dad, not a huge fan of cold water. So the Ocean was...interesting. Anyway, this year was so great, but sooooo much different than last. For example:



2010 Beach Agenda -

9:00 - wake up, go for a quick run

9:45 - breakfast, coffee, pack for the short walk to the beach

10:15 - crack open my first "grown up coke" and layout after unpacking

10:45 - I have had at least 2 "cokes" by now, and am ready for the water

11:00 - I am tired of body boarding and thirsty

11:05 - quickly open a new "coke"

11:30 - getting hungry, so find a little snack in the cooler. grab another "coke"

12:15 - after another couple "cokes" and lots of sun, it is time for the ocean again

12:30 - dry off, grab a "road coke" and pack up to walk back

12:45 - rinse off, dry off, go inside for lunch

1:15 - done with lunch, back downstairs for pool time...and more "cokes"

2:00 - yard game time; cornhole, ladderball, washers, lots of "cokes"

5:00 - disperse to shower and I get ready to cook

5:30 - showered, with a fresh "coke" i get ready to cook (filet, burgers, chicken, fajitas, fish, crab legs - all depends on the night)

6:45 - done eating, ready to relax for some card or board games

12:00 - 12:30 - many, many, many "cokes" later and a few games (that I dominate...ok not really, but I think I do), it is off to bed



2011 Beach Agenda (with Cade)

6:00 - wake up to change a diaper full of pee, bring Cade into bed with us (hope he falls back asleep)

6:45 - 7:30 - Cade wakes up, so do we. Make a bottle

8:00 - finish feeding Cade, put him in his "poop" chair

8:01 - quickly make and eat/drink coffee and breakfast

8:15 - change a FOUL diaper, get Cade in a onsie

8:17 - put Cade in his activity thing, go get dressed for the beach

8:30 - take Cade out of his activity thing because it now bores him

8:31 - play with Cade on the mat, on your lap, outside...

9:15 - get ready for the beach - pack the cooler, get Cade in his suit and lotioned up

- caveat here, packing for the beach is a whole new world with a 5 month old...tents, blankets, toys, passie, blankie, bumpo, utfit, extra diapers...

9:45 - get to beach and start unpacking/setting up

10:00 - finish unpacking/setting up

10:05 - put Cade down for a nap

10:06 - QUICK! lay out, drink "cokes", play in the cean, whatever

10:50 - Cade wakes up, not happy

11:00 - after trying to sooth him for a few minutes, head to the edge of the water and stick his feet in the water

11:01 - Cade screams because the water is cold

11:05 - hold Cade in a chair, play with his toys

11:20 - head back home, Cade is done-zo with the beach

11:30 - Change Cade's diaper, try to get another 30 minute nap in the pack and play

11:32 - QUICK! layout again, drink more "cokes", swim in the pool, ect

12:00 - Cade is up and hungry

12:05 - Feed Cade

12:25 - put him in his "poop" chair

12:26 - make your lunch and eat as fast as possible

12:38 - change Cade's diaper

12:40 - Play on the mat or activity thing with Cade

12:55 - sit outside by the pool (under the shade) with Cade, let him watch everyone in the pool

1:45 - Cade is getting sleepy, try to put him down for a nap

2:00 - Cade is asleep, hurry and layout, drink "coke", play in pool, ect

2:45 - Cade is awake, mellowed out

3:00 - try to put Cade in the pool a little, he loves it if you hold him

3:25 - Cade is done with the pool

3:28 - Change Cade, get him ready for his dinner

4:00 - feed Cade

4:20 - put Cade in his "poop" chair

4:21 - rest

4:28 - change a FOUL diaper

4:30 - strap on the Baby Bjourn and attempt a game of bags with a "coke" in hand - NOT easy

5:00 - take turns getting showered and get ready to cook (mst time dinner with the 6:20 nap)

6:00 - start cooking; Jess is getting Cade sleepy

6:25 - eat FAST, Cade is sleeping

7:00 - Cade is not asleep, go for a ride in the golf cart after changing his diaper again

7:45 - back at the house, get Cade ready for his bath

8:00 - give Cade a bath, a big bottle, fresh overnight diaper

8:30 - put Cade down for the night (after firming up the air mattress, filling up the humidifier, turning on the sound machine, turning on the monitor)

8:35 - have some "cokes", play some games, relax outside

10:00 - go to bed because you are exhausted



Vacation 2 was the best, I would not change a thing! Here are some pics from the week. Cade played with Aunt Ali, Aunt K, Uncle Brent, his best pal Carson, Grandma and Grandpa, and hung out all week with Mom and Dad. I do think Cade got into my "cokes" though...take a look for yourself

That is all for now!

Love, Tim, Jess, and Cade