3 months old

This last month Caden has really come alive! He no longer likes to be laying flat on his mat or blanket because he is missing out on all the action. He watches Addie like a hawk, analyzing her every move and laughing at her funny behaviors. He smiles in response to us and our facial expressions. He laughs when he is tickled and enjoys playing pat-a-cake! Recently, we put him in the Bumbo chair and he loved it! He must weigh about 14 pounds now and is 25 inches long...he is a little chunk!

Addie still continues to be an awesome big sister- very helpful and concerned about him and his moods. He loves to give him big hugs and kisses and hold him. I even saw her attempt to pick him up off the floor...yikes! Addie blows us away with her artistic abilities and verbal skills. Every day there is something new that she has learned from someone somewhere and it is locked in her brain forever! We love our kids more and more each day (if that is even possible)!

Potty Training

Potty training is one of those things that parents stress about...how to do it, when to do it, what methods work best, and what doesn't work. We gave it a go last summer because Addie was showing all the physical signs of being ready, but due to our living situation it was not successful. I put it off until after Caden was born, but talked about it all the time with Addie. Last Friday, she woke up and said that she wanted to wear big girl undies. I didn't think much of it, but after 2 accidents she had figured it out. The rest of the day was a success and she was so proud of herself. Little did she know that the next morning we were heading to the coast and all the books advice to not start training before a big trip or any big event. I was freaked out that everything was going to be messed up from the trip and being in a new environment with a lot of distractions, but she did awesome!! She wears undies all the time now- even at night!! We are so proud of her and this major accomplishment. She is now longer a little girl...she is a BIG GIRL!

Pacific City

Last weekend we made our first of many trips to beautiful Pacific City. Riley and Leslie now have a timeshare there right on the beach and steps away from the Pelican Brewery and Pub! We lucked out and had beautiful weather (kinda chilly, but sunny). Addie loved exploring in the tide pools, playing in the sand, flying her kite and climbing the big sand dune hill. Caden did awesome on his first road trip- sleeping a lot and looking around when he was awake. He has a great personality- very mellow except when he is really hungry/tired. He enjoyed his numerous walks in the Ergo along the beach and so did I! We are so thankful that we can look forward to years of fun in this beautiful part of the Oregon coast with amazing family members!

Easter

Easter was extra special this year because Addie and Caden were around both sets of their grandparents and Uncle Dan! Grandma Cindy stayed with the kids and me while Ryan was away in NYC for work training. Her help was much appreciated and needed! Grandpa Bill and Uncle Dan came up the following weekend to spoil the kids rotten! The boys gave my old rocking chair a face lift and created a mini masterpiece for Addie. She got to pick the colors and demanded her name be written on it. Uncle Dan first drew an "A" that Addie said was "silly", so she said "write an A- D- another D-I with a dot-then an E---that spells Addie!" That is just what Uncle Dan did to make Addie happy. We enjoyed every minute of our company. Come back soon.

Addie must have participated in 4 Easter egg hunts and she loved every minute of it! It is not uncommon for us to have sudo Easter egg hunts on a weekly basis. Thanks to all the grandparents and Uncle Dan for making Easter extra special this year! We love you all!