Birthday Boy

My little muchkin... brand new baby

One year old

2 years old

Happy Birthday Caden! We love you so very much!

More pictures to follow from his birthday party. Also, there will be another post tomorrow... I wrote a whole letter to Caden and then went to post it and somehow lost it all. Frustrating! So, i'll have to rewrite it tomorrow... it's too late tonight.

July Update

There have been a few changes in the Miller household as of late... all kids related of course.

Caden is 22 months. and came up to me last Wednesday and asked to go pee-pee on the big potty. I was shocked! We had been reading "potty" books for months and had put the "big boy" potty out for a while. We let him use it when he wanted but never pushed the issue. When he asked, I was thrilled. So I decided that day I would start potty training. We were on a "big boy" theme... on Tuesday we took down his crib and put in a big boy bed. So when Daniel got home we made a big show about going to the store and picking out big boy underwear. He was so excited to get home and wear them. He has done so well. We've had one accident at home since Wednesday... and an almost accident at the library. He does great at home, but I have to remind him when we're out that we can still go to the potty. I don't think he understands that other places have bathrooms. I do still put a diaper on him for naps and bedtime, which I think has helped him (and I) feel successful with the potty training. He is doing amazing!!! He stops whatever he is doing to say "Oh, mommy potty" and then he runs into the bathroom. He is getting so big. Tonight at dinner we asked him if he wanted to pray... we had been coaching him with his prayers for a while... but tonight he did it all on his own. Here was what he said... "De-dus , ta tu mommy, daddy, ye-ya (Aliyah)... help me... dis I know, Bible tell me so. Amen." It was the cutest thing ever!
Aliyah is 7 months now and is crawling everywhere. She pulls up on everything and is trying desperatly to walk. I am not ready for that yet, and I hope it doesn't happen too soon. But she loves to hold onto our hands and walk around the house. She has been sleeping through the night for about 10 days now which has been amazing!

When I write all this it feels so small in insignificant,but to a mom it's all major milestones. Enjoy these moments in life as I know it all passes by quickly.

The cutest ever...

Okay, so I really stink at keeping this updated. But my time at the computer is limited. Not only do the two little munchkins keep me busy, but Aliyah's room is also the computer room. So my time on the computer is limited to the 4-6 hours a day she is awake. Which isn't the most ideal time to be writing away... of course that's what I'm doing now! Oh well... enjoy the photos.


Getting ready to go swimmimg


The two little munchkins, getting so big


Aliyah, 5 months


Daniel and the kids

All about Caden

Caden and I were eating lunch today in the kitchen. I started pointing to the letters we have on the fridge and asking him what they were. He doesn't know all of them, but he knows quite a few. I pointed to the "Q" and asked him what it was. He said "Q" which he pronouces more like "coooo". Very cute! I was about to point to another letter when Caden said "Mommy... AHHH cooo, AHHH cooo." I started laughing so hard. Caden was telling me that the "Q" sound was the same sound that was made when we sneeze and say"Ahchoo." Hilarious!

Caden continues to crack us up and stun us with his intellect. (Brace yourself, cuz I'm going to brag on my kid for a bit) Caden is 18 months old and can say his numbers 1-10 and recognize them all. He also knows some of his letters verbally and by recognition. His vocabulary is amazing and he takes direction very well. He loves to help with the laundry and with cleaning. He's quite the little boy now and we are enjoying him immensely. He is in love with his Daddy and copies him all the time. He is always pretty amazed at the thing Daniel can do. Caden will look over at me with eyes wide and a smile on his face and say "mommy... Daddy!" Like he can't believe Daniel and his amazingness. If only I could write better and really capture the essence of our little boy.... but I guess a pictures will just have to suffice.


Playing with his sister

Laying down with Aliyah

Watching Daddy paint the play room

Started the potty training train of thought (Aliyah thinks its funny)

Putting Mimi's hat on... not quite right

The Kids

Just a few photos (for you Erin :-))


Caden with one of his favorite toys.


Caden right after Daniel threw him up in the air, and he landed on the couch.



Our little princess, all smiles.

The serious face

Climbing

Today started early, and took an interesting turn. Caden woke up at 6:45 and I went in and said it wasn't time to get up and put books in his crib and left the room. Daniel got up and went downstairs to get ready for the day. I fell back asleep and at 7:15 I heard a knocking noise and a little voice saying "come in", it happened twice and I thought Daniel was knocking on Caden's door. I was getting a bit frustrated cuz the knocking was loud and I didn’t want Aliyah up yet. So I walked into the hallway and saw Caden’s door still closed. I thought maybe he was knocking on the wall and answering himself. That’s when I heard little feet on the floor behind the door. I opened the door to his room and there he was, with a big smile on his face and a "hi mommy." He had climbed out of his crib!!!! I have no idea how. I wanted to video tape it today at nap time just to see how he did it, but I didn't want Caden to think it was okay. So, tonight when Daniel got home, we lowered his bed the final level. There is no way he is going to get out now! :-)

Refreshed and revived

This past weekend was amazing... but let's start with Friday, the day from hell. Caden woke up at 6:30am and would not go back to sleep. Aliyah didn't have the best night that night, so I was very tired. I decided to try to give Caden two naps since he's been waking up so early. In order to make sure he went to sleep I got in the car to go to Old Navy to pick up some Valentine's Day shirts, thinking Caden would fall asleep in the car on the way home. Well as seasoned parents know things don't typically go as planned with kids. Caden fell asleep on the way there... so I went through Starbucks drive-thru got a cup of coffee and drove home. 25 min drive for an overpriced cup of coffee, but I had to get something!

I was excited because both kids were asleep and it looked like I could lay down for a while. As soon as I got Caden in the house, he woke up... and never went back down ALL DAY LONG!!!! He was cranky, fussy, and generally just a handful. Aliyah added to that by wanting to eat every two house. Thank you 6 week growth spurt! I cried off and on all day long, just wanting the day to be over.

Finally Daniel came home, I was trying to settle Aliyah and get her to sleep and he walked around the corner with a gorgeous bouquet of roses. I just burst into tears and sobbed and sobbed. That began the fabulous weekend. We watched my sister's kids that night so they could go out and it went surprisingly well for having two toddlers and two infants.
That night Aliyah slept for 6 hours straight (for the first time) and then for 4 1/2 hours. Caden didn't get up until 7:30 and Aliyah didn't get up until 8:15. It was heavenly! Then all day Saturday we shopped for minivans. It was the perfect way to spend Valentine's day, at least for me. Daniel and I had so much fun, crazy I know. The kids did great, which was a huge blessing, and I felt very rested. We finally purchased a minivan at the last place we looked at. The best Valentine's gift ever! Then we rushed home to get ready for our Valentine's date night. We dropped the kids off at my sister's and went out the eat. It was absolutely wonderful. Sunday was just as pleasant with a leisurely morning and a long nap for both Caden and I.

This was definitely a Valentine's Day to remember. A bouquet of roses, dinner out, a minivan, a card and a nap... I don't think it could have been any better. Thanks babe!