Time Away

This week Daniel and I celebrated out 5th wedding anniversary. We were able to take three days and trek our way to Hermann, MO. It's about 3 hours east of Kansas City, and is considered "wine country." Now while I know it doesn't hold a candle to Napa Valley, it was absolutly wonderful. We took our time driving, stopping when we wanted to see or do whatever we wanted. Those with kids know, you don't stop if you don't have to. Getting to the destination in a timely fashion is all that matters on a roadtrip. So to be able to take out time was a lot of fun and seemed to set the tone for the whole trip. We stayed three days and two nights at Hermann Hill, a bed and breakfast in Hermann. It was absolutly wonderful... relaxing... refreshing. We did a few wine tours and wine tasting. We took alot of naps, and slept in in the morning, and stayed up late at night, took a bike ride. It was simply wonderful. You forget as a mom how important it is to be a wife as well. Being a mom can wear you down so much that you forgot or simply don't have the energy to be a wife. It wad great to just be able to focus on my husband and remember what it's like to just be a wife and not have the mom demands at all. Did I mention how wonderful it was?? :-) It was the perfect amount of time away. By Friday evening I was ready to hold my babies again. We started our trip home only to have one of our bikes fly off the bike rake as we were going 73mph down the highway. Not the best ending to an incredible weekend. The wind was really really strong and it caught the bike just right and ripped it off the bike rack. Thankfully no one was hurt, and the bike was in decent shape considering the accident. We were able to retrive it.... unfortunatly we had borrowed the bike... yeah not fun. Sorry Scott!!! But other then that our three days away were amazing and rejuvinating. It's amazing that we've been married for 5 years already. It's been the best 5 years of my life and I look forward to what the next 5 years hold for us.

To my son

Caden,
You are two years old! You never cease to amaze us and sometimes we forget how little you really are because your vocabulary and your antics seem much older. Your love and excitment for life just oozes out of you all the time. You get such joy out of the simpelest things. The other day while I was watching a cooking show you came and sat down next to me... very close... and laid your head on my shoulder and said "love you mom." I cherish those moments. I love your tenderness and yet at the same time you are all boy. You love to run, jump and climb. You've recently started testing the climbing limits and I have found you in interesting places and your toys sitting way up high on different pieces of furniture. How you or your toys get to those places... I think I'm glad I don't see. You love roughhousing with your Dad. Growing up in a family of girls I have to hold myself back from saying "be carful, that's enough, or slow down." I'm not very good at that. :-) You also love to help daddy fix things, you will go grab your tools so you can be a part of whatever he is doing. You ask alot of questions and if I don't know the answer you will always say. "Ask daddy when he home." Your dad is the all knowing one. I am your security and your comforter right now. I love those moments when you just need a hug or you want me to hold you. They don't last long, but I love them just the same. You love your sister Aliyah and you are constantly giving her kisses and hugs. You love crawling around on the floor with her and calling her name to get her to follow you. It makes you laugh and her squeal in delight. You try to get her to roughhouse with you, but that usually results in crying for her and a bit of frustration for you. Someday soon you two will be running and jumping everywhere, but for now I'm glad you're the only extremely active one.
You have been looking forward to your birthday for a while. When I told you your birthday was coming up you looked at me very seriously and said. "Birthday, that means presents, cake and balloons." Yes it does. It's those types of comments that makes us laugh and smile in disbelief. You are one amazing little boy. Today you made me dinner with your new kitchen set and you set everything so nicely on a try. You put a hamburger, water, carrots, and ice cream out. I was very impressed with all the represented food groups. When I went to "eat" the ice cream, you stopped me saying, "no mom vegetables first." WHAT??? Where did that come from? I guess some things I am telling you are sticking. So I "ate" the carrots and then the ice cream.

We are so proud of who you are even at the young age of two. We are so proud to be your parents and we look forward to all that is in store for your life. Happy Birthday Caden!

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