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!

To all the Moms...

Every since bringing Aliyah home, Caden has not been sleeping well. He wakes up once or twice during the night crying and then wakes up after only 9-10 hours of sleep. He usually wakes up crying which typically means he hasn't had enough sleep. He also doesn't nap for very long, usually only about 1 1/2 hours.
Before Aliyah was born we had nights and days like that but they were few and far between. He was going down at 8pm and sleeping till 8 or later and taking 2-3 hour naps in the afternoon. Any one have any thoughts about how to get him back on the old schedule? Do you think it's just because of all the change going on? He has been great with Aliyah and hasn't expressed any signs of jealousy or anything. He just loves on her a ton and always asks about her if he doesn't see her.
It's just getting exhausting for me to be feeding a baby every two- three hours in the night and dealing with a crying toddler (which Daniel usually handles, but it still wakes me up) and then getting up at the crack of dawn. Any thought or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Aliyah Drue Miller

So, I'm not very good at posting... but at least I post with the important thing. :-)

Aliyah Drue Miller was born on Dec 30th . It was a "easy" labor... (if labor can be referred to as easy)... my water was broken at 7:30 and labor began about 10:30am. Then after 13 min of pushing, little Aliyah entered the world at 6:23pm, 8lbs 3 oz and 21 inches long. She has been a great baby thus far and I pray it continues. Caden is adjusting remarkably well. There have been no signs of jealously, and he kisses and hugs her as much as he can. It was a bigger adjustment to have me gone for 2 1/2 days then it was that Aliyah came home with us. Caden is still leary of being apart from me, so pray that that changes quickly. It's a little hard when Aliayah needs me and Caden constantly wants me and noone else. Other then that... things are great in the Miller house and we loving having a little girl in the family.

My Little Charmer...

Caden has quite the personality. He is Mr. Friendly. He loves waving hi to people and knows no strangers. He has this little charmer grin and head tilt he does when he knows he's being adorable. I happened to catch it on camera today. He was wandering around the house eating an apple, his new favorite snack. I looked up from the computer to see him sitting on the steps just munching away, looking very proud of himself. Here's the little charmer himself.

What I saw as I looked out the computer room doorway.


The charmer pose.