4 months old

Well time keeps on going and my boy keeps on growing.  Caiden turns 4 months today!  We don't have our checkup with the pediatrician until Thursday so I can't give his official stats just yet.  But he is sure reaching those milestones

• Smiles, laughs 
• Can bear weight on legs 
• Coos when you talk to him
• Can grasp a toy- this change has been fun to watch.  Before he would hold something if you put it in his hand- now he is intentionally grabbing things.  He loves to grab his burp cloths and bibs
  
   and has even started grabbing his onesie and pulling at the neck.
• He is still working on rolling.  He tries to go from back to tummy- but can't always get over his shoulder.
• Pay attention to small object held in front of his or her face
• Reach out for objects
• Do small mini push ups
• Make a razzing sound- I don't think he does this intentionally yet- but he does it.
• Turn in direction of familiar voices
• Sits with support

I haven't had a chance to unload videos yet, but I'll try to get to it and get some uploaded but here are some recent pics:

He drools...just a little bit!

Chillin in the swing with some toys

A new toy- soft blocks- good practice using BOTH hands.

Tipping over! Check out the dino on his booty- too cute!

What's down there?  Pulling his onesie up over his face!

Getting tangled up !

Also we just had Caiden's 4 month photos taken.  Check them out! They turned great even though it was Caiden's naptime!

What a week!

This past week was a little crazy for us.  It may not seem like a lot to some, but Caiden and I are used to taking it pretty easy.  Here's a recap:

Monday: We got up and went to my school to clean out my classroom.  Caiden really wasn't up for it so I didn't get much done. We were so thrilled that my neighbor, Jamie, had her baby Austin late that night. Caiden was so excited for his new friend to arrive :)  Jamie is doing wonderfully and after a brief stay in NICU Austin is doing great and they are both at home!

Tuesday: Caiden and I went to Stroller Strides in the morning.  That evening Eric, Caiden and I went to the hospital to meet baby Austin.  Although he was about the same size as Caiden when he was born, he looked soo tiny.  It made Caiden look like a giant!  I can't believe how big he is now.

Wednesday: Caiden and I trucked back up to my school to finish my classroom.  Luckily, Sunti, a former colleague of mine wanted to meet Caiden, so she came to the school and entertained him while I got my work done. After lunch I had to go to a doctors appointment and then that afternoon our friends came up from Houston.  Ashlee and her daughter (our goddaughter) Rylie came over to the house to meet Caiden and hang out.

Thursday: We went to Stroller Strides in the morning then shopped with Ashlee and Rylie at Grapevine Mills mall.  The kids finally conked out, but I'm so excited I got Caiden's swim outfit for next year! We ate lunch at Rainforest Cafe.  I thought Caiden might get scared because of the noise when the animals come to life, but he didn't seem to mind that.  The only time he got scared was when the girl at the table next to us was having her birthday and all the waiters started clapping! 

Friday: Had to get up at 6am to take Eric to the airport.  He was in our friends Joe and Molly's wedding in Ohio. Caiden and I went to Stroller Strides- outside at the park- and yes, it was HOT! It was already in the 90s at 9am.  I took a insulated bag with freezer packs and frozen washcloths to keep Caiden cool.  He got a little fussy but then relaxed and went to sleep.  The main reason why we went in the heat was that after our workout there was a celebration for the one-year anniversary for this Stroller Strides group.  I knew more people would be there so I wanted to meet them.  We got goody bags full of coupons and other goodies (of course) and the snow cone man even came!  It's been years since I've had a snow cone, but it really hit the spot in the heat!  After I got cleaned up, I met the McCrarys for lunch at Red Lobster.  Although it was a good lunch I ended up leaving my credit card there.  (I didn't realize it til today when I went to buy something- oops!)

So I'm spending the weekend without my hubby, trying to get the things done that should have been done this week.  Stay tuned- I've been working on baby pics of Eric and I and will be posting them soon.

Hot, Hot, Hot

It has been so darn hot here (100+) for a week at least, Caiden and I have been hanging inside to stay cool!  I started my Stroller Strides group- and I really like it.  Right now I'm going on Tuesday and Thursday mornings because they meet at a mall.  On Mon, Wed, Fri they meet at a park and even at 9am it has been too hot for my little guy.  I guess I know how out of shape I am because after the first two classes I am already sore!

As for Caiden- we are working on naps. He is doing better at night. We've actually had 3 nights now at 8 hours or more YEA!!!  But on average he goes to bed at 9pm then wakes up around 2-3 and then again between 4-6.  He really doesn't sleep much during the day.  He will usually take a nap if we go somewhere in his car seat or stroller, and occasionally will take a nap if I'm holding him.  If he falls asleep and I put him in his crib he will wake up crying after about 5 minutes.  So I went to the library and got a book:  Sleep Solutions for your baby, toddler and preschooler.  Did you know that 3-month olds need about 16 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period?  Caiden definitely does not sleep that much.  Did you also know that "officially" a baby is "sleeping though the night" if they sleep for 5 hours or more?  So I guess he is sleeping through the night- although MY definition was a little longer than that.  Anyway, I'm getting some good tips from the book, but if any of you have suggestions, please send them my way.
That's about all the excitement in our world this week so I'll end with a couple of new pics.